Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3154, 28 March 1879, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

The usual monthly meeting of the Council was held at the Council Cham* bers last evening. Present—His Wori ship the Mayor, Crs Ehrenfried, Hansen, Speight, Brassey, Price, Mennie, Wilson, and McQowan. MINUTES. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. OUTWABD COBBEBPONDENCE. A precis of outward correspondence since last meeting was read over. DBAY LICENSES. A letter was received from Allen Johnson applying for a half-yearly dray license. The Town Clerk said that such licenses were issued yearly. It was resolved to inform Mr Johnston that the Council had no power to comply with his request. GOID BEVENUE. Advices were received of the remission to the Borougli Fund Account of 5s goldfields revenue. GBAHAMSTOWN AND TABARU TBAMWAY. A letter was received from Mr Souter stating that he had removed a portion of the rails of the G-rahamstown and Tararu tramway and Coromandel street tramway under the impression that he did not need to apply to the Council. He guaranteed to replace the rails when they wished. On reference to the Tramway Act, he found that application to the Council was necessary. The Bella street rails had been removed without h:s knowledge or consent. The Town Clerk said that Captain Souter had been warned by the police

to stop moving the rails, and he persisted in moving them until tue Council instructed their solicitor to write a letter to hint, warning him to desist. Cr Brassey suggested that Captain Souter should be asked to pay any cost the Borough had incurred in this mat* ter. Cr Ehrenfried moTed, " '.that on all costs incurred bei»g paid, and ou Captain Souter pointing out what rails he wished to remove, and finding security for their replacement when the Borough required it, the Works Committee be impowered to grant permission if they think fit—a separate application being made for the removal of each set of rails." Cr Speight seconded. . Carried unanimously. SUNBEAM QTTABEY. The Town Clerk said that the Mining Inspector applied that permission from the Coum :1 be given to him to gazette the return to the goldfield of the Sunbeam Quarry Reserve, Tar^ru, which had been taken out of the goldfield at the request of the Borough. Application granted. THE £400 GBANT. A .letter was received from the Under Secretary for Crown Lands enclosing a form which it would be necessary for the Mayor to sign before the recreation ground vote of £400 could be handed over to the Borough. This certificate had been sent. The Town Clerk said the vote would have to be expended before the 30th of June. A committee was appointed to see to the expenditure of the vote, consisting o the Mayor and Crs McGowan, Speight and Hansen. BATES. A letter was read from Mrs C. Coolahan, saying she was quite unable to pay the rates levied on her premises in Short land. Consideration deferred for a month. A letter was also read from A. Bagnall, asking that time be allowed him to pay his rates. KABAKi CBEEK. A telegram was received from the Untlir Secretary for Public Works re certain unfulfilled formalities concerning the straightening of the Karaka Creek. Eeceived. EEPOBT OP WOBKS COMMITTEE. The report of this Committee was read as follows:—"Your committee recommend that the ropes of the fire bell in Williamson,street be lengthened, and so do away with the danger of having to stand on the platform to ring the bell at a fire, and that at some future time a new fire bell stand be erected opposite the present engine-: house in Queen street. The committee find the contractor for the erection of the County water-race has, without the authority of your council, erected one of the legs of the flume in such a position as to be an obstruction to the traffic on both sides of the creek. Notice has been given to the contractor to remove this leg. On your committee pointing out to the contractor that he had no right to have dug up the road and erected the trestleleg without the sanction of the Council, he stated that the County Engineer had given him authority to do so, a statement that can scarcely be credited, and one that you committee anticipate will be a misunderstanding of th« County Engineer by the contractor. The notice of the County Council has been called to this. .Your committee suggest that the one set of trestle legs be removed several feet nearer the building line of the road, so as to give more room for carts and obviate danger f?om cart traffic. On the other side of the creek one set of legs will also have to be shifted."

The report was received. Cr Ehrenfried moved that the firebell be removed at once to opposite the Fire Brigade shed. He said in its present position it was quite useless, and endangered the safety of the town. He moved that the bell be moved at one. After some discussion the opinion of the meeting was taken and Or Ehrenfried's motion was lost, the report being adopted. FINANCIAL \ The fortnightly pay-sheet and accounts for small contracts were passed for payment. PBOPOBED SEDUCTION OF BALAEIBB. The Mayor said he had instructed the, Town Clerk some time last month to furnish him with a statement of the salaries paid to the officers of the Council, and he found that the Borough paid over £800 per annum for salaries and allowances. He read the list as follows.: — Ma-or, £150; Town Clerk, £250; collector, £175; engineer, 5 per cent, on all works done by uitn under orders from the Council, also for plans ordered extra ; health officer, £75 per annum; medical officer, £1 Is each report, —visits without medicine, 6s—with medicine 10s or 7s 6d; relieving officer, £50; messenger, 12s per week; auditors, £25; valuation of Borough, £60. Clerical assistance allowed by Council annually: — Notices, Assessment Court, £2; copying rate book £4; copying burgess rolls, £6; copying petitions, &c, no special charge (what they_ cost), this year 15s, one year as high as £20. Eeturns required for RegistrarGeneral, £2 15s each time ordered by Council; two years since ordered before. Returning officer, £3 3s each election.— In his opinion considerable reduction could be made, but it was for the Council to.sayinwbat direction. If a subcommittee were appointed to inquire into the matter, a report could be laid on the table at the next monthly meeting. Cr Ehrenfried thought that the matter should be considered by the whole Council.

Or McGowan differed with Cr Ehrenfried, and said that the course suggested by the Mayor was the proper one to takeThe work of a sub-committee, might not .be altogether a pleasant occupation, but he was prepared to do his share, and not shirk his duty. Cr Brassey moved that the consideration of the malter be taken after the ordinary business on the next night of meeting. Cr Speight said he would go in to abolish the salary of the Mayor. Cr Ehrenfried said he would object to act upon a sub-committee. Cr McGowan moved as an amendment that the matter be considered at a special meeting this night week. The resolution and amendment being put to the meeting, the former was car* ried.

Cr McGowan remarked that it appeared to him that they were all frightened to look into the matter. This concluded the business.