Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3385, 28 October 1879, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

The adjourned fortnightly meeting of this Counoil wii held at the Council Chambers last evening. Present—His Worship the Major, Crc McGowan, Mennie, Ehrenfried, Marshall, and Bawden. TALUIKO. After the preliminary basinets, Cr McGowan, by permission of the Council, brought on hir notice of motion—" That the valuing for the ensuing year be per* formed by the collector and messenger, the rate of remuneration to both being left blank." Speaking to the resolution, he said it was necessary to curtail the expenditure, and the performing of the valuation by their own officers would be a considerable saving. He wished the , amount of remuneration paid to the two I to be fixed by the Council. Cr Ehrenfried seconded the motion. He said he would be very sorry to reduce the earning power of any man, but the Borough was pressed right and left for mosey, and he thought it was not oat of the way to ask the Collector to do the work. He now received £175 per annum, apd he considered that a fair remunera-* tion. '■'" ' ' '. .I" '.. . ■'■" i.

.The notion was then pat and carried. Cr MeGowan than moved—" That Mr Fleming receive £26 extra for the work of valuing, and the messenger (Kattray) £5." Cr Marshall seconded. Cr Ehrenfried moved—"That Mr I Fleming's remuneration be £20, and £6 to the boy." ! Cr Bawden seconded. They must look fucts in the face, and tee where they were to get money to meet their expenses. He was informed the Collector could easilj perform the duties. The amendment was then carried. SMITHY. A letter was read from G. Vickery stating that he intended building a blacksmith's shop in Pollen street, Shortland, and erecting a platform in front of same. Permission was granted, subject to the bylaw and the approval of Acting Foreman of Works.

KAVABRAXOA VAIMY SOAD. A letter was read from the County Council asking permission to move the fence on the small flat in the Keereatioa Ground. After some discussion Cr Ehrenfried laid he had heard that the fence erected was useless and would not keep out cattle. He moved that the Works Committee inspect the fence and at the same time look at the fence referred to by the County Council. Cr Bawden seconded. On the motion of Cr MeGowan the mover's name was added to the committee and the motion was carried. DSFKCTIYE WATEB TABLE. A letter was read from Dr M. H. Payne drawing attention to the defective state , of the water table in front of his resi- < dence. It was resolved to send a letter to the writer stating that the Council were not in a position to repair the water table. DBAIVAOS OUTLETS. A letter was read from Mr Stewart, the District Engineer, in reply to one written by the Council, statiag that tbe Public Works Department could not undertake to construct the short pieces of street from their present termination to the railway embankment, but would place drain pipes through the embankment. BOILM. Permission was granted" to Mr J. Townsend to place a small boiler on his premises, subject to usual conditions. WAITS X.AHDS XOABD. A letter was read from Sir Geo. Grey, in reply to a letter from the Council re the construction of the Auckland Waste Land Board. The writer agreed with the sentiments expressed in fhe letter of the Borough, and promised his aid in having the Act altered. SATIS. An application from Mrsßeattie to have her rates remitted was referred to the Charitable Aid Committee.

BEFORT OF CHABITABLX AID COMXIITBK. The report of this committee was read ■s follows :—

Tour Committee have tbe honor to report that the Thames Orphanage and Trailing School Building having been completed ia> structiont were given to the Believing OScer to proceed to Auckland and bring to tbe Thames those chi'dren in tbe Auckland Institutions towards whose maintenance the Borough Council has bad to contribute tine* 1877. Acting on orders given him by your committee, Mr Mason brought from Auckland Jas. Higgins, 11 years; Xlixa Morrison, 10 years | Lm-y Morrison, 8 years; Edward floloif*. 11 yean; Olirer Holmes, 8 years; John Morrison, 4 Tears; Obarlea Morrison, S years; Albert Weston, 11 yean; Joseph Morrow, 11 years; John Higgins, 9 years; Augustus Higgini, 7 years; Alfred Dare, 10 yoas; James Bird wood, 9 yean; Flora Birdwood, 7yearsi Sarah Marl in, 11 years ( in all 15 children,—and delivered them to the) master and matron of Orphanage, Thaaea. In addition to the above a baby four months old, whose not her bat jutt died in the Hospital, will be seat to the lastita* tion in a, few days. Doubtless the Oeuaeil ;. will be surprised to Hod that whereas daring , the first quarter of pretent year payment was made for as many as 27 chi dren, and daring the second quarter 21 children; that the Relieving Officer ohould find at the present time but 15, for whose care and maintenance tha Council «re Hab'e, and your ooaimittee desire to record their high approval of the energy and care of Borough interests evinced ~ by your Believing Officer with regard to this / matter. With each of the children from the Howe street school a change of clothing was cent, but from the Parnell Orphanage no such ■ thoughtfutnets was evinced; and the little ones were sent to the Thames wicfaoai ac much as a night drew to sleep in. In tea* ponse lo an appeal made, the ladies c€ the Thames came immediately to the help of your committee, the greater number meeting for work at St. Geor.e's parsonage. One or two went to the Orphanage, and worked there, whilst others made op and sent paresis of clothes from iheir own houses. To all the committee desire to express poblioiy their * warmest thanks. Very many subscriptions ', and promised subscriptions have heaal" received, and the moneys already paid have been banked to the credit of the Orphanage-; fund. It is reeonmended that the "ladies' committee "^e elected by subscribers not later than TMondey next, from md after which date the management committee •( this charity consist of the Mayor and thefts Couacillors, forming the Charitable Ail Committee of the Council, and the tear ladies elected annually by subscribers of £1 ' Is and upwards to the funds of this charity; that a report from such committee setting forth all requirements and propotei improveI meats, together with moneys required from the Council, in addition tosab«eria> tions received by the committee, be presented monthly to your Council for cob*' firmation. The committee ao foraaed would work in connection with the Council 'in very much the same manner at the Thames Hee> piUl. Your Committee recommend that all accounts and moneys be voted monthly in a, lamp sum to the Orphanage Committee, whe would tbea receive each quarter frota Government a sum equal to that received hy" them from the Council and public sftfeeetip*' tions. Until other arrangement* are mm the Borough Believing Officer eoatd act. as hon. secretary to the Orphanage Cotaaritteet With regard to Mrs JB. Love and Mrs Harvey; your Committee recommend that enqairietbe made by the Believing Officer into tbe tooth of the statements contained in the letters sent, and if found correct, h# he anthorised to pay same.—Wm. McCtrtLOCaa, Mayer.— Thames, 26th Oct., 1879.

Cr Ehrenfried asked how it was that the number of the children had deereaied from 27 to 15 P And he would like to know whether the Council had not been overcharged for some time past on account of children in Auckland institutions. . .: At the request of the Council Mr Mason, relieving officer, stated that 10 of tbe children had gone to service, and the Council were not responsible for thesa. They had been paying for several half* . caste children, whose maintenance was also paid by the Native Department. Cr Ehrenfried moved—" That the Believing. Officer, and Town Clerk com* pile a statement of the. amount tho Boroufch had been overcharged, and that application be made to th» Government for the repayment of that amount." oiphan's homi. A letter was read from tho Clerk of Works, Mr Hammond, reporting tho completion of the Orphans' Home. In reply to a question by Cr Ehron> fried the Town Clerk stated that the cost of drawing the plans and the oversight of the works had cost £48. Cr Ehrenfried said that if an architect had been employed he would have dono the work for from 3 to 5 per cent Ho did not wish to cast any reflection on tho Committee, but thought they should ceo that bimilar mistakes were not made in future. Cr Mennie endorsed Cr Ehrenfried's remarks, but condemned the action of tho Committee. Cr McGowan, as one of the Committee, stated that when the work was commenced the Borough Surveyor was absent from the district, and they had the option of permitting the work to go on without oversight or to appoint an overseer.. REPORT OV- WOBKS COMJMTTBI. The report of this Committee was road at follows:—The Committee have to report that with regard to tbe offer made to tho Council by Mr Stilwell, of Parawai, they are of opinion the season is too far : advanced for planting this year, anil advise that the consideration of. this matter stand over until tho autumn. With regard to Mr Cain's complainCtho matter is not one that comes under tho cognisance of your Committee, tho drainage complained of not coming on to.or I from any public road. Irishtown Boad— , The Committee cannot recommend tho construction of this road at present. '■. i The report was adopted. »# • mechanics' ikstitctk. ~^kr" The Mayor said that the Mechanics' Institute was now vested in tho Council, and he thought the Council should take some steps in the matter. He suggested the appointment of Mr F. H. G. Wood* ward as librarian. A committee waa . appointed to bring up a report at next meeting. NOTICE OF MOTION. : Cr Mennie had given notice of motion —"That Council take into consideration the financial conditiou of tho Borough." He stated that he now considered it unnecessary, and obtained permission to withdraw it. ' This concluded the business.

(IKOIC A COHBKBPONDEHI). Pxeeoa, Last night. At the meeting called of persons desirous of forming a Liberal Association at Paeroa, a good number of persons Assembled. Mr 0. F. Mitchell occupied the chair, and spoke upon tbe advantages of such an Association for the Qhineinuri District. After several speakers were heard, the nomination of officers was proceeded with, when tht following gentlemen were elected to* the several offices:—CF. Mitchell, President; W., Logan, Yiee-President. Comm\ttee—C. A. Cornea, to represent Mackaytown; J. Logan and E. Quin, Paeroa; B. Brown, Kotokobu; J. Holden. Owharoa; J. Corbett, Waitekauri; and H. Alley, Hikutaia; J. Shaw, lion. Secretary ; J. Mahoney, hon. Treasurer. At a tneotine of No. 3 Company Thames J Seottiih, Mr F. Lipsey was elected Uap-.| tain. ; Mr Mackayii ezptcted here daily, and with instructions to at one* arrest the , offenders. The feelinjr, of fear of further violent acts on the part of the Ngatihako natives has subsided, and residents are proceeding j wth thrir ordinary avocations; still the mne lost by some has seriously affected farming operations.

Paeboa, 3 p.m. Major Withers is to return on Friday with pay for tbe Volunteers. Only 2s 6d per day is to ba allowed, and Is 6d for rations. Great indignation, and a memorial is to be sent to tke Government to increase the amount.