Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3593, 2 July 1880, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

1 The usual fortnightly meeting of the abo«e body was held last cveniug in tlie Borough Chambers. Present — Crs ivicGownn (in the Chair), and Crs Marshall, ' Menme,- Wilkinson and Osboi'ue. The minutes of the kst ordinary and special meetings of the Council were nad and conGrmed.

COBBESPONMENCE,

Mr J. C. Williams wroto calling attention to the fact that the footpath in Kirkwood street was so. low that the drain water ran over into.his property. A few loads of mullock would remedy the evil.

deferred to Works Committee

A letter was read from Mr George Harcourt;, lessee of the Pyrites Keduction Works in Coromandel street, stating that owing to the inefficiency of the Moanatairi Creek flume, the property in question became submerged in wet weather, and put him, to a considerable loss in consequence. He intended to put in a claim for compensation for the damage sustained, and would like the Borough to appoint an arbitrator, to act with one he should appoint.

The letter was received

A sight discussion ensued as to the latter pert of the app'ication, but the Chairman said if the Council appointed anyone to view the damage, it vvuuld be to so.r.e extent acknowledging the liability of the Council.

Mr James Clarke, grocer, Collins street, called attention to the bad state of Collins street, situatrd al the rear of Price's Foundry.

deferred to Works Committee

A letter was read from Mr J. Brown, stating that be had complied with the Council's request, anent the tail race in connection with the battery at Tararu.

Letter received

A. letter was read from'the Government stationery storekeeper, Wellington, stat ing that instructions, had been receired by him from the Colonial Secretary that local bodies in future would have to pay for all publications they received. He in consequence . requested Post Office order for 255, ptnotint of account rendered.

Letter received

The Town Clerk, stated that he had written to the Stationery Department to effect that the Borough always had the Parliamentary, papers free.

Cr Marshall said that if they had to pay the Government they had better get the publications in the Thames as they wanted them.

A letter was- rsceived conveying a cheque for £21 9s 8d from Government for goldfield's revenue.

TELEGBAMS.

The telegrams from Mr. Speight having been read at a previous meeting were taken as read. -

THE WATER AGREEMENT.

It was stated that the agreement had been drawn up by Mr Miller, and signed by both Borough and County.

BE?OBT OF CHAKITABLE AID COMMITTEE

The report of this committee recommended that the tender of Mr Alexander Mennie for rations be received. The tender of Messrs Hewin was,.the lowest, but the Believing, Officer tidvfng made (S^iaplaiuts of, the quality of the goods supplied, advised a change.

Cr Marshall said he was given to understand that the lowest tender had not been accepted. He bad been, requested to ask the reason assigned by the Committ c for their recommendation. The reason given is that the present tenderer for rations to the Orphan Home was that he was not satisfied with some of the goods supplied. He wished to. have the matter explained.

The Chairman pointed out that it was in the power of the Council to decline the recommendation of the committee. They had power to do s.o. .Cr Osborue said he did not think so. The committee having been entrusted with the business could not be interfered with.

The Chairmen said that the Council reserved the right to do so, when:Lexpendilure of money was concerned. Cr Osborne said as a member of the Orphanage Committee he opposed Hewitts lender, being dissatisfied with the quality of goods supplied. The r Chairman remarked that the difference between, the ?two tenders was only on one item in which Mr Minnie's was of a penny above Hewin's tender

'The Towu Clerk said the recommendation^'of the Committee Lad been adopted last year whert Mr Speight was present Cr Marshall said that might be looked upon as a precedent. Cr Will?mson said he thought the Council could interfere.

The Chainnau said that if the Council chose they could upset the action of the Committee.

-,;:■ (Jr Menuie moved the adoption of the report. '■'..'■•' Mr Clarke asked if he could bo heard?

--•'the. Chairman: Not unless the Com" mittee agree to ifc, and suspend standing orders. .

The Chairman then passed a resolution in favour of hearing Mr Clarke. ' Mr Clarke said that during the time Mr Herein had supplied the goods, they had- always given satisfaction. It was true that the goods in one or two instances had not beeu up to sample, but he had.no doubt Mr Mennie had also found that to be the case with him. Mr Hewitt's tender was the lowest, and ho thought it should be accepted.[ It was one thipg ; to make wholesale charges, and another to prove them. He would give substantial guarantee that the gqodj^ he supplied should give Tull satisfaction to the .Relieving Officer. \ '7 ' ►? Or Wilkiuson moreTl!<-'>-IMt • tb£> report be referred bade to the Committee for their wiitten reasons for the chauge.'* Cr Menuie .asked that the EeUejji^g Officer's statemeut be heard. Oir'stcJry had beeu told. . /

Mr Marshall seconded the proposition. Cr 'Menaie moved as an Jimendmeat "That the Council hear me Eelieving Officer." _ / Cr Osborne seconded.^-' ; On the resolution aiidjunendmumt beiag putthere wera two .jpefes for.each. Tlie Chairman g.ive his casting vote in favour of the resoluLion. Tue ■ .amendment was consequently lost,. '<\\ . . / Cr Osborno said the Orphanage Committee were peculiarly constituted., He moTod that Crs Willrinso-i and Marahall be added to' the number. ; '-. p Cr, Wi.kiuson said [ t that was not order. Cr Osborne would have to giSfe notice of. motion. . ; .' ' WOBKS CpMMITTEB's BRPJBT. Tho Foreman of; Works in his report estimated the cost of the bridge in Pahau street \-ah follows -.—lf 20 feet with stone

sido walls, £197; if 20 feet niln wooden side ; walls, £95; if 16 feet wilh wooden sid<; £72,; and if the Government aareta^o makV the approach from the railwSiS*©2s. It recommended that the Karaka road be improved by the spreading of 62 J'ards of broken motal. Part of this road was in,the Coun'y. If (hat Council would put 16 yards, the cost.would be £8. The footpath'at Haver Gelds, in the Waiotahi, had been formed, and a culvert laid at the junction of Mackay and Willoughbystreets. The footpath in Mackay street north has been repaired, pnd the footpath and water-tuble in Pahau street are being improved. At a cost of £8 the-nommittee had carried the sea culvert at Tararu out several feat further, so as to allow of an effective flow of drainage. Cr Wilkinson moved—" That the work in connection with the railway in Pahau street and the proposed asphalt work be deferred considering the present state of the finances of the Borough, and that the rest of the report be agreed to." Cr McGowan seconded. ■

Cr Osborne moved that the words " until such times as the District Engi* neer has replied," be added. Agreed. REUSING- OFFICEE. Xhis report stated that the cost of rations supplied was at the rate of £31 19s 4d per month. Received. HEALTH OFFICEB.

This report stated that four deaths, aIL of children, had occurred during ihe month. Adopted. -.< ■■•/ The Foreman of Works report^that the timber forming the .--saves *bf the Council Chambers' was. past repair.. Suggestion was made to the effect that new wood and zinc be pur up. Or Wilkinson said the Couceil must knock off their expenditure. He moved that the matter be held over for a fortnight.

Cr Marball seconded

FINANCE COMMITTEE,

This Committee reported that the amount required to pay pressing liabilities was £315 19s 9d. Among the items forming this sum was one of £4 15s, for obtaining evidence to put before the Bailway Commission. . ;

Cr Mennie said that some of the items might,have been done without, in his opinion.

The report was adopted.

Cr Mennie moved " That the Finance Committee see what can be done towards settling some of the accounts."

The Chairman said he had a long letter from the Bank of New Zealand, and as it was not of public interest, he recommended the Council resolving into Committee.

The Council then went into Committee on financial matters. •