Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3690, 22 October 1880, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held last evening. Present: Cr Graham (in the chair), Crs Wilkinson, Marshall, Mennie, Wilson, Bawden, and McGowan. GUTWABD CORRESPONDENCE. A. precis ot the correspondence outwards during the past fortnight was read. iettebsbead; From the Registrar of Electors, enclosing a list of the persons whose names are not on the Electoral 801 l taken from the roll of the Middle Ward. The writer asked the Council to assist him in having the names of those entitled to the franchise Inserted in the roll. Bequest complied with.-—From the Sydenham Borough Council relative to the cost of maintenance of the Borough. Request granted.— From Mr J. J. O'Brien, covering an account for £3, compensation for loss of time through the Council changing its mind re the Pahau street tramway, and £7 10s for the diversion of the Karaka Creek. Letter was received.—From the Colonial Secretary stating that the Government had no more books and photographs similar to those presented to the Auckland Public Library. It was resolved to renew the request.—From the Native Department acknowledging the receipt of the Council's resolution re their claim to a portion of the Goldfields Revenue. Received.—From the Colonial Secretary as follows :—

Wellington, October 11th, 1880.—I have the honor, by direction of the Colonial Secretary, to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from the Town Clerk of the 29th ultimo, stating that the Council are willing to subsidise the Thames Hospital in the same manner as was done before the let July last, provided "no deductions of any kind" are made from Borough subsidies on rates a« provided by the "Financial Arrangements Act, 1880." In reply, lam to point out to your Worship that if the Borough Council resume their payments to the Hospital Com* mittee from the Ist instant, the Government will hare supported the institution between the Ist July and the 30th September; and' the whole of the expenditure so incurred must be deducted from local subsidies. After; the Ist October, the Government will pay 20s for every £1 contributed from Borough funds and local subscriptions. lam to add tjhat the G-oveinmenfc cannot give the pledge asked by the Town Clerk, to make no deductions "of any kind" from subsidies; all that they can promise is, that so long as the Borough Council contributes to the support of the hospital, bo deductions will be made on that account from their subsidy, unless it shall become necessary under section 8 of "The Financial Arrangement* Act, 1878."—I have, &c, Q 8. Ccopib, Under Secretary."

Referred to the Charitable Aid Com* mittee to draw up a reply.—From Mr Samuel Stephenson, as follows :—

The Mayor and Councillors.—Gentlemen, •—I hare the honor to make application to jou for a retura of £10 paid to you for my license, the privilege for which the money was paid being refused by the Chairman of the Licensing Bench on the ground that it (the license) was illegally issued by, the Collector of Customs. The why or wherefore I have no opinion to offer, but simply to state that I am debarred of my usual occupation, and ask for a/return of my money, that I may seek elsewhere the privilege* that are denied to the citizens of the Thames, if I still continue to follow the business of a licensed) victualler.— I am, Ac, SAwrix St*tbemlO».

Besolved that a letter be sent to Mr Stephenson; sympathising with him, and recommending him to make application to the Government.—From Mr T. L. Murray, notifying the Council of the disposal of the rolling ißtock of the Tararu tramway, and asking if the Connoil wished to purchase any. Received.—From the committees appointed by the Fire Brigades. The Grahamstown committee were favorably disposed to the amalgamation, but the Shortland delegates were not so. Letter received.—From five residents of Block sk, asking that the water be laid on to their premises or a atandpipe erected in the vicinity. Beferred to the Water 'Supply Committee. '".'; ■ ■>- „'■', , tf v";?^ BEPOBT OF THB FOBEMAN OF WOBB^.

The report of the Foreman of Works showed that sereral slips had occurred on Tararu road, and asked that the Borough horse be allowed a spell as it was over* worked. Eeferred to Works Commit' ''fee*-- - - - COMPLAINT FOB THI VA.LT7SB. A letter was reeeired from the Borough Vainer, Mr Andrew Fleming, stating that Dr Itilgour had called him a yerjr dishonest vainer, and asked the institution of an enquiry into the charge. The Chairman suspected Mr. Fleming had been assessing some of Dr Kilgour's property too low. (A laugh.) The Town Clerk explained that Mr Fleming had made the complaint to the Council, beoauie they had previously requested the speaker to refer all such matters to themselves. BBCBBATION GBOTJND. ; Cr McGowan drew the attention of the Council to the fact that they had let the Recreation Ground for a longer period than they legally could. The matter was after discussion finally relegated to the Water Committee. NOTICES OF MOTION. Cr Mennie moved the motion of which he had given previous notice:—" That the salary of (he Town Clerk be the same as heretofore, viz., £300 per annum." He thought it would be unwise to reduce the salary, as the Town Clerk was an efficient officer. Cr McGowan spoke strongly in favor of Mr Dean, and his fitness for the office, he , held. Cr Osborne opposed the motion on the ground that the Borough could not afford it.—The motion was carried. VALUES. Cr McGowan moved that Mr Fleming be appointed Borough Vainer for the ensuing year at a salary of £20. Carried. THE CONTBACT BTSMM. ; Cr McGowan moved:—"That the Works Committee be authorised to let, by public tender, the following works; To clean, repair, and keep in order that portion of Tararu Boad between the Tararu bridge and Burke street; also to keep the drains and water tables cleared for a period to be arranged; also Pollen street from its junction with Owen street to its termination at Grey street, all drains and water tables to be kept clear;'also that the asphalt yard, with sheds, appliances; boilers, tool's, &c, be offered for public tender, tenderers to state price they will give for lime, shingle, Ac, in stock, and the price.per square yard they will undertake to lay asphalt for the Borough Council." He saw in proposing a resolution like this a good deal oould.be said in Us favor and a good deal against it. It was said that the oleaning of drains, etc., should be given to old men who were past the years of hard labor. This argument weighed with him, and

had that course been followed out he probably would not have moved the resolution. In past yean when the old men were employed, there was a lot of grumbling at their working at the " Government stroke." The Foreman of Works consequently had been compelled to employ able bodied men, and he must say that the present employes of th» Council were excellent workmen. He spoke strongly in support of the motion. On. the suggestion of Cr Osboroe Cr McGowen amended his resolution, so at not to make it imperative,. Remarks were made by several Councillors, and ultimately the motion was carried. MB STJBPHBNIOK. Mr Stephenson asked permission to make a statement with regard to the , refund of his £40.—0n the motion of Cr Osborne, the Standing Orders were suspended to enable him to do so.—Mr Stephenson said that the' resolution the Council had arrived at placed him in a peculiar position. The Collector of Customs affirmed that he issued the, license strictly in accordance with law, and that the Chairman of the Licensing Bench had no right to question it. Mr Kenrick replied that that was his (the Collector of Customs) opinion, not nit; and refused the permit to exercise it, ignoring its existence altogether. With ■" regard to the remarks of the Chairman (Mr Graham), the Collector of Customs had been asked to return the money, bat replied that he had paid it over to the Borough Council, and that it had been acknowledged through the papers as £4Q received for Mr Stephenson's license. This conoluded the business.