Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3714, 19 November 1880, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the! Council was held last evening. Present j' —Crs Speight (who presided), Wilkinson, i Osborne, McGowan, Marshall, Bawden,: and Mennie. ■ COBEEBPOKDIINCE. >' Letters were read from t —The Colonial Secretary, stating that in respect to the proposed removal of some of the children , in the Industrial School, Auckland, to the Thames Orphanage, that difficulties had arisen which would probably retard the carrying out of the wishes of the Council. Received.—From the Chairman of the Parawai Highway Board, asking for the £10 promised by the Water Supply Committee in aid of the Reservoir Road. Referred to Water Committee.—From Mr Poulgrain drawing attention to the leaky condition of the Water tap near Boundary Creek,, Tararu. Referred to 'Water Committee with power to act.— From Mr West, a Southern gentleman, asking on what terms the Council would supply him with water for motive power for a chair factory. Referred to Water, Committee.—From the Colonial Secretary, acknowledging the receipt of the Council's letter stating that it declined to take over the maintenance of the Hospital and Charitable aid at the Thames, unless the Government agreed to make no deduction from the Borough subsidies on account of the maintenance of those institutions during the. months of July, August, and September last. In reply the writer stated that even if Government were willing, the law did not allow the expenses for those months bei»g paid for out of colonial revenue without deduction Jrom the subsidies of those bodies which have the benefit of the Hospital. Received.—From Mr TowDsend complaining of the bad asphalMaii down in front of his premises. Referred to Works Com* mittee.—From the Colonial Secretary stating that the Government had forwarded two books to the Thames Public Library/ viz., " The* Coleoptera of New Zealand," and " New Zealand Grasses." —From Mr Lawless, and E. T. Herbert, applying for water for domestic purposes. Referred to Water Committee.— From Supt. Moore, 5.V.F.8., drawing attention to the rickety condition of the .triangle stand in Rolleston street. Re* ferred to Fire Brigade Committee. WATXB BTJPPLT COMMITTEE.

Be the laying of the nine inch mains, the committee reported that eight tenders for laying the 9-inch mains were received the lowest being that of Mr J. Kerr, £278 10s, and the. highest that of Mr £. N. Smith, £437 10s. Tho tenders of the three lowest contractors for the work, viz., Mr J, Kerr £278 10s, Messrs Rattray and Horn £280, and Mr G. McCanl £288 hare been retained, and it is recommended that-the tender of MrKerr be accepted,. provided his securities are approved by the Council. The Cartage of the pipes; The lowest tender for this work was from J. Maher at Issd per ton. The Committee accepted this offer provided Mr Maher found sureties to the extent of £20 for the due fulfillment of the contract; failing this the committee advise the acceptance of the tender of Mr M, Casey on the same terms; Be Mr Bertram's application for a reduction of water rate, the Committee reported that the charge made by^ the valuer was correct.-—Tho report *was adopted. ?

THE BEPOBT OF THE WOBSS COKMITTEE, Which contained nothing of importance, was read and adopted. .

BE B. N. SMITH.

The report of the Committee appointed re Mr ii. N. Smith's application for )a right of way through the Orphanage grounds, recommended that the required permission be granted.—The report was adopted.

THE DOG BEOISTBATION ACT.

The Town Ctok reported that under the new ordinance, owners of dogs would t have to take oat collars on the Ist of January next. Several Councillors thought this unfair to owners of dogs, from the fact of their having to take out collars before March. It waß resolved on the motion of Cr Wilkinson that the Town Clerk should write to the Colonial Secretary drawing his attention' to the fact that the two Acts overlapped, and asking him what steps the Council should take in the matter, NOTICB OF MOTIOK, Cr Osborne gave notice of his intention at next meeting to more that the Finanoe Committee meet erery fortnight. ASSETS AKD LIABILITIES. Cr Marshall moved, and itt was carried, that a special meeting of the Finance Committee be sailed for tbe purpose of drawing up a statement, to be laid before the Council, of the Council's assets and liabilities, present and pronpective.—Cr Wilkinson seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. DEBENTURES. The Town Clerk reported that the Hew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency wished to exchange their Water Supply debentures for those of, the Borough.—lt was decided to grant the request. TABABU FOOTPATH:. Cr Bawden moved that tenders be at once called for the completion of the above work, and that the Works Committee be empowered to acoept the most latisfaotpry. Cr Wilkinson seconded, and though an amendment moved by Cr Osborne to the effect that the Foreman attend to the work as soon as convenient, was likewise seconded, the resolution was adopted. FIBS BBIGADE COHMITTEE. The report of the committee was at follows :— Your Committee hare to report that they hare given tbe communication of > the Short* land Fre Brigade their serious attention, and regret that the Brigade has not seen its way to a neede to the proposal of working with the Grahamstown Brigade under one Superintendent. Tear Committee recommend that a* aoon as it is possible for the Cone oil to do so, a central fire brigade station be erected about Mary street or Karaka Creek, a.id both the present stations closed; that one Brigade consisting of 30 firemen, tinder one Superintendent, be-maintained for the whole Borough I with uniforms and accoutrement*, members' of the brigade in excess ot this number wearing only a distinction badge on tho arm. The Committee are of opinion that this recommendation, if acted upon, will reduce the cost of Fire Brigade maintenance Tory considerably, without impairing its effimeney in the slightest

degree. From t\m present time, and until the centra! station is erected, the Committee advise that the Superintendent of the Ghrahamstown Brigade be asked to reduce the number of his men to 20, and the Superintendent of the Shortland Brigade to reduce his men to 15. This reduction of members, although it would not do away with the cost of two engine keepers and of the lighting of the two stations with gas, yet it is hoped it would effect a considerable saving during the year in the matter of Fire Brigade main* tenanco. Cr Osborne moved and Cr Wilson seconded the adoption of the report. Cr Wilkinson moved as an amendment that the Brigades be asked not to fill up any vacancies. . ■ <-■■ Cr Mennie seconded. The motion was eventually carried.