Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4046, 16 December 1881, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held last evening in the Council Chambers, Albert street. Present—Crs Wilson (in the Chair), Osborne, Mennie, Bawdon, McGowan, and Veale.

MINUTES, ETC.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed," and a precis of the outward correspondence since last meeting read over.

APOLOGY. ' Cr McCullough's absence was apologised for.

LETTERS, &C, WE HE BEAD— From George Waite, claiming £3 compensation for damage done to bis property by the flood.—From A. Quadri, containing a similar request, the; amount being £20. Kesolred that the same answers be sent to those persons as had been sent to previous applicants.—-From Thos. Falljames. Orphanage Master, stating.that the fence dividing Mr B. N. Smith's ground from the Orphanage, had been put up again by that gentleman. Be* ceived.—From W. Laurie, Turncock, stating that he did not know by whose authority Messrs Burton and Mulligan were using the ejectors on their premises, but he considered they were only using what water they were entitled to. —This matter was referred to the Water Supply Committee.—From J. Knowies, Under Secretary of Public Works, acknowledging the Council's letter re the ThamesKopu railway .—.Referred to railway committee.—From the County Secretary, enclosing a resolution passed by the Council re the raising of the Grey street bridge.—Beferred to the Works Committee.—From E. F. Menzies, agent for Messrs Wooloott and Bayner, London, money brokers, &0., offering to lend the Council any sum they required »on good terms. —Letter receired with thanks, and referred to the Finance Committee. lIEE BJHGADE. v The Fire Brigade Committee reported* that the couplings sent by Messrs Shand and Mason were too small; they therefore recommended that they be returned, andMessrs Shand and Mason be requested

to send out couplings of the proper size. They also recommended that 6s per week be added to the salary of the enginekeeper.—Adopted.

COMPENSATION

A number of claims for compensation for laud taken in straightening the lower portion of the Karaka Creek were referred to a joint' committee of the Works and Finance Committees.

WOBKS COMMITTEE.

This committee's report was read and received. It was as follows:—" With reference to the silting up of the Hape Creek, the raising of the Hape Creek bridge at Grey street, and the sheet piling of this creek, to confine it within the new channel, the committee have communicated with the County Council, asking for a reply to the Council's former communication respecting these works, but the County Council's decision has not yet been received. The large amount of gravel in the new Channel of the Karaka Creek is the result chiefly of the giving way of Mr Perry's dam in the Karaka Creek, immediately below the waterwheel of Bull's battery. This break in the dam has undermined and injured Ihe new timber breastwork erected lust August from Bull's bridge, Karaka, for a distance of 150 feet. The notice of the 'Mining Inspector has been called to the loss sustained by the Council and the injury done to public property by the failure of the owner of the dam to keep it in repair. An intimation has been received from the Mining Inspector that Mr Perry is willing to abandon his right to the dam. The Committee now ask for instructions. Ist. If the abandonment of the dam is right, without Mr Perry being first called upon to remove the remains of the woodwork of the dam, and to throw out of the creek bed the silt and stones gathered by his structure, and so reduce the creek bed to the level it was previous to its erection, will be considered satisfactory by the Council. 2nd. Or if the Council's solici tor shall be instructed fo^ proceed against Mr Perry, and force him to make good the loss that has been sustained by the Council to its public works before such abandonment is accepted. The Committee haye'written to Mr Aitken asking him to point out in writing to the sureties of the contractor for the lower portion of the Waiotahi flume, all that is necessary to complete that contract, and also to bring to a completion as soon as possible all the works connected with the deviation of the creek. The Committee are in communication with the manager of the Bank of New Zealand respecting the rolling stock of the Grahamstown and Tararu tramway, and are also pushing on works—which when completed will remove the nuisance complained of by W. D. Eeid."

The clause referring to the breaking of Perry's dam was ordered to stand over till a fuller meeting of the Council. The report was then adopted. The Finance 'Committee's report was read and adopted.

DEFECTIVE Ctrl VERT,

Authority was given to the Foreman of Works to make the necessary repairs to the Cochrane street cu'vert, which had been undermined by the water. ••

A MISUNDERSTANDING.

Mr Atkin asked the Council to pay him for carting twelve loads of gravel to Upper Pollen Street.—The Town Clerk said Mr Atkin had only been given authority to put the gravel there.—Beferred to the Works Committee.

NOTICE OF MOTION.

Cr Mennie's notice of motion re the, appointment of an Engineer was ordered to stand over for a future meeting.

HOLIDAYS.

, Or Mennie moved—" That the, Council Chambers be closed from the 26th December to the 3rd January."—Carried. This was all the business. »