Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4283, 22 September 1882, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held yesterday evening. Present: Crs Speight (in the chair), Menuie, Veale, McGpwan, Bawderi, and Carpenter*-" . , ■ ; ABSENT MEJIBEES. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor, Crs Wilson and McCulldugh. - . VANftUARD KOAD. Mr McLaren, Mining Inspector, wrote in reference to la shaft 200 feet; deep covered over to a depth of 10 feet by the new Vanguard road. The boarding having been underground for a number of years; it might now be quite rotten, and an accident nyght occur at any moment. In the event of its not being required by the Queen of Beauty Company, he recommended that it be filled in solid from the bottom, but should s the company require , it the soil over the boarding ought to be removed, and the shaft carried: up- to a height of 8 or 10 feet over the roadway and properly protected. Eeferred to the Works Committeer LETTEBB EecEIVBD— From Mi'/VVest forwarding a sketth of

a steam boiler and machine chimney which he proposed to erect on his premises in Grey street.—Referred to the Inspector—From Mr John Rafferfcy complaining of an excessive water rate as compared with his fellow tradesmen. Referred to Water Supply Committee.— From Mrs S. Phillips asking exemption from rates on the ground of inability to pay *, also from Mr James Tuck applying to be relieved from rates incurred by a previous tenant, as he had to support a family on laborer's wages. Referred to the Charitable Aid Committee.—'From i Mr W. Asbby; lessee of the Bella street I tramway, applying for repair of turntable at the Queen of Beauty battery. Appli* cation not. entertained. . ' , WOBKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported .—After careful inspection of the footway lately laid down in Baillie street between Mary and Sealey streets and ascertaining the height of the level of Sealey street, they are of J opinion that no alteration should now be made in the footway and water table already laid down. Doubtless some of the residents will have toraisertheirallotnients, but thin will have to be done in almost ha'f the streets that have footways laid dowß. The Committee recommend thai; the Foreman of Works be instructed to coat Baillie street, from Mary: street to Sealey street, with six inches of gravel, as this roadway is both low and very soft. The Committee have appointed Mr Frater as Borough assessor in connection with the claim of the New Zealand Loan and Agency .Company. : With regard to the application of Mr Curtis to construct a drain: from the Pacific Hotel toone of the Borough drains in Albert street, the Committee have granted the application of Mr Curtis, conditionally that when the drain is completed it does not in any way impede the flow of water down the Borough drain. Tenders for the supply of asphalt shingle hare been advertised for in Auckland.— Adop;ed. PUBLIC LIBBAEY.

The Library Committee reported thus: —"With reference to the letter from Mr L. Ehrenfried offering to sell to _ the Borough Council the building known "as St. George's HaWJ, to be used for the purpose of a Library, Beading-room, School of Design, &c., which letter wa3 referred to Public Library Committee to report upon to Council, that Committee has the honor to report that. haying visited and examined the building, it is found to be a very spacious and substantial structure, and that while considering its size beyond present or .immediate future requirements of library, reading, and class rooms alone, the Committee think that wilh a reasonable outlay it would be amply sufficient for Municipal Offices r.s well. Should the Council favor the idea of utilising it in this manner iv conjunction with the Library, the Comtnitieo recommend its purcbase, believing that the price which would be obiaincd for the existing library and Council Chambers, when sold, would, after providing for the necrssary outlay ou the Hall, pay such a lar^e portion of the -purchase mocey as would leave interi st on the remainder a comparatively small charge; whilst, at the same time, it would place the Borough in possession of an Institution worthy of theplae, aad equal to the present rud future wants of (hedistrict.—For the Commit tce.MICHAEI Beow^, Wiliiam J. Spjei(3-ht."

Consideratio vof the matter was deferred until next meeting. ■ ■■■;]:' '. : FINANCE. ; ' . .■■■■> .-;,' On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, accounts to the amount of £506 were p i^'sed for payment. Cr McGowan asked whether there'was any report from the Foreman of Works as to McjDermott's contract. Toe Town Clerk said he had no official report, but Mr E iwdoi hid told him tl-at the contract time had'already been ex-' Ci eded by three or four days. He said the Works Committee had not authorised any additional expenditure, but had thrown the onus on the Engineer. The works were being proc'fded with, but not oh the responsibility of the Council. Cr McGowah mov^d, and Cr Carpenter seconded, " That the Works Committee report at next meeting of the Council the cause of the delay in the completion of; the contract, acd of the necessity for the sum asked for over and above the contract prieo."—Carried; ' . COMMITTEE. ;

The following Committees vfor the ensuing year were appointed -.—Works : Crs C^rpentor, Osborne, Bawden, and Mennie.—Water Supply: -Crs Speight, Carpenter, Veale, anci McGowan.—Fire Brigade: Crs"Carpenteri Mennie and Yeale.—Charitable Aid: Gra Osborne, McGowan, and Speight.—Ficance : Crs Wilson, Veale, Oaborne, and McGowan. —Cemetery: Crs McOullough," Wilson, and Mennie. KuEUKtri Tip. The Town Clerk asked for guidance as to Ihe Kurunui Hill Company's mullock tip. The Council had intimated that if an application were made 'to deposit stuff it would be entertained, but the manager declined either to remove the debris or apply for permission.—lieferred to the' Works Committee with power to act. ', BAItWAT. Mr Dean said a telegram had: been; received from Mr Sheehan relative to the extension of the railway from Kopu to Te Aroha, and suggested that a meeting should be arranged with the Council, for Monday to consider it. It was resolved to call a special meeting, to be held at 11 o'clock on Moaday morning. The Council then adjourned. .