Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4663, 14 December 1883, Page 2

Borough Council.

The usual meeting was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Mennie, McGowan, Speight, Veale, and Wilson.—The renewal of a slaughtering license to Mr Banks was granted.—A letter from Mr Melhose, complaining of the condition of a portion of Davy street, was referred to the Works Committee.--In reply to a letter written by two residents of the Bird-in-Hand Spur, asking for compensation owing to the alleged closing of a road, it was decided to point out to them that the road to their properties would be widened, instead of closed.—The Works Committee re~ ported to the effect that orders have been given to the Foreman to spread a few loads of mullock so as to improve the approach to the house on the Beach referred to in Mr Smith's letter; also to lay down a platform so as to give a crossing for carts going to Mr J. • McDonald's, of Queen street. A report to thej com* mittee from the Foreman of Works on the subject matter of Rickett and Allen's contract, and the probable expense connected with forming the Bird^in-Hand road, is attached and will explain these matters fully. The Council's solicitor has, by instructions, notified Mr McCowatt to either pay the rent due by him or leave the recreation ground within seven days. The Committee visited the Rocky Point road, and recommend that this road be continued to be improved by the Council's workmen. The Committee gave orders that the batter of the seawall be increased and a quantity of stone rubble deposited immediately behind the facing in the portions of the wall yet to be done.—The Foreman of Work's reported with regard to Eickett and Allen's contract on the Tararu Eoad, the time expired on the 4fch of December, 1883. They have done about half their contract for filling, but have done nothing towards the facing or batter of the filling on the seaward side. If the facing and batter had been completed the contractors would then have been entitled to half their contract price, or £40 2s 9d, less the 25 per cent., or £10 Os Bd. If from the work already done is deducted the value of , the facing and batter now not touched, £15, also the value of the damage done by the contract tors to the trucks lent them (£6), and the money already paid them (£18), it will be seen a total of £49 Os 8d is represented, thus showing that up to present dato tho contractors have been over-paid by over £9 on the work preformed, I therefore can pass no progress payment at this date. I also desire to remind tha Committee that a penalty of £3 weekly is accruing from the contractors for the work not being completed to time as per eondi tions of contract. I have also to report that with regard to hot removal of fences where necessary, their re-erection and also the compensation asked by the residents on Bird-in-Hand Hill so as to form the Bird-in-Hand Road 12 feet wide from Bella-street to the Irish Town Road, the expenses will be as follows :-*-Compensation: Mr Guy £15, and Mr Peter Aro £7; Mr Kerr and Mr Sampson (not at Thames) and Mr Dobbs, £10 ; Mr Moore, £40; Mr Vowles, £8. Cost of removal and re erection of fences, £20; and the formation of the road 12 feet wide, £75. This will include the necessary V shoot on one side of the road.-—The Council resolved that instead of executing the work in Richmond street under the bye law, the gravel asked for be deposited in the, meantime. Authority was giyea for the removal of trees interfering with drains in Sealey street. The lessee of the Recreation Ground offered, if the Council would reduce his annual rental to £20, to pay a half-year's rent at once, and work out his arrears. It was decided that if Mr McCowatt paid £17 10s, now in arrear, the Council would take the next halfyear's rent in improvements upon the property. In the face of the expense connected with the Bird-in-Hand road, it was decided not to interfere in the matter at present. The report, sub jeefc to the amendments, was adopted. —The Finance Committee reported that the manager of the Bank of New Zealand had called attention to the overdraft at present date (£6466), and with a view to its reduction recommended that after the present contracts, amounting to under £100, are paid, no further contracts be let, but all works be done by the Borough workmen, but that the wages sheet on works account be not allowed to exceed £45 a fortnight. With respect to the water supply account only tvyo men were employed, except in case of accident by breakage, &c. These reductions, it was anticipated, would very soon reduce the amount of the overdraft. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £74 6s 3d.— Plans for the laying of the water table in Sealey street uader by«-law 7

were presented and adopted.—lt was resolved, on the ; motion .of Cr Speight seconded by Cr WilsoD, that an inspector under the Adulteration of Fcod and Drink Act be appointed, but the selection of a person to fill the office was deferred until next meeting.—An offer to raise the Council Chambers and improve its foundations was mads by Mr J. Macandrew, who said he would do the work for £50. The Council decided not to move in the matter at present, and the meeting rose.