SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1849, 26 June 1874, Page 3

SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

(Per Anglo-Australian Telegraph Press Agency.) Wellington, Thursday. Tho following Defence notice is published :— " Sub-Lieutenant Frederick Cock appointed Lieutenant of No. 3 Company, Hauraki Rifle Volunteers. His Excellency disbands the Thames Engineer Volunteers, the officers of which corps cease to hold any rank."—His Excellency has accepted the resignation, by Commodore Goodenough, E.N,, of hii seat in the Executive Council of New Zealand. iDunedin, Thursday. In the Supreme Court, before Judge Chapman, v a rule nisi was obtained to enter np judgment for plaintiff re Macassey v. Bell, notwithstanding the verdict, on the ground of exclusion of evidence and misdirection.

BOROUGH COUNCIL The usual weekly meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening at the offices. Present—The Mayor, Messrs Ehrenfried, Eennan, Brown, Butt, Wilson, Anthony, Benshaw, and Dr. Eilgour. —The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Campjjellstbe bt.~Some conversation took place as to whether Campbell-street, the new road from Pnllen-street, along the hillfoot to the Queen of Beauty, should be shut up for two months of this winter, as it could not stand the traffic. —Ir. was agreed that the engineer and the foreman of works should have power to regulate the traffic for the next two months.

Storage of Dangehous Goods.— Amongst the letters sent was one asking the Government for the old powder magazine, in Mary-street, for a kerosene store.—The Mayor said he was afraid it would not be large enough for the purpose.—Mr Eennan asked if there was any provision for storing dangerous goods. He. heard that lithofracteur would soon be sent here.—Mr lienshaw said that lithofracteur would come under the powder regulations.-Dr Eilgour said he understood lithofracteur was not dangerous to keep.—Mr Kennan said it was not.

Bridge oveb the Hape Creek.—A letter was read from the Parawai Board offering to pay half of the cost of the bridge over the Hape Creek, to be paid out of the first monies received by the Board from the Provincial Government. Plans for the bridge from Mr Walker, engineer to the Parawai Board, and Mr McFarland, engineer to the Borough Council. Mr Walker's bridge, including approaches, was estimated to cost £290, and Mr McFarland's £250, and the approaches £112, making £362. -Mr Butt , moved that the plans of Mr McFarland be approved of.—The Mayor suggested that Mr McFarland's plan should be sent to the Parawai Board itt order that they might have an opportunity of judging.—Mr Kenshaw said the Council might express approval of Mr McFarland's plan, and inform the Parawai Board that if they coincided tenders should be advertised for. —This was agreed to, and Messrs Butt, Brown, and Anthony were appointed to confer with the members of the Parawai Board.

Footpath in Pollbn-stbeet.—A letter was read from Dr Lethbridge, stating ho had collected £15 to assist in the repair of the footpath in Pollen-street, including £5 5s from Mr W. Howe, from Mary-street to the end of Mr Howe's property, and asking that the Council should do the work. The matter was referred to the Works Committee.

Metal fboii the Hape Creek.—A letter was read from Horan and McCann : stating that they could not fulfil their contract for the supply of metal owing to the heavy charge made by the lessees of the Hape tramway. Mr Anthony said that Mr McLaren stated that he had no power to interfere with the lessees.—Mr Rensbaw said that the lessee had himself opened out a quarry, and was competing with these parties, and stood upon the price which his lease allowed, -Mr Ehrenfried said the contractors had anticipated getting the stone down for Is 6d a-yard,butthelessee having foundaquarry had raised the charge to 3s.—Mr Eennan moved that under the peculiar circumstances which had arisen between the contractors and the lessee of the tramway, they should return the deposit, amounting to £9, and should advertise for a fresh contract—Mr Anthony stated that he did not think that even if the lessee brought down the metal for Is 6d, the contractors could not supply the metal for the contract price. These same men had sent in a letter asking to be relieved of their contract because the ongineer insisted upon the metal being according to specification.—Mr Eennan's motion was carried.—The Mayor said that it was a bad precedent. —Mr Eennan said that he did not move the motion with the view of forming a precedent.—The Town Clerk said the opinion of the engineer was, that the Hape Creek stone was not good enough for the streets.

Cejieteby Boad at Tababu.—A letter was read from J. Briton and Co.,' asking that they should be allowed: to let the work stand over till dry weather.—Mr Anthony said that he thought the request should be agreed to, as a lot of earth had come down, He would more that from the large slip to the top of the road be made by the contractors, and that at the large slip be allowed to stand.—[t was agreed to accede to the request, and to allow fclie whole contract to stand over.

Mackiy-stbeet,-The residents of Mackay-street, from Willoughby-street to Grey-street, wrote asking that the road should be made,—Referred to ; Works Committee.

Footpath in Maby-stbeet.—A letter was read from Mr T. Short in answer to a letter from the Board, stating that in his opinion ratepayers should hare nothingtodo with paying half of the costof anyrepairs to streets when they had rates to pay. The repairs asked for to the footpath at Mary-street would not cost much.

Willotohby-stbeet.—l letter from the residents in Willoughby-street, from Pollen-street to the beach, was read, asking that the street should be made.— Referred to Works Committee,

Sealey-stbebt,—A letter from the residents in Sealey-street was read, asking that the culverts should be repaired, was referred to the Works Committee.

Footpath at WAiorAHi Cheek.—A letter was read from the Secretary of the Waiotahi Board asking the Council to repair the footpath up the Waiotahi Creek,—Beferred to tho Works Committee,

Eolleston-street.—A letter from Mr Eobinson was read calling attention to the state of the footpath in the south end of Eolleston-street, where a landslip occurred, was read.—lt was decided to refer the matter to the Works Committee.

Qoeen-stbeet.—A letter was read from Mr Ji. M. Mitchell and others calling attention to the state of tho foothpath in Queen-street from the Government offices to Cochrane-street. The letter was signed by others who expressed themselves willing to contribute a proportion of the cost,—Referred to the Works Committee to report upon,

Moanataiabi Koad,—A. letter from Mr Philp calling attention to the state of the Moanataiari road within the Municipal boundary,, the state of which was very detrimental to the Cental Italy and other 1 mines.—Referred to tho Works Commi.tee. ■

Qiwhon. of Rates.—A letter from Geo. Element stating that he only occupied the house for six months, and was asked to pay full-rates. He was willing to pay for six months.—Referred to the rate colleotor.

Duain on th« IfittAp. IJoad.-A letter from Mr James llanshaw was read, calling attention oa behalf of Mrs Paucae,

to the state of the drain on the Earaka lioad. It was stated that the drain was beyond the municipal boundary. Mr Ivenshaw was requested to inquire into the matter, and ascertain whether it was inside the municipal boundary.

Municipal Pegs.—Mr Anthony called attention to the fact that many of the boundary pegs were pulled up and knocking about. The Mayor said these pegs were put in originally to mark the boundary, and were not of much use now that the boundary was known.

The Superintendent and the Council. -The Towd Clerk read a report of the interview with the Superintendent and Provinc'l Secretary regarding the grant to the Borough Council. Fire Hate Act, foreshore, waterworks, &c., and the items were discussed seriatim. In regard to the straightening of the Earaka Creek; Mr Brown had spoken to Mr Sheehan before he went away, and he aaid lie would write to. the Mayor when the Executive met. He believed the Provincial Government would either do the work wholly or partially.—Dr. Eilgour moved that the Town Clerk be instructed to write to the Provincial Government urging the opinion of this Council that the whole cost of straightening Earaka and Waiotahi Creeks should be borne by the Provincial Government.—ln reference to the Hauraki Fire liate Act being brought into operation in the district, Mr Dean said that he had writton for a copy of the Act, and received a reply that it was not yet printed. -It was agreed to postpone the consideration of the matter until the Council received a copy of the Act. Some discussion ensued regarding the construction of the portion of the vVaiotalii Creek Eoad.—The Secretary was instructed' to write to the Government: stating that tue Council with the funds at their disposal and liabilities, were unable to incur the expenditure of £1,000 in making this road. Some conversation also ensued regarding the construction of the tramway from Pollen to Bella-street. -On the motion of Mr Brown, a committee consisting of Messrs JSennan, Butt, and the mover, was appointed to glean information regarding this tramway.—ln regard to harbour works, there was a discussion between the Mayor and Mr Butt. The Mayor did not think that Mr Butt had a right, after they had requested the Superintendent to appoint a competent engineer to report on the most suitable site for harbour works, to go back with another deputation to the the Superintendent, and ask to name an engineer to report on harbour works h the Thames Eiver.—Mr Butt said he went as a private citizen with the deputation, and exercised his right in laying before his Honor the opinions which he held in common with others. They laid before his Honor a report which had been printed in the Thames Advebtiser as long ago as 1871, relative to the cost of harbour works in various places.—Dr. Eilgour did not think any profit would arise in taking up the time of the Council by this discussion, and the matter dropped.— With regard to the Adulteration Act which the Superintendent offered to bring into force, and appoint an analytical chemist, it was determined to inquire into the Act, and procure a, copy of it before taking any steps. -It was determined to request the Government to retain the Tararu itoad until January next.

Works.—the Secretary then read the report of the Works Committee and report of the Engineer on certain works for a footpath in liyre-street and breastwork, which would cost about £'10. It appears the residents had agreed to pay £10. It was agreed, if the residents contributed half the cost, the work should be done.—The Engineer was instructed to take levels and report on the cost of the drainage of Mary-street, also on culverts in Sealey-street and liich-mond-stroet.-The Foreman of Works was instructed to do some necessary works on the footpath near Mr Angrive's hotel in the Earaka.—The Works Committee recommended the purchase of a horse and dray.—Mr Ehrenfried moved that a committee be appointed to purchase the horse and dray, and that a stable be built near the fire engine-house, with a room for driver. It was necessary that the man should be handy in case of. fire. The driver should live within 50 yards.— Mr Anthony seconded the motion, and the Works Committee was authorised to carry out the resolution.

HePOU.T OP FoEEIIA.It OP Works. -The Foreman of Works reported on certain works, and urged that a quarry was required for the borough. The cost of a tramway to Boundary Creek would be with trucks about £143 4s.—The Engineer was instruoted to report on the quarry and the cost of tramway, and the cost of transit when-the tramway was constructed. The Foreman of Works was instructed to peg out the quarry, and the Town Clerk to apply to the Warden for it.

Financial,—The account for fortnight's pay-sheet was passed for payment. The Treasurer's balance-sheet showed at,, overdraft of £835. -It was resolved that the Treasurer and Finance Committee present a balance-sheet to the Council once a month.

Safe.—lt was determined to purchase the safe at present in use if it could be obtained for £18.

Deaft Bills,—The consideration of the draft bill regarding tramways, hoppers, aud their powers, was postponed, and the regulations were ordered to lie on the table for another week.

The Fosbshore.—The discussion was resumed on Dr. Kilgour'a motion regarding the foreshore. Ho said that the existence of the Borough was due to the promise of the foreshore. It was evidently the intention of the Government to give it direct to the Borough. The purpose to which the Superintendent wished to direct it was in his opinion a misappropriation of tho fomslloro. They should address themselves o the Colonial Secretary, stating the ste. >s which induced them to take thiycourso.—The Mayor said that they could depend more on the Superintendent than on the Provincial Council, who had ordered that parts of the foreshore should be set apart for the purposes stated, fhe Superintendent never objected to giving the foreshore, but it would not be in the power of the Superintendent to give it to them without tho consent of the Provincial Council. Ho wished it distinctly to bo understood that their members in tho Council had done their .duty well, but they were outvoted.—Mr Brown said that the Superintendent and his Executive would do their best for tho Thames interest, and he for one should support the Superintendent in his endeavour to secure the foreshoro, and as a matter'of expediency they should do so, and he belie ved they would got their fair share.—Mr Butt alluded to tho want of success in tho past administration of tho foreshore. Ho believed that tho Council could administer these lands as fairly and houostly as the Provincial Council, or any othor local governing body.—Mr Brovn (juite agreed that the Council oughts to lave

the management of it, but they had no chance in coping with the Superintendent and his tail. — Dr. Kilgour said they had Mr Yogel's direct promise that the foreshore would be given to the Municipality, and he placed his trust in the fact that Mr Vogel was opposed to the aggrandisement of provincial governments, and he thought they had a chance of success. He could see no reason why the Superintendent should have interfered at all in this matter.—After a good deal of conversalion and discussion, tho motiou was put to the meeting and carried, only Mr Brown voted against it.

Harbour Board. ■ Dr. Kilgour moved that the General Government be petitioned to constitute the Boro igh Council a harbour board for the Thames. Dr. JKilgour and the Mayor were appointed to draft the address.

The Council adjourned at nearly mid. night.