THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1897, 21 August 1874, Page 3

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual weekly meeting of the Thames Borough Council was held last evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Kilgour, Kcnshaw, Anthony, Butt, Ehrenfried, and Wilson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, and tlio Town Clerk stated the particulars of the letters forwarded by authority of last meeting. Fikb JEUte and Dog Nuisance Acts. —A. letter from the Superintendent's office was read, enclosing a copy of the Gazette bringing the Uauraki Districts Fire Kate Act, 1872, and the Amendment Act, 1874, into force within the district, with the exception of the last clause of the latter; also & Gazette bringing tho Dog Nuisance Act into force.-The Mayor stated that they were now receiving tho fees under tho Dog Nuisance Act.—Dr. Kilgour said that was a most extraordinary stotemeas, aud aaked the Mayor

how he accounted for it—The Mayor said he did not know, except it was because they took off the man who was burying the dogs, Municipal League.—A telegram ffas received from the Town Qlerk of Hokitika in reply to a communication on the above subject, stating that the matter waß to be laid before the Council. .Replies were also received from the Town Clerk of the Ohristchurch Council stating that while agreeing with tho purpose, they did not think it desirable to form the league. A similar reply was received from tho Lyttelton Council, A letter from the Town Clerk of Wellington was also received, thanking the Couucil for the proposed assistance regarding the obtaining publicans' license fees, &c, Buugess itou and Valuation Heturn.—A letter was read from P. C. Dean stating that it would cost £50 to correct the Valuers's Roll so as to make it available for a burgess and rate roll, and stating that he found in several instances the roll of ratepayers incorrect. In connection with this he read the opinion of Mr J. \i. Mcdonald, stating that the valuation was out of form aud objectionable, lie pointed out several instances where- the valuation was not in accordance with the Act, The opinion of Mr Tyler also showed that the valuation was not in accordance with the Act, and stating that the return was bad as being informal, and not stating Mr Eenshaw asked who was tho committee appointed to meet the valuers on Monday last.—The Mayor said that there was no committee. He asked the Councillors to meet on Monday, but only Mr Anthony and himself met. His object was to facillitate matters so as to get the valuation made.—Mr Eenshaw suggested that a committee consisting of the Mayor and Messrs Eilgour and Anthony should be appoiutod to confer with the valuers with a view to getting the roll completed as speedily as possible. The valuers, Messrs Gudgeon aud Craig, being present the Council might hear what they had to say.—Mr Gu igeon said that not knowing that it was requisite to follow the schedule word for word, they endeavoured to make the valuation more complete. There might be imperfections which could be easily altered.-The Mayor pointed out that there must be a now book. An error was there, and if the book was once thrown out of Court the rate would be lost, They had no desire to blame the valuers, who had acted in error.—Mr Butt 3aid that the question was were the valuers prepared to complete the work if the Council assisted by perhaps voting £50 for clerical assistance, as they could not add to the sum voted to the valuers directly,—His Worship said that, the roll could not be made perfect for years perhaps, but they must get it as near as possible. ' They would no doubt have a good deal of trouble in getting their rates, so that it behoved them to make it as perfect as possible. He believed that Air Dean was the only man who could do it within a reasonable ' time, from the knowledge which he possessod. Mr Deau said he had a great reluctance to undertake the work, there would be a great deal of trouble attached to it, and there would be no profit.-Mr Butt said that it was better to pay £50 now than spend it in litigation afterwards,—Mr Ehrenfried said that when the Council vot-'d£loo to the valuers he had no idea all those particulars were required, and he did not suppose they did either. He thought they ought to meet the men in a liberal spirit.—Mr Gudgeon said that he would be quite willing that they should complete the work for the extra £50. It would require a house-to-houso canvass to obtain the particulars.—Some conversation ensued. —Mr Gudgeon said they would undertake to complete, and re-copy ;the book in six weeks, for £50 additional,—Mr Anthony asked what position the Council would be iu if the roll was not ready iu six weeks.—Tho Mayor said that if they did not strike a rate within six months of formation of the Council they could strike no rate at all.—Dr Eilgour recommended some monetary arrangement with tho valuers, and to complete the work themselves with the assistance of the Town Clerk. He had no confidence in the valuers being able to return the roll complete in six weeks. — Mr Ehrenfried moved that the valuers give such assistance to Mr Dean in completing the roll as was necessary, and sign it when completed, and they would pay the full amount agreed to (£100).—&r Anthony seconded the motion.—The. Mayor said that all that was required 'was to pass a resolution ■to the effect that the Town Clerk be instructed. to complete the valuation return as speedily as possible. —This latter resolution was adopted by Mr Renshaw and seconded by Dr. Kilgour as an amendment to Mr rihrenfried's motion.—The original motion was carried. -The Mayor pointed out that the amendment being lost took the matter out of the Town Clerk's hands. It would now be necessary to propose a resolution that the Council undertake the completion of the valuation return subject to its being signed by the valuers when completed.— Un the motion of Dr. Kilgour, seconded by Mr Khrenfried, this was carried.

Footpath in Eyjie-stiieet.—A. letter from Mr Pu'leiue was road, recommending an alteration in the Engineer's specifications so as to bring this work within the sum originally stated. It was referred to the Works Committee with power to act.

Beach I!oad.—A letter was read from Mr H. N. Smith, calling attention to the state of the road between Brown-street and the Karaka, and requesting that something should be done to make it passable. -Aftpr some discussion, it was referred to the Works Committee to make inquiries.

Fire-Bbll in Shobtland. — A. letter was read from Mr J. E. Macdonald, enclosing a cheque for £10 towards the erection of the fire-bell in Skortland, and recommending its immediate erection.— The Town Clerk reported that the Engineer was preparing sketches, &c, OABTEns' Licenses.—A memorial was read from the master carters, expressing surprise that the Council was about to reconsider the drivers' petition, and complainiug that if their request was gruuted, it would greatly inconvenience them, pointing out that they alreedy had sufficient difficulty in procuring drivers on all occasions.—On the motion of Mr Kenshaw, seconded by Captain Butt, it was agreed to let the by-law stand as it was passed. Works Committee.—Tho report of the Works Committee was read and adopted. It recommended that a footpath be at onco made in Upper Albcrfc-stree, and that when the Council was in funds the road be put in repair. The Borough Engineer would peg off tho Waio-Karaka road this week, having arrangod with Mr Graham through which allotments it was to bo carried. Plans and specifications would be laid before the Council at next sitting. Kegardiug the removal of night soil, the report contained suggestions. Kebosenb LioENSE.-Tlio -Kerosene. License Committee reported that they

could not recommend the acceptance of the application made by Mr P, Nolan for the erection of tho kerosene store. The position was not a good contral one, and they objected to grant a monopoly for 5 year.--. A discussion ensued, and it was referred back to the Committee to make inquiries as to the exact proposal made by Mr Nolan.

' Accounts.—The pay-sheet for the fortnight, amounting to £32 14s Bd, was passed for payment. Several instalments were passed to be paid to contractors on the certificate of the Engineer' Tauranga Road,—A telegram was recired from Mr J. Sheehan, stating that he would bo happy to co-operate with other members in urging upon Government the construction of a road between the Thames and Tauranga. Valuation or Minks.— In considering the question raised by tho valuers as to the mode in which the mines should be valued, the Mayor said that it was a most difficult subject to settle. Ho would leave the matter to the Council.—Dr Kilgour said that although there was a difference of opinion, they could only rate the surface. There was no doubt tho surface of these mines was very valuable. How they acquired that value was not a quostion for tho valuers or for the Couucil. The valuers could not ignore the value of tho property from whatever cause that value was acquired.—Mr Ehrenfried said thrt the valuers ought to be instructed to take into consideration, in valuing the allotments, that there was a valuable mine underneath.—Mr Eenshaw said it did not appear to him so easy of solution. They had no more to do with what was below the ground than they would have to do with the stock in a man's shop. What came from below was already taxed enough. Thoy might assume that a man's ground should be rated at so much—not very much—and then estimate the property on the surface. He thought that to rate the ground at £2 per man's ground (the aanual rental to the Government) per annum would be fair. In the case of large mines they employed a large number of men who paid rates in other ways.—Mr Butt coincided with Mr Renshaw's remarks, and pointed out that the gold duty paid by the mines was in a measure returned to them in the shape of subsidy.—The: Mayor suggested that as it would take six weeks to complete the list of valuation, and the matter was of great importance ; besides which, there was a small: meeting; he would suggest that it be no ; further discussed. He spoke of the large \ extent to which the mines used the road. He suggested that the debate«. be adjourned to some future date.—Mr Ehreufried moved a resolution to this effect, the matter being deferred until next Thursday.—Mr Wilson seconded the motion, which was agreed t0...

BICHJIONDAND WILLOUOHBY SIBEETS. —Captain Butt drew attention to the state of tho lower ends of=Richmond and Willoughby streets. If these were made passable it would rolieve Pollen-street, and people would be able to get carts to their places of business. He moved that the question of both streets bo referred to the Works Committee to report at next meeting, also to report on the box drain at the corner of Grey and Pollon streets. —Mr Wilson drew attention to tho heaps of mullock which wero spread over the footpath in Burke-street.

Poundkeeper.—Dr. Kilgour spoke to the motion standing in his name, that the resolution to pay £2 per week to a poundkeeper be rescinded. He did not think the fees would pay that amount.—Mr Ehrenfried seconded the motion. He had raado arrangements with Mr Wilson to tako charge of the pound for half the fees. —Mr Butt referred to tho reports brought up by tho committee and the appointment made by them. The Council passed a resolution that tho man be discharged forthwith. In this case the committee had been treated in a very off-hand manner. Had Mr Ehrenfried moved that the motion be referred back to the committee it would not have boen so bad. Tho man was dismissed and Councillor Ehrenfried took charge. When he took charge there were threo goats in it. He asked, what became of those. After Councillor Ehrenfried took charge there were five horses sent one day, two another day, but no poundkeeper nor keys could be found, and on another occasion when a man released his horse two others got away. He was sure that Councillor Ehrenfried was no improvement on the other poundkeeper. lie was sure it was some private'feeling in business which actuated Mr lilhrenfriod more than tho £2 a-week. He would advise Mr Ehrenfried to come here as a councillor and leave his private business at homo.—Mr Ehrenfried thanked Mr Butt for his advice, and acknowledged that the appointment of such a man as Charles Eowley had ruffled his Kilgour's motion was then put and carried..—lt was resolved that the applications for the office of poundkeeper should be returned to the applicants.