ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 138, 12 June 1888, Page 8

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCIL

RATES INCREASED TO ls 9d-OR

BORROW £2,000 MORE.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers last night, thero.being present: Tne Mayor (Dr. W. R. Erson), Crs. Rowe, Clark, Jackson, Burden, Hills, Tapp and Sheldriok.

Correspondence—The following letters w.eie read and dealt M'itli : From Boylan and Lundon, Borough Engineer*, .•stating that Doctor Campbell had agreed to take his supply from a junction pipe attached to the supply pipe instead of from tho rosavvoir direct. It was resolved that the borough solicitors bo instructed to have agreement endorsed on the lease.—From Captain Daveney, requesting to be allowed bo take a few loads of mud from tho foreshore by .Meadow Bank. The Council having no control over the harbour, could not accede to the request. —From Robert Smith for cost of repairs, lis, to his spring cart, for damage done by tho wheel sinking in a hole in the boundary road. Referred to the Streets Committee for inquiry.

FromMrHeonau, drawing attention to the bad state of the culvert in Willow-streqt. Referred to the Streets Committee. —From the Wairarapa local governing body, requesting the Council's co-operation regarding the Charitable Aid vote, now before the House. Letter laid on the table. — From foreman of works, drawing attention to the bad state of Norman's Hill Road. Referred to Streets Committee with power to act.—From Public Works Department, requesting to place the old timber of the Mahgere bridge (as taken from the bridge during repairs) in Ferry-street till the repairs are completed. Request grant&l subject to the supervision of the Streets Committee.

The Totalisator.—From the Town Clerk of Christchurch, enclosing copy of petition to the House against legalising the totalisator, and requesting fche Council to obtain signatures. Petition laid on the table for the signature of any Councillor who agreed with it. — From fche retiring Inspector of Nuisances, stating that the several slaughter-houses aud other places were in a; cleanly state, and that the sanitary state of the borough was considerably improved latterly. Report received. Unlicensed Places of Amuskm*_._.— Cr. Burden asked if the Rinking Company or the proprietor of the Shooting Gallery had taken out a license for the same.—Resolved that the Town Clerk apply for the license fees without delay. Finance.—Balance to borough's credit last meeting, £456 18s lld ; since paid in, £12 17s; since paid away, £64 6s 9d ; balance to credit last night, £404 19s 2d ; with liabilities under contract amounting to £180 18s Sd; waterworks' credit, £1,392 5s 9d; since paid away, £s.—Various accounts were passed. Committee's Rehiet. — Financial statement of waterworks loan account was then read as follows :—Dr :To amount of con tract, £5,369 17s 8d ; compensation, £330 ; interest for 12 months on loan 6 per cent, £300; law charges, engineers, advertisements, and preliminary expenses. £253 4s ; extras authorised, £50; balance due to engineers, £67 2s 6d ; loan agents free, £75 debentures, Clerk of Works, engineer, £76 3s ; extra commission to engineers, £10 ; lead piping, meters, taps, £300 ; maintenance*, during year, £300; hose and appliances for Fire Brigade, £100 ; Total, £7,231 7s 2d. Cr.: By loan on debentures, £5,000; forfeited deposit of contractor, £50 ; estimated receipt from rate, and supply. £300, £5,350 ; to'deficit £1,881 7s 2d ; Total £7,231 7s 2d. Contractors Statement. —To amount qf contract,£s,3G9 17s 8d ; paid on engineers cartificate, £2,953; balance due on contract, £2,416 17s Bd. Cr. :By balance in hand at Bank to credit of waterworks account, £1,392 5s 9d.

Borough Account Annual Statement. — Dr. : To present liabilities under contract, £188 18s 8d; salaries, fees, advertisements, printing, and legal charges, £250; day labour and carting, £200 ; broken metal and gravel, £350 ; reserves account, 10s ; lighting of streets, £108; Hospital and Charitable Aid, £110; sundry expenses, £50:. Total, £1,266 18s Bd. Cr.: By amount at credit of borough, £393 19s lld ; rent of wharf waterworks, £216; rent of borough reserves, £91 19s 3d; hotel licenses, £340; subsidies from Local Bodies Act, £50: Total, £1,096 19s 2d. To .deficit, £169 19s 6ti. —After the above reports were road the Mayor expressed his pleasure on the satisfactory state of the borough account for the ensuing year, bub deeply regretted thab he could not say the same for the waterworks loan ' account, inasmuch as there was a deficit of nearly £2,000, which would Have to be met iv some way, either by striking higher rates or borrowing the sum fco meet the deficiency. He would be in favour of borrowing, so as to extend the difficulty over a period of say 20 years, and would thus lighten tho burden of taxation. He considered the rates were already high enough, but it would now be imperatively necessary to raise the general rate to ls 3d and further to levy a gas rate of 3d; also a Charitable Aid rate of 3d, making in all rate to be levied of Is 9d. He would now propose that the report of the Finance Committee be adopted and the necessary legal notice be given that a rate wil! bo struck in accordance 'with the same. Seconded by Councillor Clark,—Councillors Sheldrick, Jackson and Tapp spoke in strong terms at considerable length against the increased taxation, showing that it was more than the people could bear. The motion was pub and carried on division, four voting for and four against; the Mayor gave his casting vote for the motion.

Notice of Motion.—The Mayor's notice of motion re the leasing of the Recreation Reserve, moved that tenders be called for leasing those reserves, reserving the right of enclosing for planting trees a space, say, of 12 feet around the reserves. Cr. Tapp amended to bhe effect that the matter be left to the Reserves Committee with power to act.—The amendment was put and lost. —A further amendment by Cr. Jackson, to the effect that the reserve be leased in accordance with former conditions. —After considerable discussion, it was resolved thab tenders be called, returnable in one month from date, for the leasing of the reserves, under conditions to be revised by the Reserves Committee by next meeting.

Hokkidlk State of the Streets.—lt was moved by the Mayor, "That the Town Clerk again write to the Engineer, request ing: immediate attention to the state of the streets, owing to tha laying of the pipes, in accordance with the contract.'-'—Car-ried.

Public Meeting.—lb was resolved bo hold a public meeting on Tuesday, the 19th inst, to consider the question of further borrowing.