DEVONPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 245, 15 October 1889, Page 5

DEVONPORT.

The ordinary meobing of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers, North Shore, last evening, His Worship bhe Mayor (Mr M. Niccol) presiding. There were also present Crs. Alison, Mason, Cameron, Burgess, Glenny, and Pitts.

HORSE-RACING ON CIIELTEINHAM BEACH. —Amongst the correspondence was a letter from Sergeant McGrabh, the police officer in charge of the district, stating thab until hi- attention was drawn to the report of the Council's last meeting in the Stak, he was nob aware that the offence was being commibted, also thab the police would do everything in their power to put a stop to the recurrence of such dangerous practices as those referred to. Bathing Site. —Tho Secretary of the Harbour Board wrote in refeience to the above, stating that tho subject was under considerabion of the Finance and Legal Committee. Cemetery Site.—ln reference to the communication from tbe borough's solicitors, the Mayor explained that albhough the present title to bhe property was not a good one, still it was good enough tor the purposes desired, but special legislation would be necessary if the land ac anytime were required for other purposes. As ib was nb preseift, it was impossible bo use bhe site at all. ' A letter was also received from Mr James Mays containing bhe offer of a piece ot land suibable for a cemetery site, and consisting of 13 acres 3 roods 4 perches, situated near O'Neill's Point, for £450, ab the rate of £30 per acre, with 10 per cent, added. An alternative oiler was also embodied in the letter to the effect bhat other land in the possession of the Council might be exchanged for it, both offers to remain open for one month. — The consideration of the letter was deferred pending bhe report of the Streets Committee, which also dealt wibh the subject, and suggested the insertion of an advertisement calling for applications for a suitable piece of land, to consist of not less than 10 acres, bhe offers to be returnable on Friday, 25bh insb. The report was adopted, and the Council decided to meet in committee on the Saturday following the receipt of applications to inspect the land offered, and to consider Mr Mays's and other offers.

The Borough Finances.—The reporb of the Finance and Legal Committee, as read and adopted, dealt exhaustively with the financial condition of the borough, and disclosed the fact that notwithstanding bhe late law costs, the indebtedness of the Council this year was considerably less than last year, or at any time during the existence of the Council, the excess of assets over liabilities being £1,490. The following was the statement submitted :— Cr.:—Cashassets: balunceof rates due, £556; probable subsidy. £90 ; rent, licenses, etc., £48; balance, £602: Total, £1,296. Dr..—

Liabilities : Bank overdraft, £700; charitable aid conbribution,£l33 ; Gas Company, £91; Town Clerk, to Sept. 30, 1889, £60; drain pipes, £40 ; sundries, £17; cost of action versus Alison (estimate), £250: Total, £1,296. The estimated assets on March 31, 1890, were pub down as follows:—Street lamps, £72; books and bookcase, £60; fire brigade appliances, £60; Council Buildings and furniture, £250 ; cemetery reserve, £1,000 ; Shoal Ray reserve, £1,000 : Total, £2,442. The estimated liabilities to same date were :—Balance, dr., at present, £602 ; estimated expenditure to3lsb March, 1890, £350 ; balance, dr., March 31, 1890, £952 ; balance, excess of assebs over liabilities, £1,490-..Total, £2,442. . The reporb suggested that wibh tho view of giving effect to the intention expressed by the Council in May last, no expenditure be authorised during the current year beyond what is absolutely indispensable, and thab the expenditure in future be adjusted so as to clear off the bank overdraft within three years.—ln moving the adoption of the report, the Mayor referred to it as being of a cheering nature, considering all things, and suggested that ib was jusb possible tho AuditorGeneral would refuse to pass the law costs item in their account, in which case it would be necessary for Councillors to put their hands in their pockets to the extent of about £30 each, and consequently the borough would not suffer. Sergeant Gillies' Testimonial.-—This testimonial, which had been artistically illuminated by Mr Alf. Barbley, was on view in the Council Chambers, and ib was decided to forward same at once to rocipienb.