NEWTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 174, 25 July 1893, Page 3

NEWTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Newton Borough Council was held last night, Mr S. C. Brown (the Mayor) preAbbob "Day.— A circular from the Department of Agriculture ab Wellington requesting the Borough to observe the 4th August (Arbor Day) as a public holiday, vas received. Balance-sheet. — The Assistant Controller and Auditor ab Wellington wrote certifying as to the correctness of the halfjearly balance-sheet of the Borough to the Jnd of March 31st, 1893, bub disallowing £3 ;, given to the Municipal Association ConRatesin Arreak.—The Town Clerk of the Jfalmerston North Borough wrote taking the Council to assist, by obtaining tbß support of the member of the district, to a resolution agreed to ab the meeting of the Municipal Association last year, to the afiecb chat interest ab 10 per cent par annum shall be added to all rates in arrear after three months from the date at which the same should have been paid.—On the notion of the Mayor ib was agreed to ask Mr T. Thompson, M.H.K., to-support the resolution on behalf of the Borough, Sir Oeorge Grey, the member for Newton, not being at Wellington. Public Pound.—lb was agreed to effect certain repairs to the Borough Found and lay on a water service. Richmond Avenue.—The question of a footpath in Richmond Avenue from Billington's corner to Sackville-streeb was referred to the Streets Committee to confer with the ' irard members and report to the Council. Streets Committee. —The Streets Committee recommended that box shoots be placed on the Great North Road at the junction of Burns, Cracrof t and Codringtonitreets, and that rough scoria be placed at the junction of Brisbane-street; also, thab (be channels of Pollen, Mackelvie, Surrey, Sussex, Tsnnyßon, Frinceps and Beacons-field-streeta be cleaned out, the footpaths chipped and metal waste pub on where necessary, and a crossing be put opposite Newton West School. Various other minor repairs were suggested.—The report of the Streets Committee was adopted. Old MiiA Road, —Cr. Donald drew attention to the state of the Old Mill Road beyond the abattoirs. He said it was greatly cut up with the traffic of the refuse jarta belongingto the city contractor. He did nob think that the borough should be burdened with the refuse and have their roads cut up, too. The Mayor said he did not think the Council could do anything in the matter. Several councillors spoke in the same strain as Cr. Donald.—The matter was allowed to drop. Great North Road Contract.—ln connection with the Great North Road contract, abandoned by Mr W. Bennetb in an unfinished state, and completed by the Council, the Mayor read a letter from Mr Bennett), stating thab in reference to his claim for retaining money, bhab he was of opinion thab the workmen-had a right to be paid out of the money in the hand of the Council. The Mayor aaid he would propose that the letter be returned to Mr Bennett unanswered. . Ib wbb a very imiproper one under the circumstances, andthey had no money in hand belonging to lta., r He .^qujd , ; now,,be inclined to push Mr Bennett), and endeavour to force him to pay something. After several councillors Lad expressed their views, ib was agreed to return Mr Bennett his letter, and ib was farther decided to send him the following i resolution :—" The Council is willing to giro a full discharge on payment of the urn of £20 ab any time during the ensuing fortnight, bub the offer is made made without prejudice to the Council's right to sue for the full amount) of the claim. Providing the offer be nob accepted the Council is prepared to press for payment in full and without further notice."