PARNELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 223, 18 September 1894, Page 3

PARNELL.

A meeting of tha Parnell Borough Council'was held ab the Council's Chambers, Farnell, laa't evening, Mr J. McCabe (Mayor) presiding. Present: Crs. Briggs, Page, Pollard, Whitley, Withy, Wright, Thornes, and Mrs Matson. Mrs Matson and Messrs -Wright and Briggß made the usual declaration on taking their seats.

Dilapidated House.—A letter waa received from Mr G. M. Johnson, solicitor, in reply to the Council's letter of the sth instant, regarding a dilapidated house ab the comer of Alpha Road and Railway-street, which the Council desired should be pulled down. He promised to lay the matter before his client. Mrs Richards herself also wrote, asking to be allowed one month to remove the condemned cottage, and to place a fence around the allotment.—The request waa granted. An Inquiry.— Mr A. Bowell, of Brighton Road, wrote asking to be informed the reason why his name had been this year omitted from the roll of ratepayers, and by whoseauthorityithadbeen removed. Owing to his name nob having been placed on the roll and to his being deprived of his privilege of voting ab the elections, he aeked for a return of the amount of the rates paid by him during the year. Mr Pollard said it had been ascertained that it was purely an omission that Mr, BowsU's name did not appear on the burgess roll. He moved that Mr Bo well's name be now placed on the roll and that the regret of the Council be expressed to Mr Bowell for the omission.—This was agreed to.

M-jnictpat. Act Amendment Act.—A letter was received from Mr F. Lawry, M.H.R., re certain clauses in the proposed Municipal Act Amendment Acb. He promised to endeavour to geb a clause inserted in the Bill as suggested by the Council.

-lisceluneous. —Mr..A. Good called attention.to the state of the road and footpath in fronb of his two houses in Scarboro' Terrace. The Council decided to instruct 'the Foreman of Worka to report the coat of attending to the matter at next meeting. A memo, was received from Mr Edwin Hesketh re a verandah ife wns propoaed to erect in the borough. A circular was received from the Department of Justice asking for a return showing the coat of the recent licensing elections. The Council agreed to comply with the request. Two applications received from Misses Annie and Minnie Gilbert, to be placed on the burgess roll in respect of «ome property in Manukau Road, were granted. A letter was received from Mr Lewig Fleming calling attention to the difference between the water rates charged to him this year and those of former years, but. consideration was deferred till nexb meeting. Dust Contract.—Mr W. H. 0. Jobnebon Wrote regarding the removal of rubbish from his properby. He complained of the treatment he had been receiving ab the nanda of the present contractor.—Mr Hodgson, who was present ab the meeting, .•bated that the writer waa in the habibof putting hiß rubbish in oil drums, which were objectionable nob only because they were larger than the regulation size, bub because the stuff was so packed in that tbe Ken had to use their hands to geb ib oub, and that they frequently cub bheir hands in doing so.—On bhe motion of Mr Page. seconded by Mr Pollard, it was agreed to receive the letter, and inform the writer that oil drums were objectionable for holding rubbish.—Tbe contractor was allowed, on the motion of Mr Pollard, one week's contract price, 22s -6d, for clearing the borough streets of all tins and rubbish. Streets Committee.—Thia Committee' recommended that the drain be carried up to connect with Mrs B. Ireland's drain, and that -Mrs- Ireland and the Rev. Mr Burrrows be asked to contribute towardß the coat, estimated at about £12 ; that Mr Robinson he requested to erect a new fence and retaining wall ab the back of bis premiaea in ialcon-streeb.—The reporb was adopted.— « was alao agreed to aak Mrs Ireland to disconnect the rain water and slop water bob the ceus-pit,

Accounts.— The following were the balances of the Council's accounts at date : —General rate, dr., £487 4s lld; waber supply, cr., £181 Ib 2d ; drainage loan, cr., £153 17s 4d ; waterworks loan, cr., £176 2s 3d.

Legal and Finance Committee. —A recommendation of this Committee was adopted that the Council adopt the city by-laws regulating public balls, with modifications, a*d the same be considered by th«j Council aba special meeting. Tbe special meeting was fixed for Wedneaday week. Other matters referred to in the report were deferred.—Mr Wfiily pointed out, in the discussion on the Mport, that the water rates were very m«*h in arrears. The general rate was £846 in arrears, whilst their bank overdraft was no less than £487, upon which they were paying interest to the amount of about £20 every month. Ib was a serious mabter to the ratepayers for the Council to be running into overdraft and paying inch a large sum in interest, whilst many useful and necessary works had to be postponed for want of funds. He suggested thab every defaulting ratepayer should be prosecuted without making any distinction. —After some discussion it was agreed, on the motion of the Mayor, that a notice be inserted in the newspapers to the effect that legal proceedings would be taken to recover all rates in arrear after 14 days rona date.

Falcon-street. — Mr Pollard moved, " That the north side of Falcon-street be kerbed in wood, and the channel formed in concrete ; that an extra cesspit be placed near Mr Stillwell's gateway, and thab the cesspit at the eastern end be raised to suit requirements." Mr.Whitley moved as an amendmenb that tenders be called for the work. He thoughb bhab estimates of bbc proposed work should be placed before the Council before they agreed what Bhould be done. Tbe motion was carried..

Returning Offices. —MrThornesmoved, " That Mr Gilmer be appointed returning officer for the borough." Several members objected, on the ground that the ofiice should be given to the Town Clerk, as he was already too poorly paid. The Mayor ruled that notice should have been given of the mo-ioD. The matter was therefore deferred till nexb meebing. Undedicated Streets. —Mr Whitley moved, " Thab a lisb of those streets taken over by the Council bo made onb by the Town Clerk."—The motion was seconded by Mr Withy, arid agreed to. Endowment of Land.—Mr Whitley also moved, " Thab steps be taken to obtain the amount due for endowment of land from the Government."—After some slight discussion on bhe matter, it was agreed to defer consideration till next meeting, so thab the Council's solicitor's opinion may be laid before the Council.