PARNELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 149, 29 June 1897, Page 5

PARNELL.

The ordinary meeting of the Parnell Borough Council was held lasb evening, w h«n there were presenb :-Tfae Mayor (MrJ Thorneß), Mrs Mabson, and Meßßrs Hudion, Cozene, Fibt, Brigga, McConnell » D d Thomas. Jcbilee Display.—On the motion of Mrs Matson, a vote of fchanka was accorded to thfl Parnell Fire Brigade for bhe effective display they made in the procession on Jubilee Day. Mrs Mafcaon thoughb the display did the Brigade credit. Foottaths. —Ib was decided to abandon the proposed cemplotion of bhe footpath in St Stephen's Avenue, Mr G. S. Kiasling having written withdrawing his offer to defwy half the cost, as he saw no signs of the work being done.—lt was resolved to effect repairs to the path in Clyde-sbreeb, lid a complaiot re the Bfcate of the footpath in Union Lane was referred to the Streets Committee. Exchange of Land. —An amount of correspondence received concerning the proponed exchange of Council's lands at Punakitere for land ab Blackebt's Point (Campbell's Point) was road, and ib was decided to write to the Public Truetee, pointing out that tbe Council had no funds to pay the proposed renb of the native reierve (which the Trustee proposed should be leased by the Council), and offering the whole of the Borough's land at Punakitere (1,000 acrea), for which tha Government had till recently paid a yearly rental of £60 12s 6d, in exchange for tha rsaervea. Night Soil Service.—The Committee ippointod to collect information with a riew of effecting reform in the night) soil tervice was instructed to deal with a letter from M. Uasey offering te make arrangements for the continuation of the service in tho meantime. Fike Brigade.—The sub-Committee appointed to consider a suggestion to place a man on night duty reported that to provide the required accommodation would entail the erection of a nsw station ab an estimated coefa of £150. A nevr threo-foob bell and cost)' of erection would coab £60.—Crs. Thomas and McConnell spoke to the necesiity for something being dove in providing more brigade facilities.—Cr. Hudson, while sympathising with the ntede of the Brigade, moved, "That consideration ot the matter be deferred until such time as the condition of the borough finances would justify the outlay." He pointed out that whereas this tima laab year under a shilling rate the general account showed an actual deficiency of £657 (as against an estimate of £387), this year with a n'fteonpenny rate the deficiency was £754 (as against an estimate of £647).—Cr. Cohens seconded the motion, and strongly urged the necessity for strict) economy. — Cr, Thomas deprecated the publication of Cr. Hudson's figure* as calculated to discredit the administration of the borough finances in the eyes of the burgesses, and questioned bhe accuracy of the figures adduced.— Cr. Radeon challenged anyone to disprove the correctness of his figures, and reminded Councillors that on taking hie seat in September ho warned them the finances wore drifting. On that occa ion also Charges of inaccuracy were freely levelled, but now at the end of the financial year ihoße calculations turn out to have erred only in their moderation, for the dotiaib had increased by £97, and this ia face of tho higher rates yielding £268 additional terenue.—Cr. Hudson's motion was carried. FiNAKCE.-The Bank balances of the Council were stated to be as follows on June 28th:—General accounb (dr.), £591 lit 3d ; water supply accounb (cr.), £41 14a Idj drainage works accounb (cr.), £111 10a 8d: water works accounb (cr.), £350 18b Repairs.—lb was decided to metal Manukau Road from Frater's corner to the bridge. Ib was also resolved bo widen the road ab the top of Parnell Rise.