BOROUGH MEETINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 213, 7 September 1900, Page 2

BOROUGH MEETINGS.

BIRKENHJ3AD,

The monthly meeting- of this body was held last eveninSY when all the members were present.

Town Hall Site.—Judge Edger replied to the Council's letter on this matter, adhering to his former offer as to the rate at which the price of the land should be paid off, namely, in three £40 instalments during two years.—The Council had offered to pay annual instalments of £20.— The letter was referred to the Works Committee.

The Rangitoto Quarries.—A letter was received from the Land Board acceding to the Council's request for permission to quarry stone on two sections at Rangitoto Island, such permission to extend till December 31st, 1903.—The Mayor (Mr C. B. Button) said it was likely that the Sugar Works Company would apply to the Council for leave to obtain stone from the quarries for facing a .proposed road to be built down to their wharf in place of the present old bridge. As this. road would become practically a public road, and would, greatly improve the boroug-h, he would suggest that the granting' of this permission, together with the Land Board's letter, should be referred to the Works Committee. It might be arranged for the Sugar Works rails and trolleys to ho left at the island for the Council's use in return for the privilege.—The Mayor's suggestion was adopted.

The Cancerous Cow.—The Mayor said he interviewed the inspector as authorised concerning the cow complained of, with the result that the cow had been slaughtered and the owner compensated.—The inspector also said he would thank the Council to give him information of any similar cases occurring in the future.

New Health Bill.—Mr Bollard, M.H.R., sent the Council a copy of the proposed new Health Bill, expressing' an opinion that it was of such a stringent nature as to threaten to place local bodies in an unfair position.—lt was decided to send Mr Bollard the Council's acknowledgements and thanks.

The Growth of the Borough.—Cr. Gaacoigne referred to the rapid growth of the borough, and said the time had come when steps should be taken to enable the Council to have full information and control of any buildings in course of erection. If this were done it would facilitate the town clerk's work in valuing and rating such properties. Builders should bo required to obtain a permit from the Council before erecting any structure in the borough.—The Mayor said this could not be enforced unless the Council adopted by-laws to that effect.—Crw. Keyes and Wallace supported Cr. Gascoigne.—Cr. Keyes suggested that a by-law was also needed stipulating the minimum width of cart-wheels used in the borough with a view to saving the roads.—On the motion of the Mayof, the Works Committee was requested to consider the whole question and prepare a. list of matters in which by-laws were considered desirable.

Stray Cattle.—Cr. Gascoigne said there were still complaints of cattle straying' *bn the roads. If the Council could not deal with the matter alone, he considered they might act jointly with the County Council, and appoint a ranger for the borough and the adjoining county riding. It was out of the question to pay the ranger a salary, but; ho might be given a driving fee of 1/ per mile. The policeman had no power to interfere, unless he could prove that the cattle were turned wilfully upon the roads, which was often a difficult matter to prove, and impounding was obviously beyond his duty. It was possible that the De-vonport ranger could be appointed, and the Devonport pound used.—The town clerk was instructed to write to the County Council am indicated.

Th© Coming Election.—The town clerk reported the receipt of five nomination* for the three Council seats to be filled at the election on Thursday next, namely, P. Donoghue, J. Hadfield, J. G. Kay. H. P. Taylor, and W. Thompson.—The town clerk and Mr E. J. White were appointed presiding officers for the two polling stations at Birkenhead and Chelsea, with Crs. Gascoigne and Wallace scrutineers.

The Treasurership.—On> the motion of the Mayor and Cr. Wallace, the town olerk (Mr A. L. White) was appointed treasurer, subject to one surety for £200.

The Town Clerk's Salaries.—The Mayor moved that the town clerk bo appointed valuer, and, instead of fixing' separate amounts for the various duties, he proposed that the town clerk's salary for all his work be £50 per year.—Cr. Wallace was opposed to such an increase on account of the low state of their funds, especially while there was great need of a decrease In the. rates. If £<10 were proposed he would second the motion. —Crs. Keye.s and Kay though £10 was a very small sum to allow' for the arduous work of valuing.—Cr. Gascoigne seconded Cr. Wallace's amendment.—Cr. Wallace said if the original motion were insisted on he should withdraw his amendment and move that applications bo invited for the position.—Cr. Hadfleld thought the Question oug-ht to have been discussed in committee.—The Mayor withdrew his motion, and a resolution was adopted fixing: the valuer's remuneration at £10, the town clerk's former salary of £30 remaining as before.

Naming the Streets.—The Works Committee reported, that prices were being obtained for finger-posts at the street corners.