NAPIER MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3747, 19 July 1883, Page 2

NAPIER MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

AVednesday, July 18

Tho Council mot at 8 p.m. Present : His AVorship the Mayor (chairman), Crs. Neal, Faulkuor, Graham, Cohen, McDougall. Margoliouth, and Cotton. Leave of absence Avas granted to Cr. Lee, Avho Avas absent from Napier. RETURNING OFFICER. Pursuant to notice Cr. Graham moA'cd, "That-Mr William Parker be appointed returning officer for tho borough." Cr. McDougall seconded tho motion. Cr. Graham explained that his reason for bringing forward this motion again Avas in order to effect retrenchment. He hoped the members Avould A'otc for.it on th at account. Cr, Neal said lie would support tho motion with tho object of saving the borough fluids only. Other aviso be Avould be opposed to it, as the late returning officer had always faithfully and efficiently discharged his duties. Cr. Cohen failed altogether to see Avhere the retrenchment came in, although ho had gone very carefully into the matter. Perhaps, however, Cr. Graham could enlighten him. Ho (Cr. Cohen) Avould also like to know Avhcther, if Mr Parker was appointed, the Council Avould indemnify him against the heavy penalties he might become liable to through an error. Cr. Graham haA'ing replied, the motion Avas carried by 4 votes to 3. THE RAILWAY GOODS SUED. Cr. Neal moved the resolution standing in his name as folloAvs :—" That tho.Minister for Public Works be requested to cause the removal of the railway goods shed to the toAvn side of the railway, fronting Munroe street, when the jicav station improvements aro being carried out; and that the representatives of the district be requested to Avait upon the Minister for Public AVorks and support the resolution." The motion was seconded by Cr. McDougall. Cr. Neal said the importance of the proposed change was apparent to anyone. The goods shed at present was most inconveniently situated, and the proper place for it undoubtedly was Munroe street, one

of the widest streets in the town. Tho change Avould also obviate tho danger that existed through persons h.tA-ing to cross tho raihvay lino to reach tho shed.

Cr. Faulknor was only astonished that the matter had not been seen to long ago. It AA'ould bo a great convenience to business people and a hardship to no one if the shed Avns removed to the sito proposed by Cr. Neal. On being put to the meeting the motion was carried unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE. Tho following iinvard correspondence Avaa read :— From Mr H. C. Robjohns, stating that a portion of the road fronting his and Jrr Colcnso's sections in Stamford-street AVclleslcy road, haA r ing been taken by the Government for raihvay purposes, the balance Avas useless as a street. AVould the Council agree to sell it to applicant P—Cr. Graham would like to knoAV in what position the Council stood with relation to this street.—Tho Town Clerk said ho did not think the Government had proclaimed tho whole of Stamford-street, but only a part of it.—Cr. Margoliouth said the Government had taken for raihvay purposes some borough property, thereby destroying tho frontages to Messrs Robjohns' and Colcnso's sections. The Council had power, lie bclioA'cd, to sell the portion of the street not closed up, nndho would suggestthatitshould be sold. If Mr Robjohns and Mr Colenso gaA-e the same price for it as they put upon their own property adjoining Avhen before the Compensation Court lately it Avould pay the Council very Avell indeed to let them have it.—Cr. Neal said that some time ago the Corporation had applied to tho Government to have Stamford-street opened for traffic, and seeing that raihvay improvements Avcre contemplated shortly tho request might yet be granted. Pending a reply from tho Government ho thought tho question of disposing of tho land might be delayed.—Cr. Margoliouth moved that the letter he referred to tho Municipal Solicitors for their opinion as to Avhether tho Corporation has poAvor to dispose of the ground in question.—Cr. Graham seconded the motion which was ultimately carried on the voices. From Mr J. Algol- Brown, directing attention to tho state of George street, and asking tho Council to have it put in a fit condition for vehicle traffic. The Avork could be done for about £s.—Referred to the road overseer for his report. From the Napier School Committee, complaining that the public were in the habit, especially on nights wdien the Theatre avus engaged, of making use of the district school closets. The Committee thought the proprietors of the Theatre should be required to provide accommodation for their own patrons.—Cr. McDougall said tho School Committee had the remedy in their own hands. Let them lock the school gates, and prosecute the first person they saw climbing over the fence.—No action taken. From the Borough Solicitor, Avith reforende to the fire inspector's application to have the term " properly constructed fire-place " defined, stating that as the clause in the borough bye-hiAvs relating to fires outside buildings was exactly the same as the byelaws in Christchurch, AVellington, and othos* largo towns in the colony, where it had been found to meet all requirements, tho clause should meet all requirements in Napier. The evidence of the Inspector as to the safety or danger of outside fireplaces should weigh materially Avith tho Resident Magistrate. From the Town, Clerk, AVellington, offering to sell a quantity af surplus waterAyorks plant.—Dealt Avith by Public AVorks Committee. From Mr AY. Miller, Chief Fire Inspoctor, enclosing a letter from the Superintendent of the Spit A'oluntccr Fire Brigade, asking the borough to grant a donation toAvards the cost of providing two rooms for the station keeper, it having been found necessary to add to tho present accommodaMr Miller recommended the letter to the faA'orablo consideration of the Council. —Referred back for fuller information respecting cost of tho Avork. THE COUNCIL OFFICES. Tho Mayor said that, on seeing a report in tho papers a few days ago to the effect that Mr Buchanan, the member for Napier, had asked a question in the House Avhich elicited the reply from the Colonial Treasurer that it Avas intended to oust the Corporation from the offices now occupied by them, he had communicated with Mr Buchanan on tho'subjeet. In that letter ho pointed out that when Mr Dick Avas recently in Napier, he made a most positive promise that tho Council should retain possession of their rooms, and thatif the Goa'eminent turned tho 'Council out tho Government ivould be guilty of a breach of faith and honor; also that, on the strength of the promise made by MiDick, the Council had commenced to build a strong-room. He (the Mayor) had received a reply from Mr Buchanan, in Avhioh. he promised to bring the matter again before Mr Dick's notice, and added that the Council's chief opponent in the Ministry was Mr Rolleston, aa'lio some time ago had promised tho Registrar of Deeds that tho Council offices should bo handed over to him, and who was "fretting at tho delay." Cr. McDougall Avould bring to tho Mayor's recollection the fact that some time ago the Council sent a long legal opinion to the Government, and'since then nothing official had been heard of the matter. Perhaps, when Avriting to Mr Buchanan next, the Mayor Avould mention this to him. The opinion of the solicitors was arrived at after careful study, aud ivas at least worthy of some consideration. He (Cr. McDougall) believed the Corporation had a legal right to the offices. The Mayor said he had not forgotten that point, and if any communication were received from the Government he would not fail to call their attention to the matter. Cr. Margoliouth said ho must deprccato the position tho Council occupied witli respect to its offices. The question should be decided ono Avay or the othor. As far as ho recollected Mr Dick's remarks Avhen intervioAved by the Council, he did not give any definite promise. He merely said, in an indefinite way, that the Corporation should not be disturbed for "a long time " ■ —and then ho conveniently lost bis notice. (Laughter.) Tho Council had wasted tune, meeting after meeting, in discussing the matter, and it was just a question whether the Government would not yet turn them out '' neck and crop.'' [Cr. Graham : No.] The Council had just decided to build a strong-room, considering it Aviso to spend £100 to save the possible loss of £500. That Avas no sooner decided than Mr Buchanan took upon himself to ask the Government to have the Registrar of Deeds and the Stamp Office located in more convenient promises, which of course meant the Corporation offices. Immediately on that the Registrar took the Avhole think for granted. Mrßamford—ho avur not afraid to mention names—said to him (the speaker), " I see you are building a strong-room. I hope your are building it large enough and sufficiently safe to do for us, as our room is becoming too small, and avo shall Avant it for deeds.'' (Laughter.) This all showed that it Avas necessary to come to some definite understanding, and for the Council either to remain legally in possession or to " clear out." One day Mr Dick threatened them; next clay it Avas another Minister. They all kneAV Mr Dick never intended to carry out his promises. [" Question."] There aa\is no question about it. Mr Dick took no proper notes. [Cr McDougall: Perhaps ho took mental notes]—A-ery probably; Ho wroto about half-a-dozen Avords, and then lost them. Either the office was the Corporation's by legal right or it was not ; that should bo settled once for all. Continual letters to Mr Buchanan wcro no use. As far as Mr Buchanan's opinion was concerned, he did not consider it worth the paper it waa written on.

Cr M'Dougall objected to tho Council being made a debating society to discuss Mr Buchanan, and the A'alue of his opinions. Politics should not be introduced into the Council.

Cr Margoliouth said there Avas nothing political about his remarks. He Avantcd to have a definite understanding as to the right of the Council to occupy its offices.

After some further discussion the matter Avas alloAved to drop.

PUBLIC AVORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. Tbe following report from the Public AVorks Committee was read:—

Your committee having met pursuant to notice, beg to recommend the Council to give effect to the folloAving, viz:— l.That for the better protection of tho public the overseer bo instructed to repair the fence on Marino Parade temporarily. 2- That, provided satisfactory arrangements can be made Avith the Gas Company, a tank for tho surplus tar be erected on their premises at a cost not exceeding £10. 3. That the repairs to Sale-street as recommended by tho Municipal Engineer bo proceeded Avith in duo course.

4. That a meter bo erected at the hospital

and water supply charged for in accordance Avith tho the Avaterworks bye-laws. 5. That an offer be made to the AVellington City Council to purchase such items of their waterworks plants as lurvc been recommended by tho Municipal .Engineer (Avith the addition of one AVater meter) at their price as quoted, and at £7 5s per ton for their 3-inch pipes. The several clauses in tho report Avcre adopted, the only clause provoking any discussion being No. 2, Avhich Avas carried by a majority of ono vote. ROAD OVERSEER'S RE-ORT.

The Road Overseer presented the following report : — Gas Tar.—The tank at the gasworks is overflowing, and tho tjir running to Avastc. Some decision requires to bo arrived at at once as to Avhat can be done in the matter. The proposed storage tank can be erected in Browning-street, at the Avaterworks yard, or, it' satisfactory arrangements could be made, at the gasworks. If at the latter place it would save a second handling, both iv cartage and labor. Marino Parade.—Tho heavy seas of last week have made further encroachments on this road. Near Cootc road tho protecting fence is in part swinging, and as the Avidth of road at this point is only 1-1 feet, and tho depth of bank about 10 feet, it is consequently dangerous. The formation at this place is of loose material, and will be liable to be further encroached upon if no temporary protection is made. I understand — if I remember right—that an arrangement was entered into some time ago witli tho Government, Avhereby the Government undertook to build a protecting sea-wall opposite the Court-house and tho gaol reserve, and its protection might be considered a Government work. Capt. Balle's Letter.—Tho channels iv Roslyn road, complained of in Capt. Balle's letter have been cleaned out. His complaint Avas thoroughly justified. STREET KNCKOACIDIETS.

Tho following- is a copy of tbo lebter written by the Mayor to the Minister of Public Works with reference to the above subject:—"l have tho honor to request you will have the goodness to bring under the consideration of the Government tho serious detriment which has been caused to the town of Napier by the Avay in Avhich certain portions of the land of tho borough have been been appropriated, and so great arc the encroachments upon various parts of tho streets and other public places that the matter has become of serious import, and if not rectified, will, it is feared, materially affect the A'uluation roll of the borough, as Avell as deprive many holders of property of that facility of access to their holdings which Avas an understood, if not a stipulated, condition of sale at the time the various properties Avere placed iv the market. The portions of the borough to which I now refer are mostly in the vicinity of the raihvay lino between Port Ahuriri and Havelock - road. The distance between the port and the railway station is about two miles, and for a considerable part of this route the railway oncroaches upon the public road— so much so that iv some places the railway has been forced upon private lands, and . even then it is so narroAV that two vehicles cannot pass. In the vicinity of the railway station, and passing thence towards tho Great South-road, the encroachments are even more serious. Threo streets have been closed, and an area of about six acres appropriated, besides Avhich the railway lino for a distance of nearly 1000 yards runs along the centre of one of the Avidest streets in the town; not of necessity, for a shorter and struightcr route would bo obtained by avoiding this street altogether. Again, tbo building used f < >r j udujial purposes encroaches for a length of Liu' feet and a depth of 43k feet upon one of the most valuable sites on the Marino Parade. These matters wee brought prominently to the notice of the Hon. tho Colonial Secretary at the time of his visit to Napier in September, 1882, and a promise was obtained that they should be laid before Ministers with a view to their rectification. So far, however, I believe no stops in this direction have been taken. I shall, therefore, esteem it a favor if you Avill kindly solicit the attention of the Government to the mattor." MISCELLANEOUS. It Avas proposed that the footpath opposite the new Colonial Bank premises should be re-formed at once, tho bank paying half the cost, but as no Avritten application from the representatives of the bank was before the Council it Avas decided that no action could be taken until the matter Avas brought . forward in proper form. The tender of Messrs Oliver and Button, at £22 10s, for building a retaining ivall at Mr Lascelles' house, Shakespeare road, Avas accepted. Cr. Margoliouth was appointed chairman of the Public Works Committee.

Cr. Neal avus appointed to sign contracts on behalf of the borough. Vouchers amounting to £70 8s 3d wore passed for payment, and the Council adjourned.