NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3954, 22 March 1884, Page 3

NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho Council met last ovening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs. Neal, Cotton, Cohen, Margoliouth, Robjolms, Graham, Faulknor, McDougall, and Leo. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Superintendent of tho Spit Fire Brigade, in reference to tho report of tho Chief Fire Inspector connected with the White road firo, in which it was said in roferonce ,' to the correspondence .signed " Easy Going "in tho Daily Telegraph, " I run sorry the other party connected with tho writing of theso letters is a member of tho Spit Brigade," &c. On making enquiries among the members of the brigade ho found that no one had anything to do with the writing of the letter. 1 *, and as " Easy Going " had disclosed his name ho trusted the Council would give publicity ; •to correcting the mistake. It was hard that the brigade should be blamed in the matter -when the members had takon no part in the controversy.—Cr. Margoliouth moved that tho letter be received. Cγ. Neal thought the. disclosure of "Easy Going" should bo a sufficient vindication of tho Spit Brigade. From Charles Edwards, manager of the Gas Company, forwarding memorandum of agreement which/had been signed by the directors on tho 6th March. —Received. From Kobert Lamb, agreeing to hand ovor tho original plans to the Council if they in return would give him the duplicates in their possession.—Or. Margoliouth moved that the terms of his letter be accepted.—Cγ. McDougall seconded the motion, which was carried. From James White, asking for a water supply for which he was willing to pay £1 per annum, the water to be used in hia garden.—The Town Olerk explained that if a meter wero put on tho minimum cost would be £10.—Cr Leo moved that the letter be roferred to the Public Works Committeo, which was agreed to. From Department of Justice, complaining of the charge of £7 10s per annum for water for Govornment buildings, and asking for a reconsideration of the charge.— The Town Clerk aaid one-third had been taken off the regular rate assessed on tho valuation of the building.—Cr McDougall moved that in view of a contemplated increase in the water rates the Council do not see ; their way to any reduction. —Cr. Faulknor seconded the motion.—Cr Margoliouth hoped, when tho Town Olork wrote, ho would explain in what way the rate was arrived at.—Tho Town Clerk said that had been explained already.—Cr Faulknor said tho caretaker must use water.

From' W. Parker, stating that in his opinion £2 2s each to the deputy returning officers at tho lato elections M T aa not too much considering tho work to bo done. The Public Works Committee had written in futuro he should o'/ily allow £1 Is.—Cr. Margoliouth moved that, after hearing Mr Parker's explanation, the Council consider tho explanation satisfactory, and in future the matter of fees will bo left to his discretion, provided they do nor exceed tho amount paid at tho last election.—Cr. Neal seconded tho motion, which was carried.— Or. McDougall did not think it worthwhile to oppose the motion, but ho saw no reason for increasing the fees from one guinea to two guineas per day, though he was of opinion that good men could bb got for a guinea a day.—The motion was carried, Cr. McDougall dissonting.

From Sainsbury and Logan, stating that the Council could, by moving tho Govcrnor-in-Council to issue certain notices, obtain legal possession of the road leading to the Port Ahuriri bridge.—Dealt with in Public Works Committee's report.

From Secretary of Hospital, asking that tho £100' voted to the Hospital by the Council should be made available before tho close' of the month.—Cr. Margoliouth said the rule of tho Council was only to pay once a month, but tho Hospital needed the raorioy for some purpose during the month. —Received. FromW. Willis, L. Willis; G. Frame, C.'LnniboTt, J. Frame, L. Humphreys, S. Hansen,' R. Durrant, E. Conroy, R. Mullany; and J. Eddie, asking that their names might''be'erased from the petition in reference to Stamford street presented by Cr. NeaV— Tho Mayor thought a person who had once" put his name to a p'otitioh should not be allowed to withdraw it.—Cr. Cotton : Did 'they mention they were under the influence of drink when they signed the petition : Mayor onco more read tho Margoliouth moved that the letters , bo , held over till a petition on the same 'matter was considered; — Cr. Leo seconded. Neal said he had no objection to the men changing their opinions ; it •was quite evident inducements had been held out to them'to so alter their views.— The motion was 6arried! ■" '■ ■ '■ s 'PETITION..' ':.-' '.''-,.. . Cr; Margoliouth presented a petition from a number of residents in Wellesley road against there-opening of Stamford street, the closing of the street having conferred a blessing ori McDougall moved tho petition- bo' referred to Ptiblic Works Committee. — Or.' Cohen seconded tho motion, whichwascarried.—-Or. Margoliouth moved that the letters Jbe.' also referred to Public /Works .Committee. —■ Cr. Cotton seconded ..tho motion, as it was tho easiest way to deal Ayith them.—Cr. Neal moved that tho letters be received.—The amendment was- noi seconded. Tho original <r motion Avas carriddj Cr. Neal alone dissenting. • : ■:■ . •r.rji■■•; CORPORATION OFFICES, The • Public Work s Committeo presented the following , special report i-^-' I. That competitive dosigns for the proposed now offices and meeting hall for the , Corporation be invited. ■■ ' /' 2. That the' amount of accommodation to be .provided" for be as near as may be that ehown ori the plan herewith.' .: > &. ■. .That tho entrance to the offices be from HETschell-street, and that to the public hall froal Toriiiyson-street.' ■■'-.' ' ' ' : 4.-That a premium of £10 bo paid for the accepted plan, and tho designer thereof have tho supervision of the building at tho usual oonimingion rato; ■"'•■■■■. ■ < <• 5. That the cost of the whole do not ex- ; atod that no premium be pnid for any plan unless tho accopted tender be within' the abovd price. Cr. Margoliouth moved tho adopted of the report,'. Cr; Graham seconding the motion.' , Cr. McDougall thought there was an omission which might be rectified. Sup-. posing l four architects .competed, only one might send a plan which could corno within the -afnbiit specified; If no. tender was re* ceiVed-within the . £900, the Council might vote £1200' to havetho building erected, in which casp the architect who had stuck to the■ ■ eHtimftte ; woidd beat a disadvantage,' , while the architect who ignored tho. estimate' would get riioro money, oven if he got no ,premium, because of the 5 per cent, com-' miffeion on tho extra cost. He should move that no boims be paid on any plan and no plan shall,bo accepted that cannot be carried out-for; £900. 'Ho could see very plainly that as it now stood tho architect who' dis-

regarded the orders of the Council could mako money by it, as the Council would not part with its pot plan even if it cost more money, which be unfair to the other architects. Or. Leo said it was only a variation oi Iho phraseology. On Cr. MeDougall's motion clause 5 was amended by the addition of tho following words: —"And that no tender bo in any case accepted which is above the specified sum of £900." PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The following report from the Public Works Committee was read :— Your committee having met pursuant to order, beg to recommend tho Council as follows: — 1. That a reply be forwarded to the hon. secretary Napier Fire Brigade, informing him that the Council cannot at present entertain his suggestion relative to building a stable, &c. 2. That it is inexpedient to lay down telegraphic communication with tho turncock's house for the present. 3. That the solicitor to tho Corporation be instructed to give such final notices, make such applications, and take such steps as may bo necessary to take find vest in Her Majesty as a road that piece of land now used as a road, extending from tho Napier side of tho Port Ahuriri bridge to the road extension. *i '. '..ut the vouchers herewith forwarded (£SB 7s 0d) be passed and ordered to be paid. The several clauses were adopted without discussion and the Council adjourned.