BOROUGH COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5367, 11 December 1885, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

Thursday, December 10. A meeting of the Borough Council was held at the Town Hall this evening. Preseat-^The Mayor (in the chair), Crs Lahman, SUgedy, Barkley, Griffon, Blackmdre;~Campbell, Ashton, Cameron, and Perotti. The minutes of the previous meeting was iead and confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved. The correspondence included a long letter in relation to the Cobden bridge and the arrangements necessitated through the accident, by which two cylinders were carried a^vay. A claim for half a day's wages by Mr Woolf was ordered to be paid. Letter from Mr W. F. Martin in regard to the unexpected increase in the cost of the Cobden bridge. The writer said that he did the best he could in the circumstances, and explained that much of the work was of a nature rarely or never seen. In reference to this matter, Cr Lahman gave the Council the substance of what took place at an interview with Mr Martin that afternoon. He said that the whole of the £3400 had been spent, as well as an additional £500 spent since. Taking the concrete out of the two cylinders cost £1400. Sinking them to a greater depth brought the amount up to £2100, which, with the £1750 awarded to the contractor, gave them £3850. Mr Watson was allowed £20 per week for his personal supervision and the use of his plant, which, with a percentage on the work, amounted in all to about £32 per week. As Mr Watson had been about ten weeks working under this arrangement he had received £320. Mr Martin said it was discovered that porfcionß of the two cylinders were found to be perfectly intact, which to him seemed to show that the cylinders were perfectly safe so far as the sinking was concerned. Mr Martin now declined to accept any further responsibility in connection with the bridge, and asked the Borough for instructions. He now came to the Council for instructions when all the money had been spent. When asked why he had taken all the responsibility before of making such important arrangements with the contractor without consulting with the Council, Mr Martin explained that he was often away from Greymouth in pursuance of his duties. Mr Martin intimated that it was his opinion that if they joined on with the portions of the cylinders Btill remaining I the work would be perfectly safe. It was obvious, therefore, that the Council should make up their minds promptly on the matter. Otherwise Mr Watson would be at standstill, when he would doubtless claim demurrage for being kept idle. — Mr Sheedy said that the whole thing had been bungled at every stage, and he strongly condemned the action of the Resident Engineer for the way he had managed the whole affair. After he had spent all tha money he came to the Council for instruction. — After some discussion, in which Crs Cameron, Campbell, and Blackmore took part, it was resolved to ask the Resident Engineer, on ascerbaining the position of up-stream cylinder, to communioafce j with the Enginper-in-Chief, and obtain his advice as to the best course to pursue in completing the work, and instruct the Town Clerk to communicate with the Minister for Public Works giving full details of the whole matter. It was also resolved to invoke the assistance of the Hon. Mr Lahman and the member for the district (Mr A. R. Guinness) with the Government. — Carried. The report from the Inspector of Nuisances waß read, He said tlmt bows

grazed regularly in the streets, and whenever he spoke to those in charge of them they always said that they we're, driving them to a paddock. —Cr Sheedy contended that the Inspector of Nuisances should not interfere with cows that were being tailed in the streets. They were quiet cattle, and in no $ay dangerous ; and they were of great use" to many poor people in enabling them to earn a living. — Cr Lahman wanted to know why the Inspector constantly came to them for instructions when he had the bye-laws to guide him.— Cr Ashton pointed out that the Inspector had most onerous duties to perform, and ought to be protected in the exercise of his duties. After some further discussipn, it was resolved that the Inspector be informed the Council had no further instructions to give him. On the question of appointing a Valuator for the ensuing year, some discussion ensued as to whether notice of motion should not be given in reference of the appointment. Ultimately the Mayor' gave notice of motion that he would move at the next special meeting that a Valuator be appointed, and that applications be invited for same. The Council resolved itself into committee to consider the report of the subcommittee on water supply. The report was read. It recommended that water should be pumped out of the river to a reservoir afc a height o£ 250 f t; that all the details be fully explained to the ratepayers at a public meeting ; that they be asked to sanction the raising of a loan of £12,000, of which only £7000 be actually taken up, reserving the £5000 for future extension if required by the expansion of the town. The total annual expense was put down at £850— the sinking fund to be so arranged as to pay off the principal, in 33 years. The estimated revenue was made out to be fully equal to the probable experditure. The report was then received. —Or Lahman moved that it be a recommendation to the Council to appoint a committee to take the necessary steps under the Act to ascertain the wishes of the ratepayers in the matter, the committee to consist of Crs Perotti, Sheedy, Campbell, Cameron, and the mover. — Cr Blackmore seconded. Both gentlemen said that the Council was very much indebted to the sub-committe for the able and exhaustive report they had prepared. — Carried. The Council then resumed, and the resolution was reported and adopted. A number of. accounts were read and referred to the Finance Committee. Resolved that the salary of the valuator be the same as least year (£25.) The Council was then adiourned until the 16th inst. at noon.