BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 484, 24 July 1890, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The above body met on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor, and Crs. Dunlop, Lucas, Hepburn, Coleman, Harding, Whin' ray. In regard to the work of repairing the Turanganui bridge the Mayor said the Committee had decided that the work should be done by day labor; it was really being done under the supervision of Captain Winter.—The Clerk said he had received a communication from the Captain of the Awaroa requesting that the bridge be opened for his vessel on Thursday. The Clerk said he had referred the Captain's attention to the advertisement notifying that the bridge could not be opened until the repairs had been completed. In regard to the petition for a reduction of the rental of the lessees of Borough reserves, ihe solicitors, Messrs Finn and Chriep, advised against any such remission and the committee therefore reported that it would be better not to disturb the existing terms.—Mr Adair asked whether he could present a legal opinion on behalf of the petitioners.— Or Coleman, being per o ally interested, wished to take no part in the proceedings.—Cr Harding thought they should get all information.—Cr Lucas had no objection, but said it was a most peculiar course —they hid the opinion of their own solicitor. —The Mayor said the only provision in the 1886 Act for the remission of rates was in case of extreme poverty.—There being no objection the opinion (from Messrs Bros anil Day) was read. Mr Rees said that the opinion was to the effect that relief could not be given under the Municipal Corporations Act, but it might be given under the Public Bodies Powers Act of 1887, by getting the permission of the Governor in Council, as had been done by the Auckland Harbor Board. —Tha Mayor said the opinions were practically the same, that nothing could be done except by surrender, or by application under the Public Bodies Powers Act.—Cr. Dunlop pointed out that the Committee had not reported on the point of equity, which it was quite as necessary to consider as the legal aspect. Cr. Whinray, said the committee would have had some recommendation to make as to a remission, considering the hardship entailed on the lessees were it not that the legal opinion had prevented any further consideration.— The Mayor said they might decide now in face of the legal opinions, and then if any Councillor desire to move they could easily make use of the machinery o? the Powers Act. It would be necessary then to give notice of motion.—The report was adopted. —Cr Whinray said in answer to the deputation, he would, when the proper time came, move that the machinery of the Act be brought into force.

The Overseer made a general report, noting the further damage that had been caused to the bridges.—The Overseer said Captain Kennedy had satisfactorily completed that portion which the scow had affected, and Mr Sunderland had promised to get Mr Skeet to get the Taruhern bridge repaired.—ln reply to Cr Lucas the Clerk said no answer had been received to the letters sent to the owners of the Fanny, concerning the first damage to tha foot bridge. —The Mayor thought it would be just as well net to have any litigation if they could avoid it.—Cr Lucas did not want the Council to rush into law, but lie thought the letters might have been replied to. The following accounts were passed for payment —N. Holt, £6 0s lid ; Graham, Pict and Bennett, 10s; Kennedy and Evans, £1 10s 3d ; Wingate, Burns and Co,, £1 17s 8d ; W. O Skeet, £4 0s 6d ; W. Morrison, £3 12s; E. Hughes, £2 5s 61; F. Hick, £2 0s 61; T, Morrison, £2 5s 91; Hooper and Gregg, £8 8s 9d ; Gas Company, 16s. It was decided to purchase a small boat on account of the repairs to the bridges ; cost to ba 50s.

The following tenders were received for water maius—S. Hooper, £l6 10s per chain ; Brown and Smaill, £l4 5s ; G. Humphreys, £l6 10s 61; J. M, Arundel, £1514s ;J. Wade, £l3 10s; P McLoughlan, £l7 19s.—From the wording of Mr Wade's tender it was deemed informal, and Brown and Smaillje was accepted.—Cr Whinray proposed that the mains ba con’inued up the road so far as th y could go with the money allocated.—Cr Lucas seconded, thinking it would be far better to get all they could done at onceCrs Coleman and Dunlop thought the small extension would be useless —Cr Hepburn urged that all the spare funds should be reserved for road purposes.—The Mayor thought it would be better at the present not to undertake the additional expense.—Cr Whinray again strongly urged that the favorable terms should be availed of. He was quite as anxious as anyone to get the roads attended to, but he considered in the circumstances it would be very desirable to extend the mains. —Cr Coleman pointed out that in framing the estimates Councillors were unanimous in the desire to reduce the expenditure, and the extension downwards was only being made so as secure the Government grant of £5O. He did not see why they should rush into further expenditure because the work decided upon was to be done a little cheaper than estimated.—Only the mover and seconder voted for the motion. Cr Hepburn directed the Inspector's attention to the practice some people had of sweeping the rubbish out from the front doors into the watertablea. A long communication from Mr Drummond was read, making recommendations for strengthening the Turanganui bridge.—lt was considered that tho Council would not be justified in going to such a large expense, but it was decided to refer the suggestions to the attention of the Overseer. Before the Council adjourned Cr Whinray gave notice to move that the Council take advantage of the Public Bodies Powers Act, 1887, concerning the desired reduction of rentals.—A committee, consisting of the Mayor, and Crs Dunlop, Lucas, and Whinray, was appointed to go into the question of equity, to report at next meeting.