NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11126, 19 January 1899, Page 4

NAPIER BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wednesday, January 18. Present -His Worship the Mayor (M Cr. H. Swan) and Crs. G-. Panlknor, J. C M'Vay, H. P. Cohen, P. Dinwiddie, J. A 1 Brown, C. H. Edwards, W. Plowman, am P. G. Smith. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was reai and dealt with: — From the New Zealand Loan and Mer cantile Agency Company, calling atten tion to a section at the Spit, close to th< company's offices, on which stagnan water laid.— Harbor Board had beei called upon to abate nuisance. Prom Mr C. B. Hoadley, calling atten tion to the lateness of the hour some times 10 a.m. — when the rubbish cart: finished their work.— Contractor to bi kept within the terms of his contract. Prom the Hon. J. D. Ormond, agreeing to the Council's terms for drain conuec tion, and forwarding cheque. — Received. From Mr John Begg, applying foi remission of rates on a cottage on thi Marine-parade which had been unoccupied for fully two years.— Only, half rates far six months could be legally remitted From Mr F. J. Tiffen, complaining oi the state of the unmetalled portion oi CJyde-road.— Referred to Public Worke Committee. Prom Mr Cr. Heald, asking for a reduction in the price of water used for icej making. — Waterworks Committee to deal I with application under the bye-laws. Prom Mr W. Lucas, superintendent of the Spit Fire Brigade, intimating that he was applying for the position of captain of the Wellington Brigade and asking for a recommendation. — E«quest granted. Prom the Chairman of the Hawke's Bay County Council, complaining of the nuisance'' arising from the Corporation's nightsoil dep6t.— Reported on by Inspector, and dealt with in Public Works Committee's report. Prom the Napier City Band, asking for music-stands in the Marine - parade rotunda.— Referred to Public AVorks Committee j Mr Wundram to report to committee and furnish designs and estimate of cost. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE'S RBPORT. The Public Works Committee's report contained the following recommendations : — 1. Complaints : Nightsoil Depot.— Tliat Mr H. Williams bo informed in reply to his letter that the present contract will be determined on the 30th June next, and that the Council will then endeavor to deal more effectively and satisfactorily with the removal both of nightsoil and and of rubbish. In the meanwhile, that the con. tractors be directed to bury or remove the unsightly heaps of kerosene tins, old pans, &c-, now lying on the boundary line next the roadway, 2. E. Smith: Application to connect drain.— That this be granted provided Mr Smith will contribute the sum of £5 towards the cost, estimated at £15. 3. Appointment Bangers Dog Tax Collectors, &C— That none of these applications be accepted, but that fresh ones be invited for the position of poundkeeper, ranger, dog tax collector, assistant sanitary inspector (under Mr Waterworth), and waste water inspector. 4. Steam Fire Engine: Inspector's Beport. — That with a view to the saving of the fresh water supply, the superintendent of the N.V. Fire Bijgade be directed to take the steam fire engine to every fire, so that the water from the salt water wells may bo utilised whenever possible. Your committee are also of opinion that, although the trustees (in whom the steamer id vested) have in the past acted both judiciously and well, considering how largely the Council contribute to the maintenance and efficiency of the brigade, that the trustees should be requested to transfer the engine and vest it in the Borough Council. In connection with clause 1 Cr. M'Vay referred to a report of the overseer, who had been all over the ground, but the only nuisance he found was caused by the drainage of the wool-scouring works into the creek, where water was stagnant, Cr. Cohen bore out this report from personal observation.— Cr.. Dinwiddie thought a copy of the report should he sent tc the County Council.— The Mayor pointed out that under the contract the Corporation conld compel the contractor to use another site further away from the main road. — The suggestion of Cr, Dinwiddie was adopted, and the Mayor was requested to select another site on TanneryTroad. Clause 3 was opposed by Cr. Cohen, on tho double ground that the expense wat unwarranted, and that the work was tot much for one man. — Crs. Edwards, Brown and Dinwiddie maintained that the appointment was in the interests oi economy, and really constituted ai amalgamation of offices, not an ad ditional office, whil6 thp work woulc be far more efficiently done than under the present system. — Cr Smith supported Cr. Cohen's protest.— Cr. M'Vay maintained that the overseei had at present tax top niuch to do, anc the result was waste of watep, inefjeieni inspection, and in the end more expense — Cr, Faulknor opposed the appointment — The clause was carried by five to three — After a lengthy discussion the salary was fixed at £2 2s per week, with pound age fees in addition. The fourth clause was carried by fom to three, Cr, Cohen having left the cham< ber, and Crs. Brown, Smith, and Plowmai voting against it in favor of I an additiot to the effect that steam should be got uj as soon as the alarm was sounded. MISCELLANEOUS Wednesday was fixed as the statutory half-holiday for the coming year. The overseer reported that the cost ol tarring Hastings-street (two coats) was 3 6-16 d per square yard, A new bye-law regulating drain connections was adopted. At the conclusion of the ordinary business the Council met as the Domain! Board. Mr Philip Scullion, lessee of th< Papakura reserve, wrote representing that he had spent over .8100 in its improvement, but had had his crops destroyed by floods. He did not ask foi any remission of rent, but that his least should be extended for 21 years at thi present rental, in which case he woulc undertake to construct an embankment i to protect the property from floods. — Tin ' Board having fixed a loir rental becausi of the liability of the land to be flooded refused to entertain the proposal. The Council then adjourned.