BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2448, 8 June 1893, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting was held on Wednesday evening ; present— I The Mayor, Councillors Hood, Wilson, Caplen, Winks, Satton, Adamson, Finlay, WbitfcinsitoQ. CORRESPONDENCE. From H. Pollen, Under-Seoretary, acknowledging receipt of resolution of sympathy re the death of Mr Ballanoe ; and from A. M. Smith, conveying Mrs Ballance's thanks for council's sympathy in her bereavement. Post Office Department, Wellington, stating that the matter of erecting a new post office in Havvera would be brought under tbe notice of the Cabinet when estimates were under consideration. Audit Office, enclosing statement of sinking fund for 1893. D. Spenee, asking that his salary as inspector of nuisances, etc., be raised owing to tbe inorease of his duties by the erection of more lamps in the borough ; and also for a jack to grease wheels of fire engine.— The Clerk Btated that Spence's present salary for all his duties was £40 a year. — Cr. Hood thought he should be paid at so much a lamp for the whole borough. — The Clerk stated that the payment for lamp-lighting was £15 a year, and there were only 10 lamps when tbe pay was fixed, whereas five more lamps bad sinoe been erected. — Cr. Sutton moved, That 30s per lamp be allowed for each lamp erected since tbe salary was fixed. — Seconded by Cr. Adamson, and carried. — Subsequently, on a motion that another lamp be erected, Cr. Button said that his motion did not mean that 30s be allowed for every lamp which might be erected, but only for the five mentioned. Leave of tbe council was obtained to resoind tbe resolution, and Cr. Sutton moved tbat Spence be allowed £22 10s a year (80a per lamp for 15 lamps) for lighting. — Cr. Winks moved, as an amendmonc, Tbat the salary should not exceed £20. — The amendment was lobl, and the resolution carried.— lt was decided that ,a jack be obtained for fire engine. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES' REPORT, The inspector reported on vatioui nuisances in tbe borocgh — nntrimmed fences, dirty back yards, paper and rotten fruit on streets, drain pipes wanted, etc. | The Mayor thought notice should be taken of the matter, and an interpretation of the by. laws given to offenders by tbe R.M. The clerk stated that the matter of throwing refuse on streets was in the hands of tbe police, who could not directly trace tbe offenders. Councillor Hood moved, Tbat the report be adopted, and acted upon. Seconded by Councillor Wilson. Councillor Winks said he thought tbe offer of £10 to tbe inspector if he obtained a conviction (which was mentioned at a previous meeting) was out of place, aod tbat to bold out a bribe was not right. The officer was paid to do his work, and if he did not do it they could dispense with him. Tbe council had given no authority to make suoh an offer. The Mayor said that when Spence asked for an inorease, he (the mayor) told him that when be obtained a conviction against an offender the council would consider tbe question of a rise. After some further discussion, tbe resolution was carried. THE BILLIARD ROOM. Tbo Cierk stated that he had, in accordance with a motion of the counoil, waited on Mt Jury, in reference to the alleged nuisanoa caused by his billiard room. Mr Jury informed him he had met Mr Ferguson in every possible way, and had lost £150 by closing bis room punctually. Tbe clerk was requested to put his report in writing and lay it before the council. The following accounts were passed : — Innes and Co., £2 4s 6d ; Hardley and Sons, £4 9a; W. T. Styles, £1 2a 85; Fire Brigade (subsidy), £25 ; E. Hamilton, £65 12s 6d ; T. Smart, 103 ; J. Gibson, £2 163 3d; J. Parkin, £8 8s ; W. A'Court, £3 ; P. Gunn, £9 5s 6d. BROKEN METAL. A letter was received from Messrs Feai»n Bros., Stratford, offering to break metal for tbe borough in any quantity at 8s 6d per cubic yard, and stating that they were prepared to etart as soon as tbe council was ready. The Mayor thought the clerk should write to Mr Brough (anotber contractor) and get his price, and leave the matter to the Works Committee to see it the oounoil could afford to get the metal. Councillor Fialay said he had moved the same thing several meetings since. The metal was wanted at once, and ibe Mayor was only suggesting what had already been done but not acted upon. The Mayor said Councillor Finlay might recollect that tenders bad been called, and none were received. Letters had also been written to obtain a supply. The ■tress of work on tbe clerk during the Exhibition bad disjointed matters somewhat. Councillor Finlay said he had no intention of imputing laxity on the part of the clerk, as Mr Brett was a most painstaking and energetic olerk, but there was laxity somewhere. The Works Committee ! should bring up a statement and assist tbe clerk in tbe matter. STONES ON STREETS. The Mayor would like some councillor to move that the stones deposited in streets be broken. Councillor Sutton moved that tbe matter be left to the Works Committee. AN ENQUIRY. Councillor Winks would like to know who the Works Committee were ? He had been under the impression that he was chairman, but no notice of meetings bad been given him. The Mayor said there was no need of Councillor Winks making a public enquiry, as tbe olerk could give him the names of tbe committee. Owing to Councillor Winks' lamented illness, and tbo absence of other members, only himself and Councillor Whittington bad attended the meeting, and they had prepared a voluminous report, which would be presented in due course. FOOTPATHS. Councillor Caplen understood a resolution had been once pasted authorising the helping of ratepayers to form paths past their own doors. This was also left to tbe Works Committee. ARGYLE STREET. Councillor Finlay said Argyle-street was flooded, and residents had great trouble in getting to their houses. He bad spent time in repairing the road, and thought tbe counoil should take tbe matter up. He Cloved that the surfaceman spend a day or two in attending to it. Councillor Whittington said there were half a dozen streets as bad as Argyle-street, and they must do all if they did one. The motion lapsad for want of a seconder. CULVERTS. On the motion of Councillor Whittiogton, it was deoided to put in two oul verts in Wellington and Union streets. LAMPS. < A lamp is to be placed at the corner of High and Wilson-streets and on© over tba fire brigade station. 1 STOPPAGE OF TRAINS. i The Mayor moved tbat the Eailway Commissioners be asked to allow of express trains stopping 20 minutes in the , evening instead of 7 minutes, in order that \ passengers may obtain refreshments. ; Councillor Wilson seconded. 1 Carried. 1 NOTICE OF RATE. < The Mayor gave notice to move at nest i

meeting, That a rate of Is 8d in the £ be struck on all rateable property for tbe year 1893 to 1894. The council adjourned.