BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 2 June 1888, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Friday, June 1. Present: His Worship the Mayor (G. W. Riley), Ct's M'Artuey, Sinclair, Jellyman, HouldswOrth, Cooke, Bythell, Ching and Green. THE COUNCIL’S FINANCIAL POSITION. Tho Clerk read the statement of receipts and expenditure from May G up to date. THE BOROUGH POUND. Thomas Maxtcd, pound-keeper, wrote, submitting for tho Connell's consideration matters relating to the pound. He did not consider tho prosent impounders acted in accordance with the law, nor iu fairnesi towards tho pound-keeper or the public either. It seemed by the present mode of impounding that stock off tho streets are taken to their owners—driving feo3 were taken by drivers, and no more about it, consequently tho pound was kept open for nothing, and the pound-keeper did not got paid. He pointed out that the new pound cost the present keeper no less than L 35 to erect, whereas in other places tho pound was always prepared ready for the keeper, viz., at Spring Creek and Bicton, at tho latter place tho keeper having the driving and a subsidy ot L'2s per annum besides. Under these circumstances ho asked for somothing for his time and labor.

Cr Sinclair thought the pound had been an everlasting source of trouble to tho Council. On dark nights stray horses on tho streets in town were a source of great danger. Matters in connection with tho pound seemed to be getting into the same state as they wero in some time ago. He saggested that the Council should send a copy of tho letter to Messrs Robinson Bros., tho present impounders, asking them to explain why the streets were not kept clear of stray cattle. He moved a motion to that effect.

Cr Jellyman agreed to a certain extent with Mr Maxted’s letter. The impounders were in the habit of taking cattlo to the people’s doors, and getting tho driving fee one shilling—from them. Ho thought this mode of procedure was unfair to Mr Maxted, as ho had always to have somebody in charge of the pound. 110 also pointed out that it was impossible for tho impounders to do their work unless there were two of them at it—one man was not ablo to manage the cattle He would second the motion.

Cr Green : Is there anything iu tho Act to prevent tho impouuders taking the cattle to their owners and getting the driving fee P

The Mayor : The Act is very vague on that point. The impouuder is not recognised by tho Act, and so the Council could not define his duties. The Act only applies to cattle straying on privato property. The Act is badly in need of amending, and some time ago wo tried to get it amended, but without success. I am not even certain that we have got any power to appoint an impounder. Cr Green did not seo how the motion would get the Council out of the difficulty. He thought the impounder and pound-keeper should be one and the sam person. The Mayor said that the Council had tried that plan, hut. it did not succeed. Mr Maxted, as far as he (the Mayor) knew, put up the pound, hut ho did not seem to got much iu return for it. Cr Ching was in favor of Mr Maxted being either appointed impounder or being subsidised to the amount of say LlO per year. The Council would have to do something in tho matter, as tho office of pound-keoper did not pay Mr Maxted. Cr ChiDg had spoken to him on the Bubjoet, and lio bad told him that although some weeks there liad not been a single animal impounded, somo one bad to bo in obarge of tho pound at all times. Tho Mayor pointed out that Mr Maxted had hold the combined office on one or two occasions, but ho had very soon resigned them, saying that it did not pay him. He (the Mayor) was strongly of the opinion that the two ollices ought to bo combined.

Or Ching moved as an amendment that Mr Maxted be subsidised to the extent of LlO per annum. Cr Sinclair would not be in favor of a subsidy been granted. He would sooner withdraw his motion. Or Houklsworth was of the same opinion, and did not think that the ratepayers’ money should bo spent in that manner. Still, ho recognised the necessity of something being done in the matter.

Cr Sinclair said he would withdraw his motion in order to give some other councillor an opportunity of moving to the effect that the offices of pound-keeper and imponnder be amalgamated. (Jr Ching: I will also withdraw my motion for that purpose.

Cr Cooke contended that the Robinson Bros, wero two of tho best officers in the Council’s employ. They had done their work faithfully and well, and ho held that it was unfair to them to amalgamate the offices. He had spoken to several persons on tho subject all of whom said they wore afraid to let their cattle out at night, lest they should find them in tho pound in tho morning.

Cr Coolco held that it was a far better plan for tho young men to take the cattle to their respective owners and get Is for them than drive them to the pound, which, perhaps, might be a long distance off. 110 had agreed all along to the principal of taking the cattle to their owners, thus saving peoplo the trouble and annoyance of going to the pound for them. He contended that tho services of the Robinson Brothers ought to be retained. Cr Green moved that the present im-

pounders be dismissed ; that the offices of pouadkeeper and impounder be amalgamated; and that the combined office be offered to Mr Maxted. As regarded the driving fee of Is, he thought that the practice would in the long run result in both the pound and the pound-keeper being dono away with. That idea, of course, could not for a moment be entertained. His opinion was that the poundkoejier and impounder should ho one and the same person. Cr Sinclair seconded the motion. The Mayor pointed out that the standing orders in regard to the Council’s officers would have to bo suspended before the motion could be entertained. It was proposed by Cr Cfreen, and seconded by Cr Sinclair, That the standing orders be suspended. Thiu was carried, Cr Cooke dissenting. Cr Jellymau would certainly vote against the motion. He had great sympathy with Mr Maxted, but ha considered it decidedly unfair to dismiss the Jtobinson Brothers at a moment’s notice.

Was it fair that the Council should dis miss a servant against whom not a single c< Bn'aiat had been lodged? It would be far better to give Maxted a subsidy of LIO. Tbo least the Council could do was to give the lads proper notice—it was manifestly unjust to dismiss tliom at a moment’s notice. Cr Ching : What can we do ? Something must be done in the matter. Cr Bvtholl would oppose the motion. Cr Sinclair said ho did not wish to see a hardship inflicted on the Robinsons, and pointed out that when they accepted the office of impounder, they knew that they were taking a billet that they would hold only at the pleasure of the Council, and not one that they would hold for life. The Mayor did not consider the motion suitable. He would rather be inclined to instruct the impounder not to deliver cattle without payment of both the impounding fees. Ho did not think that any good would result from the motion. On the motion being put, a division was called for, with tho following result Ayes; Crs Clung, Sinclair and Gieen. Noes : Crs Cooke, Houldswortk, Bythell, M'Artney, Jellyman and His Worship the Mayor. i The motion was therefore declared lost by six to three. Cr Jellyman then moved, That a copy of Mr Maxted’s letter he sent to Messrs Robin-on Bros., and that the Council desire them to take all stray cattle to tho pound, and not to deiivor them unless claimed by their owners. Cr Ching seconded the motion. Cr Sinclair supported the motion. Tho Mayor thought that Mr Maxted would be cpiitc satisfied if the cattle wero j taken to the pound instead of to the ; people’s doors. Cr Ching believed that if tho proposal suited Mr Maxted, it was tho best and cheapest way of getting out of tho difficulty. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. OBSTUCTIONS IN HIGH STREET.

Mr IJ. B. Hudulestono wrote pointing out that no attempt had yet been made to remove tho poplar stumps from tho path in High street, opposite Mr Fowler’s residence.

The Mayor said that ho had arranged about the matter. REMISSION OF RATES.

A letter was read from a widow in tho borough, asking that the hospital rate on her property might be remitted on account of her extromo poverty. Tho clerk said that the hospital rate amounted to 2s 3d. Tho whole rates amounted to LI Os 3d. Cr Ilouldsw'orth moved that tlrn wholo rates be remitted. Cr M'Artney moved as an amendment, seconded by Cr Green, that only the hospital rate be remitted. On being put, the motion was declared carried by 5 to 4, THE BRIDGE AT OMASA HOUSE. Mr Hartley MTntire, borough solicitor, wrote, informing the Council that Mis Carter had declined to execute the deed, though duly presented to her for that purpose, as she objected to tho covenant on her part to remove the bridge when called upon to do so by tho Council. He thought that under the circumstances ihe Council should at once consider the propriety of notifying to Mrs Carter that unless sho signed the deed in question, she should be requested to at once remove that portion of tho bridge already constructed.

Under a later date, Mr M'lntire wrote enclosing tho deed of license from the Council to Mrs Carter to erect a footbridge, re-prepared and according to instructions, and containing the two further clauses contemplated viz, That the Council will not determine the license so long as the bridge is kept in proper repair, and so long as Mrs Carter’s boarding house is properly conducted. As the deed, iu consequence of the introduction of these clauses, had assumed a much move permanent aspect than the last did, he had deemed it proper to mako Mr Caleb Davies a party thereto for the purpose of binding himself and all persons in whom the fee simple of the allotment may become vested.

On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Mr Sinclair, liccnso for tho erection of the bridge as per deed was granted.

OAS COMMITTEE’S REPORT,

The Gas Committee reported as follows: —“Your Committee have tho honor to report that everything 1 is going on well, but would recommend that in future when the 20th of the month falls on a Sunday, the next day should bo discount day. The report was adopted. WORK COMMITTEE’S REPORT.

The Works Committee reported that several small works had been attended to. They recommended that Alfred-stroet from the Omaka Bridge to the Criterion Hotel and Market-street from tho Criterion to Mr Griffiths’ auction mart and from the Masonic Hotel to Maxwell Bridge, De metalled, and tenders he called for the same, tho metal to he 12ft wide ; that tenders he called for repairs to tho Fire Brigade Station; that Seymourstreet Bridge had fallen in, and that a 3ft culvert should be put in and the street filled up ; that tho Auckland-street footpath would be done by the day laborers. Tho Mayor said that the repairs to the Fire Brigade Station consisted of tarring the walls, covering tho roof with iron, boarding up the sides, and supplying new gates. He moved the adoption of the report. Cr Sinclair had great pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report. He was very glad to see that a culvert was to be put in Seymour street. Cr Green said that some of the rate- ■ payers were in favor of having a new Fire Brigade Station erected, and were willing to subscribe a certain amount towards the same. He suggested that consideration of that part of the report stand over until next meeting. , This was agreed to, and tho motion was carried as amended. PETITION. Cr Flouldsworth presented a petition signed by 17 owners of properties on the west side of Waiter-street and Scottstreet, agreeing to the ditch on the west side of those streets being filled up in accordance with the proposal of the Borough Council, viz., large stones in the bottom, and a footpath formed over it. Cr Houldsworth repoited that Dr Cleghorn had some time ago refused to sign the petition. Cr Sinclair moved, That Cr Green wait on Dr Cleghorn, and interview him on the matter ; in the meantime tenders to he J called for the work in order that an estii mate of the cost might be obtained. Cr Ching moved as an amendment, That tho matter stand over until next meeting in order that they might see what decision Dr Cleghorn would come to. This was seconded by Cr Cooko. On being put, tho amendment was carried. THE FOOTPATHS. The Mayor asked leave for tho motion re footpaths, standing .in Cr Parker’s name, to be held over till next meeting, owing to that councillor being absent, j Agreed to. I ACCOUNTS. The folio r/ing accounts were passed for pavment:— W. Crook, L 9 12s; F. M'Hale, LS 8s ; S. Mahon, LS 8s ; F. Costailo, BS 8s; Town Clerk, Ll2 10s ; J. Muir, L2 10s; W. G. Bassett, 10s ; IT. MTntire, Hi lls Gd; B. S. Penny, L 4 ss: F._Bmton, L 24 10s 3d; J. Wooster, Ll 7 10s ; printing and advertising, L2 Ss; gas supplving account, Ll 5 2s Sd: Jas. Muir, Ll2 10s; J. Fraser, Ll 1 -is: J. O’Sullivan, Lll 4s; M. Leonard, Li Hi; W. Noswortny Li

3s 4d ; J. E. Hayes, LI 14s 2d; G. Scot, LG os; 11. MTntire (Gas-works Loan), L 4 2s 2d. GENERAL. Cr Bythell drew the Council’s attention to the culvert in Weld-street ; Cr Ching referred to the bad state of the footpath down Grove Road, which was badly in want of a few loads of gravel; also to tho state of tho water tables in Grove Road ; Crs Sinclair and Houldswortb pointed ont that parts of Red wood-street were in need of repair, and that a lot of stagnant WR e: had accumulated in the water tables. The Mayor said he had attended to somo of the works, and he would instruct tho Inspector to see to the others. NOTICE OF MOTION. Cr Green gavo notice that ho would move at next meeting, That the owners of property on the Northern side of Highstreet, from Mr Lummas’ to Mr Sinclair’s, receive notice to abate the nuisance now existing at the hack of their respective premises, and that their attention be directed to Nos. 4 and 98 of the borough by-laws. Tho Council then adjourned.