BOROUGS COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXX, Issue 81, 7 April 1894, Page 3

BOROUGS COUNCIL.

♦ The monthly mealing of the Borough Council was held last sight, there being present : Councillors B Mala, Dunokley, MoCallum, Jaraoß, MoArtney, Ryan, Trevor, C»nolly, and Faimar. Gr McCallum was Toted to the chair, in tho absenoo of the Mayor. FINANCE. Tho interest due on tho Gasworks Lsan on the 13th February was £420. One fourth of the gaa rate recently levied had been collected, which brought the ameunt at present owing to £312 12a 6d. COBREBPONDEN«E, The Auditor-General wrote, requesting the half-yearly accounts fer certification, blio certifying the accounts of the last half year, with one exception — a wrong having bsen done is transferring one acoount to the other. GASWORKS. A letter waa received from the employes at the Gasworks, asking that their period of labor be shortened. They were required to work 84 hours a week, whereas the employes of other gasworks labored only 54 hours per week, Mr A. Millar, representative of Fletcher, Rueßsll, & Co., manufacturers of cooking etoves, wrote, recommending the firm's wares. Johnson & Co., agents for the Mohikinui Coal Company, wrote, pointing out the advantages of using their ooal, aid asking for a; trial, pr»C9 according to results. The above three letters were referred to the oonsidsratisn of ths Gaa Committee. The Department of Labor wrote, in reply to a communication from ths Council, and intimated that the Mayor would be oommanieated with when work was required to be done in the district. BANKISO. A letter was received frem ths Lower Wairau River Board, asking for permission to erect a bank through the town on the banks of the Omaka. Cr Smale thonght that permission should be given. s Cr Eyan moved, That Crs Danckley, Conelly, and Trevor be appointsd a cammittee to eonfer with the Board on the matter. Cr Conolly asked far the ruling of the Chairman with regard to the resolution whieh was passed at last meeting, and read as follows :—" Contingent on the Board passing a roaolutiea asking far permission from the Council for the ereotien of the proposed banking as shown on the plans submitted, and undertaking to execute it in its entirety, the persuasion be granted." The Chairman ruled that that resolution was net binding ea the present meeting. Cr MoAriney asked if he understood (hat permission had been given. The Chairman said that it had net. Cr Dunokley said it was not a matter to pass over in a hurry, and agreed with Cr Ryan's motien. The report of Mr Cuthbert, enginetr, of Chriitchurch, should ba taken inta consideration. Me believed that it woald be proved that Foster's Channel or some snob soheme would oarry away a great part ef the flood water. Let the Counoil support that, and then bank to keep out the small Heads. On the bnggestion »f the Chairman the Inspector was added to the Gemmittee. Cr Smale deprecated delay. He thevght the Committee should be empowered to refuse or grant permission. Cr MoArtney said that the position was a peculiar one, for in his spinion permission to da the work had been granted. With regard to the Committee it must go as a deputation. He did not think that the Beard after the treatment would be veiy happy to tako the Council by the hand and confer. He was strongly opposed to the bank but erder mutt be preserved. The Counoil were wrong in the first plaoe in granting per» mission without seeing the plans and specifications. The Beard itself was not a happy family on the matter. The matter had been held over till the receipt of Mr Cnthbert's report. There was not a member of the Board who voted for the bank who was not frightened of tho whole oenotrn, and praying for the success of the Foster's Channel scheme. The Chairman called the speaker to order, and said that be had ruled that permission had not been given. Cr McArtney said that the ruling was a very fortunate ene for the Counoil. He asked Cr Ryan what form ho proposed that the committee should take in the conference ; the Board were at liberty to refuse a hearing. Cr Ryan said there was no harry and it would be perhaps advisable to wait for Mr Cuthbert's report. It was immaterial what form the Cemmiites should take in the •onference so long as tho matter was settled. Cr Conolly understood that tha Board could reject the work even if permission were granted. He moved as an amendment that the matter be held over till next meet* ißg, and that in the meantime the Town Clerk write to the Board asking for further information on the proposed work. Ha bowed to the decision of the Chairman, but really thought permission had been given. Cr Trevor seconded, and tnonght that permission bad been granted. Cr McArtney said that there was no hurry for tbe Committee, as the Board were waiting for Mr Cuthbett's report. Ho could pledge himself that the Board would meat tbe Council in every way in settling the matter. In patting the amendment, the Chairman thought that a mountain had been made ' out of a molehill right through the matter. Admitting that the oonnent was binding, it was binding only to a complete system of banking on both sides of the river as shown in tho plans, and even admitting that absolute permission had been given, tb>y could revoke it at this meeting. Cr McArtney explained that it was not right to say that tha Board were set prepared to oarry out tbe woik as shown in the plans. They wished to take the best means. The amendment was oarried. A NUISANCE. The Picton Building Society wrote, drawing attention to the stagnant water lying on Mrs MoCall's section at the corner of High Street and Beaver Road. After considerable discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr MoArtney, ceoonded by Cr Trevor, That the Building Society be informed that the Counoil d«es not aea its way clear to deal with tbe matter. tTBEET IMPROVEMENT. Mr John Conolly wrote, saying that he proposed to raise his offices in High Street, and offering his frontage to the Counoil for the purpose of widening the atreet. if the work was nndertaken by the Council, cost not to exceed £20. It was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That £ for £ up to £10 should be given for tbe work, if Mr Conolly would convey a depth ef Bft. WATBB TOWBR. A request was received from the Fire Brigade that the ways aad means with regard to the proposed water tower be considered. Referred to the Finanee Committee to report at next meeting. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr B. Leaks wrote complaining of a nuisance ariting from a ditch in Nicholsonstreet. Referred to the Inspector of Nuisances. The namcß of Messrs Ralph and Rorrieon were put on the Bnrgeis Roll in plaoe of Messrs C Webb and W. Falconer. The Manager of tha Colonial Bank requested that ths interest dae on the overdraft be attended to, Referred to the Town Clark. inspector's report. The Inspector of Works reported that ths trees in Seymour Square required trimming, the co-operative diain required attending to, and the eulvert in Maxwell Road near the Empire Hotel should be strengthened. It was resolved that the Counoil workmen attend to tbe trees and the culvert, and that the whole of the Council as a soramittee visit the co-operative drain on Wednsiday afternoon accompanied by Mr W. Litchfteld. INSPECTOR OF NDIBAKCE3. The Inspector reported that several nuisanoes had been abated during ths msnth, aud a suggestion, for the improvement of ths state of Collitt's Eollow was made. — Received. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee reported that they could offer no inggestion as to Collie's Bellow. Drainage was required, and that meant a loan. The Maryborough Club had gone behind the resolution of the Council by draining across the street into tho summit of Collie's Hollow. They BHggested that ths Inspector of Nuisaaoea be authorised to take steps ia the matter. The report was adopted. ACCOUKT3. Acesuntß ware passed for payment, aad the Council adjourned. Ths Bum Bakiko Fowdbb eolipsea all Others.