BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 163, 14 July 1903, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council held the fortnightly meeting last right. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. H. M c?y). Councillors Penny, Patchett, Ching, Priddle, Oarr, Shaw. Two special order with reference to the additional £300 loan to cover the total cost of establishitg the abattoirs was passed. WORKS. The Works Committee reported that it had ordered Hudson Street to be formed, and Francis Street and Beaver Boad to be cleaned up, with the road machine. It had instructed the Inspector to put in a six-inch pipe from Mr Nalder's land to the drain in Scotb Street, and charge Mr Nalder with the cost. The Committee also called the attention of the Inspector of Nuisances to a high hedge on the north side of Dillon Street* which was keeping the street in a state of slush.—The report was adopted. A letter from Mr H. A. Smith as to the drainage of Scott Street was re ferred to the Inspector, with power to act. Mr F. L. Rabone drew attention to the state of a culvert in Muller Road, and also asked the Council to clean out the water-table in Weld St.eet —Both matters were referred fco the Works Committee with power to act. The Works Committee said it hoped to get the road machine in operation next day, and the instructions were to work in the direction of Main Street. Or Patchett spoke of the condition of the several streets running from Main Street to Kinross Street and South Street. They had not been touched for three years. On the motion of Or Patehett seconded by Or Penny, it was resolved that if the road machine is found to be unsuitable for the water-tables in the streets leading off Main Street, tenders be called for th« work. Or Shaw drew attention to Dodson Street, over the railway line in the North Ward. It was resolved to draw rhe attention of the Inspector to the bad condition of the drain through Mr Jackson's paddock. The Works Committee were empowered to act in the case of an inadequate culvert in George Street, which, Cr Priddle said, was responsible for much flooding, and also in the case of a dangerous hole on the southern approach to the railway bridge. BOROUGH IMPOUNDER. The Town Clerk reported that no applications had. been received for the position of Borough impqunder. Or Shaw said it was time the Council took up the question of consolidating several Borough offices—such as those of the impounder, poundman, lamplighter, inspector of nuisances, ranger, inspector of fire escapes, etc. It was resolved "to call for fresh applications, i .. HEAVY TRAFFIC. The Marllorough Traction and Machine Owners' Union asked the Council to appoint delegates to a conference of the local bodies with.a view to regulating the traction engine traffic of the whole of the Maryborough district—The Mayor was appointed as the Council's representative. retailers' association. The Blenheim Retailers' Association forwarded a resolution requesting the Council not to enter into competition wit h local tradesmen in the way of laying on gas and fittings, and that the Council's work cease when the meter is placed ; and drawing the Council's attention to a resolution passed by itself some time ago on this subject. The Mayor explained that there had been no resolution directly bearing on this matter. The question was referred to the Gas Committee for a report. GENERAL. j F. Howard was given permission to place a culvert in front of a residence in Maxwell Road. The request of the Trustees of Wesley Hall that the question of licensing the hall be further deferred until they had bad an opportunity of considering it was acceded to. An account of 16s lOd from Messrs Sraale and Hay for Coronation badges was held over. A communication from Mr Daikee as to overhanging trees in Goulter Street was referred to the Inspector of Nuisances. Mr J. J. Corry wrote informing the Council that after his dog had been duly registered he was summoned by the Collector, and, as a result, he had paid the fee a second time together with the cost of the summons. He pro tested, and claimed a refund of 103.— It was resolved that the 103 be re funded on production of the receipt for the original payment. The report of the Finance Committee on the question of raising and lengthening the School bridge to provide a more adequate waterway came up for re consideration, but at the instance of Cr. Carr was deferred till next meeting. PROPOSED HARBOUR BOARD. Information received from the Waimakariri Harbour Board stated that the bar under its control was three milea from Kaiapoi, and the signalman residing at the bar receives £52 per annum. The revenue of the Board (£250) is derived from the rent of the river frontages, which a few years ago were conveyed to the Board by an Act of Assembly. The constitution of the Board was as follows • —The Borough elected two members, two road districts elected two members each, the Mayor was an ex ofiicio member, and the Governor appointed two. All members held their seats for two years. Alternate biennial elections were held, and the Chairman was ap pointed annually from the members. The difficulty of a new Board* wa mainly financial, as there were usually no local funds, that could be gob to keep the office going, and port dues were sure to be small. The letter was referred to the Council's Harbor Board Committee. RATING ON UNIMPROVED VALUE. The Hon. C. H. Mills, in response to a request for information, wrote:—(l) It is compulsory that the valuation be made by the Government Valuation of Land Department,, and the Council cannot appoint a valuer to make a valuation to be used for rating on the unimproved value. A copy of the present roll would be supplied by the D partment for £5, If, however, a revision of the valuation of the Borough would be requested by the Council, then it wo-Id aye fo pay one-third of the cost of such revision, whi( h third would probably be about £30. As the poll was not taken until June last, rate 3 cannot be levied by the Council on the unim proved value until after the 31st of March next. Similar information was received from the Palmerstoa North Borough Council. In discussion, the question was raised aa to whether the" Council should obtain a revision of the present Government valuation. Cr Shaw said that probably the Council would get a revision from the Government for nothing if it waited for the promised legislation, The correspondence was referred to the Finance Committee. On the question of the office of Borough Valuer, it was resolved, "That the Borough Valuer be notified that the office having been made unnecessary by the Rating on Unimproved Value, his services are no longer required."'