BLENHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 135, 5 June 1909, Page 7

BLENHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL.

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING

The Blenheim Borough Council met last night, when there were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. McGallum) and Councillors J. J. White, W. Girling, F. Adams, E. Parker", F. Dodson, 11. F. Priddle, E. H. Penny, F. Birch and W. Carr.

• ■ ,GRIFFIN'S WHARF. Mr A". Rogers,' solicitor, wrote in reply to a letter from the Council dated March 30th. relative to the subject of Griffin's wharf, and reminding the Council that he was not an possession of its sub-committee's report on the matter. He intimated that his instructions were to commence proceedings unless a satisfactory settle- j ment was arrived at during the currency of the present month. The Mayor said it was a claim for damages to a wharf situated on the other side of the Nelson Street bridge. The Council had done something or other which had destroyed the convenience of drays getting to the wharf. The proprietor's were claiming damages in consequence, and .the legal fraternity were proceeding in the matter. A sub-committee from the Council was appointed to meet and confer with the Oinaka Road Board, and that body repudiated any responsibility whatever. He understood that the claim would he for £500 damages. It was a question that required going carefully into, and he thought the right thing .to do would be to set up a sub-committee to find out exactly, the Council's position. .. Councillor Dodson proposed, and Oouncillor Birch seconded, that a subcommittee consisting of Councillors White, Penny, Priddle and the Mayor be appointed to go into the subject of the Nelson Street bridge.—Carried. The Mayor moved that the Committee obtain a legal opinion as to its position. Councillor Carr said he was not m favour of legal opinions, and thought it better to interview Mr Corry with the object of ascertaining what was the least the Council could do to satisfy him. Councillor Carr's suggestion was agreed to.

ROAD ROLLER. The Secretary of the Omaka Road Board advised the Council that his Board could not entertain its proposal relative to Mr Bishell's offer of a Road Roller. REDWOOD STREET AND ALABAMA ROAD. A further letter was received from the Secretary of the Omaka Road Board in reference to Redwood Street. "He advised the Council that his Board accepted its offer to gravel the street. The attention of the Council was also directed to its portion of Alabama Road, which was badly in need of repair, which the Council was asked to attend to. . It was decided that the patching of Redwood Street be proceeded with. Councillor Carr proposed, and the Mayor seconded, that the Inspector report to the next meeting relative to Alabama Road.—Carried. THE BOROUGH RANGER. Mrs Trischler wrote asking if the Council could inform her if the ranger could drive her cows' when they were in charge of someone, and also if he had the power to use bad language towards her children and herself, and ipass other cows on the streets by, and take horses to their owners' yards jnorning after morning.—Referred to the ranger for his explanation. SURFACE WATER. Th© same correspondent asked the Council to take steps to remove a Jarge sheet of surface water in front of her residence in Richmond Street. -—Referred to the Foreman for a report. TAYLOR RIVER. The Secretary of the Lower Wairau TTiver Board wrote informing the Council that its letter of May 28th, relative to the Taylor River, had been placed before the Board at its last -meetings when it .was resolved "That

the Board' comply with the request of the Council." —Received.

ARTHUR STREET. A petition was received from eight residents of Arthur Street protesting against its present condition, and also drawing the attention of the Council to the stagnant water lying in front of Mrs Watson's residence. They also requested the Council to form Arthur Street, or at least to gravel it and rectify the levels of the road, so that rain water would not lie for weeks as it had,done of late. Councillor Carr moved, and Councillor Penny seconded, that the Council form and' metal the section of Arthur,-Street, subject to the Works Committee's approval.—Carried. ■ FIRE BRIGADE MATTERS. The Secretary of the Fire Brigade wrote asking the Council to refund the accident insurance premium paid by the Brigade up to May 20th, 1909, amounting' to £2 16s 6d. He eni closed the Society's receipt for the amount paid. The demand from the Telegraph Department for "telephone fees was also forwarded,.—lt was resolved to pay the accounts. STREET LIGHTING. Mr W. B. Parker wrote drawing the attention of the Council to the inadequate street lighting in the North Ward. He pointed out that with the exception of a lamp in Hutcheson Street, all the lights were in Grove Road.' He submitted that Herbert and Warwick Streets were entitled to some consideration, and suggested that the present obscured lamp at the corner of Horton's paddock be removed and placed on the telegraph poll in front of the flour mill. It would light the whole of Herbert Street and also Grove Road. The lamp-post thus released could be erected with a lamp at the northern corner of Warwick and Ipsley Streets.1! He understood that the gas main had been laid down as far as Sergt.-Major Mason's residence, close by.—Referred for further consideration. Councillor Birch moved, and Councillor Dodson seconded, that the Gas Manager submit a report on lamps in the Borough.—Carried.

A ROAD GRADER. Messrs Clouston and Co. wrote offering to supply the Council with an Austin road grader similar to those in use in this district for the sum of £100 net, f.o.b. Lyttelton; or-a P. and D. Duncan grader for £75 f.o.b. Lyttelton. Drawings and specifications of the implements would be submitted in a day or two. —Held over for the Works Committee to deal withACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment:—General account £338 5s 9d, Institute account £5 12s sd, Licensing account £5 9s 4d, Reclamation Loan account £2 12s, Gas ac-' count £215 10s lid, Abattoir account £38 14s 3d, Town Hall account £13 2s, general works account £15 14s 2d; making a total of £635 0s lOd. [Other matters dealt with by the Council will be found under separate headings elsewhere in this issue.]