NEWMARKET BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7649, 28 May 1886, Page 3

NEWMARKET BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Newmarket Borough Counoil was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. W. J, Suiter), Messrs. Bishop, Morgan, Edgerley, Clayton, Whisker, Lumpkin, Kent, and Taite. Correspondence.— J. Coom, Resident Engineer, Newmarket, wrote, in reply to the Council re trespassing on railway at Hewmarket, stating that the matter had been referred to Wellington. On proper application being made, there would be no objection to the Council's contractor entering the rail* way land to connect with the main sewer. Received. The same officer also wrote agreeing to meet the Council's engineer at Newmarket re the crossing and reserve. Received. The Town Clerk of the newly • created borough of Devonport asked for information re compilation of a burgess roll under the Municipal Corporations Act. Resolved to afford the necessary information. Mr. F. J. Moss, M.H.R., wrote from Wellington, re the receipt of a petition (from 29 residents for presentation to the House) asking that Newmarket and York Roads may not be closed, but that railway gates be put up at the crossings instead, If the Council decided to do anything about the Reserve Bill, he suggested that it should be sent down at once. Received. Municipal Corporations Bill. — Mr, Moss telegraphed re committal of the Municipal Corporations Bill. Mr. Clayton moved, "That a copy of the Bill be obtained, and referred to a special committee, consisting of Messrs. Edgerley, Bishop, Whisker, the Mayor, and mover, to consider and report to the Council." The Mayor pointed out that the Bill would come before the House to-day (Friday). Mr. Clayton said he understood it would not come before the House till next week. However, he would be willing to withdraw his motion. Permission to withdraw granted, and the telegram was re* ceived. Manukau Road Footbridge,—lt was resolved to communicate with the Minister for Public Works, drawing attention to his promise to construct a footbridge over Manukau Road. Special Water Rate Roll.—Messrs. Bishop, Edgerley, and the Mayor were authorised to sign the special water rate roll for 18S6-7. Street Lamps.The engineer forwarded tracing of a lamppost for use in the borough. The price cf same would be £4 7s 6d each erected complete. It was resolved to refer the question of street lamps to the Streets Committee to report as to how many are required and where to be placed. Old Manukau Road Level Crossing. — The borough engineer submitted plan showing a method of dealing with railway level crossing at Old Manukau Road as arranged with the Government engineer (Mr. Coom). The position of the bridge wss shown, and the width and character, but it was a matter for the Council to determine. In rosponse to an invitation by the Mayor, Mr. Coom attended and consulted the Council in regard to the proposed closing of the roads or erecting gates. The Mayor said he was in receipt of a private letter from the Hon. Mr. Richardson to the effect that the Government would not do anything till the Council had made a recommendation. Mr. Clayton said the question had been before the borough for the last four years. The Mayor moved, " That the plans prepared by the engineer be forwarded to the Government, with a request that the proposals be adopted." Mr. Taite seconded the motion, and it was carried. Streets Committee.—The Streets Committee recommended the laying of ten load of gravel opposite the Captain Cook Hotel. The Mayor moved, " That the matter be referred back to the committee, with a request that they be more liberal." Mr. Clayton drew attention to the material lying on the road opposite Messrs. Hanoock's brewery. The report was amended by the committee being empowered to effect the necessary alterations. Mr. Clayton asked for a ruling from the Mayor as to what action the Streets Committee would take in the matter. Would the Mayor and Town Clerk do the work ? The Mayor said he was glad to repeat a former ruling on the same matter, and stated that it was the committee's duty to carry out the orders of the Council, and the Town Clerk to perform the functions of the office. Mr. Whisker went on to say that it was an improper thing for a councillor to interfere with a contractor. The Mayor replied that it was a piece of great impertinence to do so. He requested Mr. Whisker to name the work, and also the councillor. Mr. Whisker replied that the Mayor and the Town Clerk had amended a contract, in which there were 190 feet of drainage, without the authority of the Council. Further discussion ensued, and the matter dropped.