NEWMARKET BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8985, 24 February 1888, Page 6

NEWMARKET BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The regular meeting of this Council was held last evening. Present: Mr. Morgan (the Mayor), Messrs. Whisker, Holmes, Whyman, Bishop, Hogg, and Kent.

Subsidy.The Commissioner of Property Tax forwarded voucher for £108 19s Bd, being an advance of 75 per cent, of subsidy due to the Borough under the Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act, 1887. Typhoid.—Dr. Stockwell reported a mild case of cnteric fever in the borough. Charitable Aid Contributions.— secretary of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board forwarded an account for £86 18s lid, contributions due, with an intimation that if the whole or a substantial portion of the amount due was unpaid by the 29 th inst. legal proceedings would be taken for its recovery. It was agreed, on the motion of the Mayor, that when the Government subsidy came to hand the whole or part of the amount of this liability be paid. Fire Brigade.Captain Hannigan reported that during a wet practice recently three lengths of canvas hose burst. It was stated that the order for now hose had been sent to England, and it might be expected in about six weeks or two months.

Audit Fee.—Mr. C. J. Batkin, assistant controller and auditor, applied for payment of £4 audit fee. The Town-clerk intimated that the amount had been forwarded.

Foreman of Works.—This officer reported a nuisance in the old quarry arising from a drain from the Royal George Hotel, and as there was no outlet he asked for instructions as to how it was to be dealt with. In reference to the stench reported from the railway drain, he reported that it was lower down than the outlets referred to at last meeting, and referred the Council to Mr. Whisker for an explanation. He also suggested that the sewers and channels be flushed weekly from the water mains. In regard to ~tho stench, Mr. Whisker explained the position of the drainage. It was caused by the railway department's drainage, and the duty of rectifying it would devolve on the borough or the railway department, not on the city. There was a length of 2J chains not connected with the drain, and until this was rectified the place would continue to be a nuisance. There were 18 inches or 2-feet pipes already laid, and all that was required was to connect them with the drainage. Mr. Whyman insisted that it was the duty of the city to complete this drainage, not that of the borough or the railway department. The city should continue their drainage under the railway, and so abate the nuisance, and he moved that the city authorities be again written to. This was in the form of an amendment to a motion that the matter be referred to the Streets Committee, and it was carried.

Night-soil.—There were four tenders for the night-soil service of the borough. They were alternative, namely, for a weekly or fortnightly service, or for a service per annum. There wore four tenders, from W. Bennett, Henry H. Gash, M. Casey, and E. Stockley. Casey's tender was the lowest for the fortnightly or weekly service, and Stockley's for tne annual service, his price being £128 IBs 4d. Mr. Bishop moved the acceptance of this tender, pointing out that it would be the cheapest and most effective, and that a rate of 2£d would cover all the cost. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kent. The Mayor, as an amendment, moved the acceptance of Mr. Casey's tender for the ordinary service, as he did not think ib advisable to impose any further rates. Mr. Whyman seconded the amend- : ment. In answer to a question from Mr. Whisker, the Mayor explained that if Mr. Bishop's motion was adopted, the Council would be responsible to the contractor, but not if the fortnightly service was accepted. The amendment was put and lost, ana Mr. Bishop's motion was carried.