BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9020, 5 April 1888, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETINGS.

v. • P4RNELL. ' . . ; : Tier regular meeting of theParnell Borough Council was held' yesterday evening. Present: Mr. S. T. George (Mayor), Messrs. ■ Gilmour, Savage, McKenzie, , MoLachlau, McCabe, Gay, McConnell, and LyelL.

Overdraft.—The Mayor reported that a reply had been received from the manager of the Colonial: Bank, consenting to allow an overdraft of . £1200 on the 'conditions named in the resolution of' the Council, namely the striking of an extra 3d rate and reduction of expenses. ; Bishofsooort. — Mr. W. S. ; Cochrane wrote that, during the absence of the Bishop, Bishopsct>urt would be practically' unoccupied, and little or no water would be used, and he asked the Council to reduce his consumers' rate to as small an amount as possible. ' The Mayor said there was no power to grant any such concession, and it was agreed to reply accordingly.- --fir Albion-street.-— F. F. Otway wrote, complaining of damage to his property owing to detective drainage.—The Foreman of Works reported that the Rev. Mr. Burrows was filling up his allotment in Albionstreet to the street level, leaving no outlet -for street witter. Something ought to be done at once, as an overflow might do a deal of damage on the opjposite side of the road, and might lead to a! claim for damages on the Council. The whole matter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Compensation Claim. — Mrs. Matson, through her solicitors, sent in a claim for compensation for injury to her property through the raising of Manukau Road. The claim was for £50. Air. Savage said they had received a similar notice from another lawyer soma time ago, and took no notice of it. It appears that an agreement had been signed by the property-holders affected by the cutting and filling, consenting and agreeing to the altered levels and agreeing also to claim no compensation, and amongst others Mrs. Amelia Matson signed the document. Mrs. Matson, who was present, attempted to address the Council. She hoped whenever a gentleman came to her again for a concession he would represent the matter truthfully to her. The Mayor interrupted Mrs. Matson, and said he could not allow her to speak. The minutes referring to the former application for compensation were turned up, and it was agreed to send a reply that the Council could not entertain the claim.

Inspector of Nuisances.—Mr. Little. John reported that there was no ground for complaint in regard to the slaughterhouses. He found that rubbish of all sorts was thrown on an allotment in St. George's Bay, and suggested to the Council the "advisability of having a notice board fixfed there. Mr. Petfora applied to have the water supply turned on to his place, and he asked instructions from the Council. In regard to the latter, it was agreed that unless Mr, Petford made the necessary alterations, the water be not turned on. The matter of the deposit of rubbish in St. George's Bay was allowed to stand over. Streets Committee.The report of this committee, held over from last meeting, and recommending certain works in Gibraltar Terrace, St. George's Bay, &c., was brought up for consideration, and on the motion of Mr. Savage, it was withdrawn, as there was no prospect that the work could be done this year. Balances and Accounts.—The Town Clerk read the bank balances on the general, drainage, water supply, and water consumers' rate. The overdraft was £1137, but the other accounts were to credit. It was agreed to pay the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board £23 on account of the amount due by the Council The accounts were submitted and passed for payment, the amount being £286 lis 9d. Streets Committee.On the motion of Mr. Gay, Messrs. Gilmour and McLachlan were added to the Streets Committee.

Retrenchment. —Mr. Gay, according to notice, moved, " That all officers and workmen employed by the Council be given ope month's notice from Ist April. 1888, that they will be discharged, £>» that they may have a chance to be re-engaged on fresh terms to suit the Borough finances." He regretted .having to move the motion, but in the present state of their finances and the proposed increase of rates, it was necessary they should take steps to curtail their expenditure. Mr. Savage asked the terms of the town clerk's engagement, and the reply was that it was yearly. Mr. McKenzie said that in that case if they dispensed with the services of the town clerk they must be prepared to give him 12 months' notice or pay him 12 months' salary. Mr. Gilmour said unless they thought their officers overpaid there was no use going on with the motion. Mr. Lyell also spoke to the same effect. They bad now a very poorly paid staff and a very efficient one, under the circumstances, and he did not think they should proceed with the resolution. On the motion of Mr. Savage, the Council went into committee, and employees affected were requested to leave the roqm. The question was discussed at great length in committee, and finally Mr. Savage proposed that the turncock be inspector of nuisances and inspector of works at a salary of 50s a week, and that he be designated turncock. The Mayor pointed out that any alteration could not aSect the town clerk's salary until after 26th of August, and on Mr. Gilmour's motion it was suggested that the whole matter be deferred until the 26th of August, when all the salaries could be dealt with in the voting of salaries. Mr. Gay was allowed to withdraw his motion. The Council then resumed, and there being nothing reported, the meeting terminated.

NEWTON.

The Newton Borough Council met yesterday evening. Mr. Jones (the Mayor) presided, and there were also present: Messrs Riggs, Boyd, Casey, Ambury, Garrett, Faultier, and Morrison. Mr. Webley, the newly - elected member of the Council, made the customary declaration, and took his seat.

Drainage Works.Messrs Boylan and Lundon, the Borough engineers, reported as followsi—"ln accordance with your instructions we have met your committee on the site of the drainage works projected near Mackelvie-street and Roads, to drain the properties of Messrs Kingsford, Smith, and others. We recommend the laying of a pipe drain from the culvert under Rose Road up to Mr. Kingsford's yard. This will take about 360 feet of pipes, being, say 60 feet of 6-inch pipes, and 150 feet each of 9-inch and 12-inch pipes, the existing 6-inch pipes to be taken up and relaxd higher up ; junctions to be laid in each property, and a schedule of prices to be given for private drains and trapped cesspits. The pipes to be laid three feet deep on the average on three inches of lime concrete; estimated cost, £19." It was resolved, after some discussion, " That the Council construct a drain through the allotment through Lovett's stable, and that the Town Clerk draw up a form of agreement, and get the property owners affected to agree to pay the costs of connecting." The Council.'' also decided, That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and estimate of cost for the drainage of Crummer Road (from Pollenstreet to Ponsonby Road) and Kent-street." Hospital and Charitable Aid Contributions. —Mr. Garland, secretary of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, wrote forwarding an account for £121 12s lid, due as the contribution of the Borough for charitable aid. The Town Clerk was instructed to ascertain whether the allocation was a fair one, according to the present valuation.

Subsidy. — The Treasury Department wrote intimating that £145 13s 6d, subsidy due to the borough, had been paid to the credit of the Council.

Slaughterhouse License.—Mr. F. J. Farrell, on behalf of the Auckland Manure Company, wrote applying for a reduction in the amount charged them for the license of their slaughterhouse. They at present paid £75 per . annum. It was resolved, ''That for the present year the amount be reduced to £40.

Nuisances.-—The M>yor drew attention to the nuisance arising from the city abattoirs, which were in the centre of the borough, and wera so ill-kept as to be an intolerable pest, and, he believed, the cause of the fever now raging in the district. The Borough Council could do nothing whilst the buildings remained in the borough, as if the nuisance was abated to-day, it would be as bad as ever tomorrow. The people residing near were long-suffering, ana the only wonder was that they had not been poisoned long since. He moved, "That the town clerk write : to the City Council requesting them to remove the abattoirs from the borough owing to the unsuitability of the site for slaughtering

purposes, as the health of the resident* of the borough- is endangered thereby." Con-, siderable discussion ensued, and the motion was carried. . The Mayor also drew attention to the fact that a nuisance arose because of heaps of filth, : oranges, etc., being daily carted from the city and deposited in the borough. On the motion of His Worship, it was resolved " That city refuse be not permitted to be deposited in the borough." 1 It was also decided " That the inspector be - instructed to compel all persons upon whose properties nuisances exist to abate the same." Minor business was disposed of, and the proceedings terminated. *

ONEHUNGA. The ordinary meeting of the Council, which was adjourned from Monday, took place in the Council Chamber last night. There were present His Worship the Mayor (Dr. W. R. Erson, in the chair), Messrs. Hills, Burden, Jackson, ShaPdrick, Clark, Hill, Goldsbury, Tapp, Rowe. Pleasant-street. — Mr. Courtney, on behalf of a number of residents, wrote, making application for a few loads of rough scoria, as they had made the street, and in the event of the scoria being given, the applicant undertook to spread the gravel. Referred to the Streets Committee to report. Floodgate.—Messrs. Webber and Colledge wrote, making application for permission to place a floodgate at the culvert in Slaughterhouse Road, as they had suffered by damage done to property by the constant high tides. Referred to the Streets Committee. Government Subsidy. — The Treasury Department wrote stating' that fche sum of £106 16s Id was placed to the credit of the borough. Proposed Cemetery.—A communication was received from the Mount Wellington Road Board, stating that a meeting of delegates (appointed to consider the proposal Cemetery Act) would take place on the 13th instant in Mr. Byron's office, Victoria Arcade, and requesting that the Council send a delegate. Mr. Goldsbury was appointed to attend. Financial Statement.The Town Clerk reported that at last meeting the credit balance was £104 9s 6d ; paid in during term, £:213 7s lid; paid away, £9 4s, leaving a credit balance of £309 0s 7d, with liabilities under contract amounting to £188. The water loan account had a credit balance of £2541 9s 9d.

Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, £107 0s lid; J. Hewett (wages), £4 4s; clerk of waterworks, £5 ; Gas Co., £26; printing and advertising, £6 3«. •: '•"* * • " Legal Account.—An account amounting to £66 was received from Messrs. Brookfield and Son in • connection with the waterworks. It was referred to the Finance Committee.

Cemetery Bill.—The Mayor intimated that before taking any further steps to have the Cemetery Bill brought forward (which was before Parliament last session), Sir G. M. O'Rorke was prepared to meet the Council in committee, and discuss the matter. The Mayor moved, "That the Council meet the member for Manukau and also the ministers of religion re the Water and Cemetery Bills before Parlia ment last session." This was agreed to. Special Committee.—The committee appointed to consider Miss Lun don's apcation for permission to open a private street, 40 feet through her property, which was cut up in lots for public sale, reported that the Municipal - Corporations Act provides that the Council has no power to grant a private street of less width than 66 feet. Mr. Jackson moved as an amendment, That Miss Lundon be granted a right-of-way instead of a private road." Mr. Hills seconded the amendment, which was lost on division. Streets Committee.The Streets Committee recommended as follows :—That the Town Clerk be directed to notify certain property owners to remove the over-growth of hedges adjoining their land ; that 500 cubic yards of metal be procured for repairs of the boundary road with the One-tree Hill District. Re Hargreave's complaint: That he be allowed to erect one or two posts on the footpath near his premises in Church-street, under the direction of the Streets Committee. That the broken blue metal offered by John Do re be bought, subject to the quarry being made secure to the satisfaction of the committee. That J. J. Austin's application to lay pipes be granted, subject to no nuisance being committed. That tenders be called for the supply of 200 yards of metal for Churchstreet, and 240 yards for various streets. The report was «idopted. Reserves Committee.—The Reserves Committee recommended that, while sympathising with the cricketers, they have no power to fence off a portion of the reserve for a special purpose. That the Town Clerk be airectec. to make application to the lessees of the Recreation Ground Reserve for prompt settlement of the rent due, and to inquire if they intend to vacate the ground at the end of the current year. Tenders.The tender of P. Lynda to break a quantity of blue stone into metal at 3s per yard was accepted. Notice op Motion.—Mr. Jackson gave notice to move at next meeting that permission bo'granted to Miss Lundon to make a right-of-way through her property. The Council adjourned at twenty minutes to eleven p.m.