BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9078, 12 June 1888, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETINGS.

PARNELL.

The regular meeting of the Parnell Borough Council was held last evening in the Borough Council offices. Prosent: The Mayor (Mr. S. T. George), in the chair), Messrs. McLachlan, Savage, Gilmour, McConnell, McKenzie, Gay, and Lyell. . . . Manukau Road.—A communication was read from the Remuera Road Board saying they would adhere to their former offer of £12 per annum as their share of keeping the portion of the above road in repair, adding that the footpath on the Remuera side is still in a state of nature ; also saying they would send cheque for £12 if the offer was agreed to. The Mayor said the account put in was £37 3s 9d as the total cost of what had been done. Half of this (£lB lis lOJd) had been asked for from the Remuera Board. It was agreed to accept the £12 as offered on the motion of Messrs. McKenzie and Gilmour. Park Road.—An account was received from " the Newmarket Council enclosing account for the Parnell Council's share of repairing Park Road, to wit, £16 6s 7d, and asking for a consultation between the two Councils relative to the matter. The clerk stilted Parnell had a oontra-account to the amount of £7 against that. On the motion of Messrs. Gay and Lyell, the Streets Committee was-appointed, the committee to meet the Newmarket Committee. Footpath.—A letter was read from Constable Dewes, drawing attention to the state of the footpath opposite his house in Parnell, and stating that nothing had been done for twelve months. Referred to Streets Committee. Streets Committee. —The Streets Committee reported, recommending: (1) That £1 be paid to each of the present members of the Fire Brigade for boots ; also (2) that Mr. Fitzgibbon's application for a watertrough for supplying cattle with water, and for posts for the tethering of horses, be granted, the work to be done to the satisfaction of the foreman of works. The report was adopted. Works.—The foreman of works wrote, asking to what extent he might go in getting scoria and metal, as he would soon have to begin to metal the roads of the borough. He also reported that the side of the lane next to Mr. Reed's was giving way, and stating it should be attended to. In reference to cesspitt tops, he stated they would cost £1 each, ana £1 10s each for man-hole top, and that 3s per cwt. would be given for old metal. Referred to Streets Committee as to Mr. Reed's matter, and that the overseer be ordered to see to the holes on Manukau Road himself.

• Finance Committee. —The Finance Committee recommended that the sum of £7 9s 6d be offered to Mr. McGuire by the Council, in full satisfaction of his claim. The report was adopted. Accounts.—Accounts to the amount of £37 78 7d were ordered for payment. Annual Rate.—The Mayor moved that an annual rate of Is 3d be made and levied. This was adopted. Bank Balances. —The bank balances showed an overdraft ot £1156 2s lid. The drainage loan account, credit balance, £104 14s 3d ; water loan account, credit, £41 Is 4d ;• water supply account, credit, £79. The Mayor stated there was an account owing to the Auckland City Council for £169, due on May 1. NEWTON. Yesterday evening the ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Council of the above borough was held in the offices, Great North Road. There were present: Messrs. Riggs, Faulder, Boyd, Brown, and Webley. Mr. S. ' J. Ambury, who had been recently elected Mayor, made the usual declaration, and took his seat as Mayor for the first time. Messrs. Cox, English, and Laing also made their initial appearance at the Council table as representatives of the Surrey, Sussex, and Richmond wards respectively. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Totalisator. —A circular from the Town Clerk, of Christchurch, enclosing a report of a meeting at which it had been decided to endeavour to put down the use of the totalisator in the colony, was read. It requested the co-operation of the Council in the matter. Mr. Riggs moved, and Mr. Donald seconded, " That it be a recommendation to the Mayor and Councillors to sign the circular, and assist to further its objects." An amendment was proposed, " That the letter be received,'' and some discussion followed. On being put the amendment was lost, and the motion carried.

Street Lighting.—ln accordance with notice given, Mr. Faulder moved that two gas lamps be erected by the Council in Surrey Crescent, a committee to be appointed to arrange details of site, etc. Mr. Webley seconded. Mr. Boyd objected to the proposed lamps on the score of expense, and considered they were not so needful as good footpaths. Mr. Riggs suggested that the whole question be referred to the Streets Committee. Mr. Ambury stated that the yearly expenditure for gas amounted to 10 per cent, of the rates collected. It was then decided that the matter be referred to the Streets Committee to report. The question of the heavy outlay for gas was discussed, and the town clerk was instructed to write to the Auckland Gas Company asking for a reduction of 7per cent, in the rates charged.

Defective Drains. —In regard to a complaint concerning a defective drain in Wright's property in Richmond Road, the Streets Committee were empowered to remedy the nuisance. Tenders.—Tenders for the carting of metal and spauls and supplying and carting scoria were opened. Messrs. B. Berry, M. Casey, and W. Lovett were the applicants, and the latter being the lowest priced, his tender was accepted. Committees. —The following committees were appointed :—Finance : Messrs. Ambury (chairman), Brown, and Boyd. Legal : Messrs. Faulder (chairman), Webley, and Donald. Streets: Messrs. Riggs (chairman), Cox, English, and Laing. One .or two other matters of minor importance were settled, and the meeting closed. ONEHUNGA. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Onehunga Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (Dr. W. R. Erson, in the chair), and Messrs. Hills, Burden, Tapp, Jackson, Shaldrick, Clark, and Rowe. Water Supply.—Messrs. Boylan and Lundon wrote, stating that, according to instructions received from the Council, they had consulted with the special Water Committee, the contractor, and Dr. Campbell, relative to placing a supply pipe from the reservoir for Dr. Campbell's convenience. They reported that the matter had been satisfactorily arranged. A slight alteration having been made, it was resolved, " That the borough solicitors be instructed to endorse the alteration on Dr. Campbell's deed."

Blue Metal.— P. McCarthy wrote offering to supply 70 yards of broken blue metal at the current rates. The offer was declined.

Dangerous Road.—Mr. R. Smith wrote, enclosing a claim of lis, cost of repairs to a spring of his cart, caused through a large hole in the boundary road. The Mayor regretted that Mr. Smith should be put to expense, but the Council could nob consider such claims, otherwise a large sum would be necessary to meet such expenses. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee.

Road Repairs.The Foreman of Works reported that Norman's Hill Road was badly damaged through the recent rains, and recommending that repairs be ab once effected. Referred to Streets Committee, with power to act. • Mangere Bridge.Mr. Martin, district engineer, wrote requesting that the old timber from ; Mangere bridge might be placed in Ferry-street. Permission granted, under the supervision of the Streets Committee. Totalisatok.—A circular and petition for signature for the abolition of the totalsator was received from the Town Clerk of Christchurch. The petition was laid on the table for signature. Finance. —The Town Clerk reported that &fc last meeting the balance to the credit of the Borough was £456 18s lid ; paid in during term, £12 175.; paid away, £64 6s 9d ; leaving a credit balance of £404 19s 2d. The amount to the credit of the waterworks account was stated to be £1392 5s 9d. Licenses.lb was : resolved that the proprietors of places of amusement in the borough be notified of the necessity of taking out licenses immediately.

General , Rate.—The Mayor read a statement of probable liabilities for the ensuing year, and also the probable receipts, which showed a deficit of nearly £2000. To raise that amount it would be necessary to strike a general rate of Is 3d in the £, in addition to which a gas rate of 3d, and a - charitable aid rate of 3d must be struck, making in all Is 9d. In a short time it would also be necessary to get an overdraft of £900, for which the Corporation would have to pay a sum of 9 per cent. , It was a very unpleasant duty for him to perform, but still they were compelled by law to provide for the expenditure, and he would therefore move that the report of the Finance Committee be adopted, and that the necessary legal notice be given of the intention of the Council to levy the proposed rate. The motion was carried. Leasing Reserves. — was decided to call for tenders for leasing the Recreation and cemetery reserves for grazing purposes, for a period of one year. Broken Streets.—The town clerk was instructed to write to the borough engineers again, urging them to take immediate action in instructing the contractor to make good the roads broken when laying the pipes. Public Meeting. —It was resolved, " That a public meeting be held on either Tuesday or Friday in the next week to consider the proposed general and other rates."