BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8814, 1 March 1892, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

PARNELL. The regular meeting of the Parnell Borough Council was held last night. Present : Messrs. S. T. George (Mayor) McCabe, Thornes, Wrighb, Augur, Kissling, Gay, and Bt'ggs. Sobsi iv.—The Deputy Commissioner of the Prop* Tax Department wrote stating that he hai sent a voucher to the Treasury Department for the payment of £140 12s 6d, advance of subsidy to the Parnell Council for the year 1891 payable under the Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act, 1885, and section 8 of the Appropriation Act, 1891. Tho letter was received. Resignation.—Mr. J. Savage (who leaves for England to day) sent in his resignation as councillor, and wished the Council great prosperity. The resignation was received. Mr. .Savage having intimated his intention of resigning at the previous meeting, a vote of thanks was then tendered to him and acknowledged. Drainage.—Mr. T. S. Carmichael wrote that being on the point (subject to approval) of laying drain pipes through his property, ending at lowest corner of Russelllane, he appliod for a pipe to bo laid from main sewer to connect with his drain, a distance of about a chain. The foreman of works explained what was required. The length required would be about a chain. The matter was referred to the Streets Committee, and the foreman of works was instructed to bring up a report on the cost of the work. Eglinton-strket.—Mr. S. Decry wrote that he had been asked to agree to tho cutting down of the bank in front of his property. He entered his strong protest, unless the work was protected by a retaining wall and the fence re-erected. It appeared, from Mr. Gardiner's explanation, that no steps wero being taken to cut out this bank, and the letter was received. Harbour Board Member. — Mr. John Savage wrote, resigning his position as representative for Parnell on the Auckland Harbour Board. He wished to take advantage of this opportunity to thank the Parnell Council for their great kindness and confidence in electing him to the position ; also, to thank the ex-Mayor (Mr H. B. .Scaly) for waiving his claim to that office oil his behalf. Mr Kissling moved, " That Mr. S. T. George be requested to accept the position of member to represent the Council on the Harbour Board." The motion was agreed to unanimously. Accounts.—Current accounts were passed for payment amounting to £52 2s 10d ; general account and water supply account. £9 3s sd. Metalling Manukau Road.—At tho last meeting the foreman of works was instructed to report on tho cost of metalline permanently tho main street, Manukau Koad. This arose out of a discussion as to whether it would be most advisable to make the road once for all into a good condition or continue patching it as hitherto. Mr. Gardiner now submitted his report. His estimate was that tho cost for metalling 9 inches deep 40 feet wide would be, including cost of road roller, £31 5s per chain, and about 100 chains wouid require metalling. The Mayorasked that this matter should be allowed to stand over as he was

about to give notice of an important resolution, which would materially affect tho question. An excellent opportunity was now afforded by tho vacancy in tho Council to let the question of whether or not Parnell should join tho city being fought out, by those in favour of joining the city nominating one member, and those against nominating unother. In that way the question would be decided ; and if the vote was against joining the city, the Council should allow it to drop ; and if not, then ho thought the Council should accept the verdict. But, for his own part, he was, and should continue to be, in favour of joining the city. He gave notice to move at next meeting. " That, in the opinion of this Council, it is advisable that tho borough of Parnell should be incorporated with the city of Auckland." In the event of that resolution being carried, he would move that a committee ba appointed to take the

necessary steps to carry out the foregoing resolution. Mr. Thornes raised thequestion of the financial relations between tho city and borough, and on his motion it was agreed that tho Finance and Legal Committee should meet in the meantime and report to next meeting. York and Bradford Streets.—The foreman of works in his report drew attention to tho state of tho footpaths and roads in York and Bradford Streets. There was an urgent necessity for repairs and formation. It was agreed that the work be taken in hand and carried out by tho present staff as opportunities offered. Leave of Absence.—Mr. Reynolds, town clerk, applied for and obtained a week's leave of absence.

DEVON PORT. The Devon port Borough Council mot yesterday. Present: Tho Mayor (Mr. E. \V. Alison), Messrs. Mason, W. H. Brown, Hammond, K. Dud or, K. Cameron, Lankham, and W. Bond. Streets and Works Committkk.—This committee recommended that opposite the northern end of the Admiralty shed a post, painted white, be erected, to indicate that ' vehicles licensed to ply for hire with pasi sengers must not approach nearer than that to Victoria Wharf, and that a similar post be placed under the tree opposite the Ferry Company's workshop, showing that carts must not be taken nearer than that to the wharf when plied for hire; that the foreman of works prepare for the consideration of the Council at its next meeting, March 14th, an estimate of the works suggested in Dock-street for the improvement of the grade of the road, and that tho consideration of tho question of undertaking certain works in Wharf Road, be deferred. The report was adopted. Chanok ok Name. -The Mayor stated that it was proposed to change the name of Dock-street to Huia Road ; but the subject would be considered at tho next meeting. Finance.—lt was announced that the debit balance of the Borough fund was £6152 18s Id. Foreman of Works' Report. — The Foreman of Works recommended that tho footpath on the south side of Kerr-streot be continued to Mr. Buchanan's gate, and that that part of the embankment at Mr. Spraggon'a corner be taken away and the footpath put into its proper place, making the road six feot wider than at present at that place. Those recommendations were adopted. -street. —The question of altering Spring-street, by widening it to 33 feet throughout, was referred to the Works Committee. The Ranoitoto Mountain.—The Council then mot as the Rangitoto Island Domain Board, to consider the question of forming a track to the summit of Mount Rangitoto. A report on the subject was read from the City Engineer, who described the features of the country through which the track would pass, and suggested that it bo taken through a lava bod, which ran for some distance toward tho summit. As the cone was rather steep, the footway at that part part of the mountain would have to be taken in a winding direction. The distance from the landing to tho top of the mountain was about two miles, and ho estimated that tho track would cost £250, basing his calculation upon tho current rate of wages. A jetty would, probably, be built at tho landing by tho Auckland Harbour Board ; but the track at this part would have to be raised to be above the water level, and this would be the most costly part of tho work. As to the funds required, he was sure that the public would willingly subscribe towards the work. The Mayor said that it. was the opinion of Mr. Savage that the work could be done at a much less sum that that mentioned by Mr. Anderson. The Board had no funds to carry out the work, and ho moved, " That the Government be requested to contribute one-half of the cost of making a footway to tho top of Rangitoto (the work to be done under the supervision of the Auckland engineer), provided the other half be raised by public subscription, the total expenditure not to exceed £250." Mr. Mason thought it would be a great pity to ask the Government for £125, if the whole of the work ( could be done for £100. Mr. Came- I , ron did not think it was a work to ' which the Government should be asked [ • to contribute. There were many demands ! , for roads to open up settlement in various | parts of the country. Against this, Mr. I Brown pointed out that the Government I , had spent large sums in making tracks to , Rotorua and Mount Cook. The motion was unanimously adopted, with thanks to ( the Auckland City Council and the city i engineer. 1

Lease of Land at Rangitoto. — Mr. Stratford offered to lease five acres of land on Rangitoto Island on tho Drunken Bay side. A question was raised as to whether the Board had the power to grant leases in that way. Eventually it was decided to ask the applicant to state the purpose for which he wanted the land and the amount of rent he would give. An application for five acres of land was also received from persons interested in tho manufacture of salt. As no details were supplied the matter was referred to the chairman.