BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10033, 21 January 1896, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

PARNELL " - The usual meeting of the Parnell Borough Council was held last nighb in the Chambers, Parnell. The Mayor (Mr. J. S. von Stunner), presiding. There were also present: Mrs. Matson, Messrs. Briggs, Page, Savage, Thomas, McConnell, Wright, anil Thornes.

Correspondence.— residenb engineer, Mr. Vickerman, offered to build a drainage shoot at Fort Resolution to connecb with the borough's main drain, if the Council would contribute £20 towards the cost. On the mobiofl of Mr. Thomas the offer was accepted. Mr. James Stewart wrote re the electric train scheme, that to facilitate matters ib would be as well for the borough's solicitors to interview the company h solicitors on the question. It was decided to do so on condition that the company bore all legal expenses. The Town Clerk of the city informed the Council that so far as his Council was concerned, there was always sufficient water in the liyber roservoir to supply the higher levels in Parnell. In February nexb certain alterations would be carried oub whereby the water supply would be improved. Borough Endowmxnts,-Malcolm Young offered to rent one of the borough's sections ab Punakitere for £210s per year, and the question arose as to the value of the place. Mr. i homes moved, and it was agreed, to ask Mr. J. Stichbury whab he would value the property for. There being three applicants for the same section, it was decided to reply that it was still in abey-

[ Overdue Rates.—Mr. Nixon, who had | been given permission to pay his rates by I working for the borough, complained that the Foreman of Works stopped him while engaged in doing such works. Tho foreman explained to the Council thab the man was nob doing the job in a satisfactory manner. His action was upheld, and Mr. Nixon was ordered to pay up his rates; Mr. Briggg remarking that this wonting oub rates was a bad practice, and thab they would have everybody in the borough wanting to do the samo. Gorsk on Roads.— was resolved to remove certain gorse, dangerous to residents by reason of its being fired, on Judge's Bay i Road. On Mr. Thornes' motion it was agreed to get advice from the Municipal Conference lawyer in Wellington for future guidance, as to the liability of ratepayers in removing such growth on the road in the vicinity of their property. Fire Brigade. —An account of the Fire Brigade's finances was laid on the table, and showed tho expenses for the year to be £75 19s Bd, and the cost of a new hose-reel nearly completed would be £27 15.<. Mrs. Matson suggested that the Fire Insurance -Companies should be asked to contribute towards the maintenance of the Brigade. A discussion took place as to its economical working or otherwise, and it was finally agroed that expenses wore comparatively small. '

Falcon-street. — Mr. McConnell suggested and bhe Council agreed to place several loads of earth to make an approach to Mrs.- Warner's property. Finance.—Mr. Gilmer, the Town Clerk, reported the Bank balances as follow:— General account, dr., £83 2-t 3d; water supply account, cr„ £222 2s sd; drainage loan account, cr., £354 10s 3d ; waterworks loan acconnb, cr., £446 as 3d. Accounts totalling £128 2s 8d were authorised to be paid.

NEWTON. The usual meeting of the Newton Borough Council took place last evening in the Borough Chambers. Present: Mr. S. J. Brown (presiding in the absence of the Mayor), Webley, Davenport, Ambury, Shackelford, and Lee.

Consumption of Water.—The Town Clerk reported that the consumption of water for the week ending the 13th insfc. was 134,000 gallons, and for the week ending the 20th insb., 123,000 gallons. Foreman ok Works Report.— report of the Foreman of Works was read. Tarring and Sanding Footpaths.—After a general discussion it was decided to tar and sand the footpaths (six feet wide), of the following streetsßose Road, Kentstreet, Crammer Road, and Mackelvie, Surrey, Pollen, and Sussex streets.

Accounts.—A number of accounts wore passed for payment.

DEVONI'ORT.

The ordinary meeting of the Devon port Borough Council was held last night at the Borough Chambers, when there were present The Mayor (Mr. Malcolm Niccol), in the chair, and Messrs. Harvie, 11. Duder, E. Dutton, J. C. Entrican, W. Avenell, R. Wynyard, and S. C. Macky. Before proceeding with the business, the Chairman welcomed the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. J. Holland), who was present. Correspondence.—A letter was read from Mr. Napier, urging upon the Council the necessity of draining certain populous portions of the borough. Ho complained that the bad drainage was da rigorous to the community, and if nob attended to would probably result in ferer becoming prevalent, and pointed out. certain parts of the borough where he considered the attention of the Council should be specially directed to. The Chairman, in dealing with the epistle, said he thought Mr. Napier was exaggerating, and that no cases of fever- had been traced to defective drainage, in fact he might say that only two cases of typhoid had been reported in the borough during the past eighteen months, which spoke for itself. Such a statement as that of Mr. Napier's should nob be allowed to pass unchallenged, as it had a detrimental effect on the borough that was unwarranted. He would move that a reply be sent to the writer, to the effecb that the Borough Council deprecate the alarming statements made, there being no foundation for such, and that they inform thab gentleman that the Council is thoroughly alive to all matters pertaining to the drainage of the borough. The motion was carried unanimously, Beveral members of the Council speaking in support of the chairman's remarks.

• Streets and Works Committee.— committee reported that the firebell had been tested and proved satisfactory, but as there was no immediate necessity for the erection of the bell, it was decided that further time be given for the selection of a suitable site and the decision as to .the kind of tower required. The drainage report was read and adopted. Accounts.—General accounts amounting in all to £32 10s lOd and water supply accounts of £23 12s 8d: total, £56 3s sd, were presented for payment by the Finance and Legal Committee, and payment was decided upon accordingly. The Government auditor wrote to the Council intimating that a certain surcharged £23 14s must be paid or steps would be taken for its recovory. Decided thab payment as requested bo made. The name of Mr. Cameron was added to the Finance and Legal Committee. Miscellaneous.— tenders were received for the supply of blue metal, thab of the lowest tenderer, J. Wallace, ab 4s per 1 cubic yard, being accepted, providing the contract be fulfilled by the end of March. Complaints having been made concerning the dog collars supplied on account of the poor workmanship, it was decided to return all faulty collars to the contractor. The attention of the Gas Company was called to the filthy state of the street lamps. In tho matter of 'buses blocking the entrance to the wharf, to the detriment and danger of pedestrians, it was decided thab the police be instructed to see thab a clear passage was kept for pedestrians in future. Rangitoto Island Domain".Board.— Council then resolved itself into a meeting of the* above board, and a lengthy discussion re the formation of a track to the summit of Rangitoto followed. The Chairman, in commenting on the proposal, which he said had been taken up in a most enthusiastic manner by the Herald, said it was mosb desirable that a track should be formed, but the difficulty of expense was the main drawback. He had climbed ' Rangitoto on several occasions, and thought the only suitable point) for tho formation of such track would be in the clear places, where the boulders of lava had originally run down the mountain side, as the bush was almost inpenetrabie, and meant no end of expense. It had been proposed thab subscriptions be raised, and in the event of money being obtained in this manner he would be for subsidising the amounb collected. Some time ; back he had asked a gentleman who had some knowledge , of work of this description, what it would cost to make a good track to the summit, and the reply was about £250, but -•'Mr."' Savage, - Foreman- of Works, assured him thab it could bo done for £150.

Perhaps the best thing; they could do would be for the Board to visit Rangitoto in company with Mr. Savage with a view to getting some idea of the necessary work, and the probable outlay that it would incur. The Board had some £20 in hand which might well be devoted to such a purpose, and no doubt those present would agree with him that ib would be well to facilitate the scheme in every possible manner. Those present agreed with the chairman's remarks, and it was decided that everything within their power should be done. | I '