BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10045, 4 February 1896, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

» ... DEVONPORT. The ordinary meeting of the above Borough Council was held in the Borough Chambers, Devonport, last night, thore being present: Mr. Malcolm Niccol (Mayor) in the chair, and Messrs. H. Wynyard, Cameron, O. Mays, Harvey, E. Dutton, and S. C, Macky. The minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed. Correspondence. - A letter from Mr. Judd, Mosely Avenue, complaining of the road in front of his residence, was referred to the Foreman of Works. Mr. ,T. Hutchison wrote asking that the furze growth in the properties adjoining his residence be cut down, as a fire would result in the destruction of his property. The Town Clerk was instructed to write to tho owners of tho properties instructing them to have the furze cut down. Tho Auckland Charitable Aid Board wrote, reminding tho Council that their contribution for the year ending December 31,1895, amounting to £221 3s 3d had not been paid, and it was decided by the committee that the amount be paid forthwith. Sanitation.—Mr. Napier wroto re the borough's deprecation of his statements regarding drainage in the borough. The letter poiuted to two cases of typhoid that had taken place of late, in tho district, and denied that the allegations made were without foundation, Tho writer further urged the Council to look immediately to the drainage in the borough. Mr. Harvey said the preseut letter was worthy of consideration, and was undoubtedly a true report of the state of the drainage. The portion with reference to the burial of nightsoil in the district should be dealt with at once, as he himself was aware that this was being done, and certainly should not be permitted. The letter was received. Firf.bkm,.— Mr. M. Niccol thought tho best site for the erection of the new firebell would be in the north-west corner of the Naval Depot grounds, opposite the Borough Council Chambers, as this would be better than to bury the bell at the back, as had been previously proposed. An amendment moved by the Chairman to this effect was carried. Finance.—Tho Finance and Legal Committee recommended general ami water accounts, amounting in all to £75 163 lOd, for payment. The report was adopted. Bathing Places.— question of the present state of the two bathing resorts was discussed at some length, and it was decided that necessary improvements, which would result in the resorts being enclosed at a nominal cost, should be made. The matter was referred to the Works Committee for attention. PARNELL The regular fortnightly meeting of this Council was held last night, Mr. S. Von Stunner (Mayor) presiding. There were also present: Mrs. Matson, Messrs. Page, Whitley, Savage, Thomas, McConnell, Thornes, and Briggs. Miscellaneous.— Mr. T. McKinnon wrote that the new hose reel was finished and ready for delivery. Letter received. The Public Trustee wrote asking re proposed change of sections, what action the Council proposed taking respeoting the application of the Reserves Disposal and Exchange Act to sections 3, 5, and 6 of the Blackett Point native reserve. As a leaso of section 4 had been recently granted to Mrs. Isabella Howard, he did not propose an exchange of that section at present. Mr. Lawry.M.H.R., was present, and said he thought as they had the reserves conferred on them to bo administered under the Domain Board, it would bo better for the Borough Council to be the administering body. He spoke to the Public Trustee on the subject, and no doubt this letter was the outcome. The natives would get from the Government some land in consideration for what tho Borough receives in this reserve. Finally the letter was reserved for consideration in committee. Reports.—The Foreman of Works' report showed the amount of footpaths which had been tarred and sauded, and also referred to the cutting of gorse, etc. Tho Inspector of Nuisances reported that the slaughterhouses, etc., had been kept clean, and the health of the district was generally good. No complaints had beeu made regarding the nightsoil and dust contracts. The Waterworks turncock reported continued deficiency in tho water supply for the upper portion of Parnell. The reports were received. Finance.—The statement of accounts submitted was as follows General accoun t, Dr., £171 7s 4d ; water supply, Cr., £263 lis lOd; drainage loan, Cr., £120 10a 3d; waterworks, Cr., £266 5s 3d. Accounts amounting to £44 5s 8d were passed for payment. NEWTON. Tho ordinary meeting of the Newton Borough Council was held last night in tho Council Chambers. There were present: Messrs. Warnock (Mayor), Davenport, Webley, Brown, Donald, Ambury, Shackelford, Lee, Wilson, and Wamock. Tarring and Sanding.—Mr, Warnock, 11 accordance wfth notice, moved a motion to rescind a resolution, passed at a former meeting, to tar and sand the footpaths of seven streets. In doing so, ho said the Council was not in a position to warrant such expenditure at the present juncture, and moreover several of the members were absent when such resolution was passed. Mr. Brown seconded, and after considerable discussion the motion was carried on the voices. Mr. Shackelford proposed that tho paths in Rose and Drummer Roads and Kent-street, should he tarred and sanded, but on being put to the meeting this was lost. Several of the Council were of opinion that it would bo monstrous to attempt such work before attending to several drainage matters which required urgent attention. s-strhet. — A petition from the residents calliug attention to the faulty state of the surface drain in Princeps-stroet was referred to the Streets Committee. Water Consumption.-The Town Clerk reported that for tho week ending January 27 the amount of water consumed was 126,000 gallons, and for the week ending February 3, 150,000 gallons. I