BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10081, 17 March 1896, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

PARNELL. The regular meeting of the Council was held last night. There were present: Mrs. Matson, Messrs. Thorneß, Savage, Wright, Thomas, Brigga, Page, Whitley, and McConnell. The Mayor (Mr. Von Sturmer) sent a letter intimating that owing to indisposition, he would not be able to attend the meeting, and in his absence Mr. Thornes was called on to preside.

Ponakitere Endowment.—A valuation made by Mr. Joseph N. Herbert, on the Parnell Endowment Block, Punakitere, was submitted. It dealt with the 21 sections into which the block was subdivided, separate valuations being given on each. The valuations ranged from 15« to 25s per acre. A plan was furnished showing the outlines of the sections, and the estimated values of the houses on the ground were also indicated. Mr. O'Connell applied for section 5, as it adjoined the section he had occupied on the Onehunga block, and having that line fenced, he thought) he should have the first chance. John Jones applied for sections 20, 16, 15, and 14 of the endowment. These applications, with those previously received, were referred to a committee consisting of the Mayer, Messrs. Tliorne3, and Wright to report to next meeting. Coupons.—The Bank of New Zealand enclosed a list of two waterworks loan coupons of £90 each and two of drainage loan coupons of £120 each, the amount of which had been debited against the Borough's coupon account. The letter was received.

Valuations. — Mr. T. W. Seaman, valuer, asked to be supplied with a list of the Council's objections to the valuation. The Chairman said the town clerk had already made a list of the objections which would bo available for Mr. Seaman, who would see thorn in his capacity as valuer. It was decided to reply accordingly. Mr. J. W. Walker asked to be furnished with a notice of objection, and it was intimated that it had been sent. Correspondence was also received from Mr. G. S. Kissling re Dr. Maunsell's property and E. Y. Cox, and from W. J. Speight and Frater and Sons, intimating changes and sales of properties in ordor to have the names of the purchasers substituted for those of the sellers, It was agreed to comply with the requests. Miscellaneous. — Mr. J. F. Colegrove drew attontion to the bad state of Maunsell Road. Referred to the Streets Committee. Harold W. Hudson drew attention to the unsanitary state of the east side of Stanleystreet. Referred to the Nuisance Inspector to report, or to ordor the abatement of the nuisance if it, exists. The Commissioner of the Government Life Insurance wrote asking for an explanation why the debentures of the borough only yielded 1 per cent., instead of 4 J per cent. The letter had been already answered, and the answer was approved. The Commissioner of Taxes asked the Council to furnish him with the resolution ro striking of rate. The request was complied with. Mr. W. R. Walker drew attention to the state of the wator supply in Lichfield Road. It was discoloured and unfit for use. It was agreed to explain that repairs were going on at Kyber Pass reser»oir, and this was the reason. The Roiidunt Engineer of Public Works wrote asking for the £20 promised by the '.'•■■J-icil for cortain works in connection »"i.i'drsinagoatFort Resolution. The i whs referred to tho Streets Commit w !<• report. On the subject of electric trams. Messrs. Hosketh and Richmond forwarded memorial to bo sent to the (Jorernor approving tho Order-in-Council re the electric trams, stating that as Mr. Stewart was absent from town, a moraber of their staff, Mr. Clayton, would attend and make such explanations as were necessary. The memorial was read by the Town Clerk, and Mr. Clayton mado such explanations as were required. It was necessary that tho momorial should be signed by the Mayor in the prosenoe of tho Council, but Mr. Clayton considered the chairman could sign it as acting Mayor. Mr. Thomas did so, and the document was stamped with the seal of tho Council. A petition from the ratepayers of Bedford-street asked that . Something should be done to the footpath in this street. Referred to the Streets Com- . mitteo.

Finance.—The bank balance" wero as follows General account, dr., £.113 Ss Gd ; water supply account, cr., £257 10' 5d ; drainage loan account, cr., £140 19s Cd ; waterworks loan account, cr., £290. Accounts amounting to £123 13s 81 wero passed for paymont. The Finance Committee recommended that some of the ratepayers in arrears get final notice to pay forthwith, and in some cases that summonses bo issued.

NEWTON. Tlio ordinary mooting of the Newton Borough Council took place lust nigh Thoro were present: The Mayor (Mr. R. Warnnck), and Messrs. Davenport, Brown, W:irnock, Lee, Shackolford, Webley, and Ambury. Mr.Carnalmn wrntocomplaining; of an ombankmont in Pollon-btreeb where two accideuts had lately occurred, and the Council agreed that the Streots Committee should visit the placo and report at the next meeting. It was decided to call for plans and estimates of certain drainage works proposed for Sussex and Murdoch streets. The usual fortnightly reports woro presented, and various matters of a routine chariictor were transacted. DEVONPORT.

The ordinary mooting of tho Dovonport Borough Council was held last night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. M. Niccol), Messrs. R. H. Dudor.O. Mays, W. Avenoll, S. C. Macky, E. Button, A. Harvey. Mr. H. Wilson asked for information re drainage of land in tho Stanley district, as ho contemplated building. The B'oroman of Works reported that there was at present no drainago in that parb of tho borough. It was docided to reply that tho Council was doing everything in its power in the matter of drainage, and as soon as funds permitted drainago in the neighbourhood of Calliopo Dock would bo attendod to. An application to erocb a bathing shed on Cheltenham Beach was declined. It was decided to inform Mr. W. R. Waters that he would be charged the usual foe for a garden lioso. The waterworks engiueer was instructed to report the number of hours the engines wereongaged in pumping. Accounts amounting to £115 5s Id were passed for payment. Tho report of the committee on tho valuation was read and

stated that on tho wholo the valuations were fair and reasonable. Mr. M. Niccol had, how-

ever, objected that the valuation of his | property was too low, and it was increasod from £26 to £36. By arrangemenb the property of tho Jockey Club was assessed at) £344 instead of £250. It was decided to notify property-owners that all trees overhanging the roadways would have to bo trimmed before tho winter sob in. Mr. R. McCallura wrote re the state of the streets in the Hastings district. The Town Clerk was instructed to propare a statement of how matters stood in respect to the streets in that parb of the borough, the Foreman of Works to report upon whatVras required.