DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10338, 13 January 1897, Page 6

DEVONPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Devonpcrt Borough Council was held last night. There _ were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. C. Macky), Messrs. Mays, Mitchell,; Entrican, Duder, Dutton, Dunning, : and Brookes. . . . v The Water Service.— inhabitants of Melrose petitioned the Council to extend the. water service to their district. In reporting on this matter the' Foreman of Works said a connection by a one-inch pipe would cost about £30. Failing a connection the Foreman suggested placing a stand-pipe for the convenience of the petitioners. The cost in that case would be but a lew shillings. On the motion of Mr. Dunning it was agreed to erect a stand-pipe and warn the petitioners that if there was undue waste the supply would be cat off. In order to further ensure economy in the use of the water, it was resolved to place the tap under lock and key. Dog Registrar and Poundkeipek.— Three applications were received for, the combined posts of dog registrar and poundkeeper, and that of Mr. J. Biddls was accepted. • Danger from Gorse,—Mr. S. Jones wrote complaining of the danger his property'was' exposed to through owners allowing gone to remain uncut on adjacent allotments, It was decided to serve notice on the owners to cub down the gorse. Mr. Mays drew attention to the extent of gorse growing at Melrose, and said if a fire occurred there this dry weather the consequences would be very serious indeed. Several members spoke of the manner in which notices to cut gorsa were ignored by ratepayers. Mr. Savage (foreman of works) was instructed to make out a list of propertyowners who allowed the gorse on their land to become a source of danger, andreport on the matter to the Streets Committee. Finance.—The bank balances were reported General account, dr., £558 Is Id interest account, cr., £136 lis 2d water account, cr., £405 10s 9d. Accounts amounting to £295 3s 3d, were passed for payment). Aobyn-strset Drainage,—The foreman of work's report contained two estimates— £55 and £75for the drainage work in Aubyn-street, petitioned for by the residents. Mr, Dubton thought the Council should not at present entertain the proposal as the funds would not allow it. Mr. Dunning said they all felt the force of Mr. Dutton's remarks re the overdraft, yet they must remember that the spot in question was the only blob in Devonport, and the speaker thought it was high time something should be done in the matter. Mr. Mays moved, " That the question be referred to the Works Committee, with power to act." Mr. Duder seconded, and the resolution was adopted. Waterworks Matters.—Mr. Dunning moved, "That a special meeting of the Council as a committee be held next Tuesday, to consider the question of the management of the pumping station." Mr. Mays seconded, and the motion was carried. Chairman or the Works Committee,— After the Standing Orders had been suspended, Mr. Dunning moved, and Mr. Brooks seconded, "That a special chairman of the Works Committee be appointed," Mr. Dunning said the Council would then be reverting to a system which worked very well some time back. Mr. Duder suggested that the matter should be brought on at a future meeting. On the motion of Mr, Mays, the subject was deferred to next meeting. Rangitoto Island Domain Board.— The Council then resolved itself into the Rangitoto Island Domain Board- A letter was read from the Department of Lands, in which the Ministerregretted his inability to grant the £200 applied for by the Board to assist in the formation of a road to the top «f Rangitoto, as no funds were available. Mr. Mays said a slight mistake had been made in the application, as the grant had been asked for under the Aid to Public Works and Settlement Act, 1896, whereas he (Mr, Mays) had moved that, the grant should beasked for out of the fund of £50.000 placed on the Estimates for developing the scenic beauties ot New Zealand. Mr. Brooks moved that the Mayor and Messrs. Duder and Mays wait upon the Eon. A. J. • Cadman re the matter. The Council also decided that the Town Clerk should again write to the Government and make application for the grant out of the £50,000. A letter was read from a gentleman who has taken a great interest in the project, offering to get up subscriptions from the public. The letter covered a proposal from the Ferry Company, agreeing to subscribe £25 conditionally that the company's boats were permitted to run to the island without any charge being made on them, and that not less than £100 should be expended on the approach and pathway, the donations to be paid when the balance of the £100 had been subscribed. Mr. Mays said the Board could not make any charge for boats landing passengers at the island; that was the Harbour Board's department. Furthor consideration of the proposal was deferred till next meeting of the Board, which takes place on Tuesday next. Mr. Savage said he had expended none of the £25 voted for the road at last mooting. Ho thought it was quite possible that the .position of the path might yet be altered a little. Mr. Dunning thought the authorisation of, the expenditure of £25 was a mistake, and that they should see that the whole amount was in hand first. The Board finally agreed to recommend to the next meeting that the £25 be expended on condition that the Ferry Company contributed £25 and the public subscribed £50. In the meantime, the Board's £25 to remain in the Bank.