BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11842, 20 December 1901, Page 7

BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council was held in the Zion Hill schoolroom on Wednesday evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Witheford, M.H.R.), Messrs. J. ' Hadfield, W./Wallace, T. Hadfield, A. Iveyes, E. J. White, H. P. Taylor, P. Donahoe, J. G. Kay, and W. Thompson. The town clerk stated that lie had: written to Judge Edger that his offer of a site for the town hail was to be considered. A letter was read from the secretary of the Harbour Board re latrines on Chelsea Wharf. Litter received. A letter was read from the same official re the obstruction caused by the • Harbour Board's launch at Chelsea Wharf. The explanation was considered satisfactory. A letter was read from Constable liowles re complaints of larrikinism on the ferry steamers, and in the ■ district. He stated that the matter would receive his careful attention. Letter received. A letter was read from Mr. Newton, secretary of the Birkenhead Burgesses' Association, enclosing a resolution passed at a recent meeting, asking the Council to supply the association with full details of the proposed water supply scheme. The town clerk was instructed to acknowledge the letter, and forward a copy of the minutes. A letter was read from the secretary of the Royal Humane Society staling that a silver medal and certificate had been awarded Mr. G. Rogers for saving the life of Mr. ' Joshua Hadfield from drowning off Chelsea Wharf, and asking the Mayor to publicly present the medal, at the same time asking the residents of the district to subscribe to the funds of the society. It was agreed that the Mayor present the medal to Mr. Rogers at the concert of tho Burns Club on the 19th inst. A letter was read from Mr. H. Cadness, chairman of the Northeote Burgesses' Association, stating that a. recen,t meeting of Northcote ratepayers had passed a resolution declining to join with Birkenhead in a proposed water supply scheme.. Letter received. Tine Mayor stated that Birkenhead would go on with tho water supply scheme, and believed that. Northcoto would still join. On the motion of Mr. Wallace, it was agreed that the Council obtain the services of an engineer tc furnish a scheme to supply the borough with water. Mr. E. Graham applied to purchase a load of shells. Granted. A letter was read from Mrs. M. A. Blomfield, asking lor a reduction of rates, as her property had been unoccupied over six months. On the motion of Mr. Taylor, the town clerk was instructed to inform Mrs. Blomfield that as'she had not complied with the Act, the Council tad no power to grant the application. Tho report of the Legal and Finance Committee was read. After a long and very lively discussion, the report wa? adopted, with amendments. Accounts, to the amount of £17, were passed for payment. Messrs. J. and T. Hadfield and J. G. Kay strongly commented on the bad state of the main road, stating that the chairman of the Works Committee had neglected to carry out a resolution tiassed at tho last Council meeting. On tho motion of Mr. Kay, seconded by Mr. Donahoe, it was resolved. " That the work be considered urgent, and done at once." On the motion of Mr. Kay. it was agreed that the ordinary meeting of the Council on January 2be not held. On the motion of Mr. Taylor, it was agreed to have a special meeting of the Council on January 3, to consider the by-laws.—[Own Correspondent.]