BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11999, 23 June 1902, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

BIRKENHEAD.

The fortnightly meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council was held in the Zion Hill schoolroom on Thursday evening. There were present: The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Witheford, M.H.R.), Messrs. }•]. J. White, A. Keyes, T. Hadfield, J. G. Kay, P. Donahue, J. Hadfield, W. Wallace, W. Thompson, H. P. Taylor. The chairman and secretary of the Burgesses' Association and a number of ratepayers were also present, and took much interest in the proceedings. A long discussion took place re the Coronation. The Mayor stated that air J. G. Ward had wired that the subsidy would Hot be granted for the purpose ol improving the roads and footpaths. Messrs. Taylor, Wallace, and T. Hadfield strongly supported ail effort being made to obtain the subsidy for a town hall. it was agreed that the Mayor wire to Sir J. O. Ward to ascertain if the money would be available for a town hall. It was also agreed on the motion of Mr. T. Hadfield, seconded by Mr. Taylor, that a public meeting of ratepayers be held on Monday evening to consider the matter. A letter was read from the Public Health Department re the hospital for infectious diseases. The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor. A letter was read from Mr. T. F. Newton, containing a resotion unanimously passed at a recent meeting of the Burgesses' Association, re a counterpoise stage at Birkenhead, and the disorderly conduct of certain councillors at the last Council meeting. The Mayor said lie considered both letters unnecessary; that he had already moved in the Harbour Board re counterpoise stage, and that the conduct of the Council would compare favourably with any public body about Auckland, ami that recently a certain member of the Harbour Board had been threatened with ejection. On the motion of the Mayor the letter was received. An application for drain pipes from Mrs. G. Gooclal was declined. A letter was read from Mr. Baslev asking the Council to repair the culvert opposite his property. Granted, subject to the usual conditions. The Mayor here left the meeting, and Mr. Keyes was voted to the chair. Mr. E. .1. White stated on behalf of the Water Committee that the committee had conferred with the Northcoto committee, that the Norhcote committee wanted to pay £1600 less than Birkenhead, which could not be accepted. Mr. Wallace said lie considered it would be a waste of time to again confer with Northcote, and moved, "That the Water Committee be thanked for their valuable services, and be instructed to proceed with the Birkenhead water supply." At the request of Mr. laylor the town clerk stated that the amount of rates received from that, part of the district, from Mr. T. Hadfield's to Mr. Rountrce's, was £71, and the expenditure £89. It was agreed that shells and shingle be placed on the footpath on Roseberry Road. Re the cycle track, it was agreed that Messrs.,. Keyes, Hadfield, and Kay meet the cyclists and go over the roads with them, and report to the Works Committee. It was agreed that Mr. Masefield be written to requesting him to lift the drain pipes placed by him at his crossing, and the Council will have them put in to their satisfaction. On the motion of Mr. Taylor it was agreed that shells and shingle bo .placed on the newlyformed footpath in Telephone Road. It was agreed that the footpath in Bath Road be attended to. It was agreed that Messrs. Keyes and white be asked to ascertain from Mr. Simcock the price at which he would erect the proposed breastwork landing. It was agreed that the chairman of Works Committee prepare a plan for an iron shed, 20ft by 12ft, for storage purposes. It was agreed that Mr. J. Thompson be requested to repair his footpath to cause the water to run into the proper channel. It was agreed that Mr. Lisbon be referred to the clause in the Act relative to drainage, and if tho nuisance is not abated the Council will take action in the matter. On the motion of Mr. White it was agreed that Mr. Bryant be written to informing him that if he, did not supply 40yds of metal per month as per contract, the Council will obtain metal at his expense. Accounts to the amount of £11 were passed for payment. Mr. Taylor complained that the accounts were not properly kept. Mr. Kay said Air. Taylor's remarks were " irritating." Mr. Taylor protested, and requested Mr. Kay to withdraw the remark. It was agreed that the foreman of works be instructed to mention in the accounts the nature of the work the men were engaged in from time to time, j On the motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Keyes, the name of Mr. Taylor was added to the Works Committee. On the motion of Mr. J. Hadfield, seconded by Mr. Wallace, it was agreed to give the borough workmen a holiday, with pat, on Coronation Day.—[Own Correspondent.]

WAIHI. v [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Friday The Council met last evening. Present: His Worship the . Mayor, Messrs. . Katz, MoyeS, Campbell, Dick, Donaldson,.- Getldis, Slevin, Tanner, and Henderson. Mervyn J. Stewart, secretary of the Kaiikati Road Board, wrote stating that the Board hoped . the Council would keep steadily in view the advantages of linking the undeveloped producing coast districts with the goldfields, and, as a first step, to request the Government to undertake a survey of access by rail to the deep water hear Bowentown. The letter was received.

A letter was received from Mr. H. P. Barry, superintendent of the Waihi Company, notifying that a charge of 6d per load would be made by the company for metal at the tip head. It was resolved that the price be agreed to, and that the Council endeavour to secure prior right to the tip. On the motion of Mr. Katz, it was decided to appoint a returning! officer, the Finance Committee to deal with the .same.

The Mayor proposed that fortnightly meetings be held in future. This was carried. / Mr. Geddis moved, "That a clause be inserted in till borough contracts, providing for the payment of a minimum wage of Bs." He thought it was desirable to pass .the motion, for while. the Council paid its workmen 8s per day, it was possible, in the event of contracts being lot, that contractors might pay 7s or even less. He wanted a hard-and-fast rule to compel contractors to pay the same wages to the workmen as the Council paid. The motion was carried. The Mayor ;»n£l Mr. Geddis were deputed to proceed to Wellington on business in connection with the borough.