BOROUGH COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13650, 18 January 1908, Page 7

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

BIRKENHEAD. A iikktin'O of the Birkenhead Borough Council, on Thursday evening, was attended by thy Mayor (Mr. A. Keyes), and Messrs. J. G. Kay, T. Clements, H. P. Taylor, E. G. Skeat.es, J. R. McPhaii, F. Souster, and W. Wallace. Among eight applicants, J. C. F. Rennie was appointed to the' position of cattle ranger and dog tax collector, at a salary of £10 per annum. Complaints were made regarding the smoke nuisance at Chelsea. On the motion of Mr. Taylor, it was decided to take legal advice on the matter. The question of tarring and sanding the whole of tho footpaths of the borough was referred to the Works Committee for report. ■ - ' WAIHI. [iJY TKLKGHAt'H.— OWN" CORRKSI'ONOEST.] Waihi, Friday. The monthly meeting of the Waihi Borough Council was held last evening, the Mayor (Mr. Thos. Gilmour) presiding. Declarations announcing the purchase within the borough of 90120z of gold were received. In reply to the Council's representations, 'asking the Government to revoke the proclamation regarding the payment of annual contributions to the Ohinemuri County Council for the maintenance of the main road, Paoioa to Waihi, tho Minister for Internal Affairs intimated that the matter would claim the attention of the Minister • for Public Works. The Mayor of Hamilton (Mr. Bond) wrote asking the co-operation of the Council in the matter of furthering the proposal for the installation and transmission of electrical power from either the Hitka or Okere Falls, or liorahora Rapids. The writer also invited the Council to appoint a representative to tako part in a proposed deputation on the matter to the Prime Minister on the occasion of his forthcoming visit to the Waikato. Mr. Foster said that the Prime Minister was expected here shortly, and that it would be a good opportunity for a local deputation to wait on him. It was decided to send a reply to the Mayor of Hamilton, to that effect. The district health officer recommended the Council to take advantage of the visit to New Zealand of Mr. Midgley Taylor, the sewage expert., with a view of having his advice as regards a drainage scheme for Waihi. . . It was decided to ask the Minister tor Public Works to cause a flying survey of the proposed East Coast railway to be made. Acocunts totalling £1227 18s 3d were passed for payment. An application from the superintendent of the Waihi Gold Mining Company (Mr. H. P. Barry) for permission to connect with the borough water supply for mining purposes on the Union Hill, at an annual rental, gave rise to considerable discussion. Tho Mayor proposed that the application bo granted. Mr. Donaldson spoke in opposition, holding that the company was really asking for 24,000 gallons of water per day, whereas, in dealing with other companies Or individuals, the Council would charge at the rate of Is per 1000 gallons. Messrs. Turnbull and Armstrong also opposed the motion, and Mr. Newth expressed the opinion that all companies should be charged on the same basis. Messrs. Foster, Evans, and Power favoured the granting of the application, and on the voices it was granted •bv six votes to five. "At a snecial meeting the statutory weeikly half-holiday was fixed for Wednesday, as heretofore.

THAMES. [BY TELKUBAriI. —OWN CORBESI'ONDEXT.] Thames, Friday. The fortnightly meeting' of the Thames Borough Council was held last night, the Mavor (Mr. A. Burns) presiding. ... The statutory returns from the local banks showed the gold purchased during the month of Decortibor to b& as follows: —-Bank ol Nov Zealand: From mines within # the Thames borough, 1671oz; from mines within the county, 9270z. Bank of Now South Wales: From mines within the Thames Count-*-. 15190z. Messrs. Potterton and Black, and Sautider.:- and Edwards, contractors, wrote asking permission under the by-laws to remove and erect certain buildings within the borough limits. Permission was granted in each case. , , _ „ A letter was read from the County Council, forwarding a complaint from Mr. Claxtoi regarding the nuisance causc-d by the Parawai slaughterhouse to the residents of the district. It was resolved to forward the letter to the district health officer. The report of the foreman of works referred to the silting up of the Karalta Creek, which required clearing out, and to the scarcity of water in the reservoir, owing to the continued dry weather experienced. A special report on stone-breaking machinery recommended that the most suitable machine for tho requirements of the borough would be a jaw-crusher driven by water-power from the county race, and that tho best site for such a plant would be at tho mouth of the Moanataiari Creek. The estimated cost of the plant, including erection, with all necessary accessories, was given as £563, and the plant as described would crush the amount of metal necessary for the requirements of the borough in about four weeks each year. The matter was deferred, pending arrangements being mad© for a suitable quarry. An application was read from the secretary of the Hauraki Band for a subsidy of £60 per annum, the band undertaking to give a series of public concerts throughout the year, under conditions to he agreed on. A similar application was also received from the Battalion Band,. It was resolved to inform the bands, that the present state of the finance's of the borough would not allow of such an expenditure as asked for. The Council, however, agreed to provide a number of seats "for the reserve, allowing the bands to maflco a charge for their use during any concert given by them in the reserve. The Mayor reported that- lie had interviewed the member for tho district during his recent visit regarding several requirements. A promise had been received of a. subsidy of £100 towards cleaning out the debris from the Karaka Creek, and also of assistance towards metalling the main (!oldfields Road along the back of the township. The newly-elected member, Air. 11. I). Stewart, was welcomed to his seat by the Mayor, and made the necessary declaration.