DEVONPORT COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15501, 7 January 1914, Page 5

DEVONPORT COUNCIL.

DRAINAGE CONNECTIONS.

A keetiso 0 the Devonport Borough Coun. ci. was held last evening, when (here were present: Messrs. W. Handley (Mayor), D W. McLean, J. Webster, J. Q. Harty, & McCallum, A. Lloyd, J. Henderson, and A Nixon. W. H. Giles and G. Banks wrote stating that, they considered the charge of £3 lOs made for drainage connections at Victoria Park an excessive one. and asked for details. .The Mayor said the works had been earried out under the supervision of the then engineer, who had estimated the average cost at £3 10s. Mr. McLean considered that they were Quite entitled to know exactly what they were paying for. .Mr. McCallum said he had himself advised the writers not to pay the amount as he considered it excessive. He Dad been billed for the same amount, and he had decided that ho would not pay it unless through the Magistrate's Court. He thought the work -worth no more than 265, and he advised the council to instigate proceedings as soon as it could as a test case. The Mayor thought Mr. McCallum would be very unwise, as a councillor, to go and advise any ratepayers to delay their just n»ots. ij Ho proposed that the matter should i? held over until it had been discussed by the Legal and finance Committee. The Secretary of the Municipal Association advised that in his opinion, the ratepayers should undoubtedly pay only what tile work was worth, and that an amicable settlement should be arrived at. Mr. McLean considered this advice very sensible, srd moved as an amendment (.hat the aggrieved ratepayers should be met and an effort made to reach an amicable settlement. Thu was carried. Concernir" the erosion caused by the sea at Stanley Bay, the Streets and Works Committee recommended that the engineer should be authorised to place some large scoria boulders along the front at the bottom of the breastwork. Also that he be instructed to submit an estimate of the cost of constructing the sloping sea wall from the western boundary to tie wharf. The recommendation wu Adopted.