Oamaru Borough Council.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 5100, 9 October 1891, Page 4

Oamaru Borough Council.

The natwl fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night, when there were present —His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Cuthbert, Hiliiker, Hamilton, Hedley. Waddell, Meek, Edwards, M'Dowell, and \ ernor.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and before they were confirmed. Councillor M'Dowell took exception to Messrs Livingstone and Stringer's report referring to the manner in which the Committee appointed to look over the Maerewhenua reserve recommended that it should be dealt with. He thought that part of the report superfluous, and moved that it be expunged from the minutes.^ The Mayor said that Messrs Livingstone and Stringer were asked if the method of dealing with the land recommended by the Committee was a proper one, and they had simply answered the question. The resolution was referred to, and found to be as the Mayor had stated. After a little discussion, Councillor M'Dowell withdrew his motion for the deletion of the portion he referred to, and the minutes were then confirmed. The outward correspondence was read and approved. Mr K. Lindsay reported as follows :

According to instructions received from Mr Cunninghame I waited upon Mr Headland re valuation of his improvements, and naked him to appoint someone who would be impartial antl competent, so that we might arrive at a fair and just valnation. He agreed to appoint Mr David Smart to act on his behalf. Before proceeding we elected Mr Robert West to act as umpire in case we might not agree ; but there was so little difference between our respective valuations that we did not need to appeal to the umpire. To simplify the valuations we divided the improvements into three lots, as under:— £ s. d. Lot No. 1, Mr Headland's own shop, including ail landlord's fixtures—counters, shelving, raised platforms, and shelving on same, etc. ... --- -563 3 4 Lot No. 2 : The boot shop, including counters, shelves, and drawers, etc. 240 0 0 Lot No. 3: Stone and iron buildings at back ... ... 98 0 0 Total valuation 90t 3 4 Less one-third 300 i 9 Amount of valuation to be paid 600 15 7 The report was adopted. Mr John Hood wrote complaining of the state of the footpath near his residence, of which he said he had complained for years. It was resolved that the Engineer attend to the matter, Councillors Venior and Hiliiker stating that it was necessary to do something. Mr W. Milne wrote stating that he had been appointed by Mr John M'Lean valuer under the lease of section 8, block 2, and asked that the Council appoint a valuer tinder the provisions of the lease. The Mayor suggested that Mr Lindsay be appointed, as he had given satisfaction in his valuation of Mr Headland's section.

Councillor Hedley thought tint as Mr Roberts was still borough valuer he should act in this instance. Councillor M'Dowell objected to Mr Roberts, on account of the value he had put on Mr Headland's property being so far out.

Councillor Hedley replied that Mr Roberts would bo .ill right in this instance. Mr Meek said as Mr Roberts had been appointed for a term, and that time had not expired, fie ought to act in this instance.

Councillor M'Dowell said in that case he would propose Mr Church. Councillor M "Dowell's motion was not seconded, and it was resolved that Mr Roberts -should value the section. A number of applications to be placed on the burgess roll were dealt with. Mr F. Collis wrote offering 13s per acre for the reserve in block 5, Oamaru, that being the same rental he paid for it previously. The Reserves Committee recommended that the reserve be offered with the others. Mr E. Harding wrote making an offer for a municipal section for 21 years, and Mr T. Calder offered 30s a year for another one for 21 years, or 15s per year from year to year. It was resolved to offer the sections for competition. Mr James Ferris wrote asking what- the Council would supply water to his place and the late Mrs Gardiner's saying that if reasonable he would take the supply again. It was resolved to adhere to a former resolution, under which the charge was fixed at L 7 10s per annum to Mr Ferris, and L 5 to the property of the late Mrs Gardiner. An application to fire blank cartridge ■was granted to the Mounted Rifles during the camping on the Show Ground while the horses are feeding, to accustom them to stand under fire. Mr Rodgers, Nuisance Inspector, reported giving a list of premises having cesspools connected with the drainage ■which discharged into the lagoon. The report, after discussion, was referred to the Health Committee. The Race Inspector's usual monthly report was read. The Mayor reported that Mr Dalzell and several others at Pokcuri desired to have a water service, and were willing to take it if it would only cost about L 250, which Mr Harper, a former Council's engineer, had estimated the cost at. He (the Mayor) had asked MrCrawshaw to estimate the cost, and he had reported as follows:

My estimate of the coat of laying cast iron water pipes for a water supply from the Ouuiarn water race to the North Road, between the Boundary Creek and Pnkeuri Point 13 as follows :—To lay a 5-inch pipe from the flaming between the Italian anil Grant's tunnels in section 32, block 13, Oamarn district, through sections 31 and S7 to the district road where the creek crosses it, continuing the same down the roadltne to section 126, block Papakatodistrict, crossing the south-east corner thereof in a direct line to the North Road at the junction of the Beach road which leads to Messrs Dalzell's and Bnrlmry's properties. Total length, 175 chains. from this point lay a 4-inch pipe along the North road to the junction of the roads at Pukeuri Point—a distance of 68 chains. .1". s. d. 175 chains of ."i-inch pipes laid complete at L 6 2a Od per chain 1067 ID 0 6S chains of 4-ino!v pipes laid complete at L.> per chain ."WO 0 0 £1407 10 0 If a 4-inch main he laid the whole length, viz 243 chains at U> 7 L 1215.

These estimates <ire exclusive of compensation for going throngh private property, or the construction of any reservoir. To take the water from the town's mains, it would be necessary to take op the 4, 3, 2-inch pipes from North-street, laying down (say) 130 chains of 6-inch, 130 chains of flinch and re-laying the 4, 3, and 2-inch from the Boundary Creek northwards. The coat of this estimate is as follows : £. s. d. Laying 130 chains of 6-inch pipes, and taking op the 4, 3, and 2-inch at L 7 10s 975 0 0 Laying 130 chains of 5-inch pipe, and taking up the 4, 3, and 2-inch at I>6 2s 793 0 0 •Laying 130 chains of relaying 4. 3, aa«l 2-inch pipes at 10a 65 0 0 £1833 0 0 The Mayor said Sir Dalzall had seen the report, and thought the cost would be too

great. He had then asked if the borough would be satisfied with 6 per cent, on the cost. He (the Mayor) replied that the Council would not be satisfied, as it had to bear the cost of bringing the water from the river, and had suggested that, if the residents at Pukeuri decided to have a water supply, they had better cut a race above Mr Schluter's and do all the work themselves, and pay the Council for the water.

The matter was referred to the Waterworks Committee for report. It was resolved to re-insure the aqueducts on the race.

Accounts amounting to L 159 15s 2d were passed for payment. Councillor Hedley moved that the upsefc rental on Mr Headland's section be fixed at LOO. He considered that the section was worth LISOO and the Council's interest L3OO, altogether LIBOO, and G per cent, on th.it amount was L9O. He moved that LOO lie the upset. Councillor Meek thought the Council ought not to fix the rental so high as to drive away competition. He considered 1,50 or L6O would be sufficient. The value of the property was not, in his opinion, more than LIOOO He moved that the rental be fixed at LfiO. motions was seconded. Councillor M'Dowell expressed the opinion that the section was worth more than had been mentioned by either of the previous speakers. He moved that the rental be LIOO per annum. Councillor Cuthbert seconded Councillor M 'Dowell's motion. Councillor Waddell considered LI per foot quite sufficient. He thought that the Council would have done better out of its sections if it had let all in former times at lower rentals. He valued the property at LI2OO, and moved, as an amendment, that the rental be fixed at L 66, which would be about 5 per cent. Councillor Meek seconded the amendment. Councillor Hedley said he could not vote for the amendment, as it was less than the value. Councillor Yernor moved as a further amendment that the upset be fixed at L9l. Councillor Hiliiker seconded Councillor Vemor's amendment. Councillor Waddell replied stating that Councillors must remember that there were rates and taxes which had to be reckoned on this rental. He considered it a mistake to fix the rental too high, as if the rental is fixed low competition would brine it up to its value. He would set his face against high rentals, because if the rentals of the sections in the block he had his shop on had been fixed lower all woidd have been built on. He had seen enough of business beiug stifled by high rentals. Councillor Meek cited the mistake the Harbor Board had made in fixing the upset of the Otematata run so high, and how the upset had to be reduced in order to induce competition. If the Council fixed the upset low competition would bring a rental equivalent to the value of the property. Councillor 31'Dowell argued that, as Mr Headland obtained LIOO for the bootshop and only paid LSO rates, lie obtained 10i per cent, for the money he had invested. even with a ground rental of LIOO. ComjKiring the rental with others in Thames-street he cited Mr J. R. Sewell's at L2 per foot and Messrs J. Bulleid and Co. at L 240 to be raised in seven years to L 250 per annum ground rent. He said there would be no competition at the sale, and ihe Council might just as well fix the upset rental high enough, and have a share in Mr Heidland's good fortune.

Councillor Vernor's .amendment fixing the rental at L9l was carried by six to two.

Councillors Vernor, Hilliker, Hamilton, Cuthbert, Hedley, and Edwards voted for, and Councillors Meek and Waddell against, the amendment. Councillor M'Dowell alone voted for the LIOO upset. With regard to the sale of the Maerewhenua reserves, the Mayor said there was an application from the Minister for Mines to hold the reserve over for a time, as he might ask the Council to hand it over to the Government, that it might be thrown open to mining, the Council receiving an equivalent for it. It was decided to offer Mr Headland's section on the 17th. In accordance with notice of motion, Councillor Hedley moved that the different committees be reconstructed, with a view to putting four Councillors instead of six on each committee. Some of the Councillors were on all the committees, and personally he found it take up too much of his time. As it was late, he would suggest that the subject be left to a committee to reconstruct the committees.

Councillor Waddell wished to second Councillor Hedley's motion, and to reconstruct the committees that night.

Councillor Hilliker moved an amendment that the Committees remain as at present constituted. He said there was no necessity for an alteration, as the Committees worked well and all their reports when they came before the Council were adopted.

Councillor Vernor seconded the amendment which,upon being put, was carried by 7 to 3. Councillors Meek, Waddell and Hedley comprising the minority. Councillor Waddell then tendered the resignation of his position on all the Committees.

This was all the business and the Council adjourned.