BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12780, 29 September 1903, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

SOUTH DUNEDIN. The ordinary meeting of tho South Dnnedin Borough Council was held last evening; present—The Mayor (Mr J. Chetwin), Crs I'iddis, Carpenter, Offen, Fleming, Wardrop, Proctor, M'lndoe, Henderson, Knowlcs, Dodds, and Todd. John Rogers wrote applying for the position of supervising engineer of tramway construction in connection with tho laying of the electrio tramways through South Duncdin.—Cr Vardrop said he believed that the 'appointment of a supervising engineer would not cost tho council anything, as he understood tho expense would be borne by the City Corporation. If thero would be no liability in tho • matter he thought it would bu a good thing to appoint a supervising engineer—Cr Fiddis said ho did not think there was any 'member of the council had any axe to grind. It had been impossible for Mr Rogers iu his capacity as city engineer to put all the friends of councillors in positions the way lie (Mr Rogers) hud been supposed to do. It had been made so nasty for Mr Rogers th.it ho could hold the position no longer. In the Borough of South Dlinedia there was no councillor who had relatives he desired to get into positions, and it was only a. "short job anyway.—Cr Henderson thought it was necessaiy to appoint a thoroughly competent engineer.—Tho Mayor said they should, as far as possible, refrain from introducing personalities. Ho was not aware before that the City Corporation would pay supervision expenses. lie thought tho matter should be referred to a committee to inquire into tho matter and report.—A Councillor: Perhaps the city wouldn't have Mr Rogers.—Cr l°iddis: The city has nothing to do with it.—Cr Dodds moved that the question should be referred to tho Finance Committee for report.—Cr Henderson moved, as an amendment, that a committee of the whole council should be formed iio consider the question.—Tho voting being equal for motion and amendment, the Mayor gave his casting voto for the amendment.—Next Friday evening, at 7 o'clock, was appointed as the lime for the special meeting. I'ne Manager of the Dunedin branch of tho Union Bank of Australia wrote that tho bank had received, through its Melbourne office, 60 debentures, of £100 each, oE the Borough of South Dunedin loan of £5000 for water supply. Ho asked that a cheque should be forwarded. —The Mayor remarked that tho course of paying in Duncdin instead of Melbourne would savo a good sum.—lt was decided to pay over tho money.

William Bragg wrote in relation to a building permit lio had previously applied {or in respect to sections 8 and 9, opposite the Presbyterian Church.—'The Finance Committee was instructed to confer with Mr Bragg and report.

Tho Secrelary to the South Duucdin Volunteer Firo Brigade wrote that at a. meeting o[ delegates from tho council and brigade it was decided to request a conference between the full council and the members of the brigads to consider ways and means lor erection of a new firo brigade station.—lt was dccidcd to hold tho conference next meeting night at 9 o'clock.

A circular from the Municipal Association was read pointing out tho advantages of cooperation, and urgiug the council to join tho association.—Received.

Tho Finance Committee recommended accounts amounting to £73 6s Ed on the general account, £22 8s Cd on the sanitary account, and £50 6s 5d on the general loan account. The balances wero reported as follow:—General account (debit), £679 2s; water account (debit), £135 4s lid; sanitary account (crcdit), £15 3s Id; interest account (debit), £197 Is sd; and general loan acconnt (debit), £610 3s 9d.— Adopted. The report of the conference between delegates from South Duucdin and Caversham Borough Councils was laid before tho council, with the recommendation— 11 That the South Dunedin Council co-operate with tho Caversham Council, in conjunction with the City, in purchasing land adjoining Cargill road, between Ogg's Corner and Hillside Workshops fence, for tho purpose of widening Cargill road."—Cr Wardrop moved that the recommendation should be adopted. This was one of the questions tho council had to look at in a broad and liberal spirit. He knew there were a great many ratepayers absolutely against voting a penny for this work, but it did not follow that they were in the right. If their reasons wero examined their opposition would be found to arise from purely selfish motives. It was generally recognised tho Cargill road corner was a particularly dangerous spot, and it was only owing to tho care exercised by car drivers that serious accidents did not occur. That danger would be greater when there was a double line of rails along Cargill road and Main road, and it seemed absolutely necessary to havo as much room at that corner as possible. There was no one outside a lunatic asylum that would deny the necessity for widening tho road. The only question was, Who was the proper person to pay tho expense? Ho said it would bo the people of South Dunedin who would receive the greater benefit, for the reason that thero would be a line of raals to Caversham by Parkside and a. line of rails to St. Clair, so that the bulk of the traffic along by Car'nll road comer would be for the South Duncdiu district, and it wou'.d bo tho South Dunedin people whose lives would be endangered.— Cr Carpenter seconded tho motion.—Cr Dodds thought thero should bo something laid' before tho council as to tbo cost.—The Mayor said be would like to know that tho council would have a voice in the buying.—Cr Yfardrop: It is only to affirm tho principle.—Cr \M'lndoe: Can we tab tho land under the Public Works Act?Tho Mayor: Yes—Cr Fiddis: There's » regular fortune sticking out for Caversham Council if they tako this land and hold it for speculation, Look at the prices they will get for this land in a few years—A Councillor: Before that the Caversham councillors will bo dead.—Cr Fiddis: Oh, no, no.—The motion was then carried unanimously. Cr M'lndoe mentioned that the surface of Bradshaw and Osmond streets had been broken up by tho Drainago Board's workmen, and notrepaired subsequently.—lt was agreed that the inspector should report on the matter, and the Drainago Board requested to repair any damage. The balance sheet was laid on the table.— Cr Wardrop mentioned that tho balaneo on tho water supply account had been £526 17s lid on April 1, 1902, and on March 31, 1903, it was only £177 4s sd. The whole of the rates for the year had .been absorbed, and tho council had lost somo £350 on the year's transactions. Ho had discovered the fact that, according to tho amount paid to the City Corporation for water, Mid putting aside the question of special supply, the borough had used -10,000,000 gallons of water during 12 months, which represented about 800,000 gallons per week; or, for every man, woman, and child in tho borough thero was a daily consumption of 17 gallons. In Caversham, which was a borough similar to South Dunedin, the council was making money, and it had somo £1000 standing to its credit. In the Caversham Boroush, which had about the samo population, tho consumption had been only 16,000,000 gallons, so that South Dunedin was consuming 24,000,000 gallons per annum more than Caversham. In Caversham the consumption was only seven gallons per head per day, as compared with 17 in South Dunedin. It was evident thero was a great leakago going on somewhere, anO tho through could not alford to lose £350 in this manner. Tho question must lie faced.—Tho Mayor pointed out that the difference in supply was £711 for tho previous year, os against £1102 Cs for tho past year.—Cr Fiddis: The population is increasing.—Tho Mayor said it was evident more profit should be made than was being made.—Cr War<srop said perhaps tho Water Committee would provide a regular reading of tile meter, for tho information of the council. Tho meter was very close to the railway crossing, and perhaps tho vibration might cause soma action amongst tho machinery.— The Mayor said his opinion was that a plumber would have to be appointed to thoroughly and regularly inspect alt taps.—A lor.g discussion ensued in regard to water inspection, and it was utimatcly agreed to instruct the Water Committoo to report on tho matter.

Cr Henderson said lie wanted to know—anil the ratepayers wanted to know—details of the expenditure 011 the Town Hall. Tho loan authorised by the ratepayers had been exceeded. Then the items in the sanitary account were so condensed that there was no information to be obtained. Office expenses, stationery, and printing had actually amounted to 35s per week, and that was exorbitant. He moved for a return of details of the expenditure in relation to the Town Hall and sanitary accounts.—The motion was carried. NORTH-EAST VALLEY. Tho ordinary meeting of the North-East Valley Borough Council was held last evening, and attended by the Mayor (Mr J. Evans), Crs Green, Macandrew, Brittenden, King, M'Gregor, Short, and Wilson. D. Carroll wrote asking that tho road opposite his properly, Dnlkeiih, bo formed to its full width.—Referred to the Works Committee. J. W. Coombes wroto drawing attention to an open ditch in Douglas terrace.—Referred to the Works Committee. Dr Ogston iorwarded oircular emphasising the necessity for immediate provision—temporary or otherwise—for possible cases of infectious diseases.—Referred to the General Committee. Tho Clerk North-East Valley School Committeo wrote that the deputation from tho council to tho committee ro " taking over the library" was awaited.—lt was resolved that tho clerk writo to tho School Cominitteo with referonco to a deputation of the committee meeting the Finance Committee of:tne council. J. Nohlo Anderson, drainage engineer, wrote suggesting that the council give permission to Messrs King and Franco to carry out their work of straightening tho Valley Creek only on condition' that they did bo to his approval. Tho stipulation 110 had communicated to them was to prevent tho cutting out tho river bed by tho rapid flow in the new out, as well- as to -delay tho discharge of floods.— Received. Tho Town Clerk wroto that the City Council had resolved that tho tramway line at tho junction of Pino Hill terrace and the Main load be raised six inches at Pino Hill toad and two inches at Main North road, and tho roadway be undo up to suit tiro alteration.— Received. John Rogers wroto applying for the position of supervising engineer in connection

with tho laying of the electric tramways through tho Borough of North-East Valley.— Received. Downie Stewart and Payne wrote setting fortli the borough's position with regard to the drainage area, which, concisely put, was as follows:—Before any part of a district could bo included in tho outer drainage area it must bo capable of being benefited by the system. If any part of a district was presently receiving no actual benefit from tho operations of tho board that part of tho district, if recommended by tho council, must bo exempted from rating. The onus would bo on tho council of proving that that part of the district was presently rcceiviug no actual benefit.—Received.

Tho Financo Committee reported that £460 3s 5d had been paid to the credit of tho following accounts:—District fund account, £117 Gs 2d; special loan account, £37 Gs Id; drainago rato trust account, £14 lis 2d; that £185' had been paici for interest on debentures in Dunedin, £23 14s Ski being half-year's interest on Government loan; and that tho condition of accounts was as follows:—District fund account, £1136 9s 8d (dr); special loan account (cr), £501 3s 7d; drainago rato trust account (cr), £17 13s 4d. The district fund account was £163 10s 4d under the limit; accounts amounting to £144 Is lid were recommended for payment; no provision had yet been mado for tho repayment of the £5000 loan falling ctao in February next; tho committee had considered r. letter from tho Chairman of tho Greater Dunedin League, and had instructed the clerk to reply that all necessary information would gladly be placed at his disposal, but that there were no funds from which the committee could in equity donate the asked-for subscription. Tho committee recommended that tho council pass a resolution to submit a proposal to the ratepayers that tho council borrow, by tho issuo of debentures, £3000 at a rato of interest not to excccd 4J per cent., so that the present amount paid for interest bo not increased, and that such money be appropriated as follows: — For payment of the present loan, £5000; for public works, £3000. Cr Macawlrcw moved tho adoption of tho report, and Cr King seconded tho motion. Cr Short moved as an amendment that the clause referring to tho loan of £8000 bo deleted.

Cr Green seconded the amendment, stating that though a member of tho committee ho dissented from the committeo's loan proposals. It would bo moro to tho interests of the borough if tho council confincd themselves to raising a sum sufficient to meet tho loan falling duo next February. That would be better than plunging the district into debt. Thero seemed to be no finality about tho borrowing of local bodies. The £5900 might bo got at 4 per ccnt., but if they increased their liabilities ho doubted if they would get tho amount at per cent.

Cr King supported tho adoption of tho report, and considered that to keep paco with other boroughs the council should borrow £8000.

Cr M'Grcgor supported the amendment. He considered (ho streets in tho Valley compared favourably with thoso of any of tho. boroughs, ami people wero more satisfied with them than they ha<l been.

Cr Brittenden supported tho motion. A great opportunity, ho thought, v;as being presented the borough in that the tramways were coming to them first, anil if tho tramways were going to bo a source of revenue to the borougii in tho matter of increase of population provision must bo made for that population, and nncli good could be dono with ffIOCO.

Cr said his chief reason for bringing forward the proposal was the necessity for money to keep things going. It would never do for them to raise the rates, and already they were lying as close to the wind as possible, and had not a spare pound to do anything v-ith beyond the merest trifles. A very good opportunity was now afforded of getting an adequate sum to do necessary work. He did not think the proposal would be unpopular with tho ratepayers. Regarding the burden of this loan on the ratepayers, ho thought there was little fear of their having to pay it back—at all events in tho near future. If tho Greater Dunedin schemo came into force, as it probably would in the long run, their assets and liabilities would bo taken over.

The amendment was lost, Cr3 Green, Short, and M'Gregor voting for it; ar.d the motion for tho adoption of the report was then carried.

Tho Works Committee reported that contracts on William street, Pine Hill road, and on Woodlands road were completed; the committee -had adopted specifications for road works on Clerk street, Jlaybank road, Main road, Elm row, and Kelvin grove, and recommended that tenders be called for tho same; the tender of George Calder for re-forming and metalling portion of Mechanic street for £115 had !becn accepted; tho committee recommended that H. J. Duncan be informed that the council had never accepted any dedication of a roadline through part of section 1, NorthEast Valley survey district, to connect with Queen street; that the City Corporation be asked to repair its road from Leitli bridge to tho tramway terminus at the Botanical Gardens; that all building contractors uow erecting houses in Glcnaven bo notified that they would be required to repair tho footpaths in front of their contracts; that Mr E. G. Allen, H.H.R., be written to asking him to endeavour to obtain for borough councils tho right to mako by-laws prescribing tho width of tyres o[ vehicles for heavy traffic.—Adopted, The General Committoo recommended that tho Drainage Board be mado acquainted with the fact that tho borough engineer had reported that the box sewer from Mechanic street to Lindsay's bridge was absolutely rotten, and in danger of collapsing, which might cause serious accident; Dr Roberta and Dr Ogston had written with reference to an unhealthy fowl-run at Dalkeith, and the inspector had been instructed to visit tho premises and report.—Cr Green stated that ho had visited tho premises complained of, and it was as clean a place a® ever ho saw. Tho fact was that Mrs Kay's nest door neighbour objected to anything coming between her vision and iho road. If a duck ran across this quarter cf an acre in question she objected, and also in tho case of a fowl. Ho was prepared to state that Dr Ogston never had been upon Mrs Kay's premises.—The report was adopted.

The Sanitary Inspector reported liaving inspected the fowl-run of Mrs Kay's, at Dalkeith, and this was in a clcanly condition, such that tho public health should nit suffer.—Cr Green said he was gratified to find that the inspector's opinion coincided with his own.— Tho report was received.

The Mayor reported verbally thai the subcommittee appointed had waited on the City Mayor (Mr Scott) and Mr Goodman with reference to the borough tramways, and were received in a very friendly spirit. The pros and cons ot tho question were discussed, ail'l the decision was come to that operations should be started on September 22. As they knew, of course, nothing had been done. The previous Monday he had waited on tho Mayor of tho city and the town clerk, and was then informed that a start would not bo made on September 22, because a .stable would have to be erected on the vacant piece of land on '.he reserve to accommodate 30 horses. He was informed that plans were practically ready for starting at once. What was the reason for further delay lie did not know. It might bo necessary for the sub-committee to again wait on the Mayor for further information. The d:ito had been actually named by the Mayor of tho city and Mr Goodman. He considered that, not having been able to keep their promise, these gentlemen might have communicated with him.

Cr Green moved—"That Mr Richard Bolting be given 14 days' notice to move the fencing from that portion of Duncan street, Ferguslie, fenced off and claimed by him, and that failing his compliance with the order the Works Committee should have power to remove the fencing and expend the sum of £10 in forming that part of land so enclosed."

Crs Short and M'Gregor supported the motion, which on being put to the meeting was lost, all the others present voting against it.

Cr Short moved, and it was carried—" That tho builders now crccting houses in tho new township of Glenaven receivo seven days' notice to repair tho pathways damaged by them."

Cr King submitted plan of tho township of Glenroy. and asked that the common seal of tho corporation be placed upon it, as previously arranged. The specifications of tho works were submitted therewith, and the bond of £200 to ensuro performance of the works had been already entered into.—The plans and specifications were referred to the Wprks Committee, in whose hands tho matter had been previously left by the council.