BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue VI, 7 March 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special and the ordinary adjourned meeting of the Borough Council, was held at 7 p.m. last evening, at the Council Chambers. There were present -.—Captain T. W. Porter, (Mayor), Ooucillors Townley, Morgan, Walker, Page, Clayton, aud Stevenson. After the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, it was resolred, on the suggestion of the Mayor,, to proceed with business pertaining to the ordinary meeting first, and at its conclusion to enter into the discussion on the proposed Borough. Bye -laws. Correspondence. — An application from W. Fellows, for the sum of £90, being amount due m completion of contract for punt. The Engineer reported that he could not recommend payment of the amount by the Council, as the contract had not been completed to his satisfaction, and that, m many instances, the specifications had not been complied with. The value of the work done was certainly not worth, more than £100, and that a further payment of £25 m addition to the £75 already received by the controctor, was all that he could, allow until the completion of the contract. The principal defects m the work were, that the winch was not large enough m the barrel, the seems improperly caulked, and the whole work required another coat of tar. The application and report were referred to the Public Works Committe, and the Town Clerk |was instructed to inform the contractor that no further payments would be made until after an inspection was made, and report furnished by that Committee. A joint letter from Messrs Leonard, Bright and Pollen respecting Samuel Bowman's chimney, requesting the Council to take such, proceedings, as would effectually protect property m the neighborhood, which is now greatly endangered thereby. The Mayor said as there was an erroneous impression prevalent respecting this matter, it was as well to disabuse the minds of such people who thought that the Council had no power to deal with subjects of such vital importance to the Borough. In this instance, the delinquent could be indicted under the Public Nuisance Act, and made to comply with the request of the Council. He understood that the Fire Inspector had already requested him to alter the chimney, but that no steps had yet been taken by Mr. Bowman. Councillor Morgan said that he was compelled to raise the flue of his chimny 10 feet, and he did not see what prevented the Council from making Mr. Bowman do likewise. Councillor Page thought that it ought to be treated as a nuisance, and dealt with accordingly. He questioned the right of any man to endanger the safety of valuable property m the very heart of the Borough. We had had fires enough lately, and every precaution should be exercised to prevent their recurrence. Councillor Clayton said that this chimney imperilled the safety of a whole block of building, and he would advise that the Fire Inspector take proceedings m the matter forthwith. The Fire Inspector, said that he had seen Mr. Bowman, and requested him to raise his chimney, but he had not complied, and, on a subsequent occasion, when questioned about the matter, he said " I'll see the Borough Council d d first." . Counciller Stevenson proposed, and Councillor Townley seconded — "That the Town Clerk write and instruct Mr. Bowman to raise his chimney forthwith to the height required by the Public Nuisance Act. Carried. Reports. — From the Borough Surveyor, detailing all the important works undertaken since his appointment by the Council, and an application for payment of expenses incurred by time for extra professional, and m draughting the large, scale map of the Borough, and also the rent of office. : Councillor Walker proposed, and Cr. Stevenson seconded, that the consideration of Mr. Drummond's application be deferred until next meeting. Carried. A report from the Inspector of Nuisances was als ) received, and on the motion of Counciilor Morgan, seconded by Councillor Walker, was adopted. Accounts passed for payment : — Forbes and Skeet, £1 Is ; J. R. Morgan, £2 Is 9d ; H. E. Webb, £12 16s ; Graham and Co. , 2s ; J. Williams, (3rd progress payment) £56; Stuckey, £9 12s ; and officers' salary. Ad air's Wharf. — Councillor Townley said that some time ago a Committee had been appointed to take steps with reference to the transfer of the wharf to the Council, but that no report had been received on the subject. It appeared to him, that if the Council took over the wharf without having the control of all the landing m the river, there would be very little benefit derived from it. Previous to the wharf coming into the hands of the Borough, he would like to see the question of wharfage settled, and with this view the Government should be communicated with immediately. Councillor Walker thought that all action should be premature until the wharf came into the hands of the Borough. The Mayor said that there were a variety of interests m connection with the wharf subject which would be better left to a committee to deal with. It was proposed by Councillor Townley, and seconded by Councillor Page, and carried, " That a Committee consisting of the Mayor, Councillors Walker, Morgan, Page, aud the mover, be appointed to consider the question of taking over the wharf, and that they have full power to communicate with the Government thereon j and that Mr. Drummond report as to whether the wharf is within the Borough boundary." The meeting of the Council was arranged for 4 o'clock on Monday the 10th. SPECIAL MEETING. The general meeting being adjourned the subject of the special viz., the consideration of the proposed bye-laws was then entered into. His Worship the Mayor said that they were met to frame a special bye-law of which due notice had been given, according to the act. There was a necessity for the introduction of some such bye-law with any amendments the Council may deem fit to make. The publication of the by«-law No 14 was for general information, and not necessarily to be adopted by the Council because of its appearance m the newspaper. They could strike out whole clauses and substitute whatever was considered cus an amendment.

Councillor Townley understood thtfl the Bye-laws should have been first corH sidered m committee before publications as there were others m abeyance -whicH might have been brought forward at thH same time, and besides, the moat objefl tionable features of the proposed by^B laws might have been eliminated, fl they ware to adopt them as published H would be the severest blow ever inflict^B on Gisborne. It would, as a friend ojH served to him, completely do for G^M borne. The cost of brick buildings woujH prevent their erection m the town limit^H and thbse contemplating building woulH erect them where there were no restrifl tions as to materials of constructionH He doubted very much if the Bye-laS passed intact whether those building! recently burnt would be re-erected, fl he, for one, were burnt out, he woufl not again build. He would bo deterrefl on account of the expense for so doingH Councillor Morgan said it was rathfl early to place restrictions on buildiifl within the Borough. He only objectaß to that part of the Bye-law requiring buildings to be exclusively of brick, stones or concrete. With some amendment he| thought the Bye-law quite necessary and! opportune. ! After a prolonged discussion, and! various amendments, Bye-law No. 14 1 was finally passed, and will be found m our columns, where it is published for general information.