BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 844, 25 July 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

At the adjourned general meeting of the above, held at the Council Chambers, last evening, there were present Hiß Worship the Mayor, Councillors Page, Ward, Townley, Clayton, Morgan, and Adair. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Outgoing correspondence despatched by the Town Clerk, was read, and consisted of communications to Messss. W. R. Robinson and J. Nash, and a telegram to the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, re the limitation by the unattached Inspector of that institution, of the Borough overdraft. Incoming Correspondence. From the Secretary of the Marine Department, stating that the plans and documents relating to the survey of the Harbor, for Sir John Coode's inspection and opinion; would be returned m accordance with request. From the Hon. the . Colonial Secretary, stating that representations had been made to him, by Mr H. Kenrick, R.M., concerning tho unsafe position of the powder magazine, arising not from fire or internal casualties, but the possibility of its capture by hostile natives, owing to its unguarded condition. Colonel Whitmore quite concurred m thinking that it ought not to be left m such a condition, and as it contained no stores of Government ammunition, and no powder other than belonging to private individuals, he requested that it might be protected by the Borough authorities. His Worship the Mayor said that he thought there was needless alarm over this matter, and at the time the representations were made by Mr Kenrick he did not agree to his recommendations. The magazine was not m the control of the Borough, and if there was a possibility of danger by an incursion of the natives, which he ridiculed, it was the duty of the Government to protect it ? instead of saddling the Borough with the responsibility and expense. Councillor Page said they could not expect the Borough to provide a man to mount guard when they got no fees or any benefit whatever by the magazine. Councillor Ward said the only duty of the Borough was to protect it from fire, otherwise it was beyond their control. . ■" It was resolved that the Mayor communioate with Colonel Whitmore, and reply that the matter was beyond the jurisdiction of the Borough. The request of Mr J. D. Barnard to put two stones of standard measure near the kerbing, at the Government Buildings, was granted. Weights and Measures. — A communication was received from the Under Colonial Secretary, advising of the forwarding of scales, weights, and measures, and giving instructions to the Inspector for his guidance. Borough Beseryes. — A communication from the Colonial Secretary's Department, stating that the application forwarded had been referred to the Crown Lands Department. Councillors expressed themselves very strongly as to the manner and length of time these reserves had been withheld from the Borough, and the cavalier way their applications had been treated by Secretaries of the different departments. Councillor Walker suggested that as Parliament was m session, that the whole of the correspondence should be plaoed m the hands of the member for the East Coast District, or any other member likely to take an interest m the matter, urging upon them the necessity of having these reserves immediately vested m the Borough. Councillor Ward said that while m Wellington he saw Mr J. S. Macfarlane, M.H.R., who said that Poverty Bay was the most neglected district m the Colony, and that he would be willing to further the interests of the Bay and attend to all matters entrusted to him.

It was ultimately resolved to communicate with Captain Morris, M.H.R., on the subject, and to request Messrs. Bees and Macfarlane, M.H.R.'s, to aid him m the matter.

The Borough Over Draft. — A telegram from Mr. Murray, Inspector, Auckland, m answer to one from His Worship the Mayor, was read. It reads as follows : — " I have asked the assistant Inspector to report specially on Gisborne Corporation over draft ; and on receipt thereof his instructions will have further consideration."

His Worship said, ' awaiting that reply, nothing could be done relative to paying the Borough liabilities and amounts due for contracts. There were a number of accounts before them for payment, and if their application for an increased overdraft were refused the only alternative for them would be to stop the works m progress, and press the ratepayers for the payment of their rates. When the assistant Inspector was here, he communicated verbally, and, he must say, m a very informal way, with the Town Olerk, informing him that their overdraft would be limited to £150. He at onoe made enquiries, and asked Mr. Turner, the manager of the Gisborne Branch, if this was a final arrangement. He replied : yes ; that those were his instructions and he must necessarily abide by them, He then telegraphed to the General Manager, and the communication was referred again to the assistant Inspector. He must say the action of the Bank .was very unadvised and short sighted, and it was inflicting an injury on the community. If they persisted m it, they would prevent the Borough m meeting its liabilities and compel them to sue for the recovery of rates. This was averse to the wish of the Council, For his own part he was inclined to let the matter stand as it was and not run after the Bank. The Corporation could by the Act go to the extent of £800 overdraft giving the . rates for security, and they had previously drawn to the extent of £700 without any demur on the part of the Bank. Councillor Walker said it was very unfair of the Bank to place them m the position they were. If they did not consent to the increased overdraft, all over-due rates must be sued for. Possibly ratepayers, knowing the position of affairs, would assist by immediate payment of rates and thus help the Couucil out of its present difficulty. Councillor Townley thought it wag useless criticising the action of the Bank. If it was inexorable m the matter they must submit and make the best of it.

Councillor Ward suggested that the accounts to come before them be passed, subject to payment en receipt of a favorable reply, which he anticipated would be the case, from the General Manager.

After further discussion, m which | the Councillors expressed themselves strongly relative to this matter, the subject was dropped. Petitions. — There was a memorial to the Mayor, signed by a large number of influential citizens, requesting that he call a public meeting for the purpose of considering the advisability of petition-, ing the Hon. the Minister of Justice to grant a periodical sitting of the Supreme Court at Gisborne. It was resolved that the meeting be called as requested far Monday, the 28th instant, at 7.30 p.m. Public Library.— One requesting that a meeting be called m order to establish a library under the "Publio Libraries' Act." Resolved, that the Mayor convene a meeting for August 9th. Mr J. Drummond, Borough Engineer, submitted the following report, and recommended payment of a sum of £123 for works furnished, and m progress, and also for day labor. Engineer's Report. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on works done during the past fortnight : — The contractor for the formation of thet portion of the Gladstone Road from Bright to Caernarvon streets has been completed, also the repairs to the breastwork at Read's Quay. Gravel from the Wairaata Island is being spread on the Gladstone Road, m accordance with the recommendation of the Council. The day laborers have been principally engaged m forming portions of the Palmerston Road, cleaning out drains, &c. The contract for cutting a drain from Nesbitt Road to Grey-street has been completed. The day laborers and prisoners are engaged forming portion of Childers Road, between Custom House and Lowe streets, and to complete the same, I have to request permission to employ a horse and dray about three days. Approaches to punt. — I have taken the levels of the approaches as are at present existing, and m conjunction with the Public Works Committee have deoided upon laying down fascines, and erecting a scrub breastwork, similar to that at present protecting the embankment, which, we are of opinion, will be adequate for the conveyance of any horse or dray traffio for some time to come. The total cost of which I estimate at about £30. John Drummond, Borough Engineer. | The report re punt was referaed to the Public Works Committee. Proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Adair, that a footpath be formed m Lowe-street. Carried. The application of Mr. Taylor to have a drain through his property opened was refused. .. , The Town Clerk was instructed to give notice. to the lessee of the ferry to pay the rent now overdue. Accounts for payment were passed subject to the Borough being m credit at the Bank. Notices of Motion. lie better quality of metal No. 42, by Councillor Walker, was withdrawn. No. 43, by His Worship the Mayor, to take into consideration the officers' salaries. He would move that the salary, of the Town Clerk be £200 per year, and that he be m attendance daily from 10 to 4 instead of tri-weekly ; that the Engineer reoeive .£250 per annum, and the Inspector of Weights and Measures, Fire, and Nuisances £50. The matter of salaries should be considered annually and formally voted, which had not as yet been done. When the. Borough was formed the work was light, and only sufficient to employ the Town Clerk three days m the week. The work had so increased that he has been engaged for six days, and it was only right to remunerate him for his attendance. To make the attendance compulsory throughout the week, he proposed to raise the salary by fifty pounds. It was perhaps inopportune to bring the matter forward, but as a great deal of extra work had lately been entailed upon him, it was i nothing but fair that the proposal should receive the favorable consideration of the Council. Mr. Faram would also enter upon his new duties as inspector of weights and measures, and he did not think that the sum of £50 was an excessive amount for him to receive. The work of the engineer had also been largely increased of late, and it remained for the Council to say whether the proposed extra remuneration would be granted. After a discussion, r the majority of the Councillors expressed themselves satisfied that at least the Town Clerk and Inspector should receive an addition to their salary, and on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Adair, it was granted m 'accordance with the resolution, but the question of the Engineers' salary was deferred for future consideration.