BROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1060, 31 March 1880, Page 2

BROUGH COUNCIL.

Present : His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Adair, Morgan, Clayton, Whinray, Townley, Piesse, and Ward. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. Outgoing Correspondence. To the Minister of Lands, re balance of Borough endownment of land, and to Mr. McDonald, M.H.R., on same subject. Incoming Correspondence. From Chairman of Royal Commission or local industries asking for information as to the existing industries or manufactures and suggestions for establishing or promoting existing industries. His Worship thought it better that Councillors should offer their individual opinions rather than a special committee to consider the subject should be appointed: A letter from Mr. Berry re abandment of his contract for Waimata gravel and giving reasons for same. The consideration of this was deferred until the [Engineer's report on the question had been received. From Mr. W. F. Crawford re removal of fence. The Engineer reported that that the obstruction had been removed and fence re-erected. Iron Chimnies. Be petition presented at the last meeting for repeal of bye-law No. 14, Cr. Whinray, in support of the petition, referred especially to subsections 3, 4, and 5, and asked the Council to consider | whether the whole or part of bye-law No. 14 should not be rescinded ; and said further that a deputation of ratepayers were present to support the prayer of the petition. His Worship, having referred to the former action of the Council in the matter, urged that what was then done was in the interests of the ratepayers, and for the protection of the town. Mr. Sigley, in support of the petition, said that whilst agreeing to a certain extent to the conditions of the bye-law, i thought it went rather too far. The ] petition had been got up owing to the action of the Council in compelling the removal of iron chimnies, and that a modification of the bye-law was necessary. He considered that irou chimnies should not be absolutely compelled to roof with iron. Cr. Whinray thought that the byelaw should only be put in force where an iron chimney, or indeed any chimney was know to be dangerous. His Worship did not consider the action of the Council by any means arbitrary. The bye-law had been thought necessary because a certain class of chimnies was considered dangerous. The bj e-law, although in existence, was not enforced, except when considered necessary by the Fire Inspector. Mr. Lewis, whilst stating that the question of the iron chimnies was one that did not personally affect him, thought it arbitrary that a law should have been passed which was retrospective in its action, and that where iron chimnies were not dangerous they should be allowed to remain. As regarded iron roofs he considered it necessary that the law should be enforced. Mr. Hill said that ho had been ordered to remove his iron chimney, although it was bricked inside and perfectly safe, and thought it hard that he should be expected to build a brick cnimney upon property when the lease would expire in about 2\ years. After some further remarks from Mr. Sigley and Mr. Rosie, His Worship thought it only right that the Council should deliberate upon questions referred to them by the burgesses, and having explained the steps which would have to be taken for a repeal or amendment of the bye-law, proposed that the i operation of subsections 2 and 3 of byelaw No. 14 be suspended until the Council is of opinion that danger from fire is likely to arise to necessitate the resuscitating of the subsections referred to, excepting within the boundaries mentioned in subsection 1 of bye-law No. 14. Soconded by Or. Morgan. After some remarks by Crs. Townley, Clayton, and Whinray, and Mr. Maberly had expressed the hardship which would be entailed upon persons if compelled to use iron roofing in outlying and isolated portions of the town, the motion was put and carried unanimously. TheJ deputation having thanked the Council then withdrew. Mr. Sigley having referred to the expense he had been put to in defendins the action re iron chimnies, was informed that a written application should be sent in, which would be considered at the Council's [next meeting. Engineers Report. Formhuj Streets. — In accordance with instructions, I have the honor to report that I have inspected Palmerston, Lylton, and Childers Roads, with a view to temporarily form portions bf the same so as to relieve the Gladstone Road of ordinary traffic during the ensuing winter. Commencing on the town boundary, and following Lylton and Childers Road, two culverts would bo required to be constructed and about one mile of roadway formed so as to join in with the made portion at Peel-street, the cost of which I estimate at about £130 ; or commencing on Lylton Road and following Aberdeen and Palmeraton Roads to Cameron-street and passing the same to Gladstone Road, I estimate the cost at about £100. I may state both the Childers and Aberdeen Roads equally require some necessary expenditure for repairs to make them passable during the winter months. Ferry Punt. — I have had the ferry punt inspected, and a report that recaulking is not thought necessary, but that a small leakage occurs owing to one of the bottom planks being damaged, and which can be repaired at a trifling cost. I would recommend that the necessary repairs be made and the pump be placed on the other side, and punt placed in the same position as originally intended. Waimata G-ravel Contract. — Owing to the freshes in the river, no further delivery of gravel has been made. A letter will be laid before you from the contractor in reference to the carrying out or abandonment of the balance of the contract. About 1500 yards out of 2000 yards contracted for have been delivered. Gravelling Footpaths. — Twenty - one chains of these have been completed. Day Labor. — The day laborers have been employed cleaning out the

side and outlet drains, rounding Glad- ] atone Road. Extra labor has been engaged in assisting to let tlie surplus water off from the Gladstone and Childera Road. — I am &c, John Dbummond, Town Surveyor. The question of expenditure on Lylton j and other roads was after discussion ', deferred until the next meeting of the , Council. The alterations suggested by the , Engineer were agreed to. Upon the suggestion of Cr. Clayton, ■ it was agreed that the ferryman be written to informing him that as soon as the punt is placed in position he would have to take charge of her. \ The Engineer reported that it would j appear that the gravel at the island had , been shifted into the river. What there ' { was, if it could be got at, could not be , accepted for metalling purposes. ' Cr. Ward proposed, and Cr. Townley seconded, that Mr. C. .D. Berry's contract be terminated. Carried. ( The following accounts were then , passed :— Day Labor, £19 lie 6d J Cartage, £11 12s ;J. Williams, £21; '. C. D. Berry, £79 ; Town Clerk, £16 : 13s 4d ; Town Engineer, £16 13s 4d ; , Inspector of . Nuisances, £4 3s 4d ; Wages, £10 16s ; Sundries, £3 2s. Councillor Clayton asked if applications for labor had been made by married men to the Engineer. The Mayor explained that when married men had applied to him, he had asked the Engi»eer to give them a few day's work. It was proposed by Councillor Adairj and seconded by Councillor Whinray, that the Finance Committee should consist of His Worship the Mayor ex efficio, Councillors Townley, Morgan, Clayton, Whinray, and Bennett, to meet on Tuesday nex t. Carried.