BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1122, 15 September 1880, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. Present : His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Townley, Tutchen, Bennett, Piesse and Ward. The lately elected Coun cilh.rs, Clayton, Berry, and Whinray, were introduced by Cr. Townley, and after making the required declaration, assumed their seats. Correspondence. — The principal matters comprised in the outgoing correspondence were a telegram from His Worship the Mayor to Mr A. McDonald, M.H.R., re the unemployed ; the acceptance of the tender of the Poverty Bay Printing Company for the Council's printing for 12 montlus, an agreement to lease the present offices of the Council from Mr. W. Adair, at a rental of £35 per annum, provided the Council had the exclusive use of the lobby aud staircase ; and a notification to Mr. M. McLeod that the Council would accept as much metal as he could supply during the term of his contract, nt the contract | price of 4s 6d per yard, tlie metal to be j delivered where the Engineer directs. The incmiing correspondence consisted of a reply from Mr. McLeod, accepting the offer of the Council, and stating that as an earnest of the fulfilment of the agreement he was getting an additional number of trucks. A letter from Mrs. A. M. Browne, requesting a share of the patronage of the Council for stationery ; and replies from various Town Councils to the effect that they could not supply the desired rules with reference to Recreation Reserves. Application. — The application of Mr. T. J. Dickson to open up the road in order to lay a drain from the cellar of the Argyll Hotel was granted, subject to the supervision of tlie Engineer. Engineer's Report. Sir, — I have the honor to forward the usual fortnightly report : — Contracts. Metal. — About 130 cubic yards have been delivered and spread. Four trucks are at work, and the contractor pro-.: mises to push on the delivery by employing additional conveyances, and with fine weather, hopes to be in a position to supply about 60 cubic yards per day. Gravelling. Footpaths. —In accordance with motion, passed on the Ist, Mr. Williams was communicated with. He agreed to abide by his tender sent in to the Council, and has together with his sureties signed the necessary papers and commenced work. About 10 chains on the north side of Gladstone Road, between Disraeli Street and Roebuck Road has been covered, and the work is progressing satisfactorily. Day Labor. The work of formation on the Gladstone Road is nearly completed ; three of the drays have been dispensed with, and three more will be struck off after to-day. The remainder of the work, such as trimming and spreading will be completed by hand labor. Forty Foot Road. Two men have been employed forming this road and footpaths, and the completion of the works authorised in this locality will occupy about two more days. Outlet Drains. Two men have been engaged during the past fortnight in widening and deepening Tucker's drain, and have completed seventeen chains. I purpose continuing this work along Disraeli Street to Gladstone Road. Works Asked Fok. The specifications asked for at the last special meeting are in hand, but not yet completed, but will be ready for inspection by Friday night. I experience some difficulty in making out these specifications, and wish to be informed if the Council desire separate specifications and tenders for each item, such as formation, metalling, and kerbing, and if the formation is to include the formation and shingling of the footpaths, and whether these two items are to bo included in one specification. Also, whether the works are to be undertaken according to the motion as entered in the Minute Book. Payments. I would beg to recommend payments as nnder : — M. McLeod 74 trucks containing 133 1-5 cubic yards at 4s 6d ... £29 12 5 Deduct 2s per cent. ... 714 7 £22 4 7 John Drummond, Borough Engineer. Proposed Works. — A discussion ensued. Cr. Townley understood that tenders for the formation of road and footpath to be distinct, from the metalling. Cr. Clayton said that was his impression, tho object being to give working men a chance to compete for the work. It was proposed by Cr. Bennett, and seconded by Cr. Tutchen — " That separate tenders be called for the formation of Palmerston, Roebuck, Aberdeen, Lytton, Grey, Childers, Lowe, and Stanley Roads, and footpaths, as set forth in tho previous motion of the Council." The motion was carried — More Metal. — Cr. Whinray said he would like to see some further means devised to get a supply of nfetal. The Council required a quantity of it — more than the present contractor could deliver at the present rate in 5 years. If, as had been stated, that the contractor intended to run a branch line of the tram up the Palmerston Road, and deposit metal . there, Gladstone Road, where it was most wanted, would suffer. Councillors when discussing the matter, admitted that a large supply was required, and suggested that the best plan would.

be to call tenders for the supply of- a quantity in addition to Mr. McLeod's contract. It was proposed- by Cr. Bennett, seconded by Cr. Whinray, and carried — " That tenders be called for a snpmy of metal, quantity from 5 to 20,000 yards, to bo deposited -where the Council directs. Assistant Draughtsman. — Or. Piesse said that tho compilation of drainage and level maps was a matter of necessity under section 19(3 of the Muncipal Corporations Act. If not done tho Council would be infringing the Act. He would move— ''That the extra assistance required by the Engineer for the compilation of maps and plans be sanctioned, the cost not to exceed £50." Cr. Ward seconded. Cr. Towuley said that as the maps were not actually required for the works in hand he would move aa an amendment — "That the compilation of the maps and plans be put off to a future date." Seconded by Or. Bennett. On a division for the amendment there were Crs. Towuley, Bennett, and Clayton ; against, the remainder of the Council. The original motion was then put and carried. Committees. — The Public Works Committee as reconstituted consists of Crs. Clayton, Brown, Tutchen and His Worship the Mayor- Or. Tutchen's name was added to the Endowment Committee. Expired Contract. — The Town Clerk •informed the Council of the expiry of the night soil contract, and fresh tenders were ordered to be called for. Cemetery. — His Worship the Mayor, as a member of the Cemetery Trustees, applied for a grant of £30, which sum would supplement a similar amount given by the County for the purpose of laying off the grounds. The trustees found it impossible from the scanty fees received to do anything like what was required. Cr. Tutchen moved that the sum of £30 be granted to the Cemetery Trustees. — Or. Piease : You will have to j pay it out of your own pocket. — Cr. Tutchen : I don't care. — (Jr. Townley said the Council ought cheerfully to contribute something. He wonld second Cr. Tutcheu's motion. The motion was put and carried. Recreation Ground. — An additional sum of £5 to the £15 already voted was graut'ed for the purpose of completing improvements and tree planting on the Recreation Ground. Supply of Totara. — It was proposed by Cr.. Whinray, seconded by Cr. Bennett and carried — "That tenders be called for a) supply of 30,0u0 feet of totara, in suitable sizes, to be determined by the Engineer." Proclamation op the Waikanae Streets. — In pursuance of a notice of motion, His Worship the Mayjr moved — v That a special meetiug of the Council be held at 6 p.m. of the 28th instant, for the purpose of declaring the Waikanae streets public streets under the Public Works Act." Seconded by Cr Pi esse, and carried. Amaluamation of Offices. — It was moved by Cr. Bennett, seconded by Cr. Tutchen — " That the whole of the inferior offices in connection with the Council be amalgamated, and that applications be invited for the appointment, salary to be £100 per annum, the Council to have the whole of the fees accruing, aud the hist claim on the services of the person appointed." The offices to be combined are the Fire and Nuisance Inspector, Dog Tax Collector, Town Ranger, and Inspector of Weights and Measures. Foreshore and Adair's Wharf. — A long discussion arose, on the motion of Cr. Piesse for the consideration of this question. Ultimately it was proposed by Cr. Towuley — "That a special Committee, consisting of His Worship the Mayor, Crs - Bennett, Piesse, Ward, and the mover, be appointed to consider the subject, aud to confer with Mr. Adair on that night week — the Committee to bring up a report at next Council meeting." Hunurakiuji to Mayor. — At the instance of Or. Bennett, who said that there was no hurry in bringing the matter on for another two months, the notice of motion standing in his name was allowed to be hold over. The purport of the motion is that tlie next elected Mayor receive an honorarium of £50 per annum. Notice of Motion. — His Worship the Mayor to move at next meeting — " That the Council consider the advisability of increasing the salary of the Engineer. The Council rose at 11 p.m.