BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1191, 8 December 1880, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Present : His Worship the Mayor, Crs. Townley, Bennett, Clayton, Berryj Whinray, Tutchen, Brown, Ward, and ;Piesse: Waipaoa Gravel. — A letter was read from the County Council informing the Borough authorities that they, could not. grant thefrequest to remove the ; gravel from the bed of the Waipaoa. It w»3 resolved on the above grounds to annul the contract of Mr. A. Robb. Artesian Well. — A form of tender from Mr. G Humphrey's subject to conditions attached was put in. There was also a proposition from A. Ledger to bore a new well 300 ft. at £1 par foot. It was resolved that the Council could not entertain the proposal of Mr. A. j Ledger. j Cr. Townley proposed that the offer of Mr. Humphrey's stand over till next meeting. Cr. Whinray seconded. Cr. Piesse moved as an amendment, that fresh tenders be called for. He said it would be a great boon to the town, and that the citizens would liberally subscribe to the work. Cr. Brown was of the same opinion as ! Cr. Piesse that another effort should be made. It was a pity to see the mouey already spent thrown away. Cr. Bennett considered that it was very hard in calling ior fresh tenders, that the tenders had, been made known, and with regard to the citizens subscribing he disagreed with Cr. Piesse. If they canvassed the town they would not get a£s note. v Cr. Piesse withdrew his amendment, and subsequently moved it as a notice of motion. Tramway. — John G. Henderson complained of the manner the tram lines were laid down, and described an accident which he received in consequence of tripping over the lines. Cr. Whinray did not see how the Council were responsible. Mr. Henderson certainly met with a very bad accident. The tr.amway was provided with proper crossings and that was all they had to see to. If, however, they chose to give him a sum he would not object. ; Cr. Ward said the contractor was primarily responsible for the laying of tram. , : Cr. Bennett was of the same opinion as Cr. Ward. He would move that the Council regret they are unable to grant Mr. Henderson any compensation, as every precaution has been taken at the crossings of the tramway Seconded by Cr. Brown and carried. Kaiti Metal Contract. —Mr. . M. McLeod, onlr.sc'oi 1 , wrote asking whether reports which were circulated by some Councillors to tiie effect that the contract was to be terminated, were spread with the sanction of the Council. If the Council considered that to be the case, the contractor notified that he would proceed with obtaining the pitching instead of the gravel. With reference to the first part of the letter, His Worship said speaking officially he would say that such reports are not circulated with the knowledge and sanction of the Council. . ; Cr. Brown proposed, and . Cr. Berry seconded, that with reference to the first portion of Mr. McLeod's letter the Council is not aw : are, of any report in circulation as to discontinuance of the contract, and if such report is in existence it did not emanate : with the Council. With reference to the second part the Council decided that it had been disposed of by the resolution just passed. Wharf Tariff. — Captain Bennett asked for instructions in the case of Mr. C. D. Berry,- who refused to pay wharfage on the manganese and pig iron used as ballast for the Lochnagar. Mr. Berry's contention was that it could hot be considered as general merchandize, and were not liable to dues. (While the matter Was being discussed Mr. Berry retired from the Council board). * Cr. Townley said the Council had paid for the wharf, and they wanted all they could get from it. If it was customary to pay wharfage for Ordinary 1 ballast they could make no exemption in this case. Or. Dennett ; More especially a Councillor being concerned they should be stringent. Mr. Berry agreed to pay it, and resumed his seat. With reference to Mr. Adair's refusal to pay wharfage on wool imported, it was resolved that His Worship .the Mayor enquire into the matter, and if the charge was customary to insist oh payment. Shingle Roofs.— Mr. J. R. Morgan submitted for the decision of the Council the question as to whether the bye-law prevented him from shingling a cottage in Hams Street. ; Permission was given in accordance With a resolution to use shingles. Gisborne — Ormond Tramway. — His Worship moved, and Cr. Bennett seconded, "That a Committee, consisting of the whole Council, be appointed to meet +he Committe of the Cook County Council re tramway, and that such Committee shall consider and report upon the best -route of proposed line, also terms and conditions upon winch the Borough shall 'contract with the Cook County Council in the construction of the proposed line. Carried. Drain Pipes. — It was resolved that the Engineer be instr acted to prepare an estimate of the probable number of pipes immediately required for drainage. Tally Man. — Mr. J. D. A. Osborne was appointed tally man vice Mr. Jennings. Gazetting of Whakf. — His Worship explained the negotiations which had been entered into with the Government re the Wharf Boundary. Telegrams which had passed were read. In one, the Government stated that the wharf would be confined to the old cattle wharf with a small margin on either side. His Worship said that he was certain there was an act of injustice attempted. Cra. Bennett, Townley, and Fiesae spoke in strong • terms of indignation against the Government for the course pursued b}' them. It was resolved that the whole of the correspondence in the matter be collected and submitted- to the Government, and. that His Worship the Mayor be authorised to make strong representations to the authorities. Reports. — The Finance and Wharf Committee's reports were read and adopted. . Engineer's Report. Sir,— l have the honor t* forward the following report for yonr information and guidance : —

Contracts. Metal for Gladstone Road.— This work is being proceeded with, and during the past fortnight 133 truck loads have been delivered: I have instructed the person in charge to spread only to the depth of six inches and to a width of twenty feet, except in places where hollows occur ; which are to be filled up with an extra "depth of metal so as to preserve the gradient. This I consider preferable to employing a surface man, and will.allow the metal to be embedded in the solid. I have again to call the attention of the Council to the quality of the metal being delivered. In several instances tests have been made, and the result has been, three parts sand, and one of shingle. This has been partly explained by the contractor — that during high tides no other material is available. I have to , request your instructions as to the passing or rejection of such material. In certifying to the quantity delivered I do not certify to the quality being according to specification or contract. Road Formation.— These works are being proceeded with, and I have to request payment in accordance with the schedule attached. Works in Progress. Waikanae Ford. —Guide posts have been erected in accordance with your instructions, and the ford made passable. Ferry Approaclies. — The approaches to the ferry are being repaired with metal from the Kaiti beach. Municipal Endoioments. — I have laid a plan before the Government Field Inspector, who has requested further .tests to be made, prior to his going on the ground, and immediately on his being able to complete the work of fixing up the trig posts, a decision will be arrived at. In connection with this matter, Mr. Barnard -asks the assistance of Council to aid him in preserving the various points where properly fixed ; and also, for the supply of twenty pieces of tofcara for sole plates for the pipes, also the building in and cementing of the same. I would beg to recommend that a sum not exceeding £3 be voted for the above works. Repairs to Wharf. — In conjunction with Cr. Tu'chen, I have inspected the "lower wharf, and would beg to recommend that temporary repairs be made for dray traffic, to consist of re-planking to a width of 16x12 feet, by 49 feet long, to consist of heart of kauri (9x2) tarred and properly laid. The cost of this I estimate at about £13. Survey of Wharves. — A survey of the wharves has been made, and upon instructions being given, can be attached to the Deed of Conveyance. Application for Drainage. — I have taken the levels,* as requested by Mr. Williams. A ditch can be made outside the town boundary, from Mr. Williams' residence to the outlet drain in Greystreet, at a cost of £5. The benefit to the Council by the construction of the above work, would only be the discharge of surface water from the water-table of that portion of Derby-street, from Childers-street to the town boundary. Mr. Williams is, I understand, willing to pay one-half the cost. Day Labor. — I purpose carrying out the alterations on the Gladstone Road by day labor, but, if the Council deem it advisable, the same can be done by tender. Office Work. — The Drainage Map is being proceeded with, and, as soon as it completed, the Section Map will be put in hand. • Payments are requested in accordance with schedule attached. ' John Drummokd, Borough Engineer. The Council went into Committee to discuss the report, Cr. Townley in 'the Chair. With reference to the metalling of Gladstone- Roacl, Crs. Whinray, Piesse and Bennett were appointed a Committee to visit the work and inspect the metal as delivered. , Cr. Tutchen moved that Mr. McLeod be instructed to bring broken metal instead of shingle. The motion was put and lost. . . .On the motion of Cr. Whinray, it was resolved that as far as practicable the Council suspend the work of road formation until March, provided the consent of the contractors be obtained.' With regard to the survey pipes, it was resolved that the Council. do not grant the amount asked for, the work being a Government one. On the motion of Cr. Tutchen, it was resolved the wharf be .sheathed with kauri a length of 16 feet, with 9x2 planking. . . ■ . : •'•' ; 1 ... Accounts. — All accounts presented were passed for payment. Meetings. — His Worship the Mayor gave notice of motion that in future the meetings of the Council be weekly. He said that lately the work had so accumulated that it was impossible to get through the business in one sitting. The Council adjourned at 11. 30..