BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8412, 11 January 1899, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met for tlie transaction of ordinary business last evening, when the following members were present : His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Townley), Crs Taylor, Johnston, Lewis, Kennedy, Joyce, Hepbnrn, and Harding. WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY. Mr R. D. B. Robinson, Hon. Secretary of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce wrote asking the Council to appoint Thursday as the day for observing the weekly half-holiday, that day having proved to be satisfactory in the past. The Mayor slated that the appointment of the half-holiday for the year had to be made that evening. | Cr Joyce moved that Thursday afternoon be the half-holiday for the year. He thought that it had been pleasing to the shopkeepers and was acceptable to town j and country people alike. Cr Lewis seconded the motion. Thursday was the most suitable, and had given general satisfaction. ] ' Cr Taylor supported the motion. Cr Hepburn said that when the election was about to take place some of the shopkeepers had approached him and told him that if he did not advertise his intention of adhering to Thursday as the half-holiday they would see he was not returned. He had replied to the effect that lie would see them hanged before he did so. He went on to point out that the candidates selected by the shopkeepers had been rejected, whilst those who had not declared themBelves had been elected, Cr Kennedy being placed at the top of the poll and lie himself being second on the list. Cr Joyce: I rise to a point of order. If a man does not declare himself that shows that he has no opinions of his own. I was absent from Gisborne at the time of the election, but I had previously declared myself, and I was at the top of the poll. Cr Taylor expressed his approval of Thursday afternoon for the half-holiday. The resolution was unanimously adopted. VISIT OF THE GOVERNOK. The Chairman stated that a telegram had been received from the Private Secretary to the Governor, stilting that His Excolleccy would arrive in Gisborne on Sunday, March 19th, and would remain until the following Tuesday, His Worship adding, "That is, Inm aiire, very satisfactory news for von." Cr Kennedy : He has given us sufficient notice. We shall have plenty of time to get the triumphal arches ready. Ct Taylor : It will give you plenty of time to get your hair curled. Cr Harding : That is just the day I have fixed to go to the Napier races. His Worship : But you are on the Reception Committee. Cr Harding: I cannot help that. I cannot forego my holiday. Hiß Worship : Well, let it be decided, that we shall keep the matter steadily in view. Cr Joyce (addressing the Mayor) : You talk about a Reception Committee. Has one been appoiuted ? The Mayor : Yes, the committee lias been selected. Cr Joyce : How can yon have things before things occur? (Laughter.) Cr Johnston : I propose that Cr Joyce's name be added to the committee. Cr Joyce : Ido not want to be appointed to this committee. lam not a member of any of the committees of the Council. It is, I suppose, a bit of derision to Cr Joyce. I was appointed to the Council under adverse circumstances, and I have con-, sequently been shut out from serving on this committee. The Mayor : I will correct Cr Joyce. It will perhaps surprise him to learn that this particular committee is composed of the whole of the members of the Council, so that he is a member of it. (Laughter.) Cr Joyce was proceeding to rep>y to the Mayor, when he was interrupted by Cr Taylor, which caused the former to remark, "You shut up until you know what you are talking about. I know what lam talking about, but possibly you do not." Continuing, Cr Joyce said : lam not a member of any committee of tin's Council. I was elected by a certain section of the community The Chairman, calling the speaker to order, stated that there was nothing before the meeting, and therefore he could not allow any further discussion. Cr Joyce: Alright, Your Worship; I will sit down if you rule me out of order. The next business was then proceeded with. A BREEZE. Mr R. L. Mestayer, ot Wellington, wrote informing the Council that lie had commenced practising in Wellington as a consulting hydraulic and sanitary engineer, and was prepared to undertake arbitrations, adjustment of claims or disputes, and to advise generally on all questions in connection with any branch of engineering or architectural work. He asked the patronago of the Council. — The communication was of a somewhat lengthy character, and the Chairman, after referring to the nature of the letter, laid it on the table. — Cr Joyce : Are you not going to read the letter, Your AVorship ? — The Chairman : Certainly, if you wish me to do so. — The letter was then road by the Chairman, who, at the dose, remarked : " I saw Dr Pollen when he was passing through, and he spoke in very high terms of Mr Alestayer, ami thought that any time we required such services he would bo a good man to employ." Cr Joyce : What does Dr Pollen know about it. This matter appears to me like a man appointed by the Harbor Bom d.— The Chairman at this stage again called Cr Joyce to order.— Cr Joyce was proceeding to make further reference to Dr Pollen when Cr Johnston remarked : I rise to a point of order. We cannot have the business of the meeting interrupted by Cr Joyce, who pomes here for the [impose of gassing. —Cr Joyce was continuing his reference to Dr Pollen when Cr Johnston interrupted, and said he would k\ivc tlie room if he was allowed to go on. A heated scene then occurred, m which language that was not Parliament.!!} was used, and the Ch.iii-man eventually icsloral order, and the next business Mas taken. TKSM'.KS. Three tenders Merc received fora supply of Patutahi stone for road metalling, \h.'-. W. Jones 11s lid per yard, .£-2 ST i'l).-, : P. McLoughliti 11s (id per yurd, £'257 10s; and T. O'Donnell 11s !)d per jm-d. After considerable discussion it, Ma's decided to accept the tender of W. Jones, preference being given to him on account <>f his having previously had se\eral contracts from the Council. OYLKMiAVY. The Chairman .stated that the overdraft to date was *10i0 10.-, which Mas the lowest amount of overdraft th.it they had had for a good many yeais. Ki:_Mi<sio.\- ok iu;nts. Mrs Susan Dore wrote askni" foe a remission of rates for a peiiod' of six months, her shop in Gladstone io.ul having been empty during that time.— The matter was referred to the Town Clerk t<> obtain mfoi'llMtiou .t" to th'J C.-.a • l!!Ih; tilt; ■: :1 ij l . had bcci! enmiv. ! i

LKAVB OK AnSENCK. The Town Clerk was granted leave of absence for a few days during the present month.