BOROUGH COUNCIL

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 6, 11 April 1885, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL

At the ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday night last there w r ere present His Worship the Mai or (in the chair), and Councillors Townley, Kenny, Joyce, Graham, Smith, and Hepburn. Amongst other correspondence was a letter from Mr. Craig, of the Loan and'Mercantile Co., asking the council to bear half the expense of asphalting the pathway in front of their premises in the Gladstone Road. Cr. Kenny moved that the request be granted.

Cr. Joyce was opposed to such a c >urse, and did not see why the Loan and Mercantile should be treated different to any other ratepayer. The ratepayers in the Roebuck Road had quite as much right to ask for such a thing as the Loan and Mercantile. He— His Worship thought that as there had been no seconder to the motion Cr. Joyce’s remarks were a waste of time. Cr. Joyce thought he had a perfect right to speak, according to the Byelaws.

Cr. Smith here rose and said he had much pleasure in seconding Cr. Kenny’s motion.

Cr. Joyce would now repeat what he said before, although His Worship had ruled him out of order.

His Worship here read section 7. Bylaw No. 1 :—“No motion or amendment shall be discussed or put to the vote of the meeting unless it be seconded.” Cr. Townley thought it would only be right, before committing themselves, to know what would be the cost. They had granted Air. Adair but £5 towards the pavement in front of his place, but he had been told it cost Cr. Graham objected to giving the required leave, as he thought it would originate a very bad precedent. If they granted this they would have Mr. Adair and others asking for compensation, and they could not grant this and then refuse others.

Cr. Joyce: I move as an amendment that “ The By-laws be adhered to.” His Worship: That would be a distinct negative.

Cr. Kenny here stated that he w’ould amend his motion to meet Cr. Townley’s view of first ascertaining the cost. Cr. Joyce said that would be construed into a sort of partial promise of concession. He was totally opposed to the request as it was unfair to the ratepayers.

The motion was then put, and Crs. Kenny, Smith and Townley voted for it, and Crs. Joyce, Graham, Hepburn and the Chairman against it. The Engineer’s Report contained, besides favorable comments re Turan-

ganui bridge, a complaint as to the dangerous condition of the Grey Street powder magazine on the Waikanae. It was proposed by Cr. Kenny and, seconded by Cr. Joyce that the owners® (Adair and Boylan) attention be calle™ to it, with a view to speedy repairs being made. The Inspector of Nuisance’s Report stated that he had disinfected all the fever closets with carbolic acid, and asked for a fresh supply. The following payments were passed : —Bruce, 15s ; Adams, £1 19s; Graham Pitt and Bennet, £1 12s ; Adair, £1 ss. The only tender for carting for the Borough for the next 12 months was that of Mr. McDavitt. Cr. Hepburn thought that though all the prices were somewhat higher than last year yet they were only reasonable and fair. The tender was accepted. His Worship here read a long circular which had been recommended to the Council by the Board of Health. Cr. Graham w’ished to know who composed the Board of Health ? and under what authority they acted. His Worship stated that Crs. Townlev and Lewis together with himself constituted that body. They had but to bring the matter before the Borough Council and the latter could deal with it. He did not wish to cause unnecessary alarm, but there were many cases of fever just now, no less than 14 in the district, whilst 2 deaths occured last night. He thought the subject claimed their serious attention, and they should take means to correct the evil. The night soil contractor had been directed to clear out all closets where there were fever patients every night. Cr. Joyce wished to know where all the slops from sick rooms were thrown. If this were not attended to the other means were futile. His Worship said that the contractor attended every night. Cr. Graham thought the circular might be more simply worded. He thought it advisable to print simple directions which could be understood by all, and pasted up behind the doors. Cr. Joyce thought the report more alarming than preventative. Carbolic acid was reputed to be a good disinfectant, and why not use it. It would not cost much, and be easily applied. He thought the report far too alarming. Cr. Kenny thought the report reflected the greatest credit upon the Board of Health. He had doubts as to the efficacy of carbolic acid. He moved that the suggestions in the report be carried out fully. His Worship said the remarks about the circular touched him upon a very tender point, as he had been used to write for the Press for a long time, and had always been told to use the simplest words. When dealing with such savory subjects as closets, and such like, it was most difficult to be plain. (Laughter)? The report was then adopted. Mr. Burch here stated that he had not been abfe to see his way to altering or even completing his last offer re the night soil depot- If he fenced in the

present place and made a garden of it, he had no doubt but what the Maoris, in their usual way, would immediately pop down upon him and say “ This is mine.” Captain Tucker said there was about 50 native owners. He did not see what he could do. Dr. Pollen was to have recommended some process whereby the sewage could be converted into a merchantable manure; something like that produced. (Mr. Burch handed round some tin boxes full of the manufactured material, stating that it was the “ best No. 1, genuine, sold for flowers at per ounce.” Laughter). At Napier the sewage was thrown in the sea. It being decided that circulars be printed and sent round to every householder, Cr. Joyce thought that tenders should be called for the printing of them. There would be a large number and it might save the public money,

Cr. Smith did not think there would be many wanted. After the first hundred or two the cost would not be much.

Cr. Joyce did not know that Cr. Smith was a printer. Cr. Townley could not see the harm of getting two prices. His Worship did not think Cr. Joyce had benefitted the public much as he had deprived them of the publicity of the matter.

Cr. Joyce (warmly): I beg your pardon, sir. All I do here is entirely in the interests of the public ; and that is more than all can say.

The clerk was instructed to see to it. Cr. Smith called the Board’s attention to the important question of a water supply for the Borough. His Worship said the committee had not been idle ; but it had been thought advisable not to disturb the public mind about the matter until the harbor loan had been settled.