BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 18, 4 July 1885, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the above was held in the Council chambers on Thursday evening. Present his worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Councillors Townley, Lewis, Kenny, Joyce, Hepburn, and Stevenson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and the following correspondence read :—

Communications from Crs. Smith and Wilson asking for leave of absence, the former having been caller} away to Melbourne and the latter being unwell—■ Granted.

..From Mr; ’Morgan, schoolmaster, stating that, having bought a number of Oriental plane trees, he wished permission to plant them opposite the school and that the Council superintend the operation. On the motion of Cr. Lewis the request was acceeded to. From Mr Hottlden, the Turanganui Bridge contractor, stating that, as the delay in finishing the contract was no fault of his, but, on the contrary, he had done everything that was possible to forward the work,’ he would ask for further progress payment. Cr. Kenny moved that the contractors be paid X‘73>

The Chairman, referring to the Engineers report, said the contractor and engineer were not exactly in the same groove. He was not sure that the sum °f £75 would be of any very material help to the contractors. The Engineers contention was that the contractor had received all he was entitled to.

The /"75 having been agreed to, Cr. Lewis moved that another 10 per cent of the balance' money (£772) be paid. The Council would then retain 15 per cent in hand.

Cr. Joyce thought that they should adhere to the conditions of the contract. How would it be in the event of a flood carrying the bridge away or otherwise damaging it ? Cr. Townley thought they had better, so as to keep within the conditions, grant a lump sum of say X'2oo. The suggestion was agreed to subject to the“consent ofj the sureties.

Engineer’s Report. Tubanganvi Bzroax, —Rather slow progress has been made with the contract. The east abutment is not vet finished. The wet weather will cause considerable delay. With regard to the payments made on this contract I beg to point out that the total amount paid to the contractor (including a payment of £l5O authorised on the 18th inst. by the P.W.C.) is £2,362 10s, which exceeds 75 per cent, of the original contract money. It therefore appears to me that by the specifi- 1 cations I am precluded from any further progress payments. As howeve” I am informed that the contractors intend tonight to apply for a payment, I may mention that £lOO worth of work has been done above the value allowed in last certificate (May 19) and possibly the Council may think fit to pay the contractors 75 per cent, of this amount, that is £75. VZaikasab Drain Outlet.—The late heavy rains have undermined the outside pipe. I would recommend putting in a 12 foot length of 2 It. square box culvert in the place of the same length of pipes at the outfall. Cost probably £22. Something must be done here as there is danger of the drain being choked and injuring the road.

PALMxnsToN Road.—The drainage is bad at several points on this (road, but it would be better to do nothing until Sthe formation of the whole road is undertaken.

Gbet Stueet.—l observe that large quantities of rubbish are still shot in the street near the powder magazine.

Cr. Kenny thought that ths Waikanae drain was such a work of necessity that it should be undertaken at once—Agreed. The Cobden street drain question was passed over.

Referring to the question of shooting rubbish in Grey street, Cr. Kenny thought the police should be communicated with about the matter, asking them to deal with the question under the. new Police Offences Act. If the police could not look after such matters they were of no use at all, He did not see why the whole onus of putting a stop to such things should always fall on the Town Clerk, Cr. Joyce thought the Borough should deal with the question. It was resolved to write to Sergeant Bullen and ask him to institute proceedings against the offenders. A letter from Mr F. J. Piesse complaning about water settling in front of his dwelling was referred to the Engineer.

A circular from the Minister of Mines was read, asking the Council to forward any specimens of mineral or local product to Wellington with a view of sendiug them to the London Colonial Exhibi.ion to be held in 1886. Cr. Lewis stated that the Chamber of Commerce were taking steps in the matter.

Cr. Joyce'proposed that the Mineral oil companies should be asked to send in specimens"and samples. Extraordinary business. On the motion of Cr. Lewis it was agreed to call the attention of the police to the manner in which the bylaw re lights on vehicles was avoidedCr. Joyce called attention to the state of the yarus behind the Eldon Chambers. The horse-dung and dirt was very offensive.

Special Loan. Cr. the attention of the Council to the necessity which existed for at once taking steps for meeting the balance of the Special Loan which would become due in October of next year. He proposed that they raise another /’io.ooo payable in fifteen years; and then pay off the deficiency of the present loan, which would amout to some ZlfoOfo together with the overdraft, and then expend a sum in metalling Palmerston Road and Coif den street, and the balance to be spent on other roads most needing repair. He saw that the floating of the last loan together with all expenses had not cost more than £l 5OO, and as it would require considerable time to raisp another, he thought the Council should move at once. It was very necessary that something should be done at once. Cr. Kenny thought it would be better to give notice of motion, as it was desireable that all the Council should have an opportunity of being present. The Chairman thought that the matter should be dealt with by the Finance committee. Cr. Joyce thought that a public meeting should be called. It was finally resolved to take notice of motion on the subject. Accounts to ios were passed.