BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume i, Issue 29, 30 July 1885, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the. above Council was held in the chambers on Tuesday evening. Present: Councillors Graham (in the chair,) Lewis, Townley, Kenny, Joyce, Hepburn Wilson and Stevenson. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the following correspondence was dealt with Road Metal.

“ Your Council, as well as the ratepayers of this Borough and others have long been under great difficulty in procuring proper metal for the town streets and footpaths. Knowing the difficulty as

a ratepayer, and owing to a recent discovery on the Kaiti beach, I am now (as I can show by samples which I have with me this evening) fully prepared to supply the long needed metal to the Council of the Borough or County, or to others who may require the same at a very reasonable price. Trusting this important matter may be discussed this evening, — I am &c., J. McDeavitt.” Mr McDeavitt, who was present, exhibited a quantity of metal, which he said could be obtained in million of tons. A tramway could easily be laid along the flat to the place. There was also a small-quantity of stone, superior even to that produced, to be got close by. Cr Joyce said the question of road metal was undoubtedly a most important matter. It was very difficult to examine the stone by night, and he would propose that the Public Works Committee examine it by daylight and report to -the next Council meeting'. Cr Kenny thought the proposition a very good one, rnd if the place was not too far, the committee might inspect the locality where the stone came from. Cr Townley said as there was a quantity of the stone being placed on the bridge approaches it would receive a good test. The metal was of the same description as that put upon the Gladstone Road some years ago, and was strongly condemned. The Chairman said the question was a large one and should be well considered by the Public Works Committee who could report to the next meeting.—Carried. A Water Scheme. “ Gentlemen,—-It has been suggested to me that I should place myself in communication with you in reference to providing a water supply for the township of Gisborne. Should the Council deem it proper to g'o into the question, I should esteem it a favor if they would inform me (r) The amount of water they would require for daily use ; (2) The amount of reservoir accommodation that would be required ; (3) The amount the Borough Council would pay for a water supply and reservior as above, — I am &c., J. Weaver.” The Chairman said he had held a conversation with Mr Weaver upon this subject, and was enabled to state that the offer was a perfectly bona fide one. Mr Weaver had informed him that there was little doubt but what a good supply of water could be obtained for .£4,000 or Z"s>° oo ' R iS P' an was largely in vogue in America, and he had never known an instance where they had failed. He (the speaker) thought the matter should be considered in conjunction with the question of raising another loan.—Agreed to. Borough Advertising. An application to the Board from the P. B. Independent asking for a share of the public advertising, was next read. In answer to the Chairman the Clerk said there was no existing contract for advertising. Cr Joyce said that as there were two papers in the place it was only fair and reasonable that both should have a share of support. They had, in the past, had plenty of experience of what things came to when there was only one paper here, and the great expense to the ratepayers which it occasioned. He would propose that the Council call for tenders for Borough advertising up to next March.

Cr Wilson having seconded, Cr Joyce remarked that as there was no necessity for calling for tenders he would propose that enclosed applications be sent in. —Carried. Engineer’s Report. Turanganui Bridge—The earth work on both sides of the Bridge is filled in to the propfer height. On the east side the approach is not filled to the proper width (30 ft.). A considerable quantity of Kaiti stone of fair quality has been carted over the Bridge. None has as yet been broken. The contractor expects to finish before the next Council meeting. The approach from Read’s Quay would be much improved by continuing the sloping bank of Read’s Quay up to the abutment, and filling in the hole where the weighbridge house stood —Cost £2O. Taruheru Bridge—This bridge has been cleaned at an expense of £3 ss. Half of this ammount is due from the County Council, and they should be requested to pay it. Cobden Street (near the gate of Mr Tucker’s paddock)—The pipes here being inadequate to take the flood water during the heavy rains, and Mr Woon having offered to remove the earth so as to make an open crossing, I allowed this to be clone. The bottom of the crossing being soft, I have just put in some fascines and covered them with gravel. The crossing of Lowe Street at Masonic corner.—-This crossing though frequently gravelled, works into holes. The present would be a good opportunity for pitching it with Kaiti stuns if thought desirable? Turanganui Bridge. A letter from the Turanganui Bridge contractor, asking for further cash payments, was considered with the report. In answer to the Chairman the Clerk said that there was still £4BB In hand.

Cr Joyce thought that, taking all things into consideration, and the unlooked for delay, the application was only reasonable and should be granted. It was a serious thing for the contractor to have to keep on paying his men and not be able to get his money. Cr Kenny agreed with the request, and thought they might, without any risk to the ratepayers, grant a further progress payment of £"200. In answer to Cr Lewis, the Engineer said that no payments had been made on the extras. The Chairman asked Cr Joyce if he agreed to £’2BB, and to keep £2OO in hand.

Cr Joyce would agree to that, as it was no fault of the contractors if the bridge was a failure and anything happened to it, There had been great delay, but the contractor could not be blamed in the least. He would like to hear other Councillors’ opinions. Cr Stevenson thought the request a most reasonable one, which should be granted. Cr Lewis said that the present motion was exactly what he wished to have seen done at the last meeting. The circumstances were most exceptional, and no blame could be attached to the contractor. ! The motion was then, agreed to. Taruheru Bridge. It was resolved to apply to the County Council for half the amount expended on the Taruheru Bridge. Read’s Quay. Cr Joyce thought that as there was no immediate necessity for the work, and the funds being low, they might as well let the matter stand over for the present. The Chairman concurred in this opinion, as it would be better to leave the work until dry weather, when it would be much easier to get stone from the Kaiti.—Agreed. The Masonic Crossing. Cr Stevenson said that constant repair was being made at this crossing, and it had been a continuous expense to keep gravelling it. If they were to pitch it now it would last a long time, and they could get the stone from the Kaiti. He certainly thought it better to do it at once. Cr. Wilson could not see, in the present state of the Borough funds, how they would be justified in laying out the ratepayers money on such a work. When he wanted the same sort of thing he had to pay for it out of his own pocket. He would object to the ratepayers money being wasted on this. Cr. Lewis said the crossing was a most disgraceful one. Even in. the summer time the stagnant water settled there quite green. It was far cheaper to make a proper and lasting job of it at once. Cr. Joyce thought the matter might be allowed to stand over for the present, solely on account of the funds. The motion was then put and carried.