BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1349, 30 August 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above took place on Tuesday evening last in the Council Chambers. Present: His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), and Crs Lewis, Townley, Cnrisp, Tutchen, Whinray, Smith, Tucker, Brown, and Hepburn. Thu minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE. The outgoing correspondence was as follows : To Mr Adair, re notice ; to Captain Winter, re recreation ; to Capt Winter, re Fire Brigade ; to Mr Harris, re Cook street j to Mr Bamford, Napier ; to Mr F. J. Picsse, re election ; to Mr H. Cannon, poundkeeper; to Mr Davis, re ferryman. IN COMING CORKESI’ONDENDE. A letter was received from Mr C. Evans re Cook street bridge. It was resolved to inform Mr Evans that the street was not the property of the council. Cr Tucker wished to know whether the repairs were necessary for the public safety. He moved th it the Engineer repair the bridge complained of. The Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried. L« ter from S. Stevenson, re transference of section. —Granted. From Parnell and Boylan, re new fire-bell, stating that a larger anil better bell could be

furnished at Is 8d per lb, and the old one I taken in exchange at its cost value by weight. Or Lewis moved that a larger bell be obtained, say bOlbs heavier, and that the present one be exchanged, as per offer. Cr Chrisp seconded the motion for another bell about 3001bs, as the present one could not be heard at the other end of the town. Cr Tutchen said he should like to have the new bell tested before receiving it. Cr Tucker thought one large bell centrally situated would meet the requirements, if the church and school bells were used as accessories. The motion was carried. Letter from Mr Nolan, re leases of Borough Reserves ; from Mr O’Meara re facines, asking for them to improve section. The Engineer said they were of no use to the Council. ’They cost Is per bundle. Cr Tutchen moved and Cr Hepburn seconded, “That Mr O’Meara be informed that he was welcome to them at cost price.” Carried. Finance Committee.

A meeting of the above took place on the 14th instant, Present; Crs Tucker, in the chair, Brown, Tutchen, and Townley. The Treasurer having stated the Bank over-draft of the Borough fund account was now £Bl2 0s 7d, it was resolved to request the Harbor Board to pay £3OO further on account of the purchase of wharves. Cr |Chrisp moved, and Cr Townley seconded that the report be adopted.—Carried. Fire Brigade Committee. The following suggestions were made for the approval of th« Borough Council i — 1. —l’hat a Volunteer Fire Brigade be formed, consisting of not less t'ian twelve members, with a Superintendent, Deputy* Superintendent, Engineer, and Custodian 2. That the Superintendent and DeputySuperintendent be appointed by the Borough Council. 3. That applications be invited from persons who wish to become members of the Brigade, such applications to be sent into this Committee, who shall have power to select the names agreed upon. 4. — That the following rules be the rules adopted for the guidance of the Volunteer Brigade ;—

Duties of Members.— l. Upon the alarm or fire, members of the Brigade will repair with all speed to the engine-house. 2. To attend all practices or other meetings, and if unable to do so, to obtain leave from the Superintendent. Anyone failing for three consecutive roll calls will be considered no longer a member. The members of Hook and Ladder Company, being the pioneers of the brigade, should at all times endeavour to be first at the fires, and clear away anything that will prevent the free working of the engine or hose, prevent the fire extending, and any other necessary work. Superintendent (or in his absence the Deputy) und his duties.— l To have the sole command of the Brigade, and be responsible

to the Borough Council for the proper working and discipline thereof. 2. To report to the Council every quarter as to the condition of the engine and appliances. 3. To be present at all fires, and to report to the Council after each. Duties of Engineer.— l. To be under the i direction of the Superintendent; to take charge of the Engines and plant while in the station 2. To accompany the engine to the ’ scene of the fire, or practices, drive it, and ; be responsible for its being kept in proper working order, and in constant readiness for immediate use. Duties of Custodian.— l. To be on the premises between the hours of 8 o’clock in the evening and 7 o’clock in the morning, ' 2. Immediately, or as soon as possible, ’ after the discovery of any brigade or other * circumstances which may interfere with the i perfect working of the appliances, he shall report tlje same to the Superintendent. J Duties of Foreman.—\. To receive orders and instructions from the Superintendent, and see them properly carried out, 2. In ’ the absence of the Superintendent, - the Deputy Superintendent will take command. Duties of Hranchmen.—l. To assist in B taking the’engines to fires, and, on arrival, in laying the hose, and then hold the branch as directed.

Duties of Engine-Keep er.— l. To keep all the plant and premises in good order, 2. To act as assistant to the Engineer. The Brigade to be provided with a uniform consisting of serge jumper with red facing, serge trousers with red piping, French peak cap with red band, and blucher boots. Members leaving the Brigade shall return the unform to the Superintendent. s.—That the uniforms will cost about £69.

o.—The following appliances are necessary :—Two hooks and poles, three hand lamps, three American axes, and one dozen galvanized buckets. 7. —After a fire has been subdued, and it is considered necessary to employ meu to guard the wreck, the members of the Brigade have a preferential claim to be employed. 8. That the Council ask the captain of the Volunteer corps to request his men to attend fires to act as a salvage corps. 9. —The Brigade to bo provided with a belt and a Tomahawk and uniform, consisting of blucher boots and distinguishing badge. Cr Whinray moved the adoption of the report. He thought that great credit was due to the committee for the report. Cr Chrisp said he thought the men should have a belt and tomahawk. Cr Lewis agreed with this proposition, an 1 he thought each member of the brigade sho ild be provided with a red badge, so that it could be placed on the arm at any time. He would second the adoption of the report with the above additions.—Curried. Some discussion arose as to the advisabil tjTof providing helmets for tho men. Cr Chrisp said this mutter had been discu -xed by the committee. They hud dealt wi h jjhe matter according to the available am mnt of funds. Next year no doubt the<e would be provided. He would propose that Captain Winter be appointed Superintendent of the fire brigade. Mr Lewis seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Cr Brown moved, and Cr Lewis seconded, that Cr Townley be asked to take the positio i of Deputy-superintendent. Cr Townley said that as tho brigade was a vo unteer one, the men should be allowed to appoint their own officers. Under these cir he must decline the honor. It was agreed to let the matter stand over for the present. Cr Whinray moved that the committee invite applications for brigade men, to be sent in to the Town Clerk.—Agreed. i'he Clerk was asked to give a week’s no rice to this effect.

Engineer’s Report. In accordance with instructions, I have the ho mr to submit the following report re Grey street drain. I may state that so far as road or street drainage is concerned, no necessity exists for the present outlet, the purpose for which it was constructed being the conveying of the natural drainage from Cobden street, through sections Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 169, and 171, at Grey street. At its intersection with Grey street it was found the natural drainage trended from allotment No. 101, towards Grey street precluding the continuation of the outlet along the town boundary swamp, hence in the formation of Grey street the swamp, or low-lying ground was banked up,

and drainage carried along the preient outlet, Several modes were tested for carrying tho drainage from Grey street to the outlet through, what is called “ Tucker’s Drain,” but a glance at the sections will at once show the impractibility of any other course than that adopted. Should your Council decide as to the necessity of affording drainage outlet for the sections mentioned above* the only course I can recommend would be the placing of draid pipes from opposite section No, 171, to the bank near the Waikanae, a diateuce of about; 8 chains, and determining upon pipes 12 inches in diameter, which 1 consider would be quite ample, the cost of which I estimate at £lOO.

I have, Ao., J. Drummond, C. Grey-btreet Drain, Cr Tutchen said it would not do to put in p’.pes for thia drain as they would soon fill up. They must keep an open drain, Cr Tucker agreed with the fast speaker l * Cr Whinray said that as the road had been formed, he objected to breaking it up, He would propose that drain pipes be put in at once. Cr Tucker said the path had not yet been formed. Cr Whinray said he only meant the road and not the footpath, Cr Tucker asked what had the coat been to keep the drain in repair. The drain had been all sufficient up to thia time; why then should they go to the expense of £lOO when the present one was sufficient. Cr Whiuray said the drain, as it was at present, had been a constant source of ex pens© for a long time. Suppose an accident were to occur, then they would be mulcted for damages. Cr Smith said he could not see why the expense of £lOO should be Incurred when the present arrangement was found to answer all purposes. Cr Tucker said he should like to ask the Engineer if it will not be sufficient to put a wooden bridge across—opposite Mr Greenwood’s bouse. The Engineer said this would, no doubt do» He did not think the pipes would fill up as the water ran clear, Cr Brown thought that if one house had a bridge opposite it, all ahoubl have the same. Cr Tu ker said there wa% only one house* viz , Mr Greenwood’s, no other one. Cr Whinray said there was Mr and he could not go on to other peopled section to get to his own. The open drain was a source of danger and expense, and he thought it was a necessary work for thii Borough. Cr Townley said he would move the adjournment of the question, and that the Engineer thoroughly inspect tho drain and report thereon. Cr Whinray seconded this motion. Carried, Public Works Committee.

Cr Smith said that tho Public Works Committee had thought, it necessary to make the arrangement. As Mr Graham had pressed an immediate answer, tnOy were compelled to take immediate action with respect to the matter. In the hurry the Engineer had made a similar arrangement with Mr Doleman, and the work was going on satisfactory. Cr Chrisp moved the adoption of the report.—Carried. Tank for Engine Shed. Cr Smith said that tenders had been called for a tans, and Mr Wade being the lowest, £5 10s, it was accepted. Payments. Parnell and Boylan’s account, rs pipes. Cr Tutchen prop »sed that the account be referred to the Engineer to be certified to. K. Wilkinson, £lO 16 ; Parnell and Boylan, rt Hall, £4. Mr Tutchen was asked to explain this latter account.

His Worship said he hoped that some stand should be taken with respect to calling these meetings. Ho was entirely at the mercy of those who signed the requisition. Cr Lewis said he must strongly object to the account being paid. He thought it shameful that the ratepayers should be asked to pay for advertising and hulls, for anv party who wished to call a meeting for their own purposes. Those who got up the meeting should pay for it. He moved that the account bo referred to Mr Nolan. He Objected to the ratepayers having to pay for it. Cr Chrisp said the account ought to be referred to Mr Nolan, who had got up the meeting. Hie Worship said the account had no business to be paid by the Council It ought to be paid by the promoters. Though he had been assured in tho case of Rees’s meeting that it would have been paid by the promoters yot some of the accounts came before the Council.

Cr Tucker said he did not see why the Council should not pay as the Mayor had called the meeting. It appeared to him that if a number of ratepavors signed a requisition, and the Mayor c died a meeting, that the Council should pay for it, Cr Townley said he must disagree with the last speaker. He did not think the meeting could bo called a public one. Mr Tutchen came to him and asked him to sign the requisition. He asked Mr Tutchen what the Bill was about and Mr Tutchen said he did not know, for he had never even read it. He (the speaker) then read a copy of it with Mr Tutchen, and it was pronounced a very good bill. Though he had signed the requisition he never intended to speak against the Bill, as he thought it a very good one. Mr Tutchen had assured him that speakers had been provided, and that Mi Brown would address the meeting. He never even attended it. He moved, “That for the future the Mayor ascertain whether the question is of sufficient public importance before calling a meeting.” Cr Smith said that a certain gentleman came to him und asked him t » sign the requisition. Beyond this he knew nothing. Though he went to the meeting he had not the slightest intention of speaking. He had no nution of making a foul of himself for others amusement. He had been assured that speakers hud been provided. Cr Tutchen said he hud been called into an, office and a letter read to him from 8»r George Whitmore and Mr Allan Mac Donald to Mr Nolan. He was asked to sign the requisition und then to cull on cert tin part ies and try to obtain their signatures. Hu knew nothing about the Bill, “ I only done as 1 was told, like any other boy.” Cr Tucker said that wlv n he spoke before he thought the Mayor had no option but to c*ll a meeting under the circumstances, but he had just looked into the Act and found it was not so. He moved, and Cr Tutchen seconded, that the account be not paid.—Carried. Cr Brown said his name had been used by Mr Tutchen but he never hud the slightest inten ion of speaking. He had gone home to bed. Town Clerk’s salary, £l6 13s 4d ; engineer’s salary, £l6 13s 4d ; assistant clerk, £5 ; inspector of nuisances, £8 6s 8d ; lamplighter, £6 2s ; engineer (extra), £5. Cr Smith proposed, und Ur Whinray seconded, that the account be paid, Cr Tucker moved that the account stand over, und that a committee go into the matter, and see if the Council be liab o for this amount. Cr Chrisp seconded this. Carried.

Cr Smith objected to this, as it was only questioning the uprightness of the engineer, He had since heara words about the engineer, but he could not cast a slur on his word. The amount was small, and he hoped It would be paid. Petty cash, £3 ( custodian, £-2; engine (fire), £1 ; E. F. Featon. £3; metal contract} £lll 10s 6d. Footpaths. Oh the question of crossing the footpaths, t Cr Whinray said that everyone haa their Remedy, as anyone cpuld have a crossing by making an application to the Council. Cr Townley eaid people must have access to their piemisses, If thoy damaged the paths they must repair them again. Cr Whinray said it would be best to notify the public that they will be held responsible for repairs. Mr Drummond was instructed to inform persons that they must repair the paths when injured, TKNDSIrS, The following tender was opened— M’Devitt, for metalling a portion of the Aberdeen Road. £525 13s. Gr Townley wished to know from the ; engineer whether this was a fair price per hhaibi The engineer said it was not much out of the way. Cr Smith said they must be guided by the f engineer's opinion, ' The engineer said he wished the metal measured in heaps, as he could then be accurate. Cr Whinray said he hoped that this plan would be adopted. Cr Hepburn wished to know whether the metal could not be stacked along the centre of |he road and there giiaged. Cr Townley said the work was most neces- , sary. He would move that the tender be accepted. The price was a good one, and he hoped that the work would be done well. Cr Chrisp Seconded the motion.—Carried. It was decided that the contractor stack the metal in heaps, so that the engineer could measure it and certify as to the quantity. Childers Road. Cr Chrisp moved that the consideration of shingling Childers Road be deferred for the present, as there was no beach shingle. it Cr Whinray said the metal would be found | when the contract was made. " Cr Townley said he thought they should use the balance of the Ormond metal for this road. Cr Tutchen said there was £350 set apart for this road, and he thought it should be gone on with. Cr. Townley said he would propose that the surplus Ormond metal be used for the Childers Road as far as it would go. Cr Tutchen seconded the motion.—Carried. Cr Lewis wished to know what would be done for filling up the centre of the road when the tram was taken up. The Engineer said it would not take much for that. Cr Townley said the contractor had not to take any tram up, it would remain. Disraeli Street. t Cr Whinray moved that tenders be called for shingling the above street. Cr. Tutchen seconded the motion, which was carried. Water Supply. His Worship taid that he had seen Wi Pers, who wished to lease the Wiena Block to the Council for a water supply. He would ilaae it for 99 years. If the Council did not take it some one else would. Cr Smith said it was a most vital question for the Council. He moved that Crs Townley, Chrisp, and Tucker ascertain the exact position of the block. The matter must be gone on with. Cr Whinray seconded the motion, He thought they should make all enquiries. Cr Chrisp wished to nay that he should not be long in the Council, and would like to name Crs Tucker, Townley, and the Mayor,— Carried. ’ Cr Tucker said that he believed the land belonged to Government. • TJbr continuation, see Page