TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3336, 11 December 1883, Page 2

TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor and Crs. Bower, Proctor, Massey, Bush, Gibson, Hill, Sutter, Gabites, Jones, Allen, Delaney and Sherratt. CORRESPONDENCE. Outward correspondence was read and approved. Inward correspondence was read: — From the promoters of the Oamarn Opera Company’s Entertainment in aid of the Mechanics’ Institute on Friday next, asking the Council’s patronage thereat. It was decided to comply with the request. From Mr R. S. Watson, re reservoir contract, asking remission of penalties, in consideration of bad weather. The letter was received. From Dr Hacon, Christchurch, re formation of an ambnlance Association. No action was taken. From Mr Henry Ford asking leave to burn gorse in the old Show ground. Bequest declined, it not being in accordance with bye-law No. 6. From the Colonial Secretary acknowledging receipt of notification of mayoral election. From the Harbor Board stating that inoffensive rubbish might be deposited south of Paititi Point. From Mr Anuand, Clerk of Works, reporting that the pipe-head connection contract had been well carried out, to its completion, and that the pipe was now in working order. FOREMAN OF WOES’S REPORT. The Foreman of Works reported that he expected the King street works to be completed this week, and to finish the job properly he asked permission to get 170 yards of extra material. He had carefully taken the levels opposite Mr Hill’s store, and found that Mr Hill’s door-step was 5 inches below the footpath, and 15 inches below the crown of the road. He stated that Mr Hill wished him to leave the footpath 4 inches low to allow for asphalt, which he proposed having pat down. WATERWORKS AFFAIRS. It was resolved on the the motion of Cr Bush —“ That the question of fixing taps in the stand pipes for drinking purposes be referred to the Works Committee with power to Act.’’ The Inspector of Waterworks having reported that the race was in good condition. Cr Bower asked why the Reservoir keeper did not now send in bis report as he used formerly to do. He maintained that this ought to be insisted on. Cr Gibson said the Reservoir keeper would be better employed in cleaning out the reservoir than in writing out useless reports. It was to the Inspector that the officer ought to report. Cr Sutter said it was unnecessary to pursue the subject.

Cr Bower said it was evident Cr Sutter did not see the importance of the matter but if the Council chose to go on continually spending money, well and good. Cr Gibson—(soothingly) you needn’t alarm yourself. The subject then dropped. Cr Gibson moved, and Cr Sutter seconded, —“ That tenders be called for the extension of the culvert in Domain creek across the Town Belt, to join Mr Fitzgerald’s property ; the pipes to be placed in the Council yard ; the Works Committee to accept a tender.” Cr Bower objected to the motion. ! Crs Sutter and Gibson explained that it was necessary to continue the culvert instead of the 18in. pipes at present in use. The work was really needed. The culvert was four feet wide and would carry off storm water. Cr Bower considered the pipes sufficient. Why, the main sewers were only 18 inches in diameter, Cr Sutter —Yes, but they were never intended to carry storm-water. This is not sewage.

His Worship said a portion of the cost might be obtained from the Levels Road Board, if the Council chose to give notice to that effect. The motion was carried. REMISSION OF BATES. A deputation from Court Southern Cross, A.0.F., headed by Mr Werry (Secretary to the Court), waited upon the Council. The Secretary read a petition that the Council would remit the Borough rates payable by the Court, the Order being purely a benefit one, Mr Werry supplemented the petition by a few remarks, urging that the Order, doing a great deal for the relief of distress, lessened the expenditnre for charitable aid, and thereby saved the colony a good deal of expenditure. The Town Clerk pointed out the action of the petitioners was irregular. Petitions should be presented through a Councillor, not by deputations. He merely mentioned this for future guidance. The deputation having withdrawn,the petition was considered at a subsequent stage of the proceedings, when the following scene took place :

Or Hill remarked—l am a trustee of the Foresters, Your Worship, and therefore interested. 1 beg to leave the table.

Crs Gibson, Sherratt, Proctor, Delaney and Jones followed suit.

A Councillor then exclaimed—“ Why there’s no quorum ”! (Loud laughter), which increased when another Councillor reminded His Worship that he (the Mayor) was also a member of the Foresters’ Lodge. The Town Clerk read the clause of the Act, No. 115, relating to remission of rates, and as it did not appear that the Court Southern Cross could claim exemption on any of the grounds therein specified, the Council could take no action.

Cr Sutter said not only would the granting of the petition have been illegal, but it would have afforded precedent. After further discussion, (for there had proved to be a quorum left), the Council decided that as the petition conflicted with Section 115 of the Municipal Corporations Act,it could not be granted, and it was therefore ordered to lie on the table.

In connection with the whole subject of the remission of rates, Cr Sutter said ho should be prepared to move if the Mechanics’ Institute trustees asked for a similar concession—This Council will grant as a subsidy to tbo Mechanics’

Institute 20s for every 20s granted by the Levels Eoad Board for the same' purpose, to the extent of £25, provided that the sum so subsidised be spent in the purchase of new books for the Institute. ;

Cr Gibson said it was pretty safe putting into the resolution, the proviso relating to the Levels Road Board. The matter then dropped. BEOWN STEEET AGAIN.

Cr Jones asked why the storm water in Brown Street was not allowed to enter the sewer, but was left to flood the road all round. He had heard Councillors remark that the sewer was not wide enough, and ho thought some explanation was needed. The Mayor said it was simply because the sewer was not large enough.

Cr Jones said he should like that proved. It was the same size as the Bank street sewer, and that carried off storm-water. Anyway, he might be compelled, if that flooding went on, to bring an action against the Council for damage to his property.

Cr Bower said the old watercourse was made by the subsidy voted by the old Provincial Council. Cr Sutter added that the drain was formed at the instigation of the Provincial Superintendent who, on visiting Timaru in the first year of his (Cr Sutter’s) mayoralty, and being disgusted at the filth that lay about the Immigration Barracks and the neighboring brewery, promised a grant of £IOOO to make a drain. This was constructed for the brewery only. Cr Jones remarked that he had a little more to say on the subject. His Worship requested Cr Jones to give in a resolution, as there was none at present before him. Cr Jones —Yes, I’ll bring that on next night. I just want to say one or two words.

His Worship still pressed for a resolution, and Councillors exclaiming “Chair! Chair 1” Cr Jones sat down, rising immediately after, to say that the present state of Brown street was unsafe in time of heavy rain, and it ought to be remedied. Cr Bush said he could not see how anything could be done. Cr Gibson said he would like to add a little to the confusion. (Laughter.) He advocated lumping all grievances, and trotting them out at once, and hav ing them disposed of. (Laughter.) A Councillor handed up a resolution that the matter be referred to the Works Committee. Cr Delaney—Hav’nt I as good a right as anyone to be heard ? A trap at the corner of Cross street would do. If the resolution was put, it would go to the Works Committee. Well, Cr Bush was one of that Committee, (laughter) and he (the speaker) was not afraid to say that Cr Bush took no interest in the affair, and, in fact, didn’t know where the sewer was. No, he didn’t. (Laughter.) He recommended Councillors to come down with a lamp and try and find it. (Loud laughter.) Cr Bower—Or a divining rod. (Renewed laughter.) FILLING IN. Cr Hill moved and it was seconded “That the Foreman of works be instructed to have all the surplus earth from excavations in the south end of the town placed on the Market Reserve, so as to form the continuation of Brown street to its junction with King street.” In speaking to the motion, Cr Hill proposed that the spare earth from King street should be utilized to form the Market Reserve. His Worship at first objected to put the resolution, but Or Hill pressed it. Cr Gibson regarded it as a ridiculous motion. Cr Hill said this was all 'absurd obstructive nonsense. (Laughter.) The wording of the resolution was plain—it said “ surplus ” earth. On the resolution being put, Crs Hill, Allen, Delaney, Massey, and Proctor voted for it, and Crs Gibson, Sutter, Gabities, Jones, Sherratt and Bower against. It was therefore declared lost. Cr Massey moved and Cr Bush seconded—“ That if there is surplus mould from the George street south contract, that it be deposited in Russell Square, with a view of future improvements in the only reserve for recreation purposes in Timaru.” Carried. ASSISTANT TO INSPECTOR.

Cr Gibson moved the motion standing in his name :—“ That Barker’s contract for water connections having expired, applications be invited from those qualified, for the post of assistant to the Waterworks Inspector.” In speaking to the motion, he pointed out that a man used to the work and quite trustworthy,was absolutely wanted, and be was sure such a man would earn his wages, if only in keeping the connections and fire-plugs in order. Or Bush asked how much Barker, the present assistant, had been paid. Cr Gibson said about £44.

Cr Bush thought it was a very expensive scheme. He would advocate employing a practical mechanical man, if any. He did not think, however, that the Inspector needed assistance. Cr Proctor said he would like the Town Clerk to imform him whether the figures he was about to quote in connection with Barker’s services, were correct. He then quoted certain figures and contended that to obtain a suitable man would entail a very largo expense, and an unnecessary one. The sums he had mentioned showed that under the present system some £63 was paid in the year, in all. Cr Hill opposed the appointment, on the ground that the number of connections would decrease in the future. The motion was about to be put when Cr Gibson, said observing the feeling of the Council he would withdraw.it. The matter accordinglydropped. accounts. The following accounts were passed for payment:—General account, £3ll 4s lid ; maintenance account, £147 16s Id ; waterworks loan account, £44 4s 4d; special rate account, £266 13s 4d, DATE OK NEXT MEETING-• The Town Clerk said the annual meeting of the Council would take place on the 19th inet., when the annual statement would bo produced and the Mayor installed. At the close of the meeting Crs congratulated one another on having spent an enjoyable evening. Cr Gibson said he, for one, had had a good time, and that the “ Pirates of Penzance,” could not beat it. The meeting then terminated.