Timaru Borough Council.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6268, 15 July 1890, Page 2

Timaru Borough Council.

The ordinary meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held last evening. Present—The Mayor (Mr Ross), and Councillors Sherratt, Bennett, Owers, Grandi, Delaney, Foley, Hill, Smithson, and Crawford. The town clerk (Mr Lough), the foreman of works (Mr Dale), and the waterworks inspector (Mr Beswick) were in attendance. SYMPATHY. The Mayor ere commencing the business said he was sure all would deeply sympathise with Councillor Crawford at the loss he had sustained by the death of his wife. The late Mrs Crawford had been long connected with Timaru, and the Mayor referred in feeling terms to the loss their fellow councillor had sustained by her decease. Councillors Sherratt and Grandi briefly endorsed what the Mayor had said, and on the motion of the latter gentleman a resolution of sympathy was directed to bo recorded on the council’s books, deceived with thanks. Letters were received from the Treasury stating that the sums of £lB7 lOs for the year 1888-89, and £149 9s 9d for 1889-90, making in all £336 19s 9d, had been paid in to the credit of the council, being subsidy, due under the Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act. His Worship said this announcement must be very gratifying to councillors, the more so as the subsidy was not expected. It gave the council’s treasurer much satisfaction to acknowledge receipt of it. >’ CAB STAND. Messrs Watson, Ennis, McPhail, and Cameron, cab proprietors, asked permission to be allowed to stand their cabs on one side of the street, as it was not safe to stand them in the middle of the street. Last week, for instance, a couple of traps ran into the cabs, and this danger would bo averted, or at least much minimised, if the cabs stood at the side of the street. After a short discussion the mayor was empowered to enquire into the whole matter and report. PBOPEBTIE3. The council gave consent to a mortgage affecting one of their sections, and declined to remit certain rates asked for by a female ratepayer. DEWEB’S LICENSE. On the motion of Councillor Sherratt Mr F. Harrison was granted a driver’s license. A DANGBBODS PLACE. Messrs Styles, Harris, O’Bryan, Mcßride, Kimber, Mahon, and Cabot, ratepayers, asked the council to have the two crossings from the Town Belt into Buchanan’s Paddock made good by putting in a pipe or wood culvert and filling up, for the crossings were dangerous for traffic as they were at present. Councillor Delaney pointed out that in case of an accident at the crossings the Levels Road Board were not liable. It was the Council parties would look to pay any penalty. Formation and other work, not at all costly, were all that was required. It was decided to report on the matter to the Levels Road Board and ask them to pay half cost, the overseer to give the estimate ; that upon agreement, the council would consider the whole matter and, If found satisfactory, act.

INTEBYIEW. Mr W. Collins had an interview with the council with respect to the price he paid for the water at his woolworks, Saltwater Creek, Tho agreement with him was 2d per thousand gallons for any quantity under six million gallons per annum, and 4d per thousand gallons over the six million used. He now found that he had not exceeded the maximum allowance, and his request was that as' he had paid £lO5 for the year, allowing him to use twelve million gallons, and had used but ten million gallons, he be allowed to use the odd two million gallons before being called on for the payment of half-year’s rate. It was on account of the works being closed, for a short time, which prevented him using tho maximum quantity. , On the suggestion of the mayor consideration of the matter was held over till next meeting, tho inspector in the meantime to ascertain the quantities of water used. THE DOMAIN. Mr Cross, the domain ranger, reported on routine matters at the park, and at the sug gestion of Councillor Crawford was authorised to put down some shingle at one of tho entrance gates. BUILDING APPLICATIONS. Mr George Watts’ application to build a stable, held over from last meeting, was then considered. The inspector would not pass it because the walls were of wood and iron instead of brick, and Councillors Smithson and Crawford thought tho building of such a place in the main road was rather dangerous. Councillor Crawford thought if they allowed this application there would be no end to similar applications. On the motion of Councillor Smithson, seconded by Councillor Owers, it was agreed, that the application be granted “provided the consent of adjoining owners is given in writing." It was further agreed to allow Mr D. West to complete a two-storied brick building, now in course of erection, without a parapet. Tho adjacent buildings were of wood with iron roofs in the shape of lean to, and about 6 or 7 feet high. Mr West added : —“I should not have thought of such a thing as insulting the intelligence of the council by making such an application, but I was induced to do bo in order that no blatre should attach to your officer for neglect of duty.” YVOEKS' EEPORT. The foreman reported on the street work done by his men, and that owing to the rain he had twice to, re-open the Bank Gully Sewer. A certain amount of shingling had been done on footpaths, and the horses and men had been fully employed. In reply to Councillor Delaney the foreman said that ho had put no fixed sum in the “ pay sheet” for men and horses. Councillor Delaney shortly referred to the shingling, and drainage cropping up when speaking of the Bank gully sewer, the Mayor said that it was no use discussing drainage unless a comprehensive scheme was before the council. An idea he had was to lead drains along the foreshore to one grand outlet eo that’ 1 the whole could be

flushed out at once. But this question they had not yet before them. In the meantime i the gully newer must be kept open to take away the drainage from Stafford street. waterworks. Seven residents in Buchanan street asked to be given a water supply. The cost of connection the town clerk said, would be £3 14s and as the applications were in proper order, the ccuno l agreed that the work should be done. The inspector reported that he had been along the race and taken it over from the contractors in very fair working order. The Mayor had agreed to keep one man on the race until the new contract was entered on, and Mr Bradding was doing duty. The work of repairing the race was progressing satisfactorily. On the motion of Councillor Crawford, seconded by Councillor Smithson, the town clerk was instructed to call for tenders for maintenance of the water race for three years, from Ist August, 1890, tenders to bo in by next meeting. Mr W. Worry applied for a domestic water supply for section 52, Barnard street.—lt was resolved to charge him £L Is per annum. TENSERS. Councillor Bennett moved, and Councillor Sherratt seconded—“ That tenders for cutting down Sophia street to its proper levels according to plans and specifications be called for, to be in by July 28th. 1 ’ Councillors Sherratt, Bennett, Owers, Grand! and Foley, voted for the work, and Councillors Delaney, Hill, and Smithson, against it. In reply to a remark that tenders were being called merely as a matter of form to find out the price, Councillor Delaney strongly protested against such a course. He did not believe in making a fool of a contractor, and if men took the trouble to come to the council’s office, take off a job and send in a price, the lowest tenderer was in justice entitled to their consideration. The mayor said Councillor Delaney was in error. It was the intention to carry on the work if the contract price was within or on a level with the estimate. Councillor Grandi rem irked that they might “ kill two birds with one stone,” In cutting down this street they might find another where the material excavated would come in handy for filling up. The foreman was requested to report to next meeting if he could so do the “ killing.” FINANCIAL. The borough funds stood : —Dr.—General, £739 Ufa 7d ; Cr. deposit, £23 I3s ; maintentenanoe, £252 4s 8d ; special fund, £95 8s 4d ; special rate, £203 4s 9d; domain, £L 14s 2d. Accounts were passed for payment as follows :—Loan, £5 14s 8d ; domain, £9 4s 2d ; deposit, £5; maintenance, £B4 8s 7d, i The council rose at 9.15 p.m.