Timaru Borough Council

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6755, 9 February 1892, Page 2

Timaru Borough Council

Hue Timr j Borough Council met last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor, Ouutici’lors Gibson, Bush, Mair, Bennett, Delaney, Foley, Burford, Owers, and Hole. ( onESPONDBNOB. Sundry letters outward and inwr-d were read. Among the former was a memo to Sergeant-Major McDonald, covering a Mat’of owners who had not registered their dogs, and asking the officer to look up those who had not. The Inspector of Weights and Measures forwarded 14s lOd received for fees and fines. Mr James Allan applied for and was granted an auctioneer’s license. Mr J, Leu moth, I mdon, who supplied the last lot of watsrpipos, wrote that the Council had made a mistake in remitting to his firm the amount of freight with payment for tbe pipes, as the freight was, as usual, payable at port of discharge. He suggested that as the Gas Company were obtaining goods from the firm, the Council should ar-aege for the company to transfer the amount, £lsl 3s 9d, and they would then credit the company with the same. This world save double exchange. It w ■ resolved to adopt the suggestion. On the iaqui j of Councillors Foley and Hole it was explained that the amount of freight was sent Home as it was so referred to in the firm’s letter of advice that it was understood the commercial rule was to be departed fro jo, and tbe amount of freight was sent Home before the pipes r -rived and the demand made for payment here.

Messrs F. LeCren and B. A Cc'shelm wrote asking for the erection of a lamp between the Brnk of New Zealand and the Loan Company’s office, as that part of the main street ii veiy dark at night. They complained of nr‘since from loiterers and damage und defacement of the bi dding in consequence.

Councillors Bu ford and Foley moved that a lamp be erected at tbe jr lotion of Charles and Queen street. A discussion took place on the former application. Objection was rc'sed that if one ’ ">mp was erected there would bo a flood of I applications, rnd tbe finances would not stand tbe strair It was admit’ d that that part of tbe m: 'a street rcqir ed a lamp, as the congregation of loiterers there was a nuisance. It was not vei j long since a lamp was shifted from opposite Mr J mas's to the other side of tbe street, and it might be put back again. In view of the I'belihood of other applications being put 'n, :f one were granted, it was unanimously resolved to postpone consideration till next meeting to p'low of notice being given. ■WATBEWOEKS.

The waterworks inspector reported on the route and cost of extending a “ domestic ” water supply t j Mr W. Grant’s, the latter £2CO if 4 in pipes wore used part of the Way ; if Sin, £l2 less. So far as he could see no damage of any consequence had happened to the race through the flood, although the Fareora was in as high flood as ever be had seen it. He had been all round. Mount Horrible, from the bush to the dam, and be must give the contractors a word of praise, as all slips bad been cleared out and bye-washes cleared except for a short length near the dam, which bad been filled with drift wocl and scrub, by the river overflowing it. The river bad there boon 6in over the race, a thing never known before. Mr Beswick added a return of cost of recent extension. Councillor Gibson considered (hat the council were fortunate in getting off so well from such a storm, and councillors agreed that great credit was due to the contractors The valuer, Mr Lough, put in his estimate of the payment duo on rateable value of Mr Grant’s property—the house and its immediate surroundings—£3o a year. Mr Grant would guarantee payment for seven years. It was resolved that the supply be granted on the terms agreed upon. Councillor Foley raised the question of six months prepayment by users of water-motorsj he thought monthly payments should be sufficient. A long discussion took place as to the practice of the council in regard to charging for "connections" outside the borough, raised by Councillor Delaney iu respect of an extension in his neighbourhood. It was explained that this charge is always made to those outside the borough, and it must be paid in advance. Councillor Delaney complained that those who applied with him for information as to the cost of water, wore not informed that there would bo such a chargeCouncilors Burford and Foley moved for a return of the cost of making connections, labour only, during the last six months of 1891.—Agreed to. On the recommendation of the works committee it was resolved to reduce the charge to Mr Hibbard to £9 per annum ; Mr Irwin’s application for a reduction being refused. On the request of the Levels Boad Board for a supply of water for flushing Whales Creek, the works committee recommended that it bo given on payment, but that this bo not adopted as a precedent. Counoillcr Gibson said that they could let (he matter drop, as the storm had done what was necessary, end much better than the couco’l cou'd have done.

THE DOimj, A repot t wps received from a committee who visited tho Domain—U o mayor, Councillors Bush, Burford, Hall-J ues, and Mair. They recommended the erect ion of about a dozen plain 10 x 2 plank seat', certain repairs to gat;s and fences, and two or three new post t.-larded openings in the fences, — estimated cost about £l4.

Councillor Bush explained the proposals of the committee and urged that the expenditure bo agreed to. He considered that the committee were quite moderate in asking for this expenditure only at present. Ho mentioned methods of increasing the domain fund —by obtaining increased rental for the gaol reserve, and by letting the triangle at the south east corner, catting down the timber in the middle of it. His own idea was to put a halfpenny on the general rate —they had power to do this—it would bring in £74 a year, and he did not think anyone would grumble at it. It would give employment to a few men at odd times when other work was scarce. The domain board had not sufficient now to pay their way. He urged that the recommendation be adopted, the public given much better accommodation, and the domain made more presentable. He moved and Councillor Burford seconded, that plans, specifications, and estimate bo supplied by overseer for next meeting

Councillor Owers recommended that the

matter be sbelred till next spilng, as the summer sec'on was so far advanced, and that would fcive them t‘no to ’ dispose of the seotiona to bettor adveutago, r id they might be in a position to deal with it as it should be. It could be very well shelved this yer-. Councillor Foley compl. ; ned of the fence erect ,d in the West Belt reset /e by the overseer as an obstruction to the public trrffic. The motion of Councillor Burh was oar-led. The caretaker reported that the work of the past month had hi ;n cutting g: jss among the trees, hoeing and cleaning walks, borders, etc. Ihe eto.ji of the previous night, had caused a leak in the roof of the cottage. otbesbbe's ebpobt. The overseer reported on the work done by his men. On Sunday the 7th they were out all day looking alter grates and channels and filling holes. A useful roadway cou'd be made in Bowlings street when the deposit of clay was i rmpletod there. Many of the street channels had become so deep with constant cleaning out that be was obliged to cart shingle into them as they were dangerous He had made 201 sauita’. y inspections and served 21 notices, most of which had been already attended to. Two of them were for the prevention of waste water running under the house. There was more house drainage in the channels thnn he bad ever noticed before, and bis men had been constantly at work keeping them clean. If the weather tmk up, however, he must let them alone while be got some asphalting done. Councillor Foley said he had been requested to complain of the state of the gully drain from the pound to P >se street.

It was resolved on the motion of Councillors Bennett and Mair that the footpath be aephrlted full width round Mr McKeown’s house to Dr Beid’s, Church street. —The overseer said he had begun preparations for this, but was knocked off by the weather.

On the motion of Councillors Hole and Bush the overseer was instructed to lay down ten Chains of kerbing and channelling, t > ascertain the cost. Councillor Bole advocated spending money on channels instead of asphalting, as more valuable from a health noint of view.

Councillors Delaney and Hole moved that tenders be called for cutting down William street to the adopted levels. The estimate being stated to be £IC3, only the mover and seconder and Councillor Foley voted for it, and the motion was lost. ACCOUNTS. It was resolved —“That the Towj Clerk take steps to enforce payment of all outstanding rents of reserves.” A discussion took place on an account from Messrs Perry a; d Perry for £8 4s 6d for opinion on the legality of the mayor’s election by the council as the borough repre;entative on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The mayor explained that, on his seat being challenged by the chairman of the board, he went to the returning officer (the town clerk), and asked him to put it right, and Mr Lough wont to the solicitors.

Several councillors said “ send it to the board, they were in the wrong.”

Councillor Gibson said-'the board would repudia'e if. It was the mayor who incurred the bill. H s seat was challenged and the onus rested upon him to prove his position.

Councillor Bill remarked that it was a strange thing that the mayor was made use of for the election of chahynan, as without him there would not have been a quorum, and then the legality of his seat was questioned.

Councillors Gibson and Mair moved that the account 1 ; paid, the town clerk being the person who sought the advice. —Lost by seven to two.

Accounts were passed for payment—general, £135 lie lOd; waterworks maintenance, £44 15s ; do loan account (extensions), £5 14s. The Council then rose.