TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3003, 29 January 1901, Page 4

TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MEETING ADJOURNED. The Timaru Borough Council met last evening. Present—The Mayor (Mr J. Hole), Councillors Young, Macintosh, Parke, Thomson, McNab, Hawkey, Boothroyd, Kemohan, Sealey, Beckingham and Shepherd. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read andi confirmed.

The Mayor then said that he would move the adjournment of the Council. Since their lust meeting a very great shock had come across the wires, a shock for, New Zealand, the British nation, and the whole civilised world, in the death of our beloved Queen. The Mayor proceeded to speak of the late Queen as the most noble lady the world has ever seen, a good Queen, a good mother, a good example to all the world. She had reigned over all who were present, and over three-fourths of the members of the community, all their lives, and her reign had been a period of the greatest advancement the world had ever known, and he hoped that this would be continued under the reign of the new King, whom they had proclaimed that day. He was sure he was only echoing the voice of the community when he said that the shock, though not quite unexpected, was still very great, to the community, and to each individual. With then Queen lying dead he thought they would hardly like to cany on their business that evening, and he would propose that they adjourn. But first he would propose the following resolution ;

“ That the Mayor and Councillors of the Borough of Timaru wish to express their deep sorrow for the great loss which has befallen, the whole British nation, a sorrow in which the whole community of Timaru and surrounding districts heartily join, viz., the death of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. They wish to present their heartfelt condolence and respectful sympathy to their Majesties, the

King and Queen and the Royal Family, in their sad bereavement. The same to be recorded in the minutes of the Council, and thiub his Excellecy the Governor be requested to forward the same to the Secretary of State.” Seconded by Councillor Beckingham, and carried in silence. Councillors signifying assent by rising. The Mayor then briefly reported that the street works had been going on as usual; that the various committees had done nothing last Friday evening; that the town clerk had not yet completed his inquiries respecting the valuation of the strip of land in front of the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-cperative Association site on Strathallan street; that the managing director of the Christchurch Meat Company had accepted the form of agreement submitted by the Council for a supply of water, but had written across it “ water to be supplied before 16th February,” to which the town clerk objected, but the inspector was pushing on the work as fast as possible. The tender of Priest and Holdgate had ben accepted for the supply of the pipes. The overdraft on general account was now £3861 15s 9d, but deducting other funds about £SOOO. There was, however, about £1166 owing by other accounts, so that the net overdraft on general account was below £4OOO. He had been to the Harbour Board about the cemetery bridge and the engineer told him it was to be connected that day. His Worship remarked with' reference to the Canterbury Farmers’ site that he was sure the Council and the people of Timaru would like to see the street uniform, but if the building was put up as it was lined out at present, it would not be uniform, and would be an eyesore for all time. Mr Palleson’s affair need not enter into the question, because that could be arranged on the same terms. They would all be sony to see a good street like Strathallan street spoiled by a zig-zag, dog-leg, frontage, so they should be willing to make a reasonable price and submit that to the owners, and he hoped the matter would be settled amicably and the building put up to the street frontage. The land belongs to the Council, and they could sell at a reasonable price when they got the valuation completed. Councillor Thomson hoped that the Mayor would be firm with the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association. Their conduct was the shabbiest he had ever come across.

Councillor Boothroyd also objected to the Mayor’s remarks being endorsed by the Council.

The Mayor: You would not like to see a mess made of the street. It would be an everlasting eyesore to the town. Councillor Thomson : If those people allow that they ought to be pilloried, and we should harass them in every possible way. The Mayor; You would not do that, Councillor Thomson. I maintain that when we find the value of the whole section, we should charge them in the same proportion. Councillor Thomson: I only ask you to be firm with them.

Councillor Kernohan asked whether, a price having been once fixed, it could be altered without coming before the Council, or would the Mayor fix it ? The Mayor said the valuer would fix the price. It was left to him. Councillor Kernohan understood that Mr Palleson had paid for his section, and if others got the land at a cheaper rate so also should he.

The Mayor said that would be the case. The Town Clerk (the valuer) said he had not completed the valuation. Councillor Kernohan asked whether the chairman of the Freezing Company had not written something across the agreement for water supply that the Mayor had not mentioned—asking for so much water per day. The committee objeted to that. The Mayor; The inspector says he can supply so much per day. Councillor Kernohan said there might be a breakdown, and how were they to get water if the Council could not supply it ? The company were to supply storage accommodation and that note was to save them the expense, and get a guarantee of a daily supply, breakdown or no breakdown. The Mayor said they only asked for 48,000 gallons a day at the first start, because they had not the storage ready. Councillor Kernohan said there was nothing about a “ first start ’; it was for a “ last start,” to save providing storage. The matter then dropped, to be brought up at next meeting. A forma# resolution fixing Thursday afternoon for the weekly half-holiday for the borough was passed, and the Council adjourned all other business till next meeting night.