BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 23, 11 September 1897, Page 12

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thursday, Sept. 9. The ordinary was held at 7*30 p.m. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. A. Hanan) and Councillors D. McFarlane, H. Mair, T. F. Smyth, R. Allen, J. E. Watson, C. S. Longuet, J. Stead, F. Rose, and'Jas, Thomson. The Traffic Manager intimated he saw no prospe'ct of a reduction in the cost of haulage ef gravel. The matter was now under consideration by the General Manager.—Received. In regard to the swimming baths, Thomas Bain, Teviot st., wrote offering to put in an engine and other neccessaay plant, and to work the baths on a proper system. He had had 20 years practical experience with swimming batlfs in Glasgow, could teach swimming, and would fit the institution with all the latest appointments, such as life buoys, costumes, etc. He offered the Council the following rents : —lst year, £5 ; 2nd and 3rd years, £lO per annum ; 4th and sth years, £l6 per annum. He intended erecting a dwelling house on the section, for which be would expect valuation, but the plant he would band over at the end of the term. Referred to the Reserves Committee. Cr. Stead presented a petition from ratepayers on the south side of Tweed st., asking to have ashphalt laid down. In support of the petition Cr. Stead pointed out that there were two stores in the street, and a considerable amount of traffic upon the paths. Houses of a good class were being built in the street, and a considerable amount of revenue might be expected from it.—To lie on the table till next meeting. Following is the Works’ Committee’s report;— Recommend (1) That A. W. Sinclair and Co. be informed the Council cannot consent to their erecting a signboard otherwise' than in accordance with the by-law ; (2) That the Engineer be instructed to repair, with Oporo gravel, the sides of the various streets where required ; (3) That a 6in pipe drain be put in on the North side Ettrick street, opposite section 12, block 18, 3 chains; (4) That the asphalt pavements in the various parts of the town be 'lmpaired, and that the carrying out of the work be left in the hands of the Mayor and the Engineer to make the beet arrangements; (5) That the crossings in Esk street be repaired in accordance with the proposals of the Engineer; (6) That the trees in Dee street in front of the hospital be removed before proceeding further with gravelling that part of The street; (7) That the Waterworks and Gasworks departments be charged the sum of 10s in each case for repairing the openings made in the streets and crossings for the purpose of laying gas and water services; (8) Having held over for consideration A. B. Campbell’s letter re claim for damages to bale of wool, and A. T. Lawrence’s letter re engine for street rolling Clause 2. Crs. Allen and Watson voted against this as they were not inclined to leave the disposal of the gravel entirely in the hands of any one member of the staff.—Clause 6 Cr. Rose explained that it was the intention to put down wood block crossings and charge cost of same to owners of the respective properties.— Clause 6. —Crs. McFarlane and Allen protested against this.—The report was adopted as a whole. The Finance Committee’s report was as follows : 1. Recommend that accounts amounting to £IOOO Is 6d be passed for payment; (2) that the recommendation of the waterworks engineer to dispense with the survices of A Daniel be given effect to, and that he be given three month’s notice from date ; (3) that Mr Osborne be asked to furnish a professional ©pinion on the result of his boring operations in accordance with the terms of his arrangement with the Council ; (4) report having agreed to take delivery of coal per s s. Pareora and that payment be made for same in the ordinary course. Clause two evoked some discussion, Cr. McFarlane holding that it was not right to dismiss a qualified man and leave such costly machinery during the absence of the Engineer, in the hands of men who knew nothing about it. —Crs Stead, Thomson, and Smyth thought , the matter might well be held over till next meeting, as it involved a principle with regard to accepting recommendations from the heads of the

departments.- —All the other Councillors present expressed the opinion that the Water Works Engineer’s recommendation should be carried out, and as it was supported by the Town Engineer it was their duty, in trying to work the various departments economically, to give effect to it.—The report was adopted. The following officers’ reports were referred ” to the respective committees : Engineer’s stating that there were 33 men on the mannal staff, and that one of the sanitary carters had been suspended; Gardener’s recommending a slight increase, for extra work done, in the wages of Michael Welsh, etc ; and the Sanitary inspector’s, which stated that all butchers and fish shops were receiving bis attention. Committees were appointed for the year as follows : Finance, Gas, Water, Sanitary, and Fire: Councillors Thomson, Watson, Goldie, Mair, Stead, and Aitken. Works, Reserves, and Harbour ; Councillors Roche, McFarlane, Smyth, Allen, Rose, and Longuet.* The Mayor said that the Town Clerk had prepared a return on current receipts and expenditures showing that at 31st March, 1898, they would have a debit balance of £7073 6s Id. It was therefore imperative that they should exercise rigid economy. It was decided on the motion of Cr, Watson that the polls, in regard to the public abbatoir® and water purification schemes be both taken on the same day. In accordance with notice of motion Cr. Allen moved That the Engineer be requested to furnish a report on the desirability of obtaining (1.) a suitable roller, either steam or horse power. (2.) A horse revolving broom. (3.) A suitable stone crusher, and also the probable cost of each, and further, as to the suitability of utilizing the stone reserve for the supply of road metal. Seconded by Cr. Thomson and carried. The Council then adjourned.