BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3217, 3 September 1879, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Council mot on Honda}", when his Worship tho Mayor presided. Present: Messrs. Woycrgang, Hauierton, Colson, Vcalc, Ruudlc, Rcuucli, Humphries, and Thompson.

Draining Pi'ivate Property.— A. letter was read from Mr. A. Hood stating that ho had to drain water from his property into the Huatoki, and believing that Messrs. Humphries and Son had buon assisted in draining their property, he thought all ratepayers should bo treated alike. — Tho Mayor pointed out that Messrs. Humphries' property drained several other properties at tho back, and tho Borough had supplied pipes only across Devon-street to carry off tho water to the river. The pipes in Mr. Hood's case wore carried through private property, except about twelve fcot across James' Lane. — After some discussion, Mr. Colson moved ' and Mr. Thompson seconded, " That the matter bo referred to tho Public Works Committee."— Mr. Rennell protested against tho Committee boing made a buffer of. — Mr. Humphries moved, and Mr. Rundle seconded, " That twelve shillings be refunded to Mr. A. Hood for tho pipes carried across James' Lane," which was lost on tho casting vote of the Mayor.— Mr. Humphries then askod for Mr. Hood's lotter to bo real again, and moved " That tho lotter of Mr. I lood bo acknowledged."—Mr. Rknnmll seconded the amendment, which was carried on division, as follows '.—Ayes: Messrs. Weyergatigj ßundle, Humphries, Rennell, and Fookes. Noes: — Messrs. Oolson, Veale, and Thompson. Fish Lioense. — A lottor was road from Mr. D. M.ovorly, a licensed, hawker, asking that

the fishermen might be made to pay licenses. — It having been shown that Mr. Movcrly took his license out after tho bye-law had been modified, tho matter was passed over. Power to Spend the Loan When Raised. — A letter was read from Messrs. Halso and Roy, stajiug'iin auswor to a, question that the Borough had power to spend any of, or all, of the loan for the purposes for which it was raised. Surveyor's Report. — Tho report of the Borough Surveyor was then read. Putting Pipes in Elliot-Street .-—Mr HUMPHRIES enquired who had authorised the surveyor to lay pipes across Elliot-street. — Tlic Mayor said that the metal was being washed away by tho flow, of water from Maoricot Hill, so it had been carried into the Fort Niger reserve.— Mr. Humphries said an open drain had been authorised, but pipes had been used. — Mr. Veal, chairman of the Public Works Committee, said the pipes had only been used to bring the water from the opposite side of the road. Carting Stone to Top of Elliot- Street. — Mr. Humphries asked why stone had been carried to the top of Elliot-street to bo broken. — Mr. Veal said the surveyor had ordered them to bo taken there to be broken to bo put. on tho hill in Cameron-street , (fronting Mr. Fooko's . reaidonco).— Tli3 Mayor said it had been decided by the Council that £150 should be spent in Cameronstreet, and- the levelling and metalling that part had been agreed to by tho Council. — Mr. Humphries said by resolutions of the Council no streets outside Devon-streets were to have broken metal put on them. They were to have the metal from Upjohn's used. — Tho MAYOtt" said' it was necessary that the hill should' have broken metal on it.— Mr, Humphries said ho undorstood that the £150 wa* voted to fill up the hollow, and to make Cameron-street from Courtonay-stroet. All works should commence from that part of tho street which was nearest to tho centre of tho town, and not from the outside— Mr, Thompson said he considered that the £150 was for making tho street good; from Courtcnay-strcct. — Mr. Vealk said he askod the surveyor why the stono had been taken thercj and he told him because the hill was so steep it required broken metal. Ho did not know why tho street was being began at tho far end, and thought it should have been began from Courtney-street, because if that part near tho town was all mud it would spoil tho part metalled. Ho thought that the motal from Upjohn's road had answered in other places, and did not sec why it should not do for this street. — The matter dropped on' the understanding that tho street was to be made from Courtcuay-strect.

Footpath in front of Mr, Uncles' Property, —Mr. Humphries enquired by whoso autho-' rity the footpath had been made in Ellibtstreet, opposite Mr. Uncles' property'?— Mr. Cglson said Mr. Uncles wanted to put up his fence, and had asked him, when he was on the Public Works Committee, to get the footpath filled in. He had given instructions to fill up tho place, and after he had loft the Committee the footpath was made. — Mr. Veale said he knew nothing about it ; tho Surveyor put 'on men without consulting tho Committee. — Mr. Humphries said the Surveyor ought to bo censured for doing things without consulting tho Public Works Committee, and without the ordor of the Council.

Metalling Courte nay -street by Hulke's Mill. —Mr. Humphries would like to know by what authority the road in front of Messrs. Webster and Hulke's mill'had been metalled ? — Mr. Veale said that the estimate was from Curric-strcet to tho bridge.— Mr. HUMPHRIES considered that those works should not be done without some authority, and none hod been ''given, !

Metalling Gill-street.— Uv. Humphries said that Gill-street was another case of work being done without authority. — Mr, Veale said it was a necessary work. Mr. Howcll had applied, for tho street to bo formed, so that ho might get to his house, and thoy had put on tho day labourers. — Mr. Humphries said Mr. Renncll mid himself had to sign cheques, and ho did not feel inclined to do so for work that was unauthorised by the Council.

The Borough Revenue Exhausted. — Mr. Humphries asked if all the Borough revenue was spent ? — The MAYOR said it was, and had for road purposes been rather exceeded. ■ The Accounts. — The accounts wore then posse A for payment, £124 17s. (id. being from Loiin Account, £171 l(ss. fid. from Borough Fund Account.

Negotiating V>e Loan. — The Mayor was authorised to engage nn agent to raise the balance of the Loan, and to allow him one per cent, commission. Money Spent in Each Wa rd.— Mr. RUndi^h moved for a return of the amount of the contracts for work done in each Ward since the Borough was first established. — Mr, Rexnell seconded tha motion, which was carried.

Stable and Paddock for Borough Horses — Mr. Vis ALB moved, v That Fovt Vigor be taken ovov for the use of tho Borough horses, and a stable built oii it ; also, that the cottage bo repaired for the uso of the carter."-Mr. Rundlb seconded it.— Mr. Humphries moved as an amendment, " That tho fencing of tho paddock only be done at prcsent."~Mr. lIENNELL seconded it, and it was carried on division as follows : — Ayis, s—Messrs.5 — Messrs. Wcycrgang, Colson, Rennell, Humphries, and Thompson. Noes, 4 — Messrs. llamcrlon, Rundle, Veale, and Pooks.

. Repair of Queen-street. — Mr. Vjjale said the Public Works Committee intended to have the men at work in Queen-street during the month.

Blinding the Roads. — The surveyor said he did not approve of blinding tho metal on roads in tho wet weather, but in dry weather he usually put a slight layer of earth on it to make tho stones bind. — Mr. Rundlb said that tho beach stono required to bo blinded, as it was so hard, and would not sot, and wore quite round.

Workmen to Find their Own Tools. — Mr. Veal said he had a mkc made to rake the stones olf the road, and tho foreman said he would not work with it, as it was too heavy. Tho men were getting good wages, and ho would therefore move, " That tho men employed by tho Borough after this date find their own tools."— lt was seconded by Mr. Thomson, and carried.

Short Day on Saturday's. — In reply to a question, the MAYOR said that the workmen left off at 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Notice of Motion.— Mr. HUMPHRIES' to move, " that the engineer be requested to furnish tho Council every month with a report of the progress ho is making with the levels on the plan of tho town." Also, " that the Council meet fortnightly instead of once a month." The Council then adjourned*