BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 4591, 4 March 1884, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Borough Council met last evening. Present : His Worship the Mayor, Messrs. Bellringer, Davidson, Cock, Humphries, Callaghan, Berry, Cottier, and Handy.

New Member. — Mr. William Cottier made the usual declaration and took his seat.

Loan for Henui Bridge. — A circular from the Under-Secretary of Public Works to the Mayor was rend, in which information was given respecting the sending in of debentures for loans under the " Roads and Bridges Construction Act." — The Mayor explained that the terms on which the £2600 were to be borrowed were of so advantageous a character that he thought the ratepayers would not fail to take advantage of it. They would only have a fourth of that amount to pay, and would have ten years to pay it in. They would have about £70 a-year to pay. It would be necessary, however, to take a poll on the question — but he thought there would be no difficulty respecting that. — On the motion of Mr. Davidson, seconded by Mr. Handy, it was resolved, " That the circular be refeired to a Committee, consisting of the Mayor and Mr. Humphries, for the purpose of carrying out the necessary instructions." Support of Hospitals. — A letter from the Town Clerk of Gaversham, requesting the Council to get the member of the House of Representatives of the district to urge on the Government the necessity there exists to make substantial endowments from Waste Land for the support of the hospitals and other charitable institutions in the Colony. — Letter was ordered to be laid on the table.

Repairing Footpath. — A letter was received from Thomas Wood drawing attention to the foot-path in front of his shop in Devon-street. — The Town Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Wood that the condition on which he was permitted to erect a verandah was that he kept his footpath in repair.

Swamp in Recreation Ground. — A letter was read from the Undersecretary stating that the Health Officer, Dr. O'Carroll, had reported tho unhealthy state of the Botanical Garden's swamp, and had pointed out the danger of disease arising from it. The Mayor was asked to furnish the Under-Secretary with an explanation of the failure of the local Board to abate the nuisance referred to by the Health Officer". — It was stated by Mr. Davidson, that the Botanical Gardens Board were doing all they could to rectify any evil that might arise from the swamp. Erection of Horse Troughs. — A letter was read from Mr. C. W. Govett calling the attention of the Council to the want of urinals, horse troughs, and drinking fountains. — The Deputy Town Clerk was requested to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and to thank Mr. Govett for his suggestions. Fire Inspector. — The Deputy Town Clerk was instructed to have Mr. J- T. Davis's name gazetted in the Local Gazette as Fire Inspector for the Borough of New Plymouth; also Mr. Rogers as Captain of the Fire Brigade. I Alteration of Bye Laws. — On the motion of Mr Callaghan, seconded by Mr. Cock, it was resolved, " That the Borough Solicitor be instructed to frame a bye-law with reference to vehicles in New Plymouth. Leave of Absence to Town Clerk, — On j the motion of Mr. Bellbingek, seconded by Mr. Handy, it was resolved " That the Town Clerk and Treasurer receive three months' leave of absence on full pay, and that a deputy be appointed during that time." Appointment of a Deputy Town Clerh. — On the motion of Mr. Humphries, seconded by Mr. Beery, it was resolved •' That Mr. R. G. Bauchope be appointed Seputy Town Clerk, at £3 per week." Appointing Mayor as Treasurer. — On the motion of Mr. Berry, seconded by Mr. Bellringer, it was resolved "That his Worship the Mayor be requested to act as Treasurer during the absence of Mr. Cholwill." Salvationists. — A discussion took place as to whether crowds of persons should be allowed to congregate at the corners of the streets, but the matter Was allowed to drop. Public Works Committee. — The Committee recommended that new corners bo placed at the National Bank, Morris', W. Black, and White Hart hotel corners. — Agreed to. Waterworks Committee. — At a meeting of the Committee it was resolved :—": — " That the request of the Education Board re carrying water to the West School cannot ' be complied with, as the distance is too great and outside the limit of the borough ;" " That permission be granted to Messrs. Mofflin & Dingle to connect service pipes to the end of the main in St. Aubyn-street." The Committee recommend that the following sums per annum be charged to the following persons for water supply : — W. Bayly, £5 10s. ; S. W. Jackson, £3 10s. ; ! Seamark, £2 ; W. Campbell, £2 ; J. Harrison, £2 ; Pepperell, £2 ; J. McKay, £2 ; Gibson, £2 10s. The Committee recommended that the Borough solicitor's opinion be taken as to charging for water supply to schools and teacher's houses. — Agreed to.

Accounts. — The receipts for the week were — Borough fund. £131 6s. 9d. ; water rates, £40. Expenditure, £141 14s. Id. Two small items were held over, the remainder being passed.

Notices of Motion. — Mr. Bellringeu gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of the Council— -(1) " That as the Government have ignored the resolutions passed by this Council requesting that the Borough Reserves be handed ovor to them in accordance with section 352 of " The Municipal Corporations Act, 1876 ;" that a petition be drawn up by the Borough solicitor praying that tho reserves bo handed over aa beforo requested ; that the burgesses be requested to sign tho hatne, and that when completed it be presented to Parliament." (2) "That a return bo laid on the table showing (1) tho number of services pipes laid by the turncock ; (2) tho number of days the turncock ban been at other work ; (3) the number of days tho engineer has been employed within the Borough ; tho return to embrace the period from Nov. Ist, 1883, to Feb. 29th. 1884. (3) "That the lessees of the Racecourse reserve receive notice to eradicate all furze, in accordance with their lease, and that the Inspector of Nuisances see that this reso lution is complied with within three months." The Council then adjourned.