BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9266, 16 December 1891, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ihb Borough Council met on Monday night. P essnt : His Worship the Mayor (Chairman), Messrs Brash, Docfcrill, Furlong, Cottier, Goldwater, Cpllis, and Ford. Municipal Association. — A letter was received from the Secrotary of the Municipal Association, Wellington, asking if tho Council was desirous of joining tho Association. — His Worship Btated that the Association was the outcome of the meeting of Municipal delegates in Wellington in June last. He favored joining the Association, and pointed out tho entrance was a small one, being only £2. Messrs Furlong and Dockrill also spoke.— Mr Collis moved, " That the Council affiliate with the Association." — Seconded by Mr Cottier, and carried. Deviation of St. Aubyn-streeL — Mr O. B Hankoy, Resident Railway Engineer, notified the Council that all offers with reference to deviation of St. Aubyn-street were declined. Charge for Drain — Mr J. B. Roy wrote on behalf of Mrs Douglas, of Currie-street, asking that some reduction be made in a charge of £13 for a drain, as the Co-opera-tive Society's water machine had oeen connected with the Batne drain. — Hia Worship said he was under the impression that the money or a portion of it bad beed paid. Mrs Douglas agreed in writing to pay in September, and on that the Council did the work. The water that went through the drain from the Co-operative Society was pure water, which kept the drain flushed. — Messrs Dockrill, Brash, and Collis also spoke. — Mr Goldwater move 1, " That tho Council is of opinion that tho agreement entered into by Mrs Douglas has been fully carriod out; that the spare water from the Co-operativo Society's machine is of uso in flushing the drain; and that a demand bo made of Mrs Douglas for her share of the coat." — Seconded by Mr Ford, and carried. ,• Comvlaint. — Mr J . B. Roy wrote asking the Council to abate drainage nuisances near Mrs Roy's property, and Mr Morey's in Fuiford-strcet. —On His WoßSUir's suggestion tho matter was referrod to the Public Works Committee. — Mr Dockrill said that the Committee could get tho solicitor's advice. Trees. — The Inspector of Nuisances asked in his report for an expression of opinion as to the by-law to compel persona to cut or trim trees overhanging the footpaths.—His Worship said that letters had appeared in tho Herald staling that persons had been notified to cut down trees. Thia was not so, for tho persons affected had only been asked to trim the trees. A lady had had a parasol torn when passing under one of these trees overhanging the footpath, and if any damage was dono the Council would be responsible. In other places, Wanganui for instance, the trees had to be trimmed.— The Foreman wanted to know if ho had to carry out the by-law. Tho tree that tre the parasol was, ho added, overhanging the path in Devon-street.— Mr Brash said if there was a by-law tho foreman could act on it. — In answer to Mr Furlong, the Chairman said that the persons wore only asked to trim tho trees. — Mr Cottier moved, " That tho Inspector of Nuisances be instructed to adhere to tho by-laws on the subject."— Seconded by Mr Brash, and carried. Illness, — His WOBsiiir notified that the Waterworks Engineer had been ill for three weeks, and would not bo able to resume his duties till the end oE January. Edward Smith was doing the work, and he would likeeomeinstruction as to paying the engineer's substitute. — Messrs Goldwater, Collis, and Dockrill, also spoke. — Mr Dockrill moved in effect that the engineer be paid full wages to dato, ani half pay till the end of January, and th.t E. Smith, tho substitute, bo paid wages on a ecale to be decided on by the Works Committee ; and that the engineer get leave of absence till end of January. — Seconded by Mr Furlong, and carriea. Difaulting Ratepayers.— Bis Worship said the Town Clerk wanted instructions with respect to arrears of rate. A sum of £670 would be wanted by January 1, for interest. — Mr Cottier moved that the Town Clerk bo instructed to sue for outstanding rates on and after., January I,;— In answer to Mr Brash His 'Worship said,

that the outstanding rates were £933.— Seconded by Mr Cdlms, and carried. Weighbridge.— lt was decided that tho Works Committee appoint a temporary custodian, if necessary, in place of tho present custodian, who was ill. Lamp Lighting. — Mr Gold water moved, " That tho question of lighting the lamps during the summer months be referred to the Works Committee, with power to act." Mr Ford wanted to know wnat would be Bayed by not lighting the lamps. — His Worship replied £40 or £50, but ho would like to see the lamps lit during the holidays.— Mr Ford said he would like to Bee the saving used for watering the streets. — His Worship said he hoped that they would get a water cart next summer. — Mr Cottier seconded tho motion, which was carried. Straying Horses. — Mr Ford brought to notice that horses were driven through tho Borough in mobs, to the danger of children and others.— His W° Rs m p said that the horses could be driven in certain hours, but the Committee appointed to revise tli9 by-laws, ho believed, intended to recommend the prohibition of horses being driven loose at all hours. Rubbish Question.— Mr Ford brought to notice that the rubbish cleaners deposited rubbish in the stroet near his premises. He also wanted to know if tho Council intended to allay tho dust nuisance in the streets this summer. He thought a small rato would meet tho cost. — Mr Furlong supported the laying ot the dust in the main streets by a water Bcheme. — His WonsniP said that no one had a right to put rnbbish in any street. He agreed tint a water scheme for laying the dust was wanted, but he thought that the Central Ward should pay, as it would be the only place benefited ; but he objected to money being taken out of tho general fund. H<) would, as ono benefited, be willing to pay the rate. — After further discussion, it was decided, " That the Works Committee take steps immediately to water the streets., and that subscriptions be collected for Bame." — Mr Furloxg drew attention to the dust raised by traffic on the new street. This dust Bwept across Devon-street, and was extremely inconvenient to business people in the vicinity. Ho suggested that tho crossing should be closed. — His Worship said that the Council could not close the crossing, which could only bo removed by Mr F. A. Carrington, who got permission to put the crossing in. Mr Carrington mierht remove tho crossing. Accounts. — Accounts amounting to £171 were passed for payment. The Council adjourned.