THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XIII, Issue 3655, 16 July 1880, Page 3

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tirs fortnightly meeting of tho Council was held last evening. Present: Councillors MeGov/an (in the chair), Wilkinson, Marshall, Mennie, Wilson, Osborne, and Ba7/dcn

Tho minutes of tho previous general and special mcotings woro read mid cou» firmed.

A Bequest.--I letter was road from air Goorgo Basbam, the Secretary of tho Grahamstown Fire Brigado, asking tho Council whether it would consent to allow tho members of the brigado tho usoof books from tho Public Library} on condition that a cash deposit wr.3 left iu cage tho volumos were, not returned in good order and coudition.-~Tieferrod to tho Library Committeo, with power to act.

Wateb Supply.—A letter was read from tho Uuder-Socrotary for Lands, asking whother the Council wished tho Government to purchase the remainder of tho Maungakirikiri block at its (the Borough's) exponso,-~!hc Town Cmkk said tho remainder of tho block could bo purchased for £80. Tho Maungakirikiri stream was situated on this land, and it would bo advisahlo to secure tho freehold of it.—On the motion of Cr Marshall it was rosolvcd that Government bo requested to purchase tho block at the Borough's exponse.

Charitable Aid.--A letter wa3 read from iho Government asking for a return as to tho amount of money expended by tho Council on charitable aid during tho past year.—lt was resolved that tho Town Clork should forward tho return.

Insu-rance.—Tliq Town CriUKs: stated that ho had received a cheque for £50 from tho Insurance- Companies, being their aununl donation to tho funds of the two Firo Brigados.—Eeceivcd.

The PonKD.-Mr J. E. Hansen wrote suggesting that some shelter should be provided'for tho animals confined in tho tho public pound at Shortland.—On tho motion of Cr Osbouke, the lettor was .referred to tho Works Committee.

! Geahamstown Whabi\'--A letter was read from tho harbour Board asking tho Council to fill in tho ruts and repair tho road approaching this wharf, as at present it was dangerous to pedestrians,—Cr Osbome moved that tho Council will do the work as soon as the Board' repairs the wharf.-This was not socpndetl—Or Meote moved, and Cr Balden seconded that tho matter bo referred to tho Works.Committeo.—Oarried.

. Dynahiib St.obe.-A- letter was read from Mr George Black, manager of tho Southorn Cross G.M.Co'.,.advising tho Oouucil to romovo the dynamite store on Tookoy's hill to spme other place, as there was a probability that it would explodo in oonsequonco of tho' operations of tho company in tho vicinity.-™ Referred to tho Works Committeo.

CoMKSifBAMOK.«"A. lottor was read from Mr Geo. Hnrcourt, lessoo of the tailings works in Oorom&ndel street, stating that the amount of damage dono by the overflow of .tho Moanataiari'aqueduct was £35. He trusted the Council would settle tho matter without delay.—Tho letter was received.

The Wohks' OoirarrraE reported as follows:-~Your Committoe have to report visiting t tho entrance to tho Alburuia battery m the Tafaru road, and havo given notice to lower tbo samo to tho height of tho crown of the road, and to oziend tho batter on each side, so as to render it Jeas abrupt and make it more safe for podesfcrians to pass over. The Oomaitteo have also ordored the Foreman of Works to pat in a bos drain at Sawyer's Hotel, Tararu road, to carry tho storm water of the ITararu road into the Shellback Crook main culvert; the cost of the work will bo 253. Eirkwood street footpath, referred to in Mr Williams' letter: Tho Committeo rocommend that tho water table be cleaned out and the footpath raised where necessary. Pahau street: That tho water table be clcaned.'out, tbo footpath raised, and. the crossing at the junction of Mackay street mado good. Bella street: The Committee recommend that a wooden kerbing be.carriedpastMr Arnold's house for f a distance of about 60 foot, and tho water table and footpath, improved, Mr. Arnold undertaking to pay tho labour of one man. Bird-in-Hand Hill: That tbo stops at tho side of .tho store loading to the top of the hill bo continued as far as tho top of tho rise, and a slight water-table cut oach side of the steps after formation.— Baillie street:. That a few loads of gravel or sharp sand be spread on tho footpath whore necessary, between tho High School aud Mr Johnson's promisos.""'The roadway leading from Mary street, passed Mr Beetle's store in this streot, is in an impassable condition, and would necessitate an expenditure of £50 to put in good repair. Tho committee recommend that as soon as ever funds are available tho Foreman of Works be instructed to form

and metal tho road.—Pollen street;: That two' loads of gravel or sharp sand bo spread on the worst places of tho footpath in front of Dr Bawbottom's promises. —The report having been received, Or Makshaw said the main item would be carting. Very little material would be requirod.—Tho report was adopted ontho motion of Cr Obbobhe, and referred back to the committee to carry out when funds are available. Pay Sheet. -This amounted to £12 13s, and was ordered to bo paid,. Sr/pi>w o? Rations.—Tho following report of the Relieving Officer anont the complaint of Howin Brothors,' that the lowest tonder had not boon accepted for tho supply of rations for the onsuing yenv, was read :— " I have the honour to submit the follow* ing as the grounds on which I advised tho Charitable Aid Oommitteo not to accept tho tender of E. Howin and Co. for the supply of rations :—l. That during the six months E. Howin and Co. had tho contract the goods supplied were not equal to tho samples sent with','thoir tender, particularly the tea and flour, and on several occasions I complained to Mr Clark and to Mr E. Hewin, but obtainpd no satisfaction. 2. 'That the bread supplied by thorn was nearly always short woight," and 1 continually complained to Mr Clark and to tho baker, and to prevent this 1 put in tiie nest speciiication that tho bread bo weighed on delivery. S. That there were continually disuates with Mr Clark and the people as to tho amount of bread delivered, and at the termination of. their contract by enquiries I found that 461bs of bread had been dolivored short. Mr Clark admitted this, and delivered that amount of bread tp iny orders. 4. Thai; goods which had boon TOghod'before a»6, m awarently good weight, wcro woighea by hh Worship fMr MoOnllougb.) fmdfouiidto beshort weight. «Joh>i B,.Mason, Relieving Officer." | -Or Wikikuok moved that the Council having liofti'd the report o.i tho .Ko!ieviu« , Officer,-approve of the action of the 1 i Oharikbio Aid Committee in oecopting ; Mr lies. Mennie's tonder.-'This was seconded by Or 'Wilson and carried. Asmum.—Or Wilkinson said it had beon proposed, with a view of.affording employment to those workmen, whom thoy

had discharged, that they should he allowed to do asphalt work on condition that I hey wefc paid at tho rate of 1b 2d ft yard, and allowed the- use of the Borough's tools, yam and gravel. The men, froia whom the proposal cumo, would consont to wait for their money until tho property holders paid tboir accounts, Ho (tho speaker) recommended the Council to accept the offer, as they would bo able to have Mary-street 'asphalted without running into ■ debt on account of it. —Cr Mabbeail seeondod the resolution, which ho hoped to eec carried. ««Cr Mennie said ho should liko tho Works Committee to inquire into tho proposal beforo tho Council adopted it. Ho move that it bo roforred to that body, with.powor to carry it out if they thought neoessary.—This was seconded by Or BAWDEN.-»Cr McGowan disapproved of tho resolution, and hoped it would bo rejected.' There was a large quantity of material now lying in tho yard, and tho Council had already docidod not to do any asphalt work during the wot months, and ho did not think it would bo wiso to accept tho proposal in tho faco of theao faotu.—Or Wiikioton, in reply to tho last speaker, said tho offor was a vory fair one, and ho thought it should meet the approval of tho Council. The remarks of the Chairman wore not applicable to the present ease,—Or Miotib thought this proposal was a now departure, and should be carefully considered before thoy accepted it.—after further discussion, tho resolution and amendment wero put, and tho lattor carried.

. Vote oj? TnAra's.—Or moved thai a letter be written lo tho Tito Brigados thanking thorn for tho manner in which thoy acted at tho firo which, destroyed Stephenson's hotel a month ngo. Tho Brigades wove deserving of groat credit, and ho only repotted tho Council was not in a position to give them something more substantial than a vote of thanks.—Cr McGowan seeondod tho resolution, and it was agreed to. Bab Footpath,—Or Wilkixson drew attention to the almost impassable state of tho footpath on tho beach between Eyre atreot find and tho wharf, and moved that tho Works Gommilteo visit the place and report.«» Carried. Bailway Crossing. -«Tho Town Clem stated that Mr James Stowart, District Engineer, had been interviewed this week with regard to tho railway crossings,, and had refused to givß his consent to a 'crossing being made over tho railway cmbnukmonfc at tho foot of Pah.au street.

Tho Council then adjourned,