TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3546, 9 February 1886, Page 3

TIMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Timaru Borough Council was held m the Council Chambers last evening. COUNCILLORS PBESBXT. His Worship tho Mayor (Mr John Jackson), and Councillors Sutter, Gabites, W. Jones, W. H. Jones, Smith, Bennett, Sherratt, Delaney, Bush, and Hill. Mr T. G. Rowley was sworn m as the representutivo of tho N.E. Ward, vice Councillor Gibson. The Mayor apologised for tho absence of the Town Clerk (Mr E. H. Lough), who was, he said, too ill to attend m bia accustomed place COBBXBrONDENCB. After tho minutes had been confirmei, the following correspondence was read : — From Mr T. Moses, of St. Andrews, stating that somo timo ago ho impounded three lots of cattle at tho Timaru Pound, and had not since been paid for them. Ho added that when ho impoundeel the cattle, tho poundkeeper was not m a fit state to tako delivery of them, and had sinco denied that he (Mr Moses) liad impounded cattle. The Council decided not to interfere m tho matter. From Mr James Newton, applying for a driver's license. The application was granted. From Mr W. Williams, of Otipuo, stating that ho had on February 7th, impounded three horses, the property of Mr John Williams, from tho water-race reserve, and applying for tho bonus offered by the Council according to resolution passed on tho 25th January. From Mr John Williams, tho contractor who keeps tho water-race m repair, stating that on the 7th instant three of his horses had been impounded. He added that ho used the horses at his work on the race, and asked the Council to allow him to let them run on the reserve, and that he was always undor the impression that he could leave them near tho raco. In conclusion, he stated that tho gate leading to tho reserve bad been locked, and that his brother got a screw-driver, drew tho screws of the padlock, and thus took the horses out. It was decided to deal with theso two lettera collectively, and Captain Sutter therefore moved, Councillor Gabitea seconded, and it was carried — "That tho letter of Mr John Williams, contractor for tho water raco ; also the letter from tho Railway Department, be referred to a Committee, to consist of His Worship the Mayor, Councillors W. Jones, Gabites, Hill, and the mover, to report to next meeting of the Council, Hia Worahip to bo Chairman." [The letter from the Railway Department was not read.] Councillor Suttor said it waa high time the Council took somo atep3 to protect their interests. As many Councillors wero no doubt aware, the by-law had been infringed lately m a number of instances, and he hoped this Committee would bring up a report that would obviate the many difficultiea that had arisen. The Mayor agreed with Councillor Sutter, and added that the -water was much drawn upon now, and atepa ahould be taken to protect the Council's interests m it. INBPECTOB OP WATBBVTOKKS' nEPOET. Mr Beswick, tho Waterworks Inspector, reported that tho supply of water to tho reservoir was very low at present ; but that during last week a full head of water had been coming down most of the time. He made the rather startling announcement that water was being wasted through the gratings being filled up with weeds, and that he had seen a mob of 100 cheep m the race at Briggs' Gully a day or two ago. In answer to the Mayor, the Inspector Said tho gratings wero wilfully atopped up with tussocks, but the act was done generally at night time, when tho water was but little missed by tho caretaker at tho reservoir. During the day timo a full head of water was coming down. Councillor Bush was surprised at the report made, but was more surprised to find that the Inspector hod not reported on the wasto of water that was going on m tho suburbs. He referred to the letter of the Rev. J. Smythe that appeared m our columns the other day, and said he agreed with the opinions I there expressed, and would rather see tho channels flushed two or threo times a week than ace water wasted m tho suburbs. As an instance of waste it had come to his knowledge that n man residing m the suburbs at the south end of the town had let the water run till it had irrigated threo of hia paddocks, and that a man owning three dwelling-houses at , the northern end of the town had had the water laid on to one house only, and the occupants of the other two houses were using the water from the one. He (Councillor Bush) was no inspector or informer, but he held that the Inspector of Waterworks should look carefully into cases of the kind mentioned, and report at once to the Council. - Councillor Bush then hoped that the Drainage Committee would soon bring m their report, and he hoped that it would point out a remedy for the many evils now existing and that might arise. The Inspector, m answer to Councillor Bush, said he had repeatedly reported to the Council the namies of porsona who wore m the habit of tampering with water, and no action had been taken. The consequence was that these people still pursued their unlawful practices, and took no notice of the Inspector: Councillors Sherratt and W. Jones corroborated what the Inspector had Baid, and tho latter said matters had gone bo far that the Council's Solicitor had beon consulted, and then they had beon allowed to drop. : . CouncjUgv Su,tter also defended the' actiqp

i of the Inspector, and Baid the Mayor should i look into matters, and explain to Councillors 1 at next meeting why the actions commenced f had not been carried out to a proper con- . elusion. Referring to the Rev. Jasper v Smythe's letter, he said the statement 3 contained therein were all " bosh." 1 Mr Smythe should stick to the Point; > not write about matters ho was entirely ignorant upon. He (Councillor Sutter) i could tell Mr Smythe and others that ■ the whole of the wator that came to the town > was not sufficient to flush out the gullies once , a week. What the town required was to be , thoroughly drained, and the Council ahould very carefully consider the scheme that would i be the safest, most economical and cleanest , for them to adopt. i The Mayor then suggested that aa soon as i the Drainage Committee had handed m their , report a special meeting be held, and the question of drainage once more well discussed. Councillors agreed with the proposal, and beforo dropping the matter decided that Councillor Bußh should be elected a member of tho Drainage Committee. DEPUTATIONS. Messrs Mcc (Chairman), and Chisholm (Director), of the Timaru Sea Bathing Company, attended as a deputation, and asked the Council to purchase a right-of-way to the bridge that is about to be erected over the railway for the convenience of those persons who intend to use tho baths. Tho right-of-way was to be six feet wide, and the cost of it would be £50. Mr Meo pointed out at length, and forcibly, tho good the baths were doing, and Bhowed that the right-of-way would not only be a great benefit to bathers, but also to members of the Timaru Boating Club, and the public at large, who could get down to enjoy a stroll on the beach without having to climb over piles, etc. Mr Chisholm endorsed all Mr Meo had said. The deputation then withdrew. In reply to Councillor Bush, the Mayor said he bo'lieved the Council had the power to purchase the land. Councillor Sutter said the Company named was a privato one, and the Council had no power to spend money to benefit it — the bylaws did not justify them m doing anything of the kind. He held, also, that had they the power to spend the £50, the Levels Road Board ahould be asked to pay part of it, aa many of the persons that would benefit by the right of way lived outsido the borough j take as an instance the gentlemen who formed the deputation, both of whom lived outside the boundary. He waa decidedly against using the moneys of the ratepayers to benefit persona who paid rates to other bodies. Councillors W. Jones and Bennett were m favor of the proposal, and tho former, after pointing out that the death rate for Timaru, according to the late returns, was lower than any other borough m the colony, said ho hoped to see after tho drainage and other works were carried out, this Borough a perfect eanitorium. After looking up tho Act and consulting other authorities, Councillor Rowley moved that the £50 bo granted, but withdrew his motion for the following, which was moved by Councillor Sherratt and seconded by Councillor Bennett : — " That the Council purchase a right-of-way from LeCren's Terrace to tho railway, providing the Council have power to expend their funds m that direction ; the said right-of-way to be invested m the Council." At tho instanco of a Councillor the words " if the solicitor's opinion bo favorable, tho Finance Comraitteo corapleto the purchase " wero added, and tho motion aa thus amended was passed. Mr Ingles, a gas engineer, nlso waited on the Council, and explained to the Council the working of a new gas regulator that had just been placed on the market. The Council promised to favorably consider tho matter at next meeting, when fuller particulars are to be placed beforo them. Mr Kimber was next ushered m, and urged that the Council should not consider the petition that hail been sent m re the West Town Belt. The Mayor informod Mr Kimber that no petition bad been received, and promised the Council would favorably consider all matters relating to the Belt. THE DBINKING FOUNTAINS. Councillor Busli drew attention to tho fountain at the Bank of Now Zealand corner, and t&id it should have been placed on a base block, somo 18 inches high instead of on the kerbing. The Foreman of Works was directed to make the alteration suggested. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £140 12s 6d were passed for payment, and the Council adiournod.