TEMUKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 3130, 9 December 1899, Page 3

TEMUKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Temuka Borough Council was held on Thursday evening. Present — His Worship the Mayor (presiding), and Councillors Euxton, Comer; Oarr, Frew, Henry, and Lee. The Mayor stated that since last meeting he had corresponded with the Railway Department, and ihe district engineer hart visited Temuka m connection with the request that steps betaken to de away with the nuisance of having the principal traffic road between Temuka and Arowhenua blocked after nightfall by the closing of the railway gates. The engineer was m favour of the gates being left open but the traffic department offered objections. Levels hai been taken for a sub-way, rather lower down than Commerce street. At the Mayor'B urgent recommendation the engineer had agreed to remove cattle stops at High street crossing, so as to give full width of road, on receipt of formal resolution. A communication relative to the new post-office had been received and could be dealt with m due course. For councillors' information the Mayor stated that he understood the proposal was to erect a postmaster's residence near the existing courthouse, to pull down or remove the present building and erect a new one m brick, similar m design to that at Wai mate, on the present site. Councillors would have to make some recommendation relative to the Arowhenua domain reserves, thOße adjacent to the creek ; at present they were not controlled by the Council. Several other matters had received his attention during the month. Correspondence was read From the Keceiver of Land Revenue, notifying payment of the sum of £1 2a

3d on account of thlrdß accrued from sections enumerated. From Messrs Smithson and Raymond, solicitors, covering cheque for rates on Royal Hotel. The amount did not cover Board of Health rates, and the clerk is m correspondence relative to same From Mr W. J. Donovan, applying for the removal of his name from the roll and the substitution of that of Mr John Sullivan. — Assented to. From Mr Charles Storey, making a similar application m respect to property sold to Mr W. Hopkinson.— Assented to. From Mr W. Hopkinson offering 20s for some broken concrete. — Oflfar accepted. From Mr J. Knight, applying lor permission to erect a bridge over water table m Birkett street opposite hia premises. — Permission granted. From the Supervising Valuer, giving reasons why certain changes m the roll could not be made.— Applicants to be advised of position. An application lo have Mrs F. Miles name placed on the roll m respect of property owned by the late Mrs Simpson was agreed to. From the secretary Fire Brigade, covering account from Shand, Masoa & Co. for new hose.— Passed for payment. From Mrs Beri, making an npplication under the building regulations.— Application entertained. From the Auditor- 'ieneral, returning certified copies of balance-sheets of the Temuka and Arowhenua Town Boards, and of the Council to September 30th. From the clerk Ohristchurch City Council asking the Council's cooperation m collecting subscriptions towards the Transvaal Patriotic Relief Fund. The clerk to notify that the Council will receive and forward any subscriptions received. In connection with the new Post Office buildings some discussion ensued, Councillors Frew, (Jarr and Lee advocating reconsideration of the question of site, and Councillors Henry, Buxton, and Comer, expressing themselves satisfied that the present position waa the best m the general interests of the place. Councillor Frew moved—" That the Council petition the Minister of Public Works to reconsider the site of the Post Office, there being already ground reserved for the same m a more central position." Seconded by Councillor Lee. Councillor Henry moved as an amendment—" That this Council recommends that the Post Office Isite remain as at present." Seconded by Councillor f-omer. Both amendment and motion were lost on the casting vote of the Mayor, who stated that he did not think it right that a casting vote of his should be responsible for a change of site or otherwise. The public, if interested, could petition the Public Works Department. To settle the Arowhenua Domain question it was resolved—" That the Minister of Lands be requested to delegate the powers of the late Arowhemvi Domain Board to the Temuka Borough Council." A discussion took plH<;;: as to whether the Council should control the. Temuka park and cemetery, but waa dropped. The tender of Mr O, Chapman at £7 Is for repairs to Arowhenua cottage wag accepted. It was resolved "That the Minister of Railways be asked to move the cattle stops at the crossings on High street and North Town Belt to give full width lor traffic." On the motion of Councillor Carr, seconded by Councillor Lee, it waa resolved—" That the surf iceman be given one mouth's notice dispensing with hia services m terms of his agreement, and that applications be called for his position, applications to be m by next meeting." No resolutions were passed on the overseer's report. Oq the suggestion of the Mayor a works committee waß appointed, and Councillors Buxton, Carr, Comer, and Henry were elected ; Councillor Buxton to act as chairman. The Fire Brigade were granted the use of the small reserve at back of office for practising ground. Accounts to the amount of £65 14s 8d were passed for payment. It was agreed to hold a special meeting on Wednesday next to consider the by-laws.