THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1818, 30 October 1874, Page 2

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Thames Borough Council wa* held last night. There were present: His Worship the Mayor; Crs. Macnah, Senshaw? Butt, Ehrenfried, Wilson and Brown. '

The minutes of previous meetings were read and confirmed, after which were read letters sent since last meeting. One was sent to Mr. E. H. Power, JJegisfcrar of Births and Deaths, asking for his authority for the reports of diphtheria. The Clerk stated that no answer had been received;

CORRESPONDENCE,

A number of letters received were then read.

From David Kennedy a letter was received applying for a license for a watering cart. It was decided to remit the fee (of £1) in this case. From the District Engineer,' enclosing plan of the Foreshore, showing the different blocks of property owned by certain native claimants. With this a letter was received from Mr. Puckey, enumerating the different blocks purchased, partly purchased, and still unpurchased. From the collector of rates, notifying that he had handed to the Treasurer £55 collected on the new rate, and £11 on the old. THE BOUNDARY CHEEK "WA.TEU SUPPLY. The Clerk read tke copy of a letter to Mr. Sims acquainting him with the Warden's decision in respect to the Boundary Creek water supply.

The Mayor said he thought a few words should be said with respect to the application in the Warden's Court on Tuesday. He thought the remarks made in reference to the Borough Council by the Warden were very much out of place ; in fact, he considered the statements made were one-sided. He did not wish to impute motives to the Warden, though he could see no reason why they were not as justified in doing so as he (the Warden) had been. The inhabitants of Tararu had asked that the water might be reserved to them, as they were dependent upon it for domestic purposes during the summer time.' Mr. Sims had been told that if he would erect three standpipes and put down fire plugs the Council would be satisfied to grant him permission. Mr. Sims would not accede to these terms, and «aid he did not see how the Warden could refuse to grant him permission, as he had a prior right. From this he (the Mayor) concluded that Mr. Sims had never intended to make any arrangements with the Council. Regarding what Mr. Sims had said in Court, he had certainly offered to erect one standpipc, but said nothing about a tank t had he said that to the Council, it would have put a different complexion on the affair.

As it was, Mr. Sims had never come before tbe Council with any proposition I save that he would erect one standpipe. In this case, he (the Mayor) considered the remarks made by Captain Eraser came from him with a bad grace. The Council had always done its utmost for the mining interest: but the wants of the inhabitants had to be considered. Captain Praser had said that granting permission to Mr. Sims would not make one iota of difference to the inhabitants. That was wrong ; and even if he thought so, why did He not grant it. He thought the Borough Council,-should take a stand against this : not because its dignity was hurt; but because all eyes were on the Council and a one-sided, expression of opinion such as that complained of might have tha effect of injuring it in the eyes of the public. He had every respect for the Warden, but must correct his statements, when those statements, to the injury of the Council, were made under an erroneous impression. Mr. Eenshaw said the proper way to show they wished to ofier no opposition to the company was to offer to withdraw all opposition if Mr. Sims would agree to put up three standpipes. Cr. Ehrenfried said they had made that offer already. Cr. ."Rensbaw said they wanted the company to have the water, but they wanted the public to have the first claim upon it. That was simply a repetition of an offer which never appeared to have been stated in the papers or in the Court.

The Mayor said that before the article referring to the works had appeared in the Advertiser he had seen Mr. Sims, and expressed sorrow that he had not tried to come to' some arrangement, instead of standing upon what he considered to be hisrights, as he had done. As to the laying down of the pipes, he considered the Council were quite right in seeing that thty were laid at a proper depth, so that the Council might not be in the same position as they were with regard to the pipes laid by the Provincial Government. Cr. Brown said he had been the only Councillor who had voted for the permission being granted when the application was first made. He was of the same opinion now.' He thought the people aiked more than was reasonable. If the company placed a tank as they promised, the inhabitants would be iv a better position than they were'before. The Mayor said Mr. Sims had never offered to erect a tank.

Cr. Brown said th© written offer was tantamount to that. They should not stick at three standpipes. The water was now running away at night, and the batteries would be much benefitted by securing that. They all knew the advantage of fresh water over salt —and the batteries were using salt water now. If Mr. Sims would guarantee 20 feet of pressure and keep it up for 10 hours each day, he (Cr. Brown) was convinced the inhabitants would be satisfied.

; Cn Macnab was sorry that the remarks with respect to the Council had been made by the Warden, as he believed that gentleman had been laboring under a wrong impression. He -considered it a pity that it had not been mentioned in Court that the Council would be willing to grant permission on three standpipes being erected. Had the Warden known this he would not have made the remarks he did.

The Clerk then read the correspondence which had passed between Mr. Sims and the Council regarding, the supply. In the first place, on Mr. Sims making application, a letter was sent containing tho terms of the Council, to erect three standpipes and fire plugs along the road. Mr. Sims replied by letter that he could not agree to those terms—that he would erect one standpipe only, and would not entertain the idea of fire plugs. The Mayor stated that he objected to Mr. Sims making statements in the Court as to what he was prepared to do, when he had made no such statements to: the Council.

Cr. Ehrenfreid said Mr. Sims had doubtless entertained the idea that he had a right in preference to the inhabitants, and that by putting up a standpipe he would be doing them a favor. No doubt he would be more reasonable now since he had seen his error.

Cr. Butt suggested that Mr. Sims be informed he could commence do novo.

Cr. Renshaw said if Mr. Sims argued that three standpipes would take away 811 the water, that was the strongest argument against his having any. Cr. Brown said the Borough Council would never run a water stream from that creek. If they compelled the company to erect three standpipes they would be taking advantage of their position, and making them find a water supply for the district. The water has been there for seven years, and it was extremely unlikely that the Borough Council would utilise it, in view of the big water scheme being brought in. He was prepared to say that in two years hence the water would not be diverted by the Borough Council, and the companies only required it until such time as they could obtain another supply.

Cr. Ehrenfried said a one-inch standpipe such as that spoken of by Mr. Sims would run away more water than three half-inch standpipes such as it was proposed to use.

After some further discussion Mr. Macnab moved that the committee previously appointed by this Council be, empowered to treat with Mr. Sims. His object was to facilitate matters, as the Council would not meet again for a fortnight. Mr. Ehrenfried seconded Mr. Macnab's motion, which was carried nem con. WATER SUPPLY. The report of the Waterworks Committee was read. The report proposed that the supply should be taken over by the Council, but that the revenue above

the cost of maintenance should be divided among the different highway bodies and the Borough Council in accordance with the extent of rates collected; aho, that a letter should be sent to the Superintendent, asking that the supply be handed over in accordance with these terms. -

Cr. Benshaw, as one of the Committee, said their view was that the water supply having been erected out of the goldfields revenue, it should not be handed over to the Council exclusive of the outside districts, and it was thought that ifc would be better to take over the supply as it stands and utilise the revenue in maintaining, the works, when, if there should happen to be a surplus, that could be divided among the districts in proportion to the amount of rates raised.

Cr. Macnab said there was no mention in. the report of the probability of logs, in the case of the dam bursting, &c. Cr. Benshaw said it had been duly considered, and it was thought that the revenue derivable from the supply would excerd the amount likely to be required for its maintenance, and in case of such an emergency any surplus could be impounded to defray the cost. Cr. Ilenshaw moved the adoption of the report, which., was carried. It was decided to write to the Superintendent, informing him of the Councils resolution. Cr. Kenshaw suggested that the letter should be submitted to the Mayor before being sent. Cr. Brown said lie had alwajs considered that was the rule. He considered it quite necessary. They (the Councillors) held the Mayor responsible for all correspondence, and he should therefore see the content! of letters. He moved that in future all letters shall in submitted to the Mayor before being sent. The motion was carried. SHOETIiAKD CEMETERY. The report of the deputation that conferred with the Highway Boards on tho above subject was read. The report wa3 adopted. Cr. Brown proposed that the Mayor, Crs. Kenshaw and Butt represent the Council as a Cemetery Committee. Seconced by Cr. iDhrenfried and carried. FIEE BRIGADES. The report of Fire Brigade Committee was then read, stating that certain implements sanctioned by the Council had been ordered; making certain suggestions and recommending the payment of a few accounts. The report was received and adopted. ACCOUNTS. The pay-sheet, amounting to £38, and a number of accounts certified by the Engineer, were passed for payment. PETITION AGAINST BYE-IAWS. The petition of carters to rescind certain clauses of the Borough Bye-laws which weighed heavily upon them was allowed to stand over. TAKARtT-BOAD. Cr. Brown drew attention to the condition of a portion of Tararu Road, which needed improvement. Referred to Works Committee. ALBEET-BTBEET. The Mayor suggested that flood-gates should be constructedin Albert-street, to protect the property which suffered from the high tides. . Flood-gates were ordered to be constructed, subject to th» opinion of the Borough Engineer. AN APPEAL CASH. H. Driver appealed against the assessment of three allotments. The Mayor said the appeal was too late for them to entertain it. Cr. Ehrenfried said he would object to considering the matter—a time had been appointed for considering the objections, Jfe moved that it be not entertained. This was carried. , SEALEY-STBEET. Cr; Macnab drew attention to a mantrap in Sealey-street, near the Globe Hotel. A few planks would settle the matter. Referred to Works Committee. COMPLETION OF CONTRACT. The Mayor suggested that the engineer should be authorised to pay Mr. Davies, contractor for Bella-street, 75 per cent, of the sum due to him on his completing: his contract—in about a week, as the Council would not meet before two weeks, and Mr. Davies would be pressed for money, the contract, upon which he had been occupied a long time, being for £300. Councillors took the Mayor's view of the matter, and it was decided to give authority to the engineer to pay Mr. Davies 75 per cent, of the money due to him on his completing the contract to his (the engineer's) satisfaction.

The Council then rose. *