THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2035, 13 July 1875, Page 2

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of the Thamfs Borough Council was held last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor ; Crs Brown, Ehrenfried, Macnab, Renshaw, and Wilson. ; MINUTES. '.' : './■: Tho minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The Clerk read copies of letters sent since last meeting. THE FORESHORE.. .......... A letter was received from Mr Charles O'Neill, M.H.R., as follows :—

Sir,—As the member for the Thames district in the General Assembly, I beg respectfully to direct the attention of your Worship to the Thames foreshore, and to remind you that during last session I asked the Premier, in the House of Representatives, what steps, if any, had been taken by the Government towards handing over the foreshore at Grahamstown and Shortland to the Thames Municipality. Mr Vogel, in his reply, stated, " The Government desired to hand over the foreshore, and indeed felt bound to do so. He had spoken to the late Superintendent on the matter, and it was intended that the foreshore should be handed over to the Thames Municipality upon certain terms; but the present Superintendent (Mr Williamson) was averse to the proposition, and the Government was placed in a difficulty in consequence." Before proceeding to Wellington to attend Parliament, which opens on the 20th instant, I wish to know whether you purpose taking any steps in regard to the question of the General Government handing over the foreshore to the Thames authorities. I waited upon his Honor Sir Geqrge Grey upon the subject, and he will assist in- any general measure for the benefit of the Thames; but you should more in the matter, and I will, as I have always done, use my best exertions in promoting your interests in Parliament. I have only, therefore, to suggest that you and your Council should take the matter into consideration without: delay, and arrange to giveiinstructions for.' the preparation of a Foreshore Bill, to be brought before Parliament early in the coming session. The Bill should be full and complete, snowing plainly the general, purposes for which it is prepared, and should embrace the carrying put of large measures in proportion tolthe importance of the Thames, and the fast-spreading goldfields ;of Ohinemuri and Tairua—l have, &c, Charles O'Neill.

The Mayor said this was an important letter, especially the latter part, referring to the bill. He (the Mayor) thought the bill should be made by the Government, and that it should not be a private bill. It was a question whatthey should do, as it was thought the Borough should of itself take action to secure their desires.

. Cr. Ehrenfried opined that it would be better to call a meeting of the Highway Boards, and, consulting with them, have a bill drawn up. He thought it would not be wise to undertake the matter by themselves, as some obstacles might be thrown in the way. The Mayor said a' meeting of the Highway Boards was shortly to be held, and that the matter would there be discussed. The question was/whether the bill should be private or left to the Government.

Cr Brown said the matter should not be left to the General Government. A private bill should be sent down. They could easily provide a rough draft to be completed at Wellington, and the bill could be tabled by their representative. The .Mayor said that would necessitate many amendments and the printing in Wellington. He thought M^Whitaker, being interested in Kopu, might be induced to draw up a bill. Cr Brown said they should have the draft bill ready* and the Government might take it up. The Mayor said, it was necessary that they should see not only Mr O'JS"eill but other members, before they went to the Assembly. He had telegraphed to Mr O'JSTeill, asking when he purposed leaving. r

Or Ehrenfried moved that a meeting of the Council be called for to-morrow at 11 o'clock and that the clerk write to the chairmen of the- different highway boards, or such other members as may be deputed, and members of the Provincial Council to meet them at that hour to discuss the question of drafting a bill. Cr Rowe (who just previous, to the above motion had entered the Chamber) said bis opinion was that they should agree upon.the measures here and have the bill drafted in Wellington; It would be cheaper. ' It was decided to leave the discussion of the matter till to-morrow (this day.) The motion. was" seconded by Mr Rowe, and carried.

THE LATE STOBM. ; A letter was received from the Superintendent regarding the destruction by the late gale. The letter has been published. With regard to the Tararu Road the Mayor referred to the steps taken by the Council. In accordance with the request - of* the Superintendent a letter had rbeen sent representing the inability of the Council to maintain the road. It seemed, however, that the Superintendent had changed his mind, as shown by that letter, which handed over the road finally. Mr Howe complained.that they were not properly treated by their member,who might do many things for the district at the next session were he to come " and discover their wants. He looked upon the letter sent by Mr.Chas. O'Neill as a sham, and the writer was | simply a stumbling block. As to the j road, he did not see how they could get out of that. i Cr Renshaw: The Council should not Ibe askeA to take over the road until they are in receipt of the revenue which has hitherto supported it. The Mayor said the Tararu road had never been properly made, and: the Government had nevrr stated, when they gave permission for the rail line, whether there w,as any revenue derivable from it. Cr Brown said an immense amount of traffic went along that road, and as to the tramway, it was a great saving to the Borough. He looked upon the Tararu road in the same manner as any other road Cr Eowe said there were other roads requiring attention, and they had no money to do it, and it was a matter for representation to the Government. The Mayor said the road was in a most disgraceful state, and he did not see how they were going to maintain it. The Superintendent had stated that he would

consider tho matter if tho Council repre- I sented their wishes on paper. Cr Macnab suggested that a letter should be sent to the Superintendent, and, the Mayor could also see him, and repre- I sent their position. Sir George Grey] would be the best member of the Assembly / with whom to entrust their interests. - The Mayor: We can simply »ay we cannot maintain the road. Cr Rowe moved that a letter be written to the Superintendent, stating that the Council have no means to keep the Tararu Road, and asking the Government to maintain it as heretofore. Carried. , „..,....!,.,,.,.,,..,.,.. „ PLANTING TREES. A letter was received from Mr Lush, asking for permission to plant trees opposite the parsonage, in Mackaystreet, and opposite the church. Permission was granted.

THE TARARIT CEMETERY. A letter was received from tho Magistrate of Wangarei, regarding one Miriam, a native, whose signature is wanted to the deed of the cemetery. He recommended Mr Mair as a person to entrust with the deeds and the £5 (part of the purchase money). It was decided to communicate with Mr Mair. A letter was received from Mr Billings, asking for permission to use the cow-shed on the new cemetery ground, in return for which he would look' after the ground. The Mayor said it was inadvisable to let anyone have cattle inside the fence." He had undertaken to shut it up, so that no cattle could go into ifc. It was absurd that they should grant such permission after spending £40 in ploughing the ground and sowing it with grass. It was decided to refuse permission. , . ; POLLEN STREET.:; : ' A letter from Mr John Ley don drew attention to the footpath in Pollen street, which was in great need of repair, the curbing having given way. Referred to the Works Committee with a suggestion from Mr Macnab that the corner' of Pollen and Sealey streets be repaired;"V .-■ ~rf I • • ;V. ) '■ * : MISTAKEN VALUATION. ; A letter from David Kennedy drew attention to a clerical error made in valUf ing his allotment at £40 instead of £4. * Cr. Wilson said it was evidently a mistake, the house being a two-roomed shanty. ; • ;; The Clerk stated; that the writer had paid all the rates but the present onei i After considerable discussion, the matter was referred to the Works Committee.

PUBLIC HEALTH. The report of the Health Officer was read, and received, and adopted. PUBLIC WORKS. The report of the Foreman of Works was read, containing a number of accounts, amounting in all to .£l9 19s 7d. The report also referred to the state of different streets as follovrs: — " In Baillie-street, facing the Queen of Beauty hoppers, the road, for a length of 3 chains 20 feet, has settled down 3 feet i below the permanent level. On Monday last a horse and dray, were passing over that portion of road, theptchers^gave way, and the horse* sunk at leksfc seven feet, and had to be drawn up with ropes, and was severely injured. I am of opinion that the whole road is excavated underneath, nnd simply held together by the pitchers, and I fear that some serious accident will shortly occur. In WaioKaraka Road, opposite the Queen of Beauty shaft, I find that for 80 feet the road and fluming is gradually settling down. The Tararu Road, from Curtis'? wharf to below the Kuranui battery, is in a fearful state, and would require at least 300 yards of. metal to place it iv a state of repair. The Beach Road, more especially from Reid's timber yard to the Karaka foot-bridge, has suffered considerable damage from the late gale ; the gaspipe and the waterpipes are completely uncovered, and some of the latter had to be repaired. The sea-wall (Tararu Road) has also suffered considerable damage from the gale; I estimate the damage done at about £150. There have also been several landslips on the road to the Tararu Cemetery; cost of removing the same would be about £4; also, a great portion of the pitched causeway leading from the 'Tararu Road to the beach*has been washed away. If not repaired, the sea will encroach on, the ; wall protecting the Cemetery Road. I would also draw your attention to the culvert from the Wharf Hotel to the Beach Road. I find that it is completely rotten and fast caving in." The accounts were passed for payment. The Mayor said the .settling down of the road was a serious matter, and there was a dispute between the Bright Smile and Queen of Beauty as to whose was the excavation. The matter was referred to the "Works Committee. ; Regarding the Beach road, the Mayor said that was a matter which required attention. ..-."■;•.- Cr Rowe said too much trouble had been taken hitherto regarding the road. All that was required was that the mullock should be carted from the mines and tipped on the beach without a wall. The sea would not wash it away. The Mayor said there was a difficulty regarding that portion opposite the Wesleyan Church with the Association. Perhaps the trustees might be communicated with. ,•■'".., ;

Cr Bowe said it was the Native difficulty which formed the obstacle— the trustees had no objection, having contemplated taking down* the fence and moving it further back, but the Natives had tapued the ground. The Mayor asked would there be any difficulty about constructing a road outside the fence. , • : Cr Bowe opined that there would be no difficulty with the trustees on that head. It was decided to leave the Beach road to the "Works Committee with power to act. The land slip at the Tararu Cemetery was referred to the-Works Committee. As to the Albert street culvert, near the Wharf HoM; the Mayor said it was a matter requiring immediate attention. It was decided to lay down a new culvert. ■'" ' : ■-■■'■ ': -:" ■•• BATES. ■ --V. ■•'• ■"•■-:-.•': ■■: . The collector reported that he had collected £245 rates, and £350"f0r water rates during the month; he also submitted a list of unpaid rates. It was decided to issue summonses against all defaulters, 50 having been taken o»t. \ . . FINANCE. The report of the Finance Committee was read, and the accounts, amountiDg to £90, passed for payment.

VALUATOB. f The Mayor stated that the Valuation Committee had approved of the application of Mr Wildman to act as Valuator, his charge being £25. The approval of the Committee required to be confirmed by the Council. Cr Brown moved that Mr Wildman be valuator. Carried. : QUEEN STBEET. . . Mr Macnab said the footpath from the Union Bank to the Fire Brigade shed required attention, as the Fire Brigade could not at present get to their reading room. It was desirable to make it passable, the Brigade having taken so much trouble with their shed. Left to the Mayor. iEAVE OF ABBEIJCE. ' The Mayor applied for leave of absence on behalf of Cr Anthony, who was in Auckland, which was granted. . FIBE BBIGADE. V; ,' r It was determined to order the erection of a frame on which to'dry the hose. '