THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2104, 1 October 1875, Page 2

THAMES BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council was held yesterday evening in the Council Chambers. Present His Worship the Mayor, Crs Ehrenfried, Wilson, Renshaw, Butt and Macnab. . , fi The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. LEA.YE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted to Cr Anthony, who was reported to be still ill. BOBOUGH STAGE COACHI9. A letter was read from the Borough

stage coach proprietors requesting that the license be reduced from £2 to £1, on account of the dulness of the times.

The Mayor said he thought the license at present paid was too hiph. He thought it would be better to make the license payable half yearly, which would relieve the drivers.

Councillor Butt thought that as the license was only. £2 at Auckland, half that amount was all that was just and proper to be paid at the Thames where the traffic was not nearly so great, though the expense of keeping horses was greater. Crs Renshaw and Ehrenfried thought that considering how much the stage drivers used the road £2 was not more than was right. Cr Benshaw proposed that the license remain as it is, but that it be issued half yearly. Carried. WATER PIPES IN SEALEY STBEET.

A letter was read from some of the inhabitants of Sealey street requesting that a water pipe be laid along Sealey street to enable them to take the water into their houses. Referred to the Water Committee.

KUBANOI CREEK. A letter was read from Messrs. Macdonald and Miller- enclosing one from the Kuranui G.M. Company denying their liability to be called on to lay down the Kuranui creek culvert, but offering to contribute £20 thereto on condition that no further charges be made. Resolved to accept the offer.

SHELLBACK. A letter was read requesting that a water pipe or culvert be placed across the road, as the accumulated water was Retting to be a nuisance. [Referred to the Works Committee.

WAIOTAHI WATER SUPPLY. A letter was read from the Engineer's Office enclosing a letter from the Waiotahi Board informing the Council that the Board could not take over the water supply on the terms offered by the Council, and suggesting terms on which they would be prepared to do so. Matter deferred until next meeting. WATER FOB BLOCK 5a AND CAMPBELL STREET. A letter was read from ratepayers in Block 5a and Campbell street requesting that, owing to the deficient supply of water, a stand pipe be erected at the corner of Keddell and Campbell streets. * Several of the Councillors expressed their opinions that a standpipe should be erected. Keferred to the water committee, r DESTITUTION.

A letter was read from the officer of the local board of health, calling attention to the destitute condition of Mrs Fearse and her four children.

The Town Clerk testified to the neces sity of the case.

The Mayor thought it was a case for the Council to show their charity as private individuals and not as public officials. It appeared that Mrs Pearse was in receipt of but 27 shillings a month from Government and three shillings a week from the Ladies Benevolent Society, and that the case was a most urgent one, the poor woman having been working as long as she possibly could work. Mr Fleming stated the miserable condition the woman was in, and His Worship started a subscription in the room by giving £l, the other councillors and the Town Clerk followed suit and £3 10s was collected.

BEPOBT OP WORKS COMMITTEE

Was read and received. The principal item was the proposed change of the Borough Council Chambers. Two plans were proposed one being that th« Council Chambers be removed to the present tit. George's Hall, the other to the old National Bank, which might be had at the rent of £1 a week.

The Mayor thought the expense of going to St. George's Hall would be too great to warrant their undertaking it. Cr. Ehrenfried thought that if a change were made it ought to be for the better, and it did not appear to him that it would be so to remove to the old National Bank. '.--?:-

Cr. Eenshaw thought that the present chambers were properly situated, and that it was better to hare chambers in a back street. .

Resolved, that the question stand over until the next meeting, the. Mayor in the meantime to ascertain the lowest price at which Ht. George's Hall could be purchased.

"WAGES SHEET. The wages sheet amounting £54 2s was passed for payment. PABAWAI HIGHWAY BATES. The amount at which the Borough Reservoir, Waterworks and other Borough property in Parawai assessed by the Parawai Highway Board was stated by the Town Clerk, who informed the Council that the day of appeal was fixed for the Bth instant. The whole Council seemed unanimous on the point of the injustice, if not illegality, of the rate, and the Mayor and Town Clerk were deputed to appeal against it on these grounds, and also ou the ground of its being excessive in amount. CHUBCH. MISSIONARY LAND. The report as to the advisability of taking up any of the Church Mission land was read, and after some discussion it was resolved that the Church Mission Trustees be requested to allow the matter to stand over for a week to enable the Mayor to ascertain how far the land was required for the construction of a dam to suppy the Borough with water, as the present supply was inadequate.

NIGHT SOIL

It was agreed that the Council should refund half the fine recently inflicted on Mr Waite, the contractor for removal of night soil, should his statement prove correct.

VALUATION.

Wednesday next was fixed on as a day on which; to receive the : Valuer's return.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The Mayor was requested to obtain as much information as possible on various matters to be discussed at the next meeting;., : :i;:.: ■■.•■.• '■/ ' -.':"; ; :.-'- - '