Thames Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3678, 8 October 1880, Page 2

Thames Borough Council.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held at the Council Chambers last evening. Present—Crs Speight (in the chair), Osbprne, McGowan, Wilson, Marshall, Bawden and Mennie. BAD CULVBBTB. Mr E. E, Edwards wrote re the in* efficient state of the culvert in Campbell street, opposite the Hematite Works. A similar communication was received from Mr Atkinson relative to the bad drainage near his residence/ Pollen and Cochrane streets. • Both matters were referred to the Works Committee. KLECTOEAX KOiL. The Eegistrar of Electors sent a number of electoral registration forms, asking at the same time any assistance the Council could give him in having additional names placed on the roll.

Cr McGowan said that there were hundreds of names not yet on the roll. He moved that Mr Allom be thanked, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to take all steps possible to inorease the number of namei on the electoral roll. Carried.

BECBEATION GBOUND. The official Trustee in Bankruptcy wrote to the effect that be had been onsucessful in disposing of the remainder of Tuck's lease of the Recreation Ground, and consequently the Council could re* enter. The Town Clerk said that Mr James Rattraywas the successful tenderer for the Recreation Ground, having taken it for seven years. BAIL*. . A memo, was received from Mr D. Beere stai ing that if the Council wished the present Pahau street tramway fails to remain where they were the Government would not at any time replace them on the Tararu tramway. .. In answer to a question the Foreman of Works stated that he considered it would be advisable to have the rails replaced on the Tararu tramway. Beferred-to Works Committee with power to act. - OBPHANAGE. A letter was received from Government requesting that in future all correspondence relative to the Orphanage be I directed to the Secretary for Education, i MrHislop. ;■,.-.., * It was stated that the Secretary, Mr Hislop, was at present in Anckland, and ' would visit the Thames. 1 The Council's representatives on the I Orphanage Committee were requested to interview Mr Hislop on his arrival, and ! invite him to inspect the Orphanage. POOB BELIEF. The Believing Officer reported that 37 persons had received relief at a cost of £31 6s 8d during the month. PUMPING. A letter was received from the Secretary to the Hauraki Pumping Association drawing attention to the 115 th clause of the articles of association of the company, and asking that the Council contribute from the commencement of the present arrangements. The writer also reminded the, Council of their previous promise to the Moanatairi Pumping Association to give £50 per month. The Chairman said that they already declined to contribute until the water was below the 400 feet level. The letter was consequently received on the motion of Cr McGowan. . . N

SUBSIDIES, ETC. A letter from the treasurer stated that the subsidies due to the Borough would shortly be placed to their credit. A roucher for £10, pawnbroker's lioenie was also receded. CHABITABLB AID. It was decided to supply the Colonial Secretary with a statement of the receipts and expenditure of the Orphanage and Charitable Aid Committee's Bince the Ist July. PATBOKAGE. . It was decided to extend the patronage of the Council to an entertainment to be given by the Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade in aid of their Accident and Library Fund on the 14th inst. WATEB SUPPLY COMMITTEE. The report of this Committee was read as follows:—"The Committee hare to report that they find the water engine now erected in the Commit* tee's workshop, Pahau street, is the property of the Council, and will have to be paid for by the Borough, it having been ordered some 18 months ago from Messrs A. & G. Price by the Turncock of the Water Supply Committee, who thought a conversation that passed between the Works Committee of that body and himself authorised the purchase. As your Committee find that the Turncock acted in good faith in believing he was authorised to give this order, it is recommended that the Town Clerk notify the Turncock that this Council take orer the engine, but whilst so • doing; they condemn his practice of. obtaining articles, for the purpose, of water supply without authority, . and , that in future no supplies of. any. description be procured except on . the orders in writing of the Water Supply Committee of the Council. That the stock and tools now the property of the Council be entered in a stock book signed by the Turncock as being correct, and that he be held accountable for the same; that the Turncock also keep a work book, showing all the work done and the material used for such work, as well as the material or tools purchased for stock; that such work book be checked and kept in order by the Collector of Water Rates, and a monthly report made from it for submission to the Council; that the Turncock be also notified that he will not be allowed to do any private work, or to make any charges for work done by him in excess of his wages, but that such things as covers for fire" plugs, connection boxes, <fee, be made by him when not busy on other work, and a small stock kept on hand ready for use; that no labour be engaged by him for any work without the authority of the Committee being first obtained, except in cases of breakage of large mains, and then only on the most urgent occasions." The Committee attached a detailed statement showing how the £400 required this year for water supply . purpose will be expended. "In accordance with a recommendation of Council, one of the members of your Committee (Mr Marshall) made inquiries in Auckland as to selling some of the debentures issued by the Water Supply Committee before the property of that body was vested in the Borough Council, and ascertained that Mr Alexander Saunders, broker, of Auckland, is of opinion he oan dispose of them at par. It is asked that authority be given Mr Saunders to dispose of debentures amounting to £2133 Us Bd."

The report having been received—

The Chairman said that at the last meeting Mr Laurie stated that the water engine had only been borrowed, and now they found that it had been reallyparchased by an employee of the Water Supply Committee, though not paid for. After some discussion this portion of the report was adopted. i ■- Cr McGowan found fault with, the strict binding down of the Turncoofrcon* cerning the employment of labor. Tjhey should not hinge up a man who filled a responsible position. \' Cr Bawden pointed out that the clause referred to would place the Turncock on the same footing as the Foreman of Works. The Chairman said that the desire of the Committee was to pay off the debt and work the supply as economically as possible, consequently they wished to supervise all expenditure. ■ This portion of the report was then adopted. Cr MoGowan thought that the Com* mittee should have reported on the salaries of officials,, connected with the Water Supply. He was of opinion that there should be no special salaries for the clerical officials.

Cr Osborne moved tbtt the items £50

per annum secretary and 2£ per cent, to collector be struck oat. Gr McGowan moved as an amendment, " That Crs Speight, Mennie, Oiborneand Bawd en be a committee to report on the whole of the salaries paid by the Coon* oil. The resolution was carried. The report as amended was then adopted. NOTICE OF MOTION. Or Mennie gave notice to more at next meeting, "The Council consider the whole question of salaries paid to.officer* of the Council." FOREMAN OP WORKS. The report of this officer was read and adopted. -- - ~ Tho Health Officer reported that three deaths had occurred during the past month. He drew attention to the l>ad state of the water-table in Bella* street, near the Karaka Creek. Cr Mennie said that the matter referred to was rery offensire, and moved that the nuisance be removed at once. Carried. FINANCE. The Finance Committee's report was read and adopted. VALUER. Mr Fleming was appointed Valuer at the same remuneration as last year, N WASTE LANDS BOABD. .. The Chairman said that owing to the 1 resignation of Dr Campbell of his seat on the Waste Lands Board a good oppor^ tunity presented' itself for urging the Gorernment to appoint a Thames resident on the Board. On th* motion of;Cr Bawden it was resolved that the Mayor communicate with the Government on the matter. ■ . . WOBK BY TEMpBB. Cr McGowan gave notice of motion— " That the Works Committee be authorised to let, by public tender, the follow* jog works:—To clean, repair, and keen in order that portion of Tsri.ru Boad between the Tararu bridge and Burke Btreet; also to keep the drains and water tables cleared for a period to be arranged; also Pollen street, from its junction with Owen street to its termination at Grey street, all drains and water tables to be kept clear; also, that the asphalt yard, with sheds, appliances, boilers, tools, <fee., be offered for public Sender, tenderers to state price they will give for lime, shingle, &&, in stock, and the price per square yard they will undertake to lay asphalt for the Borough Council." MB WHITAKEB'S VISIT.

The Works Committee were appointed to interview Mr Whi taker with a view to obtaining a portion of the' Government grant for goldfields roads.

v WAIOTAHI MA" BLOCK. A letter was received from. Mr G. T. Wilkinson to the. effect that the Native Minister had decided that no final payments were to be made.to any of the native owners of interests in the Waiotahi A Block, Grahamstown, until the Land Court had appointed a sne* oersor to one of the grantees, wko was deceased.?-Received. , ' ,-' This concluded the business.