Borough Council.

Thames Star, Volume XXX, Issue 8978, 28 January 1898, Page 3

Borough Council.

The ordinary, monthly meeting of the Thames Borough Council was held last evening Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Scott) in the Ciiair, and Ore Wood, Davey, Foy, Poulgrain, Menzies, Burch, Clark, and Whitehead. The minutes were read and confirmed. Footbridge.—Wm. Taylor applied for permission to erect afootbridge over the Karaka Creek.—Granted, subject to the approval of the Foreman of Works-

Water Charges—Mr W. Town-

send applied for a reduction of charges for the use of water for his pelton wheel.—Resolved that the Council has no power to make a rebate, and the request cannot be entertained. Enteric Feveb.—Dr Williams reported two cases of enteric fever, one from Waihi and onefrom Waitefeauri. Both are young men of 23 years. Mr Deeble & the Watek Charges. —Under date of January 25th Mr Wm. Deeble wrote as follows:— " I have paid the demand of your collector under pressure and the penalty of having the water cut off. I request you to hold over my cheque and g- ant me the request of appearing before the Council on the 27th rast. I think it very unfair to be charged with water that I have not used."— Mr Deeble further wrote under date of January 27th:—"I most respectfully request that you will allow me to . put my case before you in person It ia to me a very vexatious one and I think if allowed to put the whole of the case before you in its different aspec+s it will be satisfaction to me at least, and I hopn to be the means of placing you in the possession of the full case, as it has been shown to me in its actual bearings."—After an explanation by the Town Clerk of the circumstances leading up to the matter, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Foy, seconded by Or Wood, that the standing orders be suspended to allow Mr Deeble to personally lay his case before the Council, —Mr Deeble thereupon eDtered into a lengthy explanation, and the Council then passed on to the next business. Finance Committee. — Tbe Committee reported :—" The Committee held a special meeting' on the 20th instant for the purpose of considering the financial position of the Council, and after due consideration of the different points in connection there with recommend as follows : Ist. i hat the Council refuse to undertake any Dew work until the Council's position improves. 2nd. To push along the work in hand and then reduce the working staff. 3rd. That the Drainage Board be informed that the Council cannot guarantee to contiibute £10 per month for the current year, but will do so as long as possible. Instructions have also been given to sue for all unpaid 1896 97 rates that may be on the books on February 3rd. Your Oominittee desire to report to the Council that the overdraft has principally arisen through the great falling off in goldfields' revenue, and Owing to the largnexpenditureonstreets footways, etc., during the pasD two years. The falling off in gold duty alone in 1896 and 1897, from what it

was during tie two previous years, amounts to over£6oo. —Beceived and adopted. b-'oHOOL of Mines.—The following letter was read irom Mr A. , Bruce (Secretary School of Mines Council) on behalf of Mr.James AlcGowan (President of the Council) :— "I have the honor by direction of the Council of the School of Mines to convey to your Council their very sincere thanks for kind»donation of amount equal to the amount of rattas due! on the school buildings. 1' — Eeceived. Eabaka ' Creek Boulders. —Mr M. D O'Keefe wrote:—" I beg to fipply to your Council for permission, to dredge and sluice the Karaka Creek, and to lift therefrom road metalf, shingle and tailings from | its outlet at the beach to the Borough's : northern boundary." •— Permission | granted subject to conditions drafted Iby a committee consisting of the Mayor, Or Boulgrain, and the Town Clerk. A Eesignation. — Mr James i Paterson wrote :— "I have the honor to tender herewith my resignation as Superintendent of the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade with which body I have been connected for the past thirteen years. I do not think I should be acting with bare justice to the men of the Brigade if I did not in this my last official communication express to you the pleasure it has always given me to watch tlieir careful and zealous attention to duty on all occasions and under all circumstances. I have also to thank the Borough Council and its officers for the courtesy they have inv i_i_ :j i.. -11 *i.« dj^oJo'..

communications and the promptness with which its wants have been met." —Or Vvood moved that the resignation he received with regret, and that Supt. Patersrii be thanked for his past services.—Seconded by Or Poulgraiu, and earned. Unauthorised Wokk. — Messrs Thos. Moyle and P. J. Home wrote:— " We theundersignrd beg to draw your attention to the fact that, owing to the dangerous state of the old flight of steps leading from Upper Albert street tg our residences, we were compelled to replace them with new. We would therefore kindly ask the Council if they will defray the cost of material alone, amounting to £1 8d 6d, we supplying the labor gratis. The above amount might be allowed in lieu of rates."—The Town Clerk stated that the work was not authorised, and the claim appeared to be an aftt-r thought. I —Or Whitehead thought that a dangerous precedent should not be , established, and moved that the re quest be refused.—Seconded by Cr Clark, and carried. , Karaka Road. —In response to a complaint by a resident, it was resolved that the Foreman of Works report, on the condition of this road. The report of the Foreman of Works was adopted, and the accounts were passed, for; payment. These concluded the principal business.