ST ALBANS BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6161, 14 February 1888, Page 4

ST ALBANS BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Last Night's Meeting. An ordinary meeting o£ this Council was hold at the Borough Council offices, at 7.30 p.m. yesterdayj present — the Mayor (Chairman), and Councillors Heard, Penteney, Smith, Neate, Garnett, Waymouth, Bull, and Meares. On the motion of Councillor Waymouth, leave of absence was granted to Councillor Moor, absent through illness. The Mayor reported that he and Councillors Meares, Smith, aud Waymouth had recently waited on the President o£ the Fire Insurance Association, on the subject of fire prevention in St Albans. That gentleman had recommended that a report on the matter should be drawn up by experts, and suggested Mr Maddison, their inspector, and ex-Superintendent Harris as competent persons to do the work. The Mayor reported that the Council had also visited the Drainage Board, to urge the cause of the drainage pipes in Free's Creek and the state of the drain in Edgeware road. They had not yet re* ceived an official report, but expected one after to-morrow's meeting. Councillor Neate, for the Finance Committee, reported that the pay-sheet for the fortnight amounted to £ISo 183. Receipts for the like term were as follows : — General rate, 18S7, .£l5B Ss Id ; do 18S6, .£1 IS3 s:} d 5 "VVaiumkariri rate, .£l2 2s 2£d ; drainage do, .£137 Us s|d ; dog tax, .£l2 10s j sundries, X25 Os lOd; total, £M 7 10s 11-Jd. The balance at the bank was reported to be JBI3 83 lid. The report was adopted; The Works Committee, through Councillor Penteney, reported that they recommended that tenders be called for carting shingle from the Council's pits. Three tenders had been received for the works. These were referred to the Works Committee.. The Committee further recommended that 100 yds of Rocky Point grit bo used for their footpaths. The suggestion was adopted, with power to accept the lowest tender. The report was adopted as a whole. The Sanitary Committee, through Councillor Garnett, reported a nuisance in a drain in Colombo street, near the North Belt. Ifa was decided to attend to the matter at once. The Inspector of Slaughterhouses reported that the slaughterhouses were all in good order. Councillor Meares moved — " That Mr S. G. Maddison, ex-Piro Brigade Superintendent Harrie, and Mr Smith be "requested to draw up a scheme or report on the subject of the means available in the Borough for fire prevention, paying for it if necessary." Seconded by Councillor Waymouth. Councillor Neate thought a small chemical engine would be worse than useless, and deprecated money being spent on reports on the subject. After a somewhat sharp discussion, Councillor Garnett gave notice of motion —"That a Volunteer Fire Brigade be formed, to be called the Sfc Albans Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Council invite candidates to send in their name 3to the Town Clerk at once." Councillor Meares' motion was put and carried, Councillor Neate alone dissenting. It was decided to take proceedings under the Public Works Act to force people to cut such of their trees as overhang footpaths in the Borough. Councillor Garnett moved — " That the appointment of Mr Smith as Borough Ranger be rescinded." He thought that the Council, whether they thought fit to give him a weekly salary or abolish the post, had placed themselves in a very false position. He could hardly walk down the street without hearing two or three complaints about the Ranger. • Councillor Meares seconded the motion, and thought their Foreman should act as their Ranger, and he had the greatest pleasure in seconding the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Councillor Buil moved the notice of motion standing in his name — "That the resolution adopting the report o£ the Special Committee re economy, on Dec. 12, 1887, be rescinded, excepting that part in reference to office hours; and in lieu thereof the Town Clerk be asked to accept the salary of J5210 a year, to take elfect on April 1 next." Councillor Smith seconded the motion. • Councillor Waymouth would vote for the motion on condition that the subject of the Returning- Officer be considered. This was agreed to. The motion was carried, Councillors Neate and Penteney alone voting against it. Councillor Garnett then moved his motion re establishing a Fire Brigade. The Mayor had much pleasure in--1 seconding the motion. After some discussion, the motion was allowed to stand over till next meeting. After some minor business had been disposed of, the Council adjourned till that day four weeks.