BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5409, 17 October 1906, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

JThe ordinary meeting of the above body was held in the Council Chambers on Monday night. Present : His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. B. M'Kinlay), Crs Anderson, Arlmckle, Christie, Leary, Munro, Winn, and Ko&eraon. Messrs Hugh Bruce and William K. Smyth were present, signed the usual declaration, and took their seats. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Returning Officer, notifying the return of Messrs H. Bruce and W. R. Smyth for the vacancies created by the resignations of Crs Askin and Craig. — Received. From S. P. Askin, advising that he had disposed of his right in section in block 47 to Messrs Browne Bros, and applying for a transfer of leasej to them.— Transfer agreed to. From Peter • Barr, secretary Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, forwarding copy of resolution passed by that Chamber in favor of telephonic communication between Lawrence and Dunedin, a copy of which had been forwarded to the Premier, the Hon. J. A. Millar, and Mr Jas. Bennet. — Received. From James Bailey, applying to lease section 1, block 57, Lawrence, for a term of 21 years at 20s per year. — Lease granted. From the treasurer of the local branch of the Salvation Army* applying for the free vise of the»To\yn Hall on the 17th inst. for a meeting in aid of the Army's rescue and social work. —Cr Anderson moved that the application be granted, pointing out that the object was of a charitable nature and that they had previously refunded the rent under similar circumstances. —Cr Christie seconded the motion. — Cr Leary said they should consider the matter very seriously before establishing a precedent. They should not allow the free use of the hall to one organisation unless they were prepared to let; ifc on the same conditions to all. — Cr Robertson agreed with Cr Leary. — The motion, on being put, was lost, only the mover and seconder supporting it. —Cr Christie moved and Cr Anderson seconded that the hall be let to the Army on the occasion at half cost.— Cr Leary pointed out that the motion was out of order. The Army had made a specific request, which had been refused, and he did not think it was competent for the Council to take any further action. — The Mayor upheld Cr Leary's contention and ruled the motion out of order. HEAD SURFACEMAN'S REPORT. The following report from the head surfaceman was read : — During the past two weeks I spent four hours delivering the pipes to the waterrace. I finished the concrete channel in Colonsay-street, and repaired the handrail on the bridge in Derwent-street, having extended it to Mr Christie's fence, he undertaking to pay half the cost. I put in a drain of 4in pipes in Lancaster-street, and commenced the culvert in Campbell-ton-street, having finished one wall. While watering the stieets on Saturday several of the fire-plugs began leaking, some owing to the packing giving way, and others owing to the grit getting up underneath the ball. I would call your Council's attention to the fact that some person has cut down one of the trees in lona-street, the wood of which is now lying in the bowling green. To carry the water from che ease side of WhiCehaveustreet into the culvert in Campbelltonstreet would require a drain of 244 ft of 12in pipes, which would cost £26 4s. There is one thing about this drain that requires J considering, and that is when the water ] in the creek is running at a depth of 4ft 4in the water-level will reach the intake. I estimate the co.st of concrete channelling, without curbing, at £2 12s 6d per chain. Colonsay-street. — Labor, £lo 17s 9d j

cement, £13 Is 4d 5 cartage of gravel, £4 10s ; cartage of debris,' £1 4s ;— total, £34 13s Id. Beaumont Boad. — Patting in crossing, 8s ; by refund, Bs. The Mayor explained, in reference to the estimate for a drain across Whitehavenstreet to connect the drainage of the upper end of the street with the concrete channel just completed^ that the levels were not such as would permit of this being carried out with advantage, and he -therefore thought the next best method was to carry the concrete channelling in Whitehavenstreet as far as Campbellton-screet. He moved that the matter be referred to* the Works Committee with power to act. — Cr Leary seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. In reference to the cutting of the trees without permission, the Mayor thought they should pass some resolution, otherwise they would find residents who imagined they had a grievance taking the law into their own hands. — Cr Christie said the tree had been removed by the Bowling Club, and that permission for its removal Had been otitamea during Mr Jeffery's term of office.— After several councillors had stated that they had no recollection of such permission being granted, the matter dropped, and the report as presented was approved. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment : — J. C. Arbuckle, 9s 6d ; J. H. Pearson, £7 3s ; George Leitch, £8 8s ; John Caskie, £8 ; D. Lawrence, £7 14s ; Alex. M'Coll, £3 14s; B. W. Winn, £2 10s ; Dunedin City Council, £18 10s 3d ; Matthews and Son, 18s. THE CARTING CONTRACT. Only one tender was forthcoming in response to the Council's application for tenders for carting, and it was referred to the Public Works Committee to deal with. ORDINARY BUSINESS. Cr Anderson drew attention to the insanitary condition of the lower room of the Town Hall. The floor, he said, was in a very decayed state and repairs were urgently required. — It was resolved that it be attended to at once ; and also that the outside railing leading to the stage be made safer at the same time. Cr Smyth was appointed a member of the Waterworks Committee vice the Mayor, whose resignation was accepted, and Cr Bruce added to the Public Works Committee. On the suggestion of Cr Winn, the Mayor said he would instruct the head surfaceman in regard to watering the streets at as early an hour as possible in the morning. It was unanimously agreed that the next meeting be held at 7 p.m. so as to avoid interruption from the Band concert, which was to be held on the same evening, and also afford members who desired an oppor- • t unity of attending. Cr Winn drew attention to the necessity of clearing the drainage channel of rubbish, which was intercepting the free flow of what little water there was in it. — The matter was referred to the Works Committee. In reply to a question as to whether Mr M'Nab had paid the deposit of 10s in connection with the laying on of water to Mrs Colgan's property, the clerk said the work had been completed before the matter came before the Council. — It was resolved that both plumbers be informed that in future no footpath be disturbed for any purpose before permission has been obtained from the Council, and that a deposit of 10s must accompany each application. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. Liabilities.

Depositi Account) . . Patriotic Fund .. Bank . . £850 0 0 .. 40 0 0 .. 151 1 8 £741 s 1 8 Assets. Rates, Bents, etc., due . . £876 2 10