BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 6310, 7 February 1874, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The adjourned meeting of this body was held last evening, when the following Crs were present — Ur.s Laird, Nathan, Duthie, Beaven, JBamber, and Chad wick. Cr Dnthie was voted to the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. FINANCE REPORT. The Report of this Committee, brought np at the last meeting, was again read, arid upon the motion of Cr Chadwick, was adopted. CORRESPOND!! tfCE. A letter was read from the Mayor intimating the necessity of his resignation of that office owing to private busitidss, but expressing hid intention of holding his seat as a Cr for the present. One from E. N. Lifnton, as to the state of the crossing of Ingustre Street. One from Hurley and Co., asking permission to erect a verandah in front ot their new premises in Victoria Avenue. One from the Engineer, addressed to the Public Works Committee, as to the expense of kerbing, giving the amount of expense incurred already, and stating ihat the completion of the work would cost £100. RESIGNATION OF THE M.IVOR. The resignation of this olhcer was accepted. INGESTRE STREET REPAIRS, The letter ot Mr Liffiton was referred to the Works Committee, to use their discretion. VERANDAH. The application by Hurley & Co., to erect a verandah w;is granted. ENGINEERS LETTER. The lettei of this officer, alter some rem'ii'ks, was referred to the Works Committee, who would hfits their discretion as to a- hat timber they would use for the kerbing. The Ors all agreeing that white and red pine were not suitable for the work. RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR. The resignation of Cr Bonnie was on the motion otOr Bamfter accepted. AD DlTOlts' FEES. A claim from Messrs Churton and Wright for auditing the accounts of the Council amounting to £15 lo.s wao road. The opinion of the Council was that the fee was rather a high one, and upon the motion of Cr Beaven it was reduced to £5 5s each. engineer's salary. This officer's salaiy to Ist Feb amounting to £100 was paaßed.

IT RESERVES. Cr Bamber said he would have liked to have seen a report from the above Committee, he had 3een the work going on at the Queen's Gardens, this was no time for ploughing when there was no vegetation, he also objected to the sand being placed there in which to plant trees ; the whole work w-inld have to be done again in the autumn. Cr Chadwick agreed with most of the remarks of the previous speaker, but said that the authority for ploughing and cross ploughing had been given by the Council. After some few remarks upon the subject—

Cr Duthie said he would have liked _ to have heard a report from the CointniUee ; he had noticed Boine^j^^^ 1 of cement being landed for. the Ooun^^Fo'r the purchase of '"wiiic^^Was' not 1 aware of any authority ;hav4ngvb^}|i:given. Cr Ohadw;ick^alled!H|||itiion to the fact that lie, /as Chairman vof^jiat Committee, had informed the j36inVcii;;|what steps hid-: been taken in tho .'matter. ;;! "■

Cr Bamber;-^yi|g|sted *.h»t »H' letters receive^|h*|Mld|g> laid before the Council at^thjß^J^lxtimeetiug. ' . -„ H; ;jTß|||ierl£ t theu read the whole of the and correspondence referTingrto the purchase of the cement— the last dbtcer containing an invoice of 100 casks pom Messrs Kru 11 and Co., the value of which was £110.

Or Bauiber said that no work should be undertaken amounting to over £20, except by contract, and that then the matter anouid be carried out by the Council. la this matter uo contract was entered into, but the committee had exceeded their powers, and had written to a private individual in fact they had exceeded the powers of the 117 and 118 sections of the Municipal Act. It was only due to the ratepayers that the contract should be let by tender. Or Chad wick said that he had done his best to suit the interests of the Borough, had he waited to call a meeting when the telegrams were received, those interests would have been sacrificed. Cr Duthie said that the purchase was an illegal one under the Act ; had the account been pressed for payment he should have opposed it. The cement might have been imported much cheaper by local merchants. ELECTION OF MAYOR. Cr Laird moved that a special meeting of the Council be called for Tuesday next, for i he election of a Mayor. Or Nathan seconded. Carried. The Council then went into Committee. t THJB WATERWORKS. Cr Duthie having been chosen chairman, the minutes of the previous three meetings were read and continued. Cr Beaveu said t\at the business of the meeting was to receive the plan of the viaducts from the Engineer, and to hear that officer's report. He moved that the report >rt heard. Cr Bam her seconded the proposition. Mr Mllar then laid his plan on the table and described the minutiae, size of the hydrants, ivc Cr Bamber moved that the Engineer be authorised to order the number of hydrants fipecin'ed. Cr iieaven seconded and said that they should look further tiian the present time. Cr Duthij pointed out uiai the committee had not the power to authorise the Engineer to procure the items necessary, they co-ild only recommend the Couueil to do so. Cr Bamber said that as this was a cornmil tee of the whole Council, it had all the powers of the Council. Cr Duthie ruled against Cr Bamber. Cr Bamber then moved as an amendment that the committee approve of tne report, and recommend its adoption to the Council at the uext special meeting. Cr Beaven seconded — Carried. The ttnyineer said that, there was another point, viz., as to providing hydrants in districts where there were no reetieulation pipes — the cost would be about £25 each. Cr Duthie suggested that provision should be made for public hydrants and wells, as many people could not afford to have the water laid on to their houses. In this the Crs coincided, and Cr Beaven moved — " That the Engineer be authorised to pro vide 0 short hydrants." Cr Laird seconded. Carried, VIRGINIA LAKE. Cr Bamber said he thought the time had now arrived when steps should be taken to purchase the lake and necessary land adjoining it from Mrs Hair —he would propose that a Committee consisting of Crs Beaven (Chairman,) Nathan, and Laird be appointed to negotiate with Mrs Hair, and report to the Couueil from time to time. Carried.

This closed the business, and the Council adjourned till Tuesday.