BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5629, 27 May 1885, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the above waa held last eveniug. Preseut — The Mayor, Cra Nathan, Murray, Tod, Neill, Hutchison, Bell, Richards, Carson, and Manson.

Minutes. — The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Valuation.— The Mayor reported that the committee for considering tho valuation question had met, and he asked that leave be given to meet again. Since they had met he had received an assessment roll from Mr Sperry. and on looking over it he found that it would be well for the committee to meet again. Leave granted.

Auction of leases. — Mr J. Chadwick reported that the reserve on the Borough leaseß offered was considered to be too high, but he thought that if put up for 14 years without reterve they would be all taken.

Ridgway Street.— Mrs Kirby, of Wellington House, wrote drawing attention to the drain and kerbing near her place.— Cr Bell moved that the kerbing be done, Mra Kirby to pay half cost.— Cr Murray objected to this, as the Council had decided not to put down any more kerbings. They had even taken up kerbings in other places, forwhich ratepayers had paid. — His Worship stated that no resolution had been passed to put a stop to putting down kerbinga.— Cr Nathan thought it made a difference if Mrs Kirby was willing to pay half .—The Mayor thought that the foreman might look after the water channel. — Or Nathan seconded the motion. — Cr Murray moved as an amendment that the kerbing be not put down, but that the channel be cleaned out. — The Mayor would not accept that as an amendment. — Cr Richards supported the resolution. — In answer to Cr Murray the foreman stated that no kerbing had been put down in town, unless the whole block were kerbed. — Cr Hutchison did not support the resolution, as he thought patches were undesirable. — The motion was put and carried on the casting vote of the chairman.

Kiver Bank.— The committee, after visiting the River Bank, reported as follows :—: — '• The committee appointed to report on the necessary workß to be undertaken to prevent the further encroachments of the river, beg to report that they recommend that seven chains of fascine breastwork be constructed, commencing at Sb George's .Gate, and extending to Guyton Street, and, according to the instructions of the Council, have called for tenders for the necessary supply of fascines and clay." — The Mayor said the work would cost from £300 to £350, and it was a work of great urgency. He begged to move the adoption of the report. — Cr Hutchison thought the G ivernment might be called on, as he considered it might come under the Koada and Bridges Construction Act. — The Mayor said that Mr Ballance did not seem to think when he (the Mayor) spoke to him on the matter, that anything could be done by the Government. — On looking up the Act Cr Hutchison found that Boroughs were excluded from its provisions . — Councillor Nathan seconded the adoption of the report. The motion was carried.

Harrison Street. — W. Collingwcod wrote calling attention to Harrison Street, the condition of which in wet weather was very bad.— Referred to the Foreman of Works.

Estimates.— The Mayor th.en laid the estimates for next year on the table. The figures given were — Receipts : Credit balance, £147 ; general rates, £2150 ; rents from reserves, etc., £850 ; licenses, £1200 ; dog tax, £125; rent from pound, £20; weighbridge, £35; fines, £20; reimbursements, £250 ; private contribution (Halswell Street drain), £100 ; total, £4897. On the other side the figures were as follows : Under the heading Fixed Charges— Salaries, £370 ; auditors, £31 10s; library, £25; bridge, £236 6d Sd ; Fire Brigade, £125 ; interest on loan, £3000, at 7 per cent, £210. Incidental charges— Hospital, £480 ; licenses) £8 ; elections, £20 ; law, £25 ; valuation (contingency), £50; lighting, £335; weighbridge, £100 ; reserves, £30 ; River Bank protection, £350 ; advertising, £70 j printing, stamps, stationery, etc., £30; interest on overdraft, £10. Works — Day labour, £700 ; gravel, £460 (£3OO spent) ; cartage (including contractor), £325 ; cement, tar, and timber, £80 ; plant, £20 ; drainage, £420 ; contracts, £250 ; contingencies, £136 3s 4d ; total, £4897. In introducing these, His Worship said that last year the estimates had been framed with the intention ef reducing the overdraft } it had been reduced slightly, though not as much as estimated, on account of needed and urgent works. In making up the assets and liabilities, it was found that the Borough asßets would more than cover all liabilities, 80 that reduction was not an urgency now.— Going over the items, discussion ensued on most of them. — Cr Hutchison thought the anditors* remuneration should be reduced to ten guineas each. It seemed to him that the sum qf £31 10s waß altogether too large, and he would be disposed to give notice that it be reduced next year. — The Mayor remarked that there were four quarterly audits, which took time. For; the Hospital last year the expenditure was estimated at £320, but as tho Borough con* tribution for the last six months had not been paid, he had placed £4SO down for the year.— Cr Hutchison thought that £S for licensing election expenses was too heavy. The Clerk explained that the triennial voting on local option had come into this year's expenditure. The cost of lighting, it was considered, would be slightly less than last year. — The Mayor stated that some of the larger works to be undertaken would be let by contract ; it had been found that by doing this, the Borough staff of workmen could be reduced greatly. The works on the River Bank, and the drainage did not leave them power to reduce the overdraft, nor did he Bee any great necessity for attempting a reduo«

tion this year. The state of the loan account was then brought up and discussed ; tiG statement showed a deficiency of £173 on the year. — After further discussion on each of the items, and a few slight alterations, it was proposed by Cr Hutchison, and seconded by the Mayor, that all reports on the Halswell Street, with aa estimate from the foreman, be laid on the table at next meeting for consideration, — The estimates were then passed. Water Ratks. — Mr Bennie waited' on the Council relative to his water tax. He had paid £13 Is for rates for water laid on to the Academy of Music, and ha had received an account for 25s for the Malt Hous^ The water was not uaed in the Academy of Music, and he thought it should bo cut off, and that he should only pay for what he used at the malt huute, — Mr Puroell snid th«t the rate was charged on the Academy as a dwellinghouse, on account of the number of parties held there. — The Mayor said that the water could be cut off if Mr Bennie pleased, but no reduction could be made. He also stated that there were some cases in which the 7 per cent, was charged, and a special rate charged besides. Some discussion ensued on this matter.— The Mayor thought the whole question should be submitted to s committee, so that the extraodinary rate could be revised. — Cr Neill proposed that a committee should be appointed to revise the rates —Crs Bell and Murray did not ace any use for the resolution. After further discussion on tho matter the whole thing dropped. Private. — Notice of motion waß given by the Mayor, — That in future no private works be undertaken by the Corporation in the shape of drains, and water services on private property. Reserves.— lt waß resolved that the blocks lately offered be submitted to auction for 14 year leases, without reserve: Accounts.— A few accounts were passed for payment. Gas Company. — The Mayor said that as etre t lighting and the price of gas were exciting attention just now, that he had looked up the deeds to ascertain the position of the Borough Council with regard to the Gaa Company, tie found that the Gas Company had the right of making gas for 21 years, though they might sell to the Borough if over* tures weie made. He did not introduce the ' matter now for the purpose of suggesting any overtures for purchase, but he thought that as there was a great deal of interest taken in the matter, it should be mentioned that the company had no exclusive right to make gas. — Cr Carson was under the apprehension that they had been given an exclusive right for nearly 40 years, but at the end of 21 years the Borough had the right to step in and purchase the concern. As for the rates being high, although he was a consumer, he did not think the company were to blame. At first they had great trouble, and although they were making money now, coußumera could hardly complain.— His Worship produced the second agreement drawn up, showing that the exclusive privileges of manufacturing gas had been withdrawn. The Council had not parted with the right to manufacture gas, and either it, or any, other company could commence to manufacture gas. There being no other business the Counoil adjourned.