BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8220, 12 July 1893, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usuai fortnightly meeting of the Counoil was held last evening (Tuesday), when there wero present.— Hia Worship the Mayor (F. B. Jackson, Esq.), Ors Parsons, Spurdle, Olapham, Perrett, Hogg, and Bell.

Further leave of absence was granted to G. Carson.

The minutes of the previous moeting wera read and confirmed, and the Bank Book, shotting a credit balance of £169 7s Id, was laid on the table. Applications for kerosene licenses were granted to Messrs W. Bruc3, W. Alexander Morton and Co., Bandal and Jones, S. Nichol, and M. Hogan and Co., Ltd. A communication was read from Mr G. Byers and other ratepayers, calling attention to the state of the footpath between Plymouth and Dublin Streets. The matter was referred to the Foreman of Works to report. A letter was read from the clerk of the Wanganui County Council, enclosing a resolution passed at a meeting of that body |on June Bbh, as follows :— " That this j Council expresses its sorrow that the statement made by the late Mayor, re the Borough Counoil taking stone from the Kaiwbaiki Road, is incorrect. Mr fiarsons explained that, on a complaint being made, he hod requested the foreman and Mr Smith (then Chairman of the Wanganui Coanty Counoil) to go up the Biver and inspect the road. Neither Mr Smith or any other Councillor thought it worth while to do so, and the foreman prooeeded on his inspection alone. He reported that the contractor had taken no stone from the road. The matter was then allowed to drop.

Mr B. Grant, on behalf of the Educational Institute, wrote to the Counoil, expressing the thanks of the Institute to the Council for the use of the Chambers during the recent conference.

The renewal fee of £5 paid by the Town Clerk in reference to his guarantee was re* funded on the motion of the Mayor.

Messrs Taylor and Oakley wrotein reference to the ait3«ian wellboriog asking for the strata formation which would nave* to be bsred through in sinking tho w*ll in order tfcab that they make a more accurate estimate, also if they found it impossible to withdraw the pipes what would ba the position (as it was Tery difficult to withdraw a two inch pipe) and lastiy, if a rook were struck what provision was mtde. The Mayor read a lengthy reply, giving full particulars of the well now suuk and the nature of tha ground passed through. An application from Mrs Walker to have the name of David Smart placed on 'the Soil in place o£ bet own was tq&cL 3?lia Olerk explained that Mrs Walker was rated conjointly for two houses, one of whioh Mr Smart wished to rent, and lie did not think the Counoil had power under the circumstances to grant the application, and divide the property. Councillors expressed surprise at this opinion, whioh would praotioally disfranchise the property till the next 801 l was compiled. On the motion of Or Spurdle the question was referred to the ; Mayor for lueidation and to report at next meeting.

A letter was read from Mr J. H. Boinett accepting the reduction to £22 of ground rent on premises occupied by him, and agreeing to remove no buildings at tho expiration of the term of his lease. Accounts to the amount of £141 7s 2d were passed for payment Tha Mayor reported that he had waited on the Rev. Father Kirk re water rates and. he expressed his willingness to pay a fair and equitable amount. Ha (the Mayor) had Agreed to let the matter stand over, pending a reading of the w&tov meter. The Mayor also brought under the notice of the Council a matter of considerable importance, but about which little was known. It appeared that the Government subsidy was paid on the actual moneys collected and not on the rates outstanding. The Government, however, allow three months grace, but notwithstanding this the Council had lost upwards of £20 this year in consequence of unpaid rates. He thought strict measures should ba taken for enforcing the payment of rates within the proper time, and thus save the full subsidy. The Counoil agreed to adopt strict measures in that direotion for the ensuing year*. Or Perrett brought under the notice of the Counoil two small Firstly the water tap at the foot of Wicksteed Place, erected for che convenience of the Maoris, had caused the footpath to become very sloppy and almost impassable. He would suggest that it be removed 20 or 30 feeb bock. Secondly that a few loads of.gravel_,. be placed near the water" trough. "". Mayor promised to attend to both matters. Or Spurdle thought the Council might ask the Governmenc to provide suitable accommodation for Maoris who' were obliged to stay in town in connection with the Native Land Court. The accommodation was most scant, and the £300 or £400 whioh the late Native Minister had promised would be expended in tho erection of a Native Land Court building might now be devoted for the purpose he mentioned, since' the natives had been granted the us« of the Fire Brigade Hall, and there w,as therefore no requirement for a Court building. The Council then went into Committee*