TOWN COUNCIL.

Western Star, Issue 280, 18 January 1879, Page 6

TOWN COUNCIL.

At the meeting of Town Council on Tuesday evening there were present — The Mayor, Crs Simpson, Young,-Daniel, Mills, and Locke. The minutes were read and confirmed* COEEESPONDENCE. Letter from Mr Burgess re road in South Biverton west. —Some discussion took place on this letter. The railway line had up to a recent period been used as a road, but in taking the levels for a working plan of the Orepuki railway, the enineer found it necessary to stop the traffic as the pegs were being destroyed. The Mayor stated that it was proposed to straighten some of the curves on the line, and in consequence it was not yet known the exact amount of land required. The Engineer had stated, however, that the matter would be arranged in a few days.—The letter was referred to the Public "Works Committee. The petition from certain ratepayers held over from last meeting, requesting the Council to form footpath on west side Palmerston street to its junction with Downing street, also Havelock street as far as Mr Bell’s cottage, was then considered. Cr Daniel said the work would have been undertaken before, but that it was considered advisable to first obtain an expression of opinion from the owners of property in the vicinity. He was of opinion that absentees should be compelled to improve their property. People had been compelled to fence their laud ; they ought also to be made to contribute to the improvement of the town by kerbing footpath in front of their property. He moved, That the prayer of the petition he granted, and that the footpath bo kerbed. Cr Simpson seconded. Cr Mills opposed the proposition as far as it referred to kerbing the streets j they should not go beyond the petition.—Cr Daniel said it was the wish of the ratepayers that the streets be kerbed. If the petition did n »t clearly state so, he felt certain it was an oversight.—Cr Mil's contended that before work to the extent proposed was undertaken, they should have a report from the Public Works Committee on the matter. They should have an estimate of the cost, aud they should not go on with the work without notice. They should have the voice of the ratepayers on the question. The few who signed the petition merely wished the footpath constructed.—Cr - Young said the proposal to form and kei’b the footpath was made some time ago, and was deferred in order to obtain an expression of opinion from those interested. —Cr Daniel said the ratepayers clearly understood the question, and were anxious to have the work done.—Cr Mills moved an amendment, That the prayer of the petition be granted.—'No seconder. —The motion was carried. THE CEMETEET. The Mayor said it was agreed some time ago that the Council take over the management of the cemetery on condition that the Q-overument pay the liabilities attached thereto. He stated at that time that the liabilities amounted to £3O, but on carefully going into the accounts he found, that the amount was only £25 5s lOd. The Government stated that they had no funds with which to pay off such liabilities. When Mr Daniel was in Wellington lately he (the Mayor) telegraphed to him to expedite the i«.'ue of crown grant. A reply had been received stating that it would be ready shortly. The Cemetery was now virtually handed over to the Corporation, but it remained with that body to say whether they would accept the trust immediately or wait until the crown grant was issued. On the motion of Cr Simpson, seconded by Cr Locke it was resolved to take over the management of the Cemetery from date. PROPOSED TOWN HAUL AND COUNTY fC CUNCIL CHAMBERS. In laying upon the table a sketch plan of this building, the Mayor on behalf of the Committee appointed to confer with the County Council upon the matter said it was estimated to cost £IOOO, of which the County Council had agreed to give £6OO and the Town Council £4OO towards its construction. The building would be erected on ground adjoining the present Council Chambers, and the agreement with the County Council was that they were to pay a nominal rent for the ground for a term of twenty-one years, at the end of which period the building was to become the property of the town. The County Council were waiting until the Committee had reported, in order to a tf once go on with the building. A building Committee was appointed, consisting of Crs Young, Daniel, aud Mills. DONATION TO HOSPITAL. Cr Young moved the notice of motion standing in his name, that a donation of £SO bo given to Hospital. Cr. Daniel, in seconding the motion,

said he observed since he returned from Wellington that the entrance in the Hospital balance-sheet of the item “ Grant by borough of Biverton— nil ” had given offence to certain partie s> H e might state that the balauce-sh ee t had been drawn up in accordance with a form submitted by the Government w hich specified clearly that the amou u t given by the borough should be sbown < it W as no fault of the Secretary’s ; he had only done his duty in the matter. Cr. Mills moved an amendment—That £2O be given to the Hospital. jy; s reason for naming that sum was the s ame as that which caused him to oppos e a similar motion on a former viz., that the financial position of the borough did not warrant them voting a larger sum. The town was heavily bu rc l eil ed with debt, in addition to which there was a large overdraft, aud they had that night authorised the expenditure of oyer £6OO on Town Hall, baths, footpaths, &c. Taking these facts into consideration, he thought the Council were warranted in giving a smaller sum than that proposed, The Council, probably, would be called upon at a future time to give another donation. There was no sign of the Corporation debentures being taken up. The Hospital had funds to the extent of £3OO. Cr. Simpson seconded, Cr. Daniel was sorry to see Cr. Mills endeavouring to deprive the Institution of a sum of money. There had been heavy demands upon the Committee for repairs to the building, instruments, medicines, &c. The County Council, Boad Board, and settlers generally had come forward handsomely in support of the Institution, and he thought the Town Council should do tho same. He did not believe if a poll was taken upon the question that there would he five ratepayers who would object to the vote. The Hospital had been carried on well, and they should strive to support it. He had met a gentleman in Dunedin —an authority on such matters —who expressed surprise at the progress made with the Hospital, and at the instruments, medicine, &e., to he found there. He gave Cr. Mills credit for being careful of debt, but they should keep pace with the progress of the district. The railway system of the district was being perfected ; tenders would shortly be called for the construction of part of the Orepuki line ; the Otatau lino was in tho hands of the contractor, and the Biver-ton-Invercargill railway was nearly completed, while the telegraph would shortly be extended to the Otantau. He had lately travelled over u large part of New Zealand, no part of which looked so well as the Western District. Cr Mills did not wish to deprive the Hospital of anything ; he merely brought forward his motion for the reasons stated. He was there as a Councillor, and as such bo would do his duty. There were not many people who had lived longer in the district than he had done, or who had more interest in its progress socially and commercially- It was not to his advantage, therefore, to throw cold water on anything likely to advance the district. Cr Young sympathised with the reasons advanced by Cr Mills. He thought, however, that as the Council had not given anything last year, and as nothing had been deducted from subsidy for that period, the sum he proposed was not out of the way. If the Council did not vote a sum to the Hospital, the Government would deduct a certain amount from subsidy The motion was carried—Crs. Young, Daniel, and Locke voting for it, aud Crs. Mills and Simpson against it. VALUATION LIST. The valuation r*dl for 1879 was laid upon the table. It was ordered tnat it lay on the table at the Council Chambers for one month. EATLWATS. Cr. Mills moved—That theMayar telegraph to the Minister of Bublic Works, requesting to know when roads would be given in lieu of those taken for railway in North and Soutli Ward. Seconded by Cr. Locke, and carried. THISTLE NUISANCE. On tho motion of Cr. Yeung, seconded by Cr. Simpson, it was resolved to enforce the provisions of the Thistle Ordinance within the boundaries of the municipality. BLASTING WITH DYNAMITE. , E. B. Ford appeared and asked permission to use dynamite in blasting tree roots in South Biverton. Permission had been asked on a previous occasion, and refused. —It was resolved not to allow dynamite to be used in the locality named. TENDEES. Tenders for corporation dray work were opened as follows: —E. Simpson, one horse dray per day, los ; two horse do, 20s. Macldntosh, one horse dray per

day, 16s; two horse do, 20s. E. Simpson’s tender was accepted. Eor Corporation baths only one tender was lodged, that of Mr J. Beer for the sum of £154. This tender was accepted. NOTICE or MOTION. By Cr. Mills —That a Cemetery Committee be appointed at next ordinary meeting of Council. The Council then adjourned.