TOWN COUNCIL

Western Star, Issue 988, 7 October 1885, Page 2

TOWN COUNCIL

An ordinary meeting of the Borough Council was held on Monday evening. Present : The Mayor, Crs. Port, Collins, Paukhurst, and Acheson. CORRESPONDENCE. From tho Colonial Secretary, enclosing copy of amendments proposed to bo made in the Municipal Corporations Act. The measure passed the second reading last session, but on account of pressure of business it was withdrawn.—Received, and it was understood that the alterations would be discussed at a future time. From J. Boniface, jr., requesting permission to cut firewood on James street.— lleferred to the Public Works Committee. From W. Crockott, tendering his resignation as auditor, having left the district.— Received, and resignation accepted. From the Seeretary of Invercargill Railway_ Committoe, stating that great dissatisfaction was felt at the time-table there and other matters in connection with the railway, and that having learned that there was also dissatisfaction with the Western District time-tablo, the Committee desired to be informed what alterations would be of local advantage.—lt was decided, on the motion of Cr. Acheaon, to forward a copy of the resolutions passed at the public meeting held some time ago at Riverton. From the Colonial Secretary, forwarding a c-myoftl>eHspitalsandCliaritablelnstitutioijs Bil l , which came into fo'ce on the Ist inst., and directing attention to one or two of I lie m>re important provisions.—Receive!, the Mayor rem irking that a member of the District B wrd could be elected at next meeting. From Mr Mockerras, Chairman of a public meeting held in Dunedin to hear «n address from Rear-Adnvral Scott re defence, and in terms of one of the resolutions pissed at the meeting asking the co-opera'ion of tho Council in efforts to induce the Government to give elfect to recommendation put forward at such meeting.—Tje Mayor explained that the gist of Rear-Admiral Sco't's address was the adoption of a different theorv of defence from thai undcrtak n by Government. The Admiral blame i Government for lavish expmliture in impo' ting,guns and torpedoes but the mechanism ot engin s was now so intri.-ate th.it trained men were required to look after th m. During the war satire there was a great outcry all over the colonv for the Government to t.ke measures of defence, and in no place was Ike outc-y louder lhan in Dunedin. It was objected too that the nucleus of a standing army was being crcite 1. Scjing the Government had got the advice of the Governor, he di I not think (he Council should interfere in the matter.—Cr Acheson said no one wont in 'or defence more than Mr ftf aclcerras when the war sears was on. He ( I r . Acheson) notice! that a deputation had a few days ago waited on the Premier in Dunedin with re:arl to the muter, when it wis stated that lh-» men w.ire go.ting only 5s 0 1 a day, and as on'y tw men were required for three guns, lie did not f'iuk the expenditure was 100 great. The A-me 1 Comt*buWv had b 'en re lived from 630 to 400 nvn. Dunedin having ils dff--nee work* eoinnleted, the pcoplo there were now going in for retrenchment so as to prevent money bsinij expended anywhere else, lie moved that the letter be simply received.— Carried.

THE "WORKS COMMITTEE. Cr Port said the Works Committee had not prepared a report for this ineeii>i<j, although Or Parry had promise Ito »et one rea ly. He hid given notion of motion regarding the Works Committee, when moving which lie would have something to say O'l the sub] :ct. ACCOUNTS As .follows wore pissed for pivm-nt : Wit'ingham Bros, and Tnstono, £1 ; «T, Eveloicrh, £S 8a; Gallowar an I Burns, £lO Gs 6d j Coop»r and Co., £5 7s 0d; W. Robert-son, £S 5< 4d; Wade and Brodrlek, £5 5s ; charwoman, £3. AUJJITOE. On the motion of Cr Port, G- Stevenson was app"int»d nu litor in room of W. Crockett, resigned. (COMMITTEES. The election iof Committees wis then proceeded with, and resulted as follow? : ,J& Public Works.—Crs Port, Collins, anrf E. Perry. Cemetery.—Crs Collins and Pankhurst. Finance.—Or? Port a- d \cheson. \ Harbor Board,—Crs Port, Collins \and Acheron were proposed. Cr Ac'ieson a* first declined, stating that the Board had not been carried out a* he approved and that, he woull rather not have anvthing to do wi*h it.—Cr Por*; thought the reason assisted by Cr Aches>n for declining to bo a member of the Biarl mirked the latter out as a suitable member, as he might;, be able to make som* suggestions for the improvement of the Board. —Cr Ache»on then with lrew hi* objection, and the names mentioned were parsed. Reserves.—Crs Collin and John Par y. GKJs'EUAI. Tn accordance with notice. Cr. moved that Ha'clo'-k street. f>om Delhi to j 1) >\vniii<r ?tre t, be fornwl and gr«v died I At Mi" suirg's'ion of the IVDnor who said th« uual CHKS3 was for the Works Committe to repot on the nutter, consi ler.i'ioTrof tlie miVion wis a'jrurned till n»x' meeting., Cr m -ved, that t'i*> e-»iviwtn o£,t'ie Co"p •ration a l ' end the monthlv tne ting* of the Council. The nover »»id it w.isa eeneral thing for the'servnts of a to a't'n i the meeting's of Council, so that any in form-'lion req'iired might, be obtained. They wore paid servants, and it was their duty to be present.—The Muyoi said the servants w>»r« p lid for their day's wo>-k, and he d'nbted if it wre far to ask them to attenl th-> meetings in the evening. It was an innovation, and unless some ar<->od reisrn wera showo therefor*, it should not bo adopted He dil not -think it wuild b-i for their edification or that of the members of the Council that they should be present. — The mo'ion was eipio'l. Cr. Cdlini motio'i that the Council meet in fii*iii'c at, 7 30 p.m. was held over till next mating ir. the hopa that there would then be a b tier alien lance of m°m' ers.

Cr Port, in accordance with notice, moved that the Public Works Committee meet on a dato on or about throe days prior to the meeting of the Council, at the Council chambers or at the residence of the member having charge of the surfaceman, and draw up a report for presentation to the Council, and that the surfaceman attend such meetings.—Seconded by Cr. Collins, and carried.

Cr. Collins then asked thnt his motion, which had previously been carried regarding the attendance of tho surfaceman at the Couno'l meetings, bo rescinded, but the Mayor pointed out that that could not be done without notice.

Cr. Port callod attention ioblock 12, whioh badly needed draining. The owners of sections there should be asked to drain them, and the Council mieditgivo somo assistance. Thorc was a lot of filthy stagnant water that must be a standing menace to th,e health of

| the neighborhood. He suggested that tke I <T? write to the owners requesting them to drain the ground.—Th» Mayor thought tha proper courso was for Iho Health Officer to report upon the mutter. Cr Port stated that the Hospital Committee had re.eived a eup iy of hand grenades for mi iiMjuisliine fire. He wished to know if tht Council would like to ha»e any j they were not expeuMve.-The Mayo-««id he would bo happv to be mforme-1 when it was proposed to maU a public trial.-Cr Pwt said they had already been tried and proved thoroughly ef-fwtive.-No steps were taken in the matter, the Mayor remarking that he apposed Cr Ports object had been attained in drawing public intention to the extinguisher. The Mayor Mgg.-steH ~ii al „ Bllm „], oul( j bfl added to the sinking f and to meet debentures hi they matured. After providing for the metal contract, which would absorb £IOO, the sum available for public works wou'd be about £lss.—Cr Acheson thought it would be bet. tertowaitunt.il the Works Committee had reported as to the works that required to be undertaken durir.g the year.—The Mayor replied that the sinki.ig fund w,is usuall/a first charge bef.jre anything was done in the way of public works.—lt was decile I on the motion of Cr Pankhurst, seconded bv Cr Acheson, that £SO be placed to sinking fund account. The Council then went into Committee fr» open teuders for carting metal. Two tendere were received- J. IT. Roberts, 3s 41 per yard; Oliver Kelly, l) a per yard. Tha latter was accepted The Council then adjourned.