BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 437, 3 April 1890, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Aw ordinary meeting of the above wan held on Tuesday evening. Present: The Mayor and Crs Harding, Townley, Da- lop, Lucas. Hepburn, Taj lor, Coleman, Lewis, and Whinray.

THE CEMtTEBX. The Cemetery Trustees applied for a grant from the Council (£25 suggested), in aid of the maintenance cf the public cemetery. The Major said the Trustees were entitled to support in the fu filment of their duties, but the question was whether the Council had power to make such a grant. The various Acts were then looked up, Cr Lucas expressing the opinion that unless the cemetery wt re placed under the control of the Council they could not devote funds to the purpose. Cr Dunlop suggested the matter be left over nntil next meeting Cr Harding would not like to throw cold water on the offer of an equal amount from the County Council. The Mayor said this year most have been an exceptional one when the Trustees had made things meet for ten years. He did not see how the grant could pass a strict audit It eould not be accepted ss a rule that the Ccunoil should make up the deficiency in fees tor burials.

Cr Coleman thought the request ought to be deferred until they were assured of their power in the matter. In reply to Cr Lewis the Clerk said) that when the previous grant was raid to have been made the Council was not restricted in its payments. Cr Dunlop moved that the request be deferred until there bed been more time to look into the matter—until next meeting. Probably the fees would rtqmro to be raised. Cr Coleman seconded the motion, which was carried. NIUHTSOII. CONTBACTOB. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that tbe nightsoil contractor had not been carry, ing out his work well, but he bad now sublet the contract, and be (the Inspector) would report on tbe new arrangement. Tbe Clerk, in reply to Cr Lewis said that was the first he bad heard of subletting tbe contract. Tbe specifications said nothing about subletting, but the Council had power to see that the contract was completed at the . risk of tbe sureties. Cr Lucas said if tbe contract was sublet tbe sureties were released. Cr Harding said the sureties could not be released without the Council’s consent. Cr Wbinray raid probably it was not a case of actual subletting. The Inspector said he did not know who tbe subcontractor was. He had only heard about the matter that afternoon, having been told by Mr Do'eman. On going through tbe specifications the Clerk stated that subletting or assigning payments was specially provided againsi. Tbe bond was £25 for each surety. Tbe Mayor said tbe sureties—Messrs Adair and Stevenson —were liable for Doleman’s proper carrying out of tbe work. As the work bad been done so badly, it seemed tbe proper course was for the sureties to see that a better arrangement wee made, and for tbe Council to also give notice to D- leman. Cr Townley thought the Council should simply object to Doltman’s subletting without pei mission, and then to deal solely with tbe sureties.

Cr Lucas considered that would be taking notice of the assignment, and that being illegal they should take no notice of it. He suggested that the sureties be oommi nioated with on the matter. It was then resolved, on the motion of tbe Mayor, That the Town C erk be iustri cted to notify the contractor and his sureties that any assignment of the present contract made without tbe assent of the Council wi.l not be permitted.

WATEB SUPPLY. The Committee reported in favor of the Wsibirere site being secured, and recom mended the acceptance of an offer from Mr Drnmmond to do necessary work preparatory to a survey being entered upon. His Worship said the report only re commended that the altitude be fixed by Mr Drummond, that being necessary before the survey went on. He proposed, and Cr Whinray seconded, pro forma, that the report be adopted. Cr Lewis thought it would be no use for them to entrrtain a scheme giving a supply of only 3000 gallons. He bad be- n under the impression that a much greater maximum supply could be obtained. It did not even warrant the surveying of the land. A water scheme for Gisborne was ten years before Its time, end by then he hoped the town would have doubled ita ptpulation. Cr Whirray said the point raised by Cr Lewie was an important one. If a greater

■apply than stated could not be obtained, such a scheme was not worth entertaining. From their inspections, he had considered th< Waibirere the best stream, but if only 3000 gallons of water would be given, the coat would be more than it was worth. Cr Dunlop said the question of cost seemed to him a secondary cor sideration, because they would not be entering on a scheme immediately, but it was in regard to the supply that they should be satisfied. He would be opposed to any trial schemes. When the time anived tor embarking on a scheme he thought a larger loan shoo'd be obtained than was believed actually necessary, so that there could be no doubt about carrying it out properly. It seemed to him the Waihirere supply would be deficient, and that they could not think of entering upon it. Cr Townley said that when a Waihirere scheme was first considered they bad only to provide for the town, but the population was now more extended, without having increased to any great extent, and the cost of delivery would thus be increased. If, however, the Whataupoko and Haiti residents could carry on without such a supply, then the town proper would not be justified in going to the expense of a pipe line. He also pointed out that they could not possibly supplement the quantity of a supply by the Waihinre. He thought they would have to satisfy themselves for the present with increased tankage, and if they went in for a scheme they must look further ahead than the Waibirere scheme. With the limited supply at Waibirere and the standing number of the population of the Borough they would not be justified io going into such a large expense, and he pointed out that even with the largest schemes in some of the cities they were inadequately supplied in the dry summer months.

Hu Worship, in reply, said he quite recognised the difficulty of the question, but there was nothing to prevent th m setting at rest the question in regard to Waihirere, and not have hereafter to endeavor to si cure the site when they would be put to so much greater expense by having to compete with private persons in its purchase. They were as well able as any future Councillors would be to decide ones for all whether or not the Waihirere would be a satisfactory source of supply. If it were decided in the negative then in the future their attention must be turned to the Watmata. Such questions as a supply by artesian wells or by tankage seemed too much in the region of theoiy. He would join issue with those outside the Council who said that a water supply was not needed for the Borough. He contended that property (tad decreased and would decrease if they bad not a good water supply, which be considered would do more than any. thing else to maintain the value of property. As Chairman of the Council, bringing forward this proposal, ho should not, against the strong views given expression to by Councillor*, press the matter. The source would be far the cheapest, but if they considered the supply was insufficient cheapness should not tempt them. It was hardly fair to say that only twenty gallons a day per head was premised, for th* most careful report distinctly estimated the quantity at fifty gallons, calculated upon the basis of the minimum supply that would be furnished. Ha should be quite willing to test the feeling of the Council on the emad outlay proposed, which would at any rat* settle the matter. The motion was thou ptjt, a majority being against, A show of hands was not asked to,

ut arm. Kt W. WOliame wrote offering to do the Ktewiog op work, eta., on the Tarobern ant Wbateapoko bridgee tot «13. He owed Mau total to toe Coan oil end hiving been pat at work torn* tone woaW bo glad ot toe aftrt«(tint

kind should not be considered by the Council. Persons who paid their rates were more entitled to be considered in matters of the kind than those who did not. He also pointed that the Council had agreed at the previous meeting to have the work done by day labor. The offer was not entertained. PAYMENTS. Accounts were passed as follows: —W. Grey, £4 4s; M. Morgan, £1 4s; E. Clements. £1 19s 4d ; G. Bead, £1 13s 3d ; Graham, Pitt, and Bennett, £ll7s 3d ; A. M. Browne, £1 14s sd; A. Muir, £2 Is; A. Phipps, £1 15s.