BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 512, 30 September 1890, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the above was held last night. Present : The Mayor (Mr Townley) and Crs Whinray, Taylor, Joyce, Hepburn, McLernon, Harding, Coleman, Lewis, and Dunlop. Mr Soiaill tendered his resignation as engineer to the Fire Brigade.— The Mayor paid a high compliment to Mr Smail], and said he was very sorry to loss his services, but as Mr Smail! was leaving the district it could not be helped. The engine was one that required to be handled by a competent man. lhe custodian had said he did not feel that he could undertake the responsibility unless he had an engineer to supervise the work. Air J ones was the only other man he knew of they might get to accept the position.—Crs Whinray, Lewis, and Joyce also spoke in a complimentary way of Mr Smaill'a services, and it was resolved to accept the resignation, and draft a letter expressing the Council's thanks for the way in which Mr Suiaill had carried out his work.

Captain Wint.r, County Engineer, reported that the new centre pin for the Turanganui bridge had been proved a failure, through defects in the bridge throwing uneven pressure on the threads of the screw. Mr Humphries had been put to an extra expense of £1 15s. Cr Wbinray said it was no fault at the contractor’s if the thing did not work—he had gone according to sp-c.lications.—The Oveerseer said the new pin got hot and seemed then to become soft.—Councillors thought it was a case ot let well alone, and the Mayor said it was a good thing that the old pin had not been done away wills.—lt was agreed that the account must be paid. —Cr Joyce said it seemed strange to him that with all the engineering knowledge the flaw had not previously been discovered. j The Overseer reported that some of the old I culverts had given way and had to be repaired, j That in Kahutia street ought to be removed, | as it was in a dangerous state.—There was some discussion as to whether the Council should incur the expense ot putting a culvert on private property, Crs Dunlop and Joyce objecting.—Or Hepburn proposed, and Cr Lewis seconded, that pipes be put in.—The overseer said the repairs were urgently needed, —The proposition was eventually carried without dissent.—The Overseer also reported that Messrs Brown and Smaill had promised to do the necessary work to complete the water tnains so as to meet his approval. Messrs Matthewson and Dickson, being a deputation from the Ksitl Road Board, waited upon the Council requesting its assistance in the formation of roads and patba along the river bank. The probable cost to the Borongh would be £27, twothirds of the amount.—Cr Coleman aaid It ought to be remembered that owing to retrenchment little work was done on the Borough eide of the river.—Mr Dickson said this was In the Borough ; many Kaiti residents were also heavy ratepayers in the Borough, and it would he a pity to leave a portion of the roadwork not done, to remain as an eyesore.—Cr Whinray said it was the question of financing that would concern them most in the mitter.—Cr McLsrnon said that when residents showed such spirit in prosecuting publ.o wo-ks they should be supported as far as possible.—Cr Lewis proposed that £lB b) allocated. —Cr Joyce would agree to meet the Board as far as the footpath was concerned, but he did not think anything wou'd be gained by disturbing a road upon which there was so little traffic.—The Mayor said the funds was their obstacle, but as the amount wou'd not coms upon them until next year's rates that would ease matters to a degree.—The Clerk said the rates derived from the property wete £5 a year —Cr Dunlop eaid the amount of rates collected had not yet been spent on the property.- The Mayor said they might a'low £2O for the work.—Cr Joyce said they should consider the ratepayers on this side too. He moved that £lO be allowed. Cr Coleman seconded, pointing out that the Council had refused to do necessary works on this eido of the river.—Or Hepburn said the Council had decided that no new works should be undertaken this year, and works for which money had been voted had to be left over. He would not object to the footpath being done.—Cr Dunlop considered it a selfish thing to make the rivers a boundary; if they took rates from there the ratepayers wore justified in asking a return. He would he mfavor ofthe amount being increased to £25, seeing that ample time was allowed for payment.—Cr Joyce contended that the money should be spent on reads where there was traffic. The road near Mr Gibson's place had had nothing done r>n it, but having a few briars removed. They should not throw the money away on unnecessary works. Cr Whinray said thecase was an exception ; this Board was undertaking a scheme of works and asked the Council to contribute its share—Cr Lewis considered it was the Council’s duty to do the work asked. He would alter his proposition, to make the vote two—thirds of the cost, provided it did net exceed £2s—The amendment was put—For : Crs Joyce, Coleman, Hepburn; flte against. The proposition was carried, the dissentients being Cr Joyce, Coleman, and Hepburn. It was resolved to leave the supervision of the work to the Rood Board.

Accounts were passed as followsßees and Day £lO 7s, South British Ins. Co. £1 8-, Town Clerk £l6 13s 4d, R. Robinaon £4 6<Bd. E. Wilkinson £l3 15«, T. Faram £lB,l. Morrison £B, Nightwatchman £2 3a 4d, J. Smaill £l, Pound account £l2 Is, Kenny and Clements 17a. Giaborne Standard £4 13-, A. Mnir £2 18s 6d, Brown and Morrison £1 fts 6d, P. McLoughlin £2 12a, Finn and Chrisp £25 5s Bd. Cr McLernon said the occupiers of shops from Mr Adams’ downwards were desirous of having the footpath done the same as other footpaths bad been done.—lt was resolved to tar tho path when the tima was suitable.

4 special meeting was held to adopt a new resolution under the Bating Act.—Cr Lewis moved in accordance with motion. —Cr Coleman seconded. Ho did not see how there could be any objection to the motion.—Cr Joyce saw no necessity for passing the resolution, which he said was encouraging negligence on the part of the collector, and carelessness on the part of the ratepayers. If rates were outstanding four and six months something more than word of mouth was required to collect them. In any case the resolution would be irregular, as it could not be retrospective. If themitiou were adopted an ttwner of property might find that his tenants would be allowed to decamp and let in the property owner for the rates, The first attempt was directed against him personally, but had failed, if the rates had been pressed for at the proper time there would have been none of this trouble.— Cr Whinray said Cr Joyce was under a misapprehension.—Cr Joyce said he did not make the implication againit the Council generally; on’y against some members.—Cnuncillors : Name2-Cr Joyce aaid he wou’d not mention names as some of them might not be there now.—Cr Whinrav said that in the case which had cost the Council so much tha Clerk had been guided by statements made by the Assignee, being assured that Scott’s estate would pay the rates.—The Mayor said the motion was merely an extension of the rating power, as provided by Parliament about two years agn, A previous Mayor had given vary goofi reasons allowing tha necessity of the resolution. He himself was in Wellington when the meeting that ought to have been held had fallen through.—Cr Joroe said Couroiliors would find that they would be incurring a great deal of expense —Cr Dunlop said the object of the motion was to enable them to recover as against owners ot mortga-eev in case tenants would not pay the rates.—lt was stated that (here was nothing retrospective about the motion.—lt was then carried, Or Joyce distenting.