BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 672, 15 October 1891, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ax ordinary meeting of the above was held on Tuesday night. Present: The Mayor, and Crs Harding, Hepburn, Joyce, Dunlop, Whinray, and Lewis. The Minister of Lands forwarded a copy of the proclamation in regard to the Taruheru footbridge.—The Mayor said the question was now brought to a practical issue, and the bridge wgs vestsd in the Council.—Or Whin-? ray said that was satisfactory so far.—The Mayor supposed tbe best oourse now would be to appoint a Committee and ask the other contributing bodies to appoint Oommtitees to confer with the Council's Committee in regard to the reconstruction of the bridge.—Cr Whinray said he had a proposition on the matjer, end jt was then decided io deal with it later on. Mr Houghton complained of a withered poplar remaining in front of his premises.— Matter left to Overseer. The Overseer made a general report. A pile on the Taruheru bridge appeared to have been struck by a vessel, and required a girder —coat about £IQ. It wa« decided to hgyg the repairs done. Mr Gregson wiebe 1 (4 have the front of hie premises tarred, on the usual terms.—Cr Harding thought Mr Gregson showed a good public spirit in the matter.—Cr Lewis suggested that they should try and get others to join in to get the paths tarred.—lt was decided on the motion of Or Whinray, that when tbe Overseer again began tarring, Mr Gregson’s request should be complied with. A long report from the foreshore ComrpUtec was read, the report ccudct-ning thleasing of the site proposed for ths erectiqn 6] a slip or any sites requiring the opening of the bridges.—The Mayor said the place required fur a slip included Borough property. —Cr Joyce said that he had been inf armed that the slip would notencroaoh on tbe road.— The Mayor said Borough property was included in the application.—Or Harding felt assured the Board would not let Borough pro perty—the Council conld enter a protest against the use 0! their property.—The Mayor said that was what they were doing now.— Or Lewis said it was better to do it now than unexpectedly later on, so that anyone should be warned iu time.— Cr Whinray spoke strongly against any leasing of the foreshore above the bridges. There was no doubt it was thought Borough property could be made use of for the slip, and in time if thia were allowed it would be considered as a right, the same as in the oase of Common, Shelton’s and Co.'s store. When that was sold it was clearly stated that it was subject to removal at any time, but yet in course of time custom was considered a right, and there was much trouble over the matter.—Cr Joyce argued that the Council had no right to interfere with the Board or any other body trying to flerive revenue from ite property. They had no right to argue about matters not under their jurisdiction. They should simply end the matter, and save further waste of time, by resolving that they should not allow the Council’s property to be intruded on. They might protest against the lease of the foreshore, but if the Board threw out the objection it was their business. With reference to tbe site for a slip, it wonld be of great service, and would only entail the opening of the bridge about twice a year — Or Dunlop said the report dealt with the foreshort gfettkrall y the

Council objecting to the Board leasing the foreshore to the injury of the Borough without consulting the Council. As the matter was of so much more concern to the Borough residents than to the country people, the Council should see that the interests of the town residents were not prejudiced. He referred to the Yarra in Melbourne, and the trouble that was caused through disregard of the different interests.—The report went on Io advise that persons squatting on the Borough property should be fairly assessed.—Cr Whinray said they could thank the Harbor Board for suggesting this means of revenue, and though he would not like to see hardship inflicted on anyone they should look to this source of revenue. A boatshed, he understood, was let at 6s a week, and he did not see why the Council should not have that—they were probably as hard up as any individual. There were also Common, Shel on and Co.’s stores, etc.—Cr J.yce said the residents rquattirg on the roadway did not interfere with the traffic, and he did not think the Council should be hard on them.— The Mayor said the revenue they got was £5 10s rates—he thought the report was more against future encroachments.—Cr Harding said they should get something from the boatshed mentioned.—Cr Whinray thc-ugnt they should have a small ground rent without being arbitrary.— Cr Harding considered that with the excep’ion of one boatshed and one cottage the rate derived was fair, and the he suggested that the two places mentioned be attended to when the next valuation was made.—Cr Lewis complimented the Committee on the pains they had taken. He thought that the Board would now see the thing in a proper light, and act fairly towards those in the Borough who are comparatively heavier rated.—Cr Joyce resented what be considered an insinuation against himself, saying that they all as representatives tried to do what they considered beet for the ratepayers. Tbe majority of the members of the Board were interested in Borough property.— Cr Lewis paid he intended no reference to Cr Joyce.—The report was adopted. Cr Whinray moved that plans and specifications be prepared for the re-erection of the Taruberu footbridge, the manager of the freezing works to be consulted so as to try and avoid any unnecessary opening of the bridge. He did not see any necessity for delay, and thought that Nelson Bros, had acted very , fairly in the matter. [Cr Dunlop asked whether the offer of a grant would still hold good.] He thought it would. The . motion was a’so that steps be taken to have the road proclaimed.—Cr Lewis thought it would be well to consult Captain Winter as to tbe plans.—The Mayor said it might be a good idea to call for competitive designs.— Cr Harding supported the Mayor’s suggestion that a committee should be appointed to confer with the other contributing bodies, so that they should try and work amicably together.—Cr Hepburn endorsed this view, but mentioned that the County Engineer was very busy now.—Cr Whinray considered they should first take the initiative so as to have something to submit to the other bodies. They should push on with the matter with as little delay as possible. He would agree to the suggestion to invite competitive plans, or tbey bad Captain Winter’s old one there that might possibly be worked in.—Cr Joyce considered it desirable to consult the other bodies. He did not think there would be any doubt about getting tbe grant Mr Sunderland had promised, provided the work was in accordance with bis ideas.— Or Whinray moved that Mr Drummond be instructed to confer with the County Engineer, and if tbey were'of opinion that the old plan there was suitable it should be submilted to the Board at next meeting.—The Clerk mentioned that Mr Drummond was in Wellington,—Cr Joyce thought they could leave it to the Road Overseer to confer wi’h Captain Winter.—This suggestion was agreed to.—The Mayor said he thought the proclamation covered all technicalities in regard to the roadway. Accounts amounting to £338 2s lid finduding £3OO for interest) were passed. The Mayor mentioned that it would be necessary to press for the more speedy payment of rates, and it was resolved to give notice that rates not paid up by November will be sued for.