Feilding Borough Council

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 49, 3 October 1885, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council

The ordinary meeting of the abore was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday last. Present — His "Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Eade, Bichardson, P. Thomson, Qoodbehere, Bishop, J. C. Thompson, Nicholas, and Worsfold. " The minutes of the previous meet* ▼ere read and confirmed. ' The following correspondence was read : — Letters from the Colonial Secretary, re Charitable Aid, and the election of a member for the District ■ Hospital Board under the hew Actj - from the Manager of the Bank of Australasia, re overdraft ; from Mr Higgin and others, re formation of certain footpaths im Kimbolton road ; letter ' from Messrs Prior and Sandilands, giving an opinion on the claim made by Mr Curran in the Boreugh for certain injuries by falling into a gravel pit on the Makinb road. As the contents were relating to a matter which might be considered tub judie$ t they were not made public. The Town Clerk was instructed to supply the information required by the Colonial Secretary re Charitable Aid granted by the Barough. - The election of a member to sit on the Hospital Board was arranged to be considered when the general Government Gazette appearedannouncing the date of the elections. The Mayor said he would see Mr Webster to arrange about the bank overdraft. The report of the Public Works and Finance Committees were read and adopted. Cr Goodbehere reported that the Finance. Committee had made a satisfactory arrangement with the proprietors of the Stab re discount on advertising- "• - .. ■■.■■■ ..'.■/•■•■:■.■ :'--."; „,;,/•■ Cr Bishop said that a^sum had been passed in the Public "Works report which was contrary to a resolution passed by the Council at a previous meeting, to the effect that no expenditure should be made unless authorised by the Council. 1 The Mayor read the resolution and remarked it was too stringent and he ■ would move that it be rescinded, at the next meeting of the Council. The subject then dropped. . ' ; , The application from Mr Higgin and others re footpaths in Kimbolton road was then considered. . Cr P. Thomson thought the offer of petitioners a fair one, to pay half the 1 cost. Cr Goodbehere pointed out that the Council could do the work, and charge the whole cost to the occupier of the land, but the condition of the finances of the Borough prevented any iUch work at present.' : Cr Thompson said the people in | Manchester street also wanted foot* paths, and if the concession were made 'in one case a hundred others would spring up. Cr Eade was in favor of making footpaths in both streets. | Cr, Nicholas would be in favor of the petition if the Banking account would allow it. .■ ■■ ■: / :■-■ r ■';■■ ; ;- ; , { , :} , . : ; Ultimately it was proposed by Cr Gopdbehere, seconded by Cr Thompson and carried, That the question of constructing footpaths in Kimboltou road, on the petition of Mr Higgin and others, stand over for consideration till the next meeting of the Council, and that the Public Works tfontnittee report to the Council the probable cost of making such footpaths. TINDERS FOR VALUATOB. Before these were opened the Town Clerk maile an explanation of the causes which led to the seal of one of the tenders being, broken. Such explanation being accepted as satisfactory, the tenders were examined as follows : — G. C. Hill, £24 j Booth and Star* will, 440. Cr Thompson proposed, and Cr Bichardson seconded and it was carried, That the tender of G. 0. Hill be accepted. ' ' Proposed by Cr Nicholas, and seconded by Cr P. Thomson, That the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specification for ail streets, to be formed by balanoe of loan account. [About this time there was considerable discussion going on across the table among Councillors. The Mayor called attention to it stating that business was not facilitated by Buch.] ' - tfo The plans, ftc, of Hobson street* were laid on the table, and after they bad been examined Cr P. Thomsott proposed, and Cr Nicholas seconded wd it was carried, That tenders be sailed for the formation of Hobson street, in accordance with plans and ipecifications. r , - : Cr P. Thomson urged that as the rork was of importance; advantage ihould be taken of the' fine weather o push it on. Cr Richardson then read the followng motion, notice of whioh had been riven at the- last meeting of the Cooniil, That before a final arrangement >c made with the peundkeeper the rhole matter of the pound be re»oonidered by the Council. In speaking to the motion Cr Bich-

ardsonaaid the pound was supported at the expense of the ratepayers. Where streets were in such condition that Hie giass grew in abundance it was hard that the cattle of poof settlers should not be allowed to eat it down. Where the principal traffic was he thought they should not be allow to run. He objected strongly to the poundkeeper exercising his avocation on Sundays when most people were at church. Cr Bishop spoke of the excessive charges for fees being a burden to poor people. Cr P. Thomson said the question had been discussed since the commencement of the Borough. If the owners, of cattle are to he allowed to run them in the streets, it would be an injustice to the settlers. The pound is for the protection of the ratepayers. If people who own land will not. keep their fences in decent repair, they should put up with the consequences. Ct Goodbehere said the present poundkeeper was too strict in the performance of his duties. He ought to show more discrimination. Cr J. C. Thompson agreed with the last speaker that the unpleasantly sharp way of the Banger was the cause of complaints being continually made. Cr Worsfold spoke of the small revenue, but thought the present system more economical than the preceding one. Cr Nicholas gave a detailed account of the formation of the present arrangement. He pointed out that no charges were now made which were not lawful. One or two cases of overcharge had occurred, but not in the time of the present poundkeeper, and these had been refunded by the Council. The poundkeeper only did his duly. He mentioned that great difficulty had been experienced in getting a man suitable for the work. The Mayor supported Cr Nicholas. He said Cr Nicholas was quite right as to the fewness of the applications for the position. The Council must have a man who will do his duty thoroughly without respect of persons* or none at all. People must fence their cattle ia). they have no right to run them on the public roads. Under the Police Offences Act drivers may be punished for allowing cattle to loiter. If bo complaints .were heard against the poundkeeper or ranger, it would be sale to assume that he was not doing his duty. If the Council had an officer, they must support him vrhea he is not exceeding his duty aud acts within the law. The salary system had been tried,, and proved a failure. It was much better to pay by results. Cr Eade said the poundkeeper had not given satisfaction. The fence erected across Bowen street had not been removed although the Coun. cil had given an order to that effect. Cr Bichardson speaking in reply, said ho had no personal feeling in the matter, but the complaints made to him were bo numerous that he must urge his motion on the Council. ; . On the motion of the Mayor the further discussion of the subject was adjourned until the next meeting of the Council. The notice of motion fey Cr Goodbehere, re the. appointment of Mr Bray as Engineer to the Borough, was then read, That the resolution of the Council passed at its meeting on the 1 7th of September accepting Mr Bray's offer to act as engineer for the Council lie rescinded on the ground that such resolution is contrary^to the by-law on that behalf, and that applications for an engineer be advertised for in the usual way. The motion was. put and carried. Proposed by Cr J. C. Thompson, seconded by Cr* Goodbehere, That sections No. 69 and 70 of by-law No. 1 of the Feilding Borough Council, be suspended with respect to the appointment of Mr Bray as engineer to this Council in accordance with the terms of his application of the 3rd of September, 1885. Carried. Or • Nicholas proposed, ' and Cr Worsfold seconded, That it be left in the hands of the Mayor to draw up an Agreement with the engineer. Carried. Proposed by Cr Worsfold, seconded by Cr Nicholas, That the inspector of nuisances, report to the Council on the sanitary condition of the Borough, once k month. Garried. y^ V, .^ cubran's case. jGrEade proposed, and Cr Bishop seconded, That the Mayor, Crs Goodbehere and Thompson be a committee to- finally., arrange Curran's case or otherwise. Carried. . .The name of Cr J. C. Thompson was ad.ded to the Cemetery Committee. The Mayor mentioned that undei new Local Powers and Finance Act the Borough would receive a Windfall of £161. . . - The meeting then adjourned.