Feilding Borough Council

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 36, 4 September 1886, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council

The usual fortnightly meeting of the above was held on Thursday evening last at the Council Chambers. Present — The Mayor (Mr Lethbridge), Crs J. C. Thompson, J. Bartholomew, P. Thomson, T. W. K. Foster, Eade, Bishop, Evans, Worsf old, and Fowles. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. | Mr Thomas Evans, Mr John Bishop, and Mr G. W. Fowles, the newly elected Councillors, having made the usual declaration, took their seats at the Council table. The Mayor said he was glad to see two old members back again, and a i new one in the person of Mr Thomas Evans. COBBESPONDENCB. From D. H. Macarthur, M.H.R, re grants of level crossings over the railway line. Also a letter on the same subject from the Minister for Public Work*. From W. Heald, asking for certain work to be done to Furgusson street, near his Sash and Door Factory. From C. Hodges, saying he was unable to undertake the duties of Hanger and Poundkeeper, as he could not find the necessary securities. From certain brass f ounderies, re price of firebell. .- From Treasury, re voucher for £3fc 18s lid, balance of subsidy due to the Council. From W. Watts, asking permission to erect a verandah on Kimbolton road, opposite Mr S. J. Thompson's new store, and to put in two culverts opposite Messrs Stevens and Gorton's sale yards in Manchester street. . ■ The report of the Finance Committee and Public Works Committee were read and adopted. The consideration of Mr Macarthur'B lettor was held over until the Council could get the Engineer's report on the matter. The Engineer was directed to report on the condition of Fergusson street referred to in Mr Heald's letter. Mr Bray to act in conjunction with the Public Works Committee. Cr Bishop suggested that all similar applications should be registered in a book provided for the purpose, so that they might be attended to in their order of precedence. ' Cr I. Thomson supported this proposal. The financial position of the Borough was reported as follows :— Rates 1886-7 — - Amount received, £132 ; balance due, £330; total, £462. The Bank to allow an overdraft of £350. The present overdraft is £235 1 6s 4d, from which has to be deducted the subsidy of £38 13s lid. The Dog Tax report showed that., the Collector had registered 38 dogs. ' He considered the number of dogs in the Borough greatly exaggerated. He gave a list of defaulters. Proposed by Cr Worsfold, seconded by Cr Bartholomew, That the., application of W. Watts to erect seaffulding in Kimbolton road, and two culverts in front of Stevens and Grurtou's yards be granted, subject to the approval of the Engineer.— Carried. Proposed by Cr Eade, seconded fey Cr Thompson, That as Hodges has failed to complete his part of the agreement re Poundkeeper and Banger, that applications be called for the office, tenders to be in by next meeting. - After a general conversation this resolution was -withdrawn. Proposed by P. Thomson, seconded by Cr Fowles, That J. Turner be ap- . pointed Banger and Poundkeeper temporarily until the Council get a. permanent officer appointed —Carried. Proposed by Cr Thompson, seconded by Cr Bishop, That applications be asked for the position of Pouudkeeper at a rental of £10 per annnm. Cr Fowles said he would move an amendment that the rental be £4 .per annum. Applications to be in by next meeting of the Council. Cr P. Thomson said he thought £4 or £5 sufficient. He seconded the. amendment. ■ The amendment was carried by the casting vote of the Chairman. Proposed by Cr Fowles, seconded by Cr Bishop, That the owners of all unregistered dogs be sued for amount of dog taxes unpaid.— Carried. The name of Cr Fowles was added to the Cemetery Committee. The name of Cr Bishop. was added to the Finance Committee. The name of Cr Fowles was added to the Public Works Committee. Cr P. Thomson asked the Mayer— who is a member of the Manchester Road Board— whether anything was being done by that Board about the the Cemetery road. The Mayor said the Engineer had been instructed to have what was necessary done, but the bad weather had prevented him attending to the work. The Mayor reported that a person had called at his house, and informed him that Mrs Robert Belfit was very ill and destitute He had made arrangements for her to be looked after by a competent nurse, also for proper food to be supplied. He also men-^ tioned that Mrs Doreen had applied™ for support. Her husband was away, and she only wanted something to support her child. He had made enquiries, and did not think Mrs Dorees was a very deserving case. Cr Eade considered the Mayor had made the best arrangements for Mrs Belfit, but he did not consider Mrs Doreen deserved help. Cr P. Thomson thought assistance towards her support ought to be ap. , plied for to the Feilding relations of Mrs Belfit. I Proposed by Cr Foster, seconded by Cr Eade, That the action taken by the Mayor with regard to Mrs Belfit be approved of. — Carried. A conversational disoussion took place on the subject of a firebell. Proposed by Cr Foster, seconded by Cr Bishop, That the Town Clerk be instructed to ask permission of the School Committee to use the bell at the school in case of fire. — •Carried, Cr Evans spoke on the subject oi

Mrs Doreen, and said «he was a decerviog person who was not strong enough to work. Any rumors against ier were false. Cr P. Thomson remarked that ho would like to know how Mrs Dureen •earned her living in Pulinerstou. In all cases of poverty or real distress he would be the first to assist, but he was determined not to allow the •Council to be imposed upon. Her husband was alive, aud ought to support her and her child. The Mayor said Mrs Doreen had her remedy against her husband, and i could get the police to assist her in compelling him to contribute towards her support. However, he (the Mayor) would see to the matter and put things right. The Council then adjourned.