Feilding Borough Council

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 106, 7 April 1888, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council

The usual monthly meeting of the above was held on Thursday evening. Present— His Worship the Mayor, Crs Haybittle, J. C. Thompson, Peter Thomson, Lethbridge, Worsfold, Dr Monckton, Fowles, and Nicholas. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From Bank of New Zealand, asking permission to erect hitching posts opposite the Bank premises in Fergusson street. From Mr Hitchman, drawing attention to the outlets on the Ashhurst road near his section. From the Audit office, stating that the office of Sinking Fund Commissioner is hot compatible with that of a Councillor, and believing that at the instance of any ratepayer or person interested in the Sinking Fund, the Supreme Court would interfere. From P. and J. Bartholomew, calling attention to a portion of the Kimbolton road joining the Railway Reserve, which in wet weather holds a considerable quantity of water. From J. C. Richardson, asking the Council to remove a log from under the bridge at the junction of Port and Churcher streets. From the Town Clerk, reporting a concert had been held in Messrs F. R. Jackson and Co.'s, auction rooms on Easter Monday, without having been inspected or licensed. From Fairfield Thompson, directing attention to a nuisance caused by a gravel pit, opposite his residence, being filled with sawdust, which afterwards blows into his premises, causing loss by damaging his butter, &c., and personal inconvenience. From the Auditor-General, returning balance sheet of the Borough Fund for the half year ended September 30, 1887, and stating it will be necessary that Commissioners of the Sinking Fund should be appointed, and that they should render the required account before the year's accounts can be passed. Finance and Public Works report a were read and adopted. The following is the report of the Committee, re sanitary condition of the Borough: — Your Committee beg to report that after having fully considered and enquired into this question, they have arrived at the conclusion that in the interests of the inhabitants of the Borough - generally, it is advisable to bring into operation, within certain limits here after specified, clause 74 of bye law No. 2, relating to nuisances. (1) That applications be invited for the position of nightman, and one appointed. (2) That the successful applicant provide an approved site for the disposal of the night soil, also an approved vehicle. (3) That the charge be 6d per week per bucket to be paid to the nightman by the occupier of the premises, buckets to be emptied weekly. (4) That the regulations apply only to that portion of the Borough included within the limits of Warwick street and railway line starting from the line of Eyre street and extending to the line of Fitzroy street. G. W. Fowles, Chairman, Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the current year were read and explained to Councillors by the Mayor. They were then approved by the Council. Resolved, That the agent of the Bank of New Zealand be authorised to erect hitching posts in Fergusson street. The Public Works Committee were authorised to deal with the matters contained in Messrs Hitchman's, Bartholomews', and Richardson's letters. Cr Monckton said he thought it would be as well if an estimate of the works required should be laid before the Council. The Mayor and Cr Lethbridge said the Council had perfect confidence in the ability of the Public Works Committee to faithfully carry out the duties entrusted to them. Cr Monckton said he was not acting in a captious spirit, but he thought in the present state of the Borough finances, the closest scrutiny should be exercised over all expenditure. With reference to Fairfield Thompson's letter, complaining of the nuisance caused by Messrs P. and J. Bartholomew depositing sawdust in a certain gravel pit it was resolved that the Town Clerk be instructed to write to Messrs P. and J. Bartholomew on the subject. On the subject of the Town Clerk's letter re the concert in Jackson and Co.'s auction rooms. Cr Monckton suggested a letter should be written to Messrs Jackson and Co., pointing but a breach of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1886, had been committed. He certainly thought the building ought to have been inspected before the concert, as the room smelled strongly of green hides, and swarmed with fleas. Cr Nicholas said the use of the auction room was only granted because the Public Hall had been burned down. The Mayor read the portions of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1886, dealing with the point. He said the Council was not obliged to put the law in force. It was then Proposed by Cr Monckton, seconded by Cr Lethbridge, That Messrs Jackson and Co. be informed that in giving the use of their room for a public entertainment, without permission or license from the Borough authorities, a breach of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1886, had been committed.— Carried. Resolved, £5 be drawn for petty cash. The Mayor reported he had given an order for Mr Purvis to be admitted to the Wanganui Hospital, on the recommendation of Dr Monckton. The question of appointing Sinking Fund Commissioners was then considered. It was, after discussion, Proposed by Cr Monckton, seconded by Cr Worsfold, That the Town Clerk (Mr G. C. Hill) and Mr E. Goodbe-

here be appointed Commissioners.— Carried. The report of the Sanitary committee was again read and discussed. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Haybittle, pro forma, That the report of the Committee on the sanitary condition of the Borough be adopted, and that tenders for the office of Nightman be at once advertised for. Cr J. C. Thompson would oppose the motion on the grounds that it would interfere unduly with poor people for the benefit of a few. He thought the best way would be to strike a rate, and the whole of the Borough should be taken in. Cr P. Thomson opposed Cr J. C. Thompson's views. He instanced several cases which made the resolution, necessary. He considered persons living in the outskirts should be exempt. He spoke urgently in favor of preserving the public health. The Council would be foolish to throw out the report. Cr Monckton supported the motion. He strongly objected to any alteration of the report. The Mayor doubted whether they could legally collect the 6d for each bucket of nightsoil. Cr Fowles quoted the bye-laws in support of the motion. Cr Haybittle thought it would be rather arbitrary if persons were not allowed to make private arrangements for the disposal of their nightsoil. Cr Lethbridge pointed out that each private individual could not have a night cart. The Mayor supported the resolution which was then put, and carried, Cr J. C. Thompson voting against it. A petition from certain ratepayers residing in Grey street, asking for some protective works to prevent their properties being washed away by the Makino stream, was received and read. It was debated conversationally. Ultimately it was Proposed by Cr Worsfold, seconded by Cr Lethbridge, That the petition from H. L. Sherwill and others be received, and lie on the table till next meeting, and that the Engineer be requested to report on the probable cost of the works required.— Carried. Proposed by Cr Haybittle, seconded by Cr J. C. Thompson, pro forma, That the Council take the necessary steps to purchase a firebell, and erect it in the Borough. Cr Haybittle spoke in favor of the motion. The Mayor and Cr Monckton opposed the motion, on the grounds that the Council could not afford the expense. — The motion was negatived. Proposed by Cr Haybittle, seconded by Cr Monckton, That the Town Clerk be instructed to ascertain, and report to the Council, the number of dogs registered, together with exact number of collars at present in possession of the Collector.— Carried. The Council then adjourned.