Feilding Borough Council

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 30, 4 August 1893, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council

- ■-•-■• i The ordinary monthly meeting was ' held last evening. Present —His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs. Carthew, Chamberlain, Fowles, Gould, Haybittle, Lethbridge, and Sandilands. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. j A deputation consisting of Messrs | Carr, Bastings, and P. Thomson j waited on the Council, and presented a petition signed' by 79 burgesses, praying that the bridge in South street might be re-built. Mr Carr addressed the Council on behajf of the petitioners, and spoke very warmly on the subject, pointing out that as this was one of the main streets, and a lot of traffic (stock and otherwise) passed in and out of Feilding by this road, it was most desirable that the bridge should be re-built, oven if the Council had to raise a loan for the purpose and levy another 3d rate. He would strongly urge that the former resolution of the Council to make a ford be rescinded, and that they decide to re-build the bridge. The Mayor informed the deputation that the matter would be before the Council that evening, and their request would receive consideration. CORRESPONDENCE. From Manchester Road Board, forwarding account for £17 19s lid, being four-twelfths of interest paid by the Manchester Road Board to the Bank of Australasia for monies advanced to enable the Board to erect the Aorangi bridge.; The account was made up as follows : Interest on £■2196 5s Od paid out from time to time, £30 8s 2d, four-twelfths of which is £10 6s Id and interest on £439 10s 2cl (being balance of the amount payable by the Council) from May Ist to August Ist, £7 13s lOil. Total £17 19s lid. From Messrs Woolven and Nesbitt, asking permission to erect a fence on the top side of their sections facing Hobson street, and also to put a pile on the road side of the Makino stream, so as to be able to suspend a flood gate across it, and connect the pile with rail fencing oft* the stream with willows. From the Clerk of Works, estimating the cost of removing the existing culvert on the upper side of Warwick street bridge, and diverting the water across the road, at £15 16s 6d. From Mr W. Light, stating that he had erected a cottage on his property in Denbigh Square, and requesting the Council to make some provision for gaining access thereto. From Mr Jas. H. Stevens, on behalf of the Library Committee, bespeaking the patronage of the Council at a lecture to be given by Mr R. C. Bruce, M.H.R., on August 11, in aid of the Library funds. From Mr John Cobbe, reminding the Council that during April, 1892, a petition in favour of a bridge being built over the Makino in Denbigh street, was signed by 104 bona fide ratepayers, and a resolution was passed that the work would be done when the Borough's finances permitted. He would therefore request that the consideration of both bridges be considered at the same time. From Messrs Joseph Gould, F. Hewett, J. D. Taylor, John Henderson, J. Mandall, K. Copestake, D. E. Armstrong, F. Simpson and A. M. Baker, residents of Denbigh and Princess streets, complaining of the disgraceful approaches to their dwellings, and asking why residents in the top part of Denbigh street should have their water-tables cleaned, while those below were in such a filthy state. From Secretary of the Treasury, in quiring the annual rateable value of the Borough upon which Id is made for £800 re Aorangi Bridge Road. From Dr. Sorley, reporting 13 cases of measles, and one of diphtheria. From Messrs D. and M. Manson, complaining of the state of the drains past their property, the one in Warwick street not being cleaned ; and the surface water being unable to get away, the same was discharged over their property. For want of proper grading the drain in Kirn bolton road overflowed in many places, and the water became stagnant. From Dr. Johnston, offering to supply the Council with a sufficient number of lime trees to plant the remaining side of Manchester Square. From Mrs Bertha Catherine Gruar, requesting that her name be placed on the Burgess list for part of section 127 instead of that of S. J. Thompson. From the Audit Department, stating that the Borough balance-sheet for the year had been passed with the exception of the disallowance of £2 2s paid as subscriptions to the Municipal Association. RESOLUTIONS. Proposed by Cr Carthew, seconded by Cr Fowles, That the report of the Finance and Public Works Committee be adopted. —Carried. Proposed by Cr Gould, seconded by Cr Chamberlain, That the requests of Messrs Woolven and Nisbett, re placing a pile, itc, be granted on approval of the Clerk of Works. —Carried. Cr Haybittle proposed, and Cr Lethbridge seconded, That the name of Bertha Catherine Gruar be placed on burgess list for part of section 117, instead of that of S. J. Thompson. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Sandilands, seconded by Cr Carthew, That Dr Johnston's ofter to supply trees be accepted, and the thanks of the Council-be conveyed to him for his kind offer.— Carried. Proposed by Cr Sandilands, seconded by Cr Chamberlain, That the member for the Rangitikei electorate bo requested, on behalf of this Council, to support the clause embodied in the Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill, empowering Borough Councils to receiye interest at 10 per cent per annum on all rates unpaid after three mouths from date whenever such rates may be paid. —Carried. Cr Carthew proposed, Cr Fowles seconding, That tho requests of M. Light, iincl Messrs G. and W. Manson be referred to the Public Works Committee, to report on at the next meeting of the Council. —Carried. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Gould, seconded by Cr Chamber* lain, That the request of the residents of Denbigh and Princess streets be referred to the Public Works Committee, to report at next meeting of the Council. Resolved, on the motion of Cr

Fowles, seconded by Or Oarthew, That the balance-sheet as laid on the table bfl adopted, and that the same be published, the Clerk to have 25 copies printed; Proposed by Cr Fowles, seconded by Cr Lethbridge, That the patronage of this Council be accorded to the lecture by Mr Bruce.-— Carried. Proposed by Cr Haybittle, seconded by Cr Fowles, That the proposed culvert near Warwick street bridge be constructed in accordance with the suggestion of the Clerk of Works.— Carried. It was decided, on the motion of Cr Sandilands, seconded by Cr Chamberlain, That the celebration of Arbor Day be postponed until Wednesday, 16th inst. J> Proposed by the Ma for, seconded by Cr Chamberlain, That this Council regret their inability to undertake the erection of the.Denbigh, street bridge at present, the street not being a main road as defined by the Act, Boroughs are not authorised to raise loans under the Government Loans to Local Bodies Act for the purpose of re-instating bridges, and the Borough's finances will not allow of it being done by general revenue, but the residents requiring the bridge may rest assured that the matter will not be overlooked-— Carried. SOUTH STREET BBIDGE. A considerable amount of discussion took place over this matter, but the majority of the Councillors were of opinion that, as it was the wish of a large number of Burgesses that the bridge should be rebuilt, the work should be gone on with, and the former resolution re a ford being constructed be rescinded. Cr Gould thought that as it meant raising a loan, there should be sufficient money borrowed to erect a bridge over the Makino in Denbigh street also. The Mayor thought it would be a Id wise and £ foolish to defer the matter of rebuilding the bridge in South street. Cr Sandiland thought it was a very necessary work, as it was one of the main entrances to the Borough, and as had been pointed out by Mr Carr, a large amount of grain traffic, and stock of all kinds, came into Feilding that way. The estimate given at a former meeting for the re-erection of the bridge was £300; this seemed a large amount to find, but it could be raised, and the interest would only amount to £15 a year. The Kimbolton was the main road in the Borough and was well metalled, whereas the lighter streets would soon cut up if much traffic went that way. He thought that the Council should rescind the former resolution re a ford being made. Cr Carthew did not see how the Council could do otherwise than consider the wish of the burgesses. The Mayor thought that as the burgesses were so anxious thejfe should pay their rates and it would enable them to make a start, in fact the re-erection of the bridge depended entirely on them paying up. Cr Haybittle thought that as it was the wish of so large a number that the bridge should be re-erected they should carry out their wishes (although he had formerly seconded the proposition for a ford). He maintained that the bridge was not altogether a necessity, although a matter of convenience, but if it could be constructed without any additional rates being struck it should be done. He would propose that the former proposition be rescinded. Cr. Gould would like to know if, when ratepayers were asked to sign the petition presented by the deputation, they understood that a loan would have to be raised. He thought Cr. Sandilatids fcad failed to show why a ford would not be sufficient; and he (Cr. Gould) thought that it would answer every purpose for the time being, and by the time the new rate was struck, and with the extra revenue that they would receive next year, they then might see their way clear to erect a bridge without borrowing money. He pointed out that a ford had answered all purposes over the Aorangi for years, and that it was a much more dangerous ford than the proposed one in South street would be. If they had to borrow money to re* erect the South street bridge then they should also build one in Denbigh street. Cr. Fowles thought that if the bridge could be re-erected under the Loans to Local Bodies Act it should be done, by all means, but -if not they ought to con* struct a ford lor temporary use, until the Council could erect the bridge * without straining themselves. Cr. Chamberlain remarked that it would look as if things were going back not to erect a bridge, and he urged that it should be gone on with. The Mayor thought all were anxious to have a bridge if it could be done and he thought it could be paid for out of ordinary revenue, and quoted the following figures to show his reasons for so thinking. The overdraft at the bank after do-day's payment had been made would be £626 and a further liability due to to the Manchester Road Board on account of Aorangi bridge (L 440) would bring total indebtedness to L 1066. Against this the amount borrowed from Government under " The Loans to Local Bodies Act " (L 800) for Aorangi bridge had still to be paid, and outstanding rates were due to amount of L 450. Goyernment subsidy of LllO would also be payable at the beginning of the year, This would give LBOO of revenue, And they had nine months of general expenses to provide for whioh he would estimate at an average ofL6oper month, making L 540. Therefore, if the full limit of the Council's overdraft at the bank is taken up (L 700) it will give the sum of L 450 to come and go on, provided that the whole of the rates are paid up at once. They would thus see that the bridge could be erected out of ordinary revenue provided no other works were carried out. Cr Leth bridge thought a bridge with, a span of 30 feet would be quite sufficient, and he thought the price of the bridge could be considerably reduced. After further discussion it was proposed by Cr Sandilands, and seconded by Cr Chamberlain. That the resolution deal* ing with the question of making a ford at the site of the former bridge in South street, passed at the last ordinary meet* ing of the Council, be rescinded, —Car* ried. The Mayor then proposed, Cr Sandilands seconding, That the Clerk of Works obtain plans and estimates of a bridge to be placed over the Makino stream in South street, the same to be laid before this Council at a special meeting to be held on Thursday, 17th of August. — Carried. Cr Haybittle drew attention to the filthy state of the approach to the Church of England Sunday School, also to the bad state of the curbing in front of the Court House. The Mayor said the curbing would be seen to, but at the same time he thought it mean of the Government not to assist in such matters as they received considerable revenue from the building. Accounts to the amount of £106 Is 4d were passed for payment. The Council then adjourned.