Feilding Borough Council.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 229, 2 February 1894, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held in the Council Chambers last evening. Present — The Mayor (Mr Carthew) in the chair, and Councillors Chamberlain, Fowles, Gould, Sandilands, Worsfold, and Woolven. The minutes of the previous. meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From Wm. Light, applying to have sections 630 and 634 transferred to Mr J. Wilson. - From Jas. H. Stevens, Secretary Artesian Water Committee, stating a committee had been formed for the purpose of procuring an artesian -water supply for Feilding, and begging leave to sink for water in Manchester Square. From Mrs Chapman, thanking Council for past charitable aid, and asking for continuance of same for a few weeks longer. From S. A. Brennan, requesting Council to have a footpath constructed opposite the premises now being erected by him at the corner of Fergusson and Manchester streets, for a distance of 66 feet along each street ; and asking permission to erect hitching posts. The Inspector of Nuisances' report stated that all nuisances reported at last meeting had been abated, and that the Borough was now fairly clean and healthy. The report of the Finance Committee was read, recommending the payment of accounts to the amount of £82 18s, made up by general account £71 12s 2d, and charitable aid account £11 6s 8d. From W. H. Duncan, calling the Council's attention to, and asking their protection from, the nuisance arising from the drainage at Mr Corpe's Makino butter factory. DEPUTATION. A deputation consisting of Messrs Jas. H. Stevens and Mr Chas. Bray, senr., waited on the Council with reference to the proposed artesian water supply. Mr Stevens stated that a very enthusiastic public meeting had been held in ihe Assembly Rooms, and a committee formed who had interviewed sixty residents -within the Borough, with tbe result tbat they had contributed on an average £1 apiece towards the proposed work. Others were to be seen, from whom it was expected to collect another £60, and a resolution had been passed at the meeting " That the Council be asked to subsidise the contributions £ for £." The Committee thought that if the attempt to procure wafer in the town proved successful, another well could be sunk near the Kiwitea bridge, and a small reservoir made, from which the town could be supplied with pure water suitable for domestic purposes. The deputation strongly urged the Council to favourably consider the matter, and being informed by the Mayor that it would come before the meeting, they retired. RESOLUTIONS, Resolved, That the report of the Finance Committee be adopted. Resolved, That the request of Mr Brennan re footpath be agreed to on the usual terms. Resolved, That the report of the Inspector of Nuisances be adopted. Resolved, That permission be granted committee re artesian water to sink a well in Manchester Square, the position to be opproved of by Clerk of Works. Discussion took place over the nuisance complained of by Mr Duncan, but the Council were of opinion that the Inspector of Nuisances should be judge over these matters, and it was resolved, That Mr Duncan's letter be handed over to the Inspector. Re Mrs Chapman's application for continuance of charitable aid ; Councillors seemed in doubt as to whether the family were really in need of it. — Cr. Fowles had been informed that Mrs Chapman received money from her husband, and they lived well and dressed well. — Resolved, That Crs Chamberlain and Gould interview Mrs Chapman, with power to act. ARTESIAN WATER SUPPLY. A considerable amount of discussion ensued over this matter, but the majority of Crs were of opinion that the finances of the Borough would not admit of any aid being extended towards the proposed work. Cr Sandilands thought that the Council were not financially in a position to make any advance towards the object, although of course every one would like to see water obtained. This was an undertaking by private persons to bore, and unless the Council undertook the whole work themselves they could not assist. He thought they could not legally vote £ for £, the auditor in fact would not pass it. Hewould propose, "That although the Council has every sympathy with the movers in their laudable endeavour to obtain a supply of artesian water, yet this Council is unable to assist in the manner suggested by the deputation. First, because the Council could not legally vote money as suggested; and, secondly, because funds would not permit of any money being used for such purposes." This was seconded by Cr Worsfold. The Mayor stated that he had an amendment to propose. He agreed that tlie Council were not in a position to vote £ for £ , but they might vote a little towards it. There were several ways in wliich they could vote money, and still be within the four corners of the Act, and these ways were explained by the speaker. In reply to Cr Worsfold, the Mayor stated that their overdraft at the present time was £'512 13s 3d ; accounts had that night been passed to the amount of £82, and there were still about £80 outstanding rates, which, when collected, would leave an overdraft of about £514. Cr Gould thought it was a matter for private enterprise, as he failed to see what advantage would be derived from the supply by a large number of rate, payers. It may advance the value of land in the vicinity of the Square, but certainly not a mile away. The Mayor differed from Cr Gould, as he certainly thought that outside ratepayers would benefit by the s.upply. For instance, they may get water, which would save the Council, in years to come, many thousands of pounds. He mentioned other towns which had greatly benefited by the artesian supply. If they could obtain water in the Square it would be a great boon to the town. The Mayor then proposed the following amendment to Cr Sandiland's proposition, viz. : " That tenders be called for boring 200 feet with a 2 to 2 1/2 inch pipe in Manchester Square, such tenders to be received or accepted by a committee consisting of Crs Chamberlain, Woolven, and Worsfold on condition that the tender does not exceed £20, tenders to be opened on the 16th inst." This was seconded by Cr Fowles. Cr Sandilands pointed out that their overdraft limit was £700; they were overdrawn £512, and there was a large amount of necessary work to be done during this month. He failed to see where the money was coming from, and would oppose the amendment. Crs Chamberlain, Woolven, Worsfold, and Gould were of the same opinion as

Cr Sandilands, and although they had every sympathy with the movers in the matter, thought the Council could not vote anything. The amendment was then put to the meeting and lost, Cr Sandilands proposition being carried. After some conversation on ordinary matters tbe Council adjourned.