Feilding Borough Council.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 146, 19 December 1895, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council.

INSTALLATION OF THE MAYOK.

A special > meeting of the Feilding Borough Conncil was held at noon yesterday for the pnrpose of installing the Mayor-elect Mr Walter A. L. Bailey, in the Mayoral chair for the ensuing year. Present — The retiring Mayor (Mr W. A, Saudilands), Oca J. Gould, Q. W. Fowlea G. H. Saywell, H. Worsfold, E. Ooodbehere, W. O. Shearer and several ratepayers. An apology for non-attendance was received from Cr Allan. The retiring Mayor, in his valedictory address, reviewed the position of ttie Council and the works which had been done during -his term of office. He said that when he took office the Council's overdraft was £388 14s 4d and it was now only £310 Os 4d, showing a reduction of £88 4s. The Council had, when he took of&ce, £387 4s Id to the credit of the sinking fund, and that was now increased to £435 14s 2d. The Sinking Fund Commissioners had previously lent the money on rural land at 7 to 7 1 per cent, but now, owing to the Advances to Settlers Act, some difficulty might bo experienced in lending money j at those rates, and the Commissioners j might have to lend on town properties. He did not see any objection to this, providing it was good enough, and he , thought the Council might recommend , the Commissioners to that effect. Another question which had been dealt with was the bye-laws, particularly with respect to carriers' licenses, revenue from which had been increased trom £3 to £19 during his term of office. The dog tax had also been increased from £39 to £40 17s 6a. The Council had decided to appoint an inspector, whose duties would include dog tax collecting, inspector under the building bye-laws, etc., and wonld relieve the Mayor and Councillors of a lot of work, and the bye- laws would be better carried out. During his term of office he had succeeded in getting a resident Clerk of the Court appointed and extra police pro* tection. Also, a poll had been carried for the erection of new municipal buildings, which would be completed in a few days. The buildings would be a great convenience and credit to the town. He complimented the architect, Mr T. H. James, and Mr R. Young, the builder, on the way the work was carried out. He thanked the whole of the Councillors for their assistance, particularly the members of the Public Works Committee, specially mentioning the Chairman, Mr G. W. Fowles, who had relieved him of a considerable amount of work. Referring to lighting the Borough by electricity he said that the Conncil had been accused of apathy in dealing with the matter. This was not so, as several members of the sub-committee appointed to deal with the matter were not present at the meeting called for the purpose; also, they had applied to the Secretary, pro tern, of the movement for particulars they could not do without. This was promised on condition the Council paid the cost of procuring the information, bat as Mr Stevens, who had obtained such, was away, it could not be obtained until he returned, hence the delay. It was impossible for the sub-committee to go into the question until the information they asked for was supplied. The Council would have to go into the question of famishing the new buildings, and, probably, it would be advisable to call a special meeting for the purpose. Mr Bailey then read and signed the usual declaration, and the retiring Mayor, Mr Saudilands, said he had great pleasure in handing over the seal of the office to the new Mayor. On Mr Bailey taking his seat as Mayor, Cr £. Goodbehere congratulated him on his election to the position, and felt snre the Councillors would work with him to the interests of the Borough. Cr Gould felt pleasure in congratulating the Mayor on his taking office. He had been in the Council for five years and his predecessors had done what they could in the interests of the ratepayers, and he trusted the present Mayor would be even more successful. Amongst matters he thought should be dealt with was the erection of a bridge over the Makino stream in Denbigh street. Councillors Worsfold and Saywell also congratulated the Mayor, and in doing so referred to the courtesy received from the retiring Mayor. The Mayor then thanked the Councillors for their expressions of good will and felt sure he would receive the same courtesy and assistance as his predecessor. They wonld have to consider important, matters during the next year, such as the Kiwitea bridge, which was commenced during his predecessor's term of office, and the municipal buildings would have to be furnished.