Feilding Borough Council.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 161, 10 January 1896, Page 2

Feilding Borough Council.

The usual monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held for the first time in the new Council Chambers last evening. Present — His the Mayor (Mr W. A. L. Bailey), Crs T. R. Chamberlain, W. G. Shearer, E. Goodbehere, H. Worsfold, G. H. Saywell, G. W. Fowles, and A. R. Allan. The minutes of the previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. Mr W. Reid the newly elected Councillor having made the usual declaration took his seat at the council table. The Mayor congratulated Cr Reid on his election to the Council. Mr Reid, in reply, complimented the Mayor and Council on the commodious Municipal buildings and especially His Worship, who was the first Mayor to precide in the new Council Chambers, tbe erection of which was mainly due to Mr W. A. L. Bailey and the late Mayor (Mr W. A. Sandilands). He concluded by saying he would do his best to work with the Council in the interests of the Borough. His Worship congratulated the Council ou their removal to the new site, which was much better than the " Black hole of Calcutta" they had left, and the advantages of the new chambers would be much appreciated. Cr Goodbehere thought they were to be congratulated on having such a building to carry on their business in, besides it was a relief to get out of the premises just vacated. This was a building the ratepayers should be proud of. The next thing for the Council to do was to get it properly furnished. Correspondence was received and dealt with as follows : — From J. Scott, offering to put down tar concrete footpaths in the Borough for 3s per yard super. — Left over. From J. Wilson, asking for an extension of time for three weeks. From F. J. Hedge, re obstructions on the street near his property. — To be attended to. From T. Watson, Secretary to Library Committee, submitting the names of the following gentlemen as suitable persons to act on the committee for the following year :— Messrs J. H. Stevens, A. R. Allan, G. W. Fowles, J. Greenwood, T. Watson, W. H. Judkins, S. Andrew, L.E. Reade, J. G. Cobbe, W. Spence, Stewart, and Friberg. From C. Lucas, Inspector of Nuisances a report. From T. H. James, architect, a statement of accounts showing the actual cost of new municipal buildings. The contract was for .£BB9, and the statement showed the " extras" to be £14 6s 6d, making a total of 1903 6s 6d. Also, enclosing his account, amounting to £49 6s 6d, for preparing plans, and disbursements. From the Finance Committee, recommending accounts amounting to £482 6s 2d be passed for payment.— Adopted. From Mr Pharazyn and his manager, Mr G. E. Little, stating tbe former required £20 an acre for the land wanted by tbe Council, who would also have to pay the cost of survey, fencing, etc. ] About a quarter of an acre was required for making approach to the new bridge across tbe Eiwitea stream.] From tbe Secretary Athletic Club, enclosing thefollowinglresolution : — " That the Secretary write to the Borough Council requesting that the fence at the back of the Recreation Ground be repaired before the ensuing sports to be held on Boxing Day, as in its present state it is impossible to keep the public from coming into the reserve." From T. W. E. Foster, particulars with reference to the manner in which his horse was injured owing to an alleged bad culvert, for which he claimed damages. From Treasury, voucher for £500, first advance on loan of £1000 for Eiwitea bridge. From Mrs Turner, applying for position of cleaner for Municipal Buildings. The Public Works Committee recommended " That plans and specifications be prepared for repairs to Warwick street bridge and tenders called for the next meeting of the Council ; that the ditch in Queen street be filled up and a watertable formed if the level of the adjoining sections will permit." — Adopted. In discussing this report the Mayor stated the indebtedness of the Council that evening was £302 4s 2d, which amount would be increased by Jbl24 by accounts passed at this meeting. The outstanding rates amounted to about £150. Cr Goodbehere would like to see the Warwick street bridge re-opened, but did not see how it could be done considering the present state of their finances. It would be a pity to call for tenders for the work and then not accept any. Cr Fowles said that if tenders were in at next meeting it would be two. or three months before they would require to find any money. His Worship agreed with Cr Goodbehere. He thought the matter might be left over for the present, but could be gone on with before winter. He pointed out that for a time when the rates were first struck no revenue would be received. Cr Allan thought they could finance the cost, which would be about £120. Cr Worsfold thought the Council would have to be careful in dealing with tbe ditch in Queen street as they might be required to pay damages. Cr Fowles pointed out that the re- . port recommended in the event of the levels permitting the alteration. Messrs P. Thomson and A. Eade waited on the Council on behalf of the Fire Brigade in connection with the removal of the bell tow»r and with reference to the engine shed. Mr Thomson said they wished to know definitely if it was the intention of the Council to remove the bell tower to the Courthouse site. The unsettled state of affairs was disorganising members of the Brigade, which was a serious matter. Several sites had been suggested, amongst them being that of a section belonging to Mr Pollock in Bowen street. He did not know if this section was for sale, but that could be ascertained. The firemen objected to the removal of the tower to the Courthouse as it would then be useless for purposes of alarm. He desired to impress on the Council that they should do what they could for the Brigade. The new fire station was perfectly useless for the purpose intended, the floor being too high to get the engine in, while the doors were unsuitabe and dangerous and would be better away. There was no time in a hurry in the case of fire to put planks down to get the engine out. Again, there was no means of getting the epgine to the well and a culvert should be put in the watertable. Mr Eade suggested putting in sl\din.g doors in place of the present ones and, also, a door at the side of the shed. The deputation were informed the matter would be dealt with and they then withdrew. Kesolved, That the application of Messrs J. Gould, E. J. Allen, J. H. Stevens, John Ryan and Thomas Ryan for change of name ou rate roll be acceded to. Proposed by Cr Goodbebere, seconded by Cr Worsfold, That the matter of repairs to fence of Sports ground be referred to the Recreation Reserve Committee with power to act. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Goodbehere, seconded by Cr Saywell, That a subcommitee be appointed consisting of Crs Bailey, Fowles, and Goodbehere, to enquire into the claim 1 made against this Council by tot Foster," '$o report'at next meeting.— Carried. ' ' " * "' iPrbjigsed by C? GoQdJbebere, seconded.

by Cr Worsfold, That the list of names as submitted by the Library Committee be elected a committee for the ensuing year, viz., Messrs Stevens, Allan, Cobbe, Fowles, Greenwood, Watson, Judkins, Andrew, Friberg. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Fowles, seconded by Cr Worsfold, That the extension of time asked for by Mr Wilson be granted. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Worsfold, seconded by Cr Shearer, That the account from Mr James, for commission as architect for erection of Municipal Buildings, be passed for payment. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Goodbehere, seconded by Cr Saywell, That the terms for purchase of land required for deviation of Eimboiton road near the bridge*site as offered by Mr Pharazyn be accepted.— Carried. Proposed by Cr Shearer, seconded by Cr Worsfold, That conditions be drawn up and applications called for the position of cleaner of Mnnicipal offices. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Goodbehere, seconded by Cr Worsfold, That Mr Flavall be appointed Borough Inspector. — Carried. The other applications for the position were from Messrs A. Guthrie, C. Lucas, A. W. Parker, and H. Woolven. A motion by Cr Saywell, seconded by Cr Allan, That Mr Parker be appointed was lost. Proposed by Cr Goodbehere, seconded by Cr Worsfold, That the registration fee for dogs for the ensuing year be fixed at 5s each. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Goodbehere, seconded by Cr Worsfold, That the Mayor, Crs Fowles and Saywell, be a committee to inspect the Fire Brigade building with power to authorise any alterations they may deem necessary. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Goodbehere, seconded by Cr Saywell, That a full detailed list of outstanding rates be laid on the table at the next meeting of this Council. — Carried. Proposed by Cr Shearer, seconded by Cr Chamberlain, That the matter of the removal of firebell tower be held over until reply be received from Captain Thompson re the site mentioned by the deputation . — Carried, Cr Allan asked the Mayor if the Library Committee had power to set apart a room for the use of subscribers only. He wished to know if the magazine room was to be open to the public. What they derived from rates was barely sufficient to cover the cost of maintenance of the reading room alone. ? The Mayor believed they had the power to regulate the use of the reading rooms. He would make enquiries. Cr Goodbehere was of opinion they couldn't close the magazine room from the ratepayers, but it would be a pity to throw it open to the public, and the Council might obtain the opinion of the Borough solicitor on the question. Proposed by Cr Allan, seconded by Cr Fowles, That the advice of the Borough solicitor be obtained as to whether the Liibrary Committee has legal power to set aside one room m the Municipal Buildings for the use of subscribers to the Library only. — Carried. This concluded the business and the Council adiourned.