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Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 107, 15 May 1901, Page 4

Continued from third page. The Mayor said the question was were they to increase the rate or not '? By striking a higher rate they would havo a higher overdraft. Cr Jones : We want to get that down. The Mayor : That was what we were trying to do, and it appears that we were making a mistake. Cr Lysnar : It is quite evident thajt we will have to go in for a threepenny rate if we are to have a clean town. At the public meeting it had been said that the public had their purse open, and there should be no scruple in adding the extra threepence and getting the extra machinery as soon as possible ; that- would go back to the original idea of a general rate of is 9d. The Mayor said they could not reduce the overdraft, and he doubted whether the increase would be sufficient for the work set out. The extra cart would cost from £2OO to £'2so a year. t Cr Miller : You cannot do it with wheelbarrows. The Mayor said they would find that the increased cost would bo more than they were estimating. Cr Hepburn thought an extra shilling rate would be required. The Mayor : Will you move that'? Cr Hepburn : Yes. (Laughter.) Cr L.ysnar said that he would oppose that. Now it was the old Councillors who wanted to travel too fast. Cr Hepburn : I only want to provide the ways and means. Cr Lysnar said that had been considered. Cr Hepburn : I do not think so. Cr Wliinray seconded the Mayor’s motion. Although extra cost would now be entailed, he thought they would reap the full advantage in good time. After further discussion (of which a report is reserved) the motion was carried, Crs Harding and Jones dissenting to the increase of the rate. Formal resolutions were passed, in accordance with the wish of the Bank, to appoint the Bank of New Zealand the corporation bankers ; also formal resolution as to overdraft.

It was resolved to release the Sinking Fund Commissioners from their ollice, transferring the funds to the-Public Trustees. It was resolved to send a letter thanking the Commissioners for their past services, of which the Mayor spoke very highly. It was resolved, in accordance with the Overseer’s recommendation, to call for tenders for the erection of a cottage on the borough property. Cr Miller moved, and Cr Lysnar seconded, that steps ho taken to obtain a road scraper. Cr Lysnar said they should obtain t-hc article through the agency of Mr Parnell, who could supply a colonial article.at a less price than the imported one. This could be obtained in a month, while an imported article would take nine months. The Mayor said they should first havo all the information before them. At present the Council was very low in funds. Cr Jones moved that Crs Bright, Miller and Lysnar be a committee to go into the subject of the article required, and report at next, meeting. The suggestion was adopted. Discussion took place as to the traction engine, and it was resolved on the motion of CP Jones, that Crs Wliinray, Hepburn, Kennedy, and the Mayor be a committee to report on the subject. As to the Works Committee, Cr Lysnar said it was a mistake to appoint a committee that was a majority of the Council, and he proposed that the. Works Committee be reduced to four,

Crs Hepburn and Bright agreed with Cr Lysnar, and it was resolved accordingly. Cr Bright said that the Taruheru esplanade was a danger to the public ; ho himself had nearly had a serious accident there that night with his buggy. Cr Lysnar said that it was too late to go into the subject that night. Ho criticised the action of the Beautifying Association in the matter, and said that a short time ago there was over £2OO available for doing a proper work, In regard to lights, Cr Miller was assured that a light that had previously been decided upon would soon bo put in place. Cr Morrison urged that a light should be fixed near the Recreation Ground, but the Mayor said that they could not go into subject at that stage. The Council merged into a Charitable Aid Board at 10.35, the question of borough leases being deferred.