KATAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2703, 6 December 1882, Page 3

KATAPOI BOROUGH COUNCIL.

STIRRING SCENES

Last evening’s meeting of this Council served to remind the local historian of days long past, when the Council’s meetings were attractive to the public from the racy discussions which took place. The Mayoi, Mr Caleb Smith, who sat for the last time, appeared to have granted members an extension of license for the proceedings, which began at 7.30, wore not over till past ton, and, with the exception of one discussion over a most serious subject in reference to the accounts and the audit, the time was spent very much in hair-splitting and talking against time. • All the Councillors were present. The overdraft was stated to ho £146. In the accounts a wordy war arose over passing 12s for cleaning hose after a fire. The fire inspector, who was present, gave the Council his mind, and said he paid many items personally rather than submit them to the Council, and if this state of things was to go on ho would doff his uniform rather than be compelled to run after every member ot the fire prevention committee for authority to incur such a small expense for a necessary work. Finally the item passed. The lighting committee reported the cost of lighting the town lamps with kerosene for a year to be twopence and two-thirds of a penny. Their report was referred hack for fuller information, and one member advised the eomplilation of a “ light-house chart.” The reported expenditure for two years on the fire brigade contributed by the Council was .£244, which caused several Councillors to hold in their breath. This item included uniforms, £9O ; new plant, £80; engineer, £80; working expenses, £32. Or. Chapman, whoso speciality is on finance, asked for the rate arrear list, which, showed £329 unpaid. Cr. Champion then asked why this asset was not included in the half-yearly accounts, why the auditors had not seen into it, and lastly, why a letter from the auditors four years ago had not been seen by the Council, or acted upon by the treasurer. Two Councillors stated that one auditor had admitted that ho had never seen the rate accounts, and the auditors were generally blamed for what was spoken of as a “slip-shod audit.” It was proposed to have a special audit, but finally agreed to that the accounts he referred back to the Council’s auditors. The town clerk said he had handed all hooks and vouchers to the auditors, and it was their fault if the rate account had not been examined, as he had nothing to conceal from them. No complaint was made of any other irregularity in the accounts than simply of their compilation. It was decided that the Mayor and Cr. Champion lattend to see that the auditors made a full inspection of the accounts, as the ledger had at one time not been posted for seven months. It was decided to collect all rates, and that tradesmen receiving monies from the Council be not paid till their rates be paid. A long discussion took place on the hanging of the firebell, when it was decided to have it swung by the same plan as the Christchurch Cathedral, chimes were managed. £5 was voted for a fire brigade display on New Year’s Day. Councillors then complained of cattle at large and uncut fences. One member explaining how that one gentleman had been seen cutting his way past an overhanging fence with his walking stick, a little incident which Itickled the risibilities of those present. The police were censured for allowing hordes of cows and horses to stray. Then the Bench was severely criticised for not inflicting deterrent penalties on offenders in this respect. A councillor stated that one person who nightly turned out his cattle had at last Court received the severe sentence of “ dismissed with a caution.” [Roars of laughter.] It was then decided to consider the cost of maintaining a ranger to he further considered at next meeting. Cr. Fraser moved—" That the works committee report on an elaborate scheme for concrete kerbing, asphalt paths, and drainage.” Cr.Parnham characterised the motion as all nonsense while the Council was so bare of funds. The motion was carried, the works committee in a body resenting the same. A tender was accepted for a concrete culvert, £52 Bs, and the Council adjourned.