Foxton Borough Council.

Manawatu Herald, 5 July 1898, Page 2

Foxton Borough Council.

The usual monthly meeting was held at the Library Buildings last night at 7.30. Present— Hia Worship the Mayor (Cr J. R. Stansell), and' Crs. P. Hennessy, T. Westwood, J. W. Walsh, A. Fr&aer, H. Coley and VV. B. Rhodes. The minutes of the last monthly meeting, and also those of eeveral special meetings, were read and confirmed. A large amount of inward and outward correspondence was read and considered. Mr H. Aldridge waited on the Council in reference to a bridge that had been removed by him, and explained that he had done bo as the bridge was old and rotten, and he believed he was doing a service to the Council by doing it. Considerable discussion enau d on the matter, and the explanation not being considered a satisfactory one, the following resolution was carried : — Proposed by Cr Westwooi, seconded by Cr Walsh, That after hearing Mr H. Aidridga's explanation re bridge, that Aldridge be -written to and compelled to reinstate bridge at once. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Westwood, That charitable aid be granted to W. J. Brown 6s weekly. Carried. Proposed by ths Mayor, seconded by Cr Hennessy, That this Council endorses the action of Greytown North Borough Conn/ v c 1 aa set forth in their letter dated June 9th, 1898, regarding the opening of new markets in and around the Pacific Ocean for sale of New Zealand produce. Carried. Proposed by Cr Hennessy, seconded by Cr Fraser, That the arrears of rent for

flaxmill sites in Harbour-street be ohargad at the rate of £1 annually up to and for 90th June, 1898. The difference bitween this sum and £5 being allowed to lapse bb A special concession from Ist July, 1898, no reduotion of £5 per annum shall be allowed. On being pnt to the meeting, the motion was not oarried. Proposed by Cr Hennesiy, seconded by Cr Fraser, That the concession allowed to the flaxmillers for some years past, viz., a rebate of £4 per annum be cancelled, as from July Ist, 1898, while flax is over £12 per ton. Oarried. Proposed by the Mayor, secondel by Cr Hennessy, That the arrears of rent for flaxmill sites in Harbour-street be accepted at £1 per annum to 30th June, 1898. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Fraser, That the rates for the year 1897— 98 be allowed to lapse in the following cases on tie ground of fxtreme jovrty — Mrs E. Brown and Mr W. J. Browr.. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Or Rhodes, That the letter from Booth, Macdonaid & Co. re fitting up a windmill and tank at the artesian well in the Avenue be refeired to a committee, consisting of Cra Rhodes, T. Westwood and Hennessy, who will report to Council at next general meeting as to the practicability of this arrangeraeut to supply water to a central part of the town. Carried. Proposed by Cr Weitwood, seconded by Cr Hennessy, That this Council acknowledge the letter of Charles Hill-Trevor, and ' that we expect shortly to be building a bridge over the Manawatu River, and reBpeottally invite H:b Excellency to visit as on this proposed occasion to drive the fir^t pile. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Hennessy, That with reference to letter of 15th June, 1898, from Department of Lands etc., that Mr Stevens, M.H.R., be requetted to obtain a reply to the second part of this office letter of 17th May, 1898, which refers to an inquiry as to whom plans and speci flcations of Wirokino Bridge should be submitted. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Henneßsy, That the accounts of the Borough for the year ending 31st March, 1898, as audited by the Controller and signed by the Mayor be printed, and 50 copies be struck. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Colev, That the report of the Overseer of Works regarding condition of cemetery be adopted, and that step 3 be taken to give effect to the recommendation contained therein. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Coley, That the Council regret inability to construct the drain referred to in the petition signed by A. Speirs and others as there are no funds available for this purpose. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Walsh, That the following reports be adopted : — Public Works Com mi tee, Foreman of Works, PoUndkeeper, Ranger, and Reserves Committee. Carried. The accounts were passed for payment. Proposed by Cr Col'y, seconded by Cr Westwood, pro forma, That a lamp be placed at the corner of Coley-street anil Johnston-street, and that the clerk have power to purchase the same and superintend the erection by the day men. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Walsh. That the Minister for Marine be written to pointing out the necessity there exists for clearing two sand bars across the channel in the Manawatu River, the presence of which considerably interferes with the navigation •( the river. That the Minister's attention be drawn to the fact that there exists a larger profit above the working expenses of the Foxton Wharf which should be available for such work, but instead of which appears to 4>e retained by the Railway Department. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to John Stevens, Esq., M.H.R., with a request that he will interest himself to secure compliance with the same. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Coley, That the Minister of Railways bo written to and urged to ereot a suitable shed on the Foxton Wharf at the deep water berth, in place of the one destroyed by fire some years ago and never rebuilt. The ehed would be a great convenience to the flaxmillers and storekeepers, and its nnewal has been frequently urged and bb frequently promised to be attended to. That a copy of this resolution be sent to John Stevens, Esq., M.H.R., with a request that he will urge upon the Minister's compliance with the wishes of the inhabitant?. Oarried. Proper ed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Westwood, That in the matter of conserving flax on the Motoa Estate, oar member, J\ Steven?, Esq., M.H.R , be requested to call attention of the Hon. Minister for Lands to the petition signed by J. R. Stansell, Mayor of Foxton, and others, and which was presented last par liamentary session through Mr Stevens. This petition offered to lease 2000 acres of flax laid, on the Motoa Estate at a rental of 5 per cent on the capital value of £2 per acre, and information is now wanted as to what haß beed done to give effect to this petition. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Westwood, That the following name 3 be transferred from Defaulters* List to the Burgess List :— H. P. Cohen, C. H. Collins, T. U. Cook, Wta. Dudson, Eparime Wiri, Erasmus Forster, C. V. Fwrrie^. - John" Harris. John Kewley, W. Cundy, R. Gray, W. Aldridge, Mrs F. E. Bowe and Mrs G. Trask. Carried. L Proposed by Cr Westwood, seconded by Cr Walsh, That the tender of B. Spelman* for old pound reserve be not accepted, and that the clerk be empowered to hava this section fenced, and call upon the adjoining owners to do their share. Carried.