THE MAYOR'S REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, 6 December 1898, Page 2

THE MAYOR'S REPORT.

Gentlemen, In leaving office as Mayor I would like to show to the ratepayers the works that have been accomplished by the Council during the last two yearsY Beach Road. — The plans have been signed by the Chairman of the Manawatu County Council, and the Messrs Robinson Bros., and by myself as Mayor closing the old road and conveying the new road to the Council, and tenders have been accepted for the formation of the new road by the Manawatu County Council* Reserves. — Reserve No. 466 has been converted into a recreation ground and christened Victoria Park in honor of our Most Gracious Majesty's Jubilee record reign of 60 years ; a bicycle track has been formed, also a cricket pitch, a house built, trees planted, and the gates shifted to more convenient positions and painted, and seats erected, the whole forming a very nice sports ground at a cost of about £60; Reserve No. 169 has been converted into the public pound, and let for five years at a rental of £15 per annum; Reserve No. 477, containing 244 acres 2 roods, has been let for the period of 2i years at a rental ot £41 7s lid per annum, being an increase of £26 7s ud per annum; the Target Reserve has also been let at an increase of £13 9s, making a total increase of £39 7s 1 id. The other reserves are let at the same prices as previous years. Roads. — The Council during the same period have secured about 3000 tons of Palmerston metal, which has greatly improved the roads, also limestone ballast for the footpaths at a cost of £26 19s 6d, which is very reasonable, considering the improvements to the footpaths. Motoa Estate Conservation of Flax. — The largest deputation that ever left Foxton waited on the Premier and the Minister of Lands, and afters .listening for about two hours promised to consider the matter in Cabinet, and I hope they will accede to the request of the deputation. Wikokino Bridge. — After a very large number of interviews and deputations it has arrived at the stage of the plans and specifications drawn out by Mr J. E. Fulton, M.1.C.E., being approved by the Engineer-in-Chief on behalf of the Government, and likewise the issue of a warrant signed by the Governor authorising the Foxton Borough Council to call for tenders for the construction of a bridge on a £ for £ subsidy by the Government, and the balance by the three local bodies paying one-third each, namely, the Horowhenua County Council, Manawatu County Council and the Foxton Borough Council. The Council is very much indebted to J. Stevens, Esq., M.H.R., for the assistance he has always given in achieving the above results, as whenever I have had occasion to see him officially, he has always been very eneraetic, and has never spared time or trouble. By the request of the Council I have had the honor of presenting an address to Lord Ranfurly at Palmerston North, and also one to the Right Hon. the Premier on his arrival in Wellington from England, During the same period Mr Chap* man makes the third town clerk for the Council, and I thoroughly believe he will suit the Council. In conclusion allow me to thank the past and present councillors for the respect they have shjpwn to the chair during my term af^jffice, and forth*! good feeling dispayed by them amir the past and present employes of the Council, and hoping my successor, A. Fraser, Esq., will be asforturateinthe future as I have been in the past. I I have the honor to be, J. R. Stan sell, Mayor. Accounts amounting to £66 6s were passed for payment. juj Proposed by the Mayor, secondedP by Cr Hennessy, That owing to the Christmas holidays the charge of 10 per cent, on unpaid rates be deferred until after the 9th day of January next. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Easton, That the Returning Officer be instructed to hold an election to fill the vacancy in the Council consequent on Cr Fraser having been -up elected Mayor of the Borough. Car- "*' ried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Purcell, That the Town Clerk have the usual fortnight's holiday, and the day men's holidays be Boxing Day and December 27th, January 2nd and Anniversary Day, the clerk's holiday to commence on 24th December. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Hennessy, That separate tenders be called for lighting lamps and for collection of dog tax and ranging, and that the registration fee for sheap^ cattle and rabbit dogs be 2s 6d, and * others 10s. Carried. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Fraser, That the next ordinary

meeting be held at 7-30 p.m. on Wed- 1 nesday, December 21st, instead of on January and, 1899. Carried. The tenders for Borough carting were opened. Only two were received as follows :— P. Guerin, 10s 6d per day ; J. Andrews, us per day. Proposed by Cr Fraser, seconded by Cr Easton, That the tender of P. Guerin for Borough carting at 10s 6d per day for twelve months be accepted. Carried. The Council went into Committee on the Wirokino Bridge question, and fully considered some important letters in connection with the matter. On resuming its ordinary sitting it was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Hennessy, That the clerk take steps to have the amount of the judgment for rates against Mr De RUder registered against the land. Carried. At the conclusion of the business ot the meeting, Cr Hennessy rose and thanked the Mayor for his past services, and said he looked upon him as the best and most progressive Mayor, bar none, that Foxton had ever had, and now that the Wirokino Bridge was an accomplished fact, all the honor was due to him for bringing it to its present stage. Cr Fraser desired also to say a few words on the last occasion His Worship would be present. He cordially endorsed all Cr Hennessy had said. He considered the Mayor was entitled to all praise for the energy which he had displayed in always furthering the interests of the Borough. The Mayor thanked the Councillors tor this expression of approval, and was glad Tiis efforts for the improvement of the Borough had met with the • approbation of the ratepayers, as was evident from what Councillors had said. The Council then adjourned.