Foxton Borough Council.

Manawatu Herald, 26 May 1903, Page 2

Foxton Borough Council.

A special meeting of the above was held last night at 7.30 o'clock. Present—His Worship the Mayor (Cr T. Westwood), and Crs Speirs, Gower, Baker and Stiles. Apologies for. unavoidable absence were put in from Crs Walsh and Aostin. ■ . • , The Mayor said the meeting bad been called to deal With tenders for' felling trees in Victoria Park, and other general business. Or Speirs said it would be advisable to leave .the business of considering tenders for.tree-felling over till the last, when it might be dealt with in committee. Several letters were read and held over for consideration at the general meeting. ■ v , . The Council's engineer (Mr G. Nye), who was present, said that he was of the opinion that the whole of Wharf street should be metalled, as if it was left in its present state the road would be cut to pieces by the heavy traffic. It would be a street more used than any other iu time to come, and by metalling the whole now it would be a work that would last for all time, besides a saving in expense probably later on. His estimate of the cost of such work would be £IOO. It would take 300 yards metal at a cost of £55, and to* tara kerbing would cost another £25. The footpaths would receive 3 Inches metal ana i-inch limestone. He would certainly advise the Council to have it done. The Mayor pointed out that the extra metalling on Wharf street was no doubt a necessity, but the Council must not overlook the fact that the other roads shall also require more attention. He thought the Council were unwise in not getting the full loan as at first intended. Cr Speirs said he believed the ratepayers would be favorable to another loan if they found the Council could not complete the roads in a substantial manner. Mr Nye also pointed out other necessary work that would require to be done, and also made several suggestions in regard to Lady’s Mile, No. 6 Line, Spring street, Hal} street, and other roads. , He would like the Council to appoint a day when they could go over the roads which are to be metalled, and see what extra work is required. The Council were of opinion that the amounts apportioned to roads for cost of formation and approaches where roads intersect were underestimated, and it was decided that the Council should as a body visit the roads on Wednesday, at x. 30 p.m. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Baker, That Mr Nye be instructed to metal Wharf-street the whole width, and construct footpaths on each side. Complaint was made of the bad lighting of the Borough lamps, and it was proposed by Cr Speirs, seconded by Cr Stiles, That the clerk send i final notice to the lamp contractor that if the lamps are not lighted better, anfl kept lighted according to contract, that the contract will be cancelled, and all penalties enforced. Carried. Thejtend&s for cutting and removing trees in Victoria Park were opened R. Morley, £ls; James King, £45. Cr Baker said he and Cr Coley were the only two of the Reserves Committee who put in an appearance at Victoria Park re marking trees for cutting, and waited an hour for other Councillors. Cr Baker was of the opinion that it would be folly to cut the top rows of trees and leave the lower row, as these trees were of an equal height with those on the hill. It the trees were a menace to health he thought they should all come down. By thinning them out Cr Bakeik.said in a few years the trees now left would become unsightly, and what could be termed “ scrags." After other Councillors had spoken on the question, it was proposed by Cr Baker, seconded by Cr Stiles, That the tenders relating to the cutting and removing of certain trees on the Bill of the southern boundary of Victoria Park be? not accepted.- Further that the Council visit the Park on Friday next at 2 p.m., and decide definitely what steps will be taken to amend the trouble of the residents in Jenks-street and elsewhere. Carried. The clerk laid on the table a Supplementary District Elector's List. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Speirs, That the Supplementary District Elector’s List be certified as correct, and signed by the Mayor and two Councillors. Carried. The Mayor said there was a matter that should be considered sooner or later by the Borough Council. He referred to the want of more suitable Borough offices. The Council had ample room facing the road in front of the Library Building where suitable

offices could be erected at a cost of about £zoo. The addition of more books to the Library will necessitate more shelving accommodation, and he had broached the subject so that Councillors will keep /the matter steadily in view. The clerk had mentioned the necessity of better accommodation. Cr Speirs favoured the proposal, but would like to see the offices on the site next to the Post Office. He doubted whether £2OO would be sufficient to erect the class of building he would like to see. He would like the Council room to be large enough for ratepayers who desired- to attend and watch the proceedings of the Council. The room could also be used by the public for meetings for anything for the welfare of the tows. Cr Baker said he would like to see the offices built so that the front portion could be let, which would be a source of revenue. The matter then dropped, and the Council adjourned.