Foxton Borough Council.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3614, 23 December 1905, Page 2

Foxton Borough Council.

SPECIAL MEETING.

A special meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held last evening, there being present—B. G. Gower, Esq. (Mayor), Crs Coley, Austin, Gray, Shadbolt, Stiles, Frankland, and Baker,

The Council went into Committee to consider tenders received for the different positions. After due deliberation they emerged from Committee and accepted the following:—

Dog-Tax Collecting.—Mr H. Bradcock, qd per dog. Lamp-lighting.—Mr J, Osboldstone, £SB per year. Carting.—Mr H. Coley, 15s one horse, with extra 4s per leader. Ranging.—Mr H. Andreason. SHORTENING THE BOROUGH. The clerk of the Manawatu County Council recently made many enquiries re rates likely to ( be effected by the passing over of properties through the shortening of Foxton Borough as proposed. Mr Alf. Fraser, Foxton Borough Clerk, mentioned this at th* Council meeting last night, at the same time giving his opinion as to the likely charges. He now wished Council to endorse his opinion as expressed, which was done on the motion of Cr Frankland, seconded by Cr Stiles. OUR SURPLUS GRASS.

Cr Shadbolt brought up the matter of throwing the public roads open for grazing purposes, as there seems to be plenty of good feed going to waste. Cr Coley thought Council had no authority to do this. Cr Baker said, as a private individual he would impound all cattle in front of his property, whether- the Council opened the roads for stock or not.

The Mayor thought that if Council opened the roads they should certainly likewise take over the responsibility of damage likely to be effected to property fences, etc.

This brought forth a determined “Hear hear” from other members, and the matter dropped.

AN IMPORTANT MATTER.

Mr Alex. Speirs waited on the Council and wished to know the correct definition of the by-law relating to alterations to buildings. A charge of 5s was made land Mr Speirs contended that the clerk read the Act too and he (Mr Speirs) thought it was cutting things too fine when a permit had to be obtained for the least alteration to a building. For making slight alterations inside a shop the Borough Clerk had wished him to pay ss, and he certainly did not think it was right. He wished the Council to define the law properly, as it was certainly carried out too stringently. Mr Fraser gave an explanation as to what really took place with Mr Speirs, and he (clerk) said was pleased Mr Speirs had brought the matter up, as he intended to have done so at next meeting. He would like the Council to define the law, for at present it appeared a permit must be obtained for the smallest alteration.

Most Councillors agreed that the law was inconclusive, and that it was not right to be compelled to charge 5s for a permit, when maybe a door-knob was placed in position. ■ Eventually, on the motion of Cr Austin seconded by Cr Coley, discussion on the matter was held over till next meeting of the Council, when the Law would be defined thoroughly.

The Council adjourned about 9-25.