FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3721, 23 October 1906, Page 2

FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Special Meeting. A special meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last evening for the purpose of striking a rate for the loan of and to discuss the lighting question. Present— B. G. Gower (Mayor) Crs Coley, Gray, Hickson, Shadbolt, Frankland and Baker. Mr J. Dawson, of Wellington, waited upon the Council for the purpose of submitting a chemical fire extinguisher for their inspection.—Matter held over. The Mayor made a few remarks in reference to the rate and, the following resolution was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Cr Coley: “That for the purpose of providing the interest and other charges of sinking fund on a loan of authorised to be raised by the Foxton Borough Council under the provision of “The Local Bodies Loans Act 1901 ’’ for the completion and furnishing of the Borough Council Chambers and Public Library, the said Foxton ‘ Borough Council hereby makes and levies a special rate of Yt, d in the £ on a rental value of the whole rateable property within the borough of Foxton, and that such rate shall be an annual recurring rate during the currency of such loan and shall be due and payable in one sum on the first day of June in each and every year during the currency of such loan, being a p*eriod of 15 years or until the loan is fully paid off, and that a special meeting be held on Monday 19th November to confirm the above special order."

Cr Hickson offered to refit and repair seats in the Park at his own expense and a vote of thanks was accorded him for his generous offer on the motion of Cr Frankland seconded by Cr Gray. THE LIGHTING QUESTION. Cr Baker apologised for his absence at a previous special meeting and stated at length that as the ratepayers were not in favour of establishing a gas works themselves, he thought the time was ripe for the Council, in the interests of the town to negotiate with private companies re lighting the borough. Cr Hickson suggested that the number of residents likely to me gas should be ascertained, and that the Council should go into figures regarding the cost and amount of gas that would be consumed. Also that the area should be defined. Cr Coley said that when the ratepayers voted against gas, he thought he had heard the last of the proposal, and was of opiai m that the Council should consider a water scheme before all other questions. He concluded We want water before we want anything else,” Cr Shadbolt was strongly in favour of allowing a private gas company to undertake the lighting-

Cr Baker thought they were duty bound in the interests of the town to take steps re the lighting question. Cr Coley did hot think they were duty bound at all. The Mayor was of opinion that as the ratepayers would not support the thing it was high time the Council made a move. After further discussion the following resolution, proposed by Cr Baker and seconded by the Mayor, was carried . “That the Borough Council in view of the ratepayers not supporting the loan for gas, take steps to endeavour to obtain the services of a company to light the borough, at favourrble terms if possible, and that such companies be asked to forward their proposals.” Proposed by Cr Coley and seconded by Cr Gray that the Palmerston North Gas Company be asked to state in black and white on what terms and conditions they are prepared to establish works in Foxton. — Carried. Cr Gray asked if the lease of certain Borough property to Messrs Levin and Co had been fixed up.— The Town Clerk explained at length that the mailer had not been definitely settled but that negotiations were proceeding. The meeting then rose.