FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3730, 11 December 1906, Page 2

FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Foxton Borough Council took place in the Council Chambers last evening. Present—His Worship the Mayor (B. G. Gower Esq.), Crs Austin, Gray; Hickson, Shadbolt, Moore, Frankland, Stiles and Baker.

The minutes of the previous general and special meetings were read and confirmed.

- From the secretajjflvof the Mauawatu stating that several local bodies were arranging for a meeting of delegates to discuss bye-laws for the regulation of motor traffic and requesting the Council to send a delegate to attend a meeting to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 12th in the Municipal Chambers, Palmerston at 12 noon.

From Mr Jupp, stating that he had completed and fenced the Park-street Hall, and asking the Council to form a footpath from Manchester House past the Hall also asking permission to form a path from the road to the front of hall.

The Mayor proposed and Cr Frankland seconded that permission be granted to Mr Jupp to make the path from road to the hall, but the Council could not at present make the footpath.-Carried From the Foxton Chamber of Commerce thanking Council for the use of library room for their meetings. * From Mr J. Stevens, M.H.R. enclosing letter from the Minister of Lands, stating that a clause had been duly inserted in the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill, authorising the Council to expend the surplus moneys derived from Sections 477 and 410, upon the improvement of Victoria Park and other public gardens within the borough. • ‘ ' From P. H. Rae-Howard, from instructions received from Mr Lange, who has purchased a section adjoining Council Chambers, applying to have the stone parapet, which is partly on his section, removed or altered in such a manner as not to interfere with his proposed building plan. From the N.Z. Railways declining the offer foade by the Council for the sale of a section of land.

From J. Hall, calling Council’s attention to the W.O.’s at'Whyte’a Hotel and asking the; pouftcil to see to the matter at opce. From the Department of Roads asking Council to forwatdiedpy- of special order in regard of a street having been-legally closed. 1

From Messrs Ross & Sons asking permission to erect a weighbridge in Johnston-street. Granted, provided it doesn’t stand above the level of the street.

Numerous complaints were received regarding; the nightsoilcontractor failing to attend to his duties. Reports. The Treasurer reported that since last month’s meeting \the sum of had been paid into the District Fund Account and that the bank balace to date stood as General account, -£l2l 14s 8d overdrawn ; library account cr., ,£l3 ns 2d; Reserves account cr., 2s yd ; Cemetery account cr, 3s rod; Interest account cr, The poundkeeper reported that 24 horses and 44 head of cattle had been : impounded during the month, the fees representing the sum 6s. The overseer reported on work done during the month and suggested the carrying oiit of work in the Cemetery, Victoria Park, and the repairing of footpath at Council Chambers.

The Inspector of Nuisances reported on his inspection of the the borough, stating that many closets were in an insanitary state, and that complaints had been made to him regarding the neglect of duty on the -part of the nightsoil contractor. Also mentioning that the contractor explained that his harness had been stolen, the pans riddled with shot, and that the cart was in a leaky condition. Under these circumstances it had. been impossible for him to carry out his duty. (The matter has been put into the hands of the police.) He also intimated that the night-soil contractor had since met with a painful accident, having dislocated his shoulder, and was cut and bruised severely about the body and would not be fit for work for some time. Had tried to find temporary substitute but failed. Had given several persons permission to bury nightsoil on premises provided it was at a depth of 3 feet and properly covered. Otherwise found all yards in a clean state.

The unsatisfactory nighi-soil arrangements received lengthy discussion, during which Cr Hickson suggested that the Council employ a man to do the' work on night wages, and strike a rate for Ipe. Cr Baker’s views coincided.

Cr Austin thought they should get a person to night soil,| ranging, flh<Mampdighting K work combined. ' " -| f Cr Gray thought a wages man *■ more satisfactory. Cr Shadbolt suggested the' Council should buy a horse for the borough carting work etc. Proposed by Cr Frankland and : seconded by Cr Baker that the Council undertake the removal' of '? the night-soil against a rate as em- ■ powered by the Act, dependant ' upon the rateable value of houses alone and that steps be taken to secure a suitable employee for the work, and to obtain a horse fort-night-soil cart and dray and, bar- L ness for to be struck only for the ’nightsoil area,-4Carried. , ‘ f" i

Proposed by Cr Moore and seconded by Cr Frankland that the application for the consent ot a right-of-way from Hall-street to the back of Mr Stiles’ premises be granted.—Carried. Proposed by Cr Baker and seconded by Cr Frankland that the Council confirm the action of the Works Committee in letting Mr A. R. Macdonald a site for coal bunker at ten shillings per year and rates.—Carried. Proposed by Cr Baker and seconded- by Cr Stiles that the Ma v ’WljCrs Hickson and Coley be ■ to buy suitable horse, dray, and harness for the borough work.—Carried. Proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Cr Baker, that tenders be invited tor the annual services, and a special meeting be held on Friday, 21st Dec. to deal with the same.—Carried.