FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3744, 29 January 1907, Page 2

FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

Special Meeting.

A special -meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held in Council Chambers last evening to discuss the advisability of a water scheme for Foxton. Present— Crs Stiles, Coley, Austin, Shadbolt, Hickson, Moore, Frankland and; Baker. In the absence ot the Mayor, who was unable to attend, Cr Stiles was voted to the chain

Mr Toms, representing a Palmerston North firm, waited upon the Council to explain the proposition which he had previously placed before them, and which cpnsisted of the erection of 2 5060 gallon tanks on the Parkfoad for the storage of water to be pumped from a deep well by a hot air engine, at the rate of 24,000 to 30,00 a gallons per day, but which on account of the insufficient pressure obtained could not be utilised for fire extinguishing or sewerage purposes but would be confined solely for domestic use. He detailed the proposed scheme for the laying down ot mains etc. Numerous questions were asked Mr Toms by Councillors regarding the practicability of utilising the scheme for fire extinguishing and' other purposes, but the information gleaned was that the scheme could be used exclusively for domestic purposes only.

Several Councillors testified to the unwholesomeness for human, consumption of the water .obtained from the vicinity of- the proposed works, and it lieu of .this and the impractibility of the scheme for other purposes; after long and weighty discussion the Council were of opinion that the scheme was inadequate and unsatisfactory for the demands proffered. The following resolution was carried on the motion of Cr Baker seconded by Cr Frankland: “That Mr Toms be thanked for the information re scheme for water supply but be advised that the Council cannot at present see its way clear to adopt his proposals.” Correspondence was received from the Lands Department in reply to the Council’s application for a grant of to improve the Wharangi Sanitorium, by planting lupin and sand-binding grass, stating that there is no vote on |the Estimates of the Department for the work, and the inability of Department to accede to the request. Proposed by Cr Frankland and seconded by Cr Baker that Mr Stevens be requested to see that an amount be placed on the Estimates to cover the grant for Satiitorium which has been refused by the Minister of Lands. —Carried.

From the Department of Labour informing Council that no hour , could be appointed for the opening or closing of shops in the 'morn-' : ings, by the Minister,-and that the Act merely gave power to fix a closing hour in the evening; :* From the Horowhenua County Council stating that they had received the Governor’s warrant for the construction of the traffic bridge over the Manawatu river at Shannon and tenders for same would, be invited to be in by the 9th prox., the allotation of costs to be on the basis of Commissioner’s report, viz: Borough of Foxton, 2-i2ths, £416 13s qd; Manawatu County, 5-i2, 13s. qd; Horowhenua County, 5-15, 13s qd.

The conditions of the sale of a borough section were dealt with in committee. i '

Cr Gray sent in hii#iesighation which, however, was left over till next meeting.

The Valuation Department forwarded a copy of last session’s amendment of the Government Valuation of Land Act, and drew attention to sections 2 and 3 thereof.

Proposed by Cr Baker and seconded by Cr Frankland that the attention .of the Railway Department be drawn to the urgent need of increased wharfage accommodation at Foxton and that the Horowhenua and Manawatu County Councils, the Palmerston North, Feilding and Levin Borough Councils be asked to make similar representations to the Minister for Railways . unda£ whose control the Foxton whar£ is at present.—Carried. Proposed by Cr Frankland and seconded by Cr Baker that Mr Fraser;be appointed assessor on. this* occasion Under the Valuation Act.—Carried. The meeting then rose.