BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3765, 7 May 1907, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ordinary Meeting. The first ordinary monthly meeting of the new Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present; the Mayor (B. G. Gower, Ksq.), and Crs Baker, Stiles, Gray, G. Coley, Hennessy, I*. W. Wilson, and O. Austin. An apology was received from Cr Frankland,

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

Correspondence was read as follows :

From the Sanitary Contractor, giving one month’s notice re resigning his position. He stated further that householders would hot pay sufficient to enable him to make the position pay. He said that the offer of £$ 15s per week to the end of May was insufficient, as 12s per week was required for horse hire, and X2sto 15s per week for horse feed, If the Council made the sum £\ per week he would continue—Received.

From same, re pound cottage, stating that as the Council had broken the agreement by not giving possession of the cottage on 27th April, he would now cancel his lease. He suggested that the property be let to his successor.

From the Deptartment of Bands and Survey, asking for surveyor’s plan of Gray Street otherwise the Council would remain responsible for the correctness of the record.

From T. W. Butcher, who has acquired the right to light the borough with gas, asking for the number of houses, shops, etc., who would at some time or other require the gas.

From the Mauawatu County Council enclo. ing statement of expenditure for upkeep o:; W nirokino Bridge, Foxton proportion being £s ys qd. From Minister of Lands re enforcing Orchard and Garden Pests Act, as requested by Council and promising that the matter would receive careful consideration.

From Department of Justice in reply re connecting Court House with telephone and promising that the matter would receive consideration.

From the treasury, provisionally approving of application for loan of the borough’s share of constructing bridge over the Matiawatu River at Shannon.

The resolution to strike a general rate of is 6d in the £ and a Library rate of id in the £ on the annual rental value of the borough and a sanitation rate of 6d in the £ on the annual rental value of all house property within the special nightsoil area was passed. A letter was read from J. Patterson, asking for position as gasfitter. No action taken.

From the Department of Public Health, notifying the appointment of Dr J. P. Frengley as Health officer for the Wellington province.

The clerk informed the Council that Mr Butcher’s deposit re gas installation agreement had been paid into the borough’s account.

Cr Austin mentioned that the swing span of the Whirikino bridge was wobbling.—Cr Hennessy said it was a pity the span could not be done away with.-r-The Mayor concurred, and said the span had only' been opened once. He stated that the County had closed the bridge for heavy traffic until further notice.

The poundkeeper reported having impounded 41 head of cattle and 40 horses during the month, driving fees 14s. The overseer reported on work carried out during the month, and suggested work for the current month. Cr Baker referred to certain drains which had not been cleared out, owing to the growth of lupins. He asked whether the clearing of lupins in the drains should be done hy owners of property or the Council. —The Mayor said it was unreasonable to expect the Council to remove the growth. Owners of property were responsible.—Cr Hennessy pointed out that it was the Council and not the settlers who in the first place planted the lupins. That being the case, it naturally followed that the Council should be responsible for the removal of lupins in the drains.—Cr Coley said a resolution had been passed b3 r the Council some time ago to the effect that the Council should cut down the lupins once, and the ratepayers should in future keep the growth in check. — Cr Baker contended that the lupins in a certain locality had not been planted by the Council. Cr Hennessy again explained that the seed from the trees planted by the Council had been washed down the drains and taken root, or else scattered by children. The overseer’s report was adopted.

The Treasurer’s statement and estimates and accounts were read. Cr Austin asked tor information re the £l6 ios., Council’s share to Sanson Tramway. The Mayor explained that a certain sum had been allocated as the borough’s share when the borough boundary had been altered. It would be liquidated in four or five years.— Cr. Stiles did not think a 6d. rate would cover cost of nightsoil removal.— The clerk explained that 6d. was the maximum and expenditure above the rate would have to be paid out of the general fund. Unoccupied land could not be rated. — Cr. Raker was informed that the resolution re the purchase of a horse and cart had been rescinded.—Cr Austin took exception to the paying of H. Coley’s account for metalling. Mr Coley said he would wait three mouths for settlement aud the Council might as well hold the money as Mr Coley.—Cr Austin also referred to the sanitary rate. Cr Hennessy here objected to Cr. ( Austin’s method of debate

cross firing across the table. Too much time was wasted.—A little cross firing took place between Crs. Hennessy and Austin. —The Mayor explained that any Councillor had the right to ask questions. In referring to Mr Coley’s account the Mayor said there was no object in keeping the account back as suggested by Cr Austin.—The accounts as read were paissed for payment. The Clerk explained that he had seen Ganger Henderson who had stated that the Council would not be able to procure metal from the Government. Cr Styles proposed and Cr Baker seconded, that the Council acknowledge the receipt of letter from Mr W. Butcher asking for particulars of population, etc., but they would respectfully point out that it would be much more satisfactory to the Council if the gas contractors were to attend to this matter personally. —Carried. Proposed by Cr 1,. W. Wilson seconded by Cr O. B. Austin, that the Public Works Committee meet at the Borough Council Chambers in order to visit the roads in the borough on Friday next at two o’clock in accordance with resolution passed at last special meeting of the Council. —Carried. Cr Austin asked whether the Council intended to pay the nightsoil contractor £$ 15s per week as from the Ist April. The Mayor replied in the affirmative, and stated that any money collected by the contractor from householders during that period would have to be returned.

Proposed by Cr Baker and seconded by Cr Coley, that the overseer instruct all owners that have gorse and lupins, etc., overhanging and growing in drains to clear same immediately so as to allow the work to be done, failing this the Council will do the work and charge same to owners. —Cerried. Proposed by Cr Wilson and seconded by Cr Gray that the Mayor and Crs Coley and Austin be authorised to procure a horse and harness, for nightsoil work and dray for general work for this Council. —Carried.

Proposed by Cr Wilson and seconded by Cr Gray, that tenders for kerbing be extended till May 20th.—Carried.

Cr Baker proposed and seconded by Cr Stiles that the Town Cleric be instructed to arrange for pound work to be carried out till end of month and fresh tenders be called for that position, same to be in at special meeting of Council on 20th inst., to be alternate with or without application for nightman. Cr Stiles proposed and Cr Hennessy seconded, that the citizens be asked to observe the 3rd June, as the holiday this year instead of 24th May, Umpire Day.—Carried. The Council rose at 9.40 p.m.