BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 15 October 1907, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

ORDINARY MEETING. The above meeting was held in the Council Chambers last evening. Present: The Mayor (B. G. Gower, Esq.) and Crs. Gray, Wilson, Hennessy, Stiles and Baker. An apology for absence was received, from Cr Hickson.

Cr Shadbolt, who was elected to the vacancy on the Council caused by the retirement' of Cr Austin, read the statutory declaration and took his seat.

Correspondence was read as follows :

From Dept, of Bands re repairs to Whirokino Bridge, the estimated cost of which is to be borne in equal proportions by the Manawatu and Horowhenua County Councils and the Foxton Borough Council.—A letter was read from the Treasury stating that the loan proposals to meet Council’s proportion of cost to Whirokino bridge would have to be taken over again because the Manawatu County Council had failed to obtain the Governor’s warrant. — The Mayor stated that the County Council was at fault.—Cr Hennessy said that seeing the piles had silted up it would appear that there was no necessity for the work being done at present. —Cr Stiles agreed with Cr Hennessy.—The Clerk explained that the piles had been purchased and payment of same would be necessary.—The Mayor said he was not an engineer and would not express an opinion, at the same time he would not like anything to happen to the bridge. Twenty piles each 50ft in length were on the ground.—Cr Hennessy suggested that the Mayor confer with the County Chairman on the subject, and also that the road overseer be instructed to take soundings. This suggestion met with the approval of the Council.

Credit notes were received from the Treasury for removal of nightsoil at the railway and police stations.

From Messrs Stafford and Treadwell, solicitors, re conveyance of part section 167 from Herbert Austin to Chung Wah for purpose of right-of-way, and requesting the Council’s sanction of same. — Decided that the Borough seal be affixed to the transfer.

From Dr Maudl reporting a case of scarlet fever in Harbour Street.

From R. Moore, solicitor, enclosing statement of account from Messrs Skerrett & Wylie, ,£lO 10s, costs in the case of Council v. Devin & Co.— The Mayor said the costs in the case amounted to £2l odd.

From Jas, E. Fulton, civil engineer, enclosing certificate for progress payment re construction of Shannon-Moutoa bridge. The total amount payable to date on construction was The Mayor was empowered to purchase a horse for sanitary work, a suitable animal offering at structed to inquire re harness for same.

A letter was read from W. E. Barnard, complaining of lack of ventilation in public readingroom- —The Clerk was authorised to interview the builder re freeing the windows, which refuse to move. A further letter from the same person, suggesting that a charge of 3d per book be made to subscribers who desired to take more than one book, was not discussed.

An application to cut grass in cemetery for £$ was declined, and Mr Geo. Barber’s offer to do same without cost, was accepted. J. Knox was granted a permit to blast logs near the Masonic Hall, provided the owner indemnifies the Council against any damage. A petition from residents in the vicinity, requesting the Council to form Putter Street, was read.—On the motion of the Mayor and Cr Stiles, it was decided to add the formation of Putter Street to the list of work to be done by the road grader. The poundkeeper reported the impounding of 39 animals, fees 245.

It was decided, on the recommendation of the Mayor, to attend to the gate and fences at the pound. Mr E. Wanklyn is-to be notified that he must take steps to prevent sand drifting from his section on to the road in Russell Street.

Accounts amounting to 16s were passed for payment. Cr Shadbolt was added to the Reserve Committee.

A discussion took place in reference to the levels of the concrete kerbing. It was pointed out that in some places the kerbing projected about three inches above the path, ' which made it very dangerous at night time, causing people to trip. It was decided to fill the path to the level of the kerbing. The level from Johnston’s stables to the creek was also discussed, it being explained that the water was not at present being carried away. Proposed by Cr Baker and seconded by Cr Stiles, that the Minister of Agriculture be further respectfully urged, in the interests of fruit growers, to have the Orchard and Garden Pest Bill put into effect in the borough immediately.

In speaking to the motion, Cr Baker, who has been very persistent on this subject, said there was a number of old relics in the shape of fruit trees in the borough, which harboured many dreaded orchard pests. These trees should be destroyed in fairness to people who attended to their orchards. —The resolution was carried.

Cr Gray brought up the subject of the recent action re the Council’s prosecution of the late poundkeeper. He said the matter had been much discussed by the public and it would be as well- for the

Council to make its position clear. The Mayor then recited the whole case de ?iovo. Crs Wilson ‘ and Stiles agreed that the action was justifiable. Cr Shadbolt was not satisfied with the Clerk’s action in engaging a solicitor. The ; Clerk said the auditor had expressed himself very plainly on the subject and wanted to know where the money was. If any mistake had been made it was through the leniency of the Council in giving the poundkeeper seven days in which to pay the money. The poundkeeper had been asked half-a-dozen times for the money. The Mayor said that on one occasion when the clerk had asked the poundkeeper for the money, in the presence of a local J.P., the man became very abusive and insulting. The statement that the Council was guilty of compounding a felony by giving the pound-' keeper seven days notice in which to pay the money was, in his opinion, imaginative. He- also criticised the judgment of the Justices. The matter was then allowed to drop. The Council rose at 10 pm.