BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 387, 10 March 1908, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ordinary Meeting. The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present : His Worship the Mayor (B, G. Gower, Esq.), and Crs Gray, Wilson, Heunessy, Baker, Styles and Frankland. Correspondence was read as follows : From R. Kirste, tendering his resignation as nightman amFasking, owing to failing health, to be relieved of the position as soon as possible. Councillors expressed great regret at losing the services of such a faithful servant. It was decided to call applications for the vacancy. From R. Morley, tendering his resignation as dog tax collector, and asking for the return of his deposit of £3. —It was pointed out that the fees payable to the collector amounted to £1 more than his deposit. —The Mayor said the collector’s term was for a period of 12 mouths.—lt was finally decided to return 30s of the deposit, and retain the balance till the end of the term.

From the Chief Electoral Officer, enclosing copy of electoral maps of New Zealand. —Received.

From G. Blanche, artesian wellsinker, regretting that he was unable to tender for artesian wellsinking under conditions set out by the Council. From Mr John Stevens, M.P., enclosing letter from the Hon. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, acknowledging receipt of letter on behalf of the Borough Council urging immediate erection of Foxton Post Office, and pointing out that the voted last session is insufficient fora building to meet the’growing demands of the town. The Minister stated that he was inquiring into the matter. Mr Stevens also enclosed copy of the letter forwarded by him to the Minister in reference to the subject.—Crs expressed satisfaction with the lucid way in which Stevens had stated the case to the Minister and were surprised to learn, as stated in Mr Stevens’ letter, that the erection of the Bulls office had cost a sum of £2OOO whereas it was only proposed to spend half that amount on an office for Foxton. Letter received.

From Mr George Barber, returning Council’s account for £1 12s 6d, for cutting grass in cemetery,’and stating that he declined to pay the account owing to the action ot the Council’s foreman in giving away hay “ to all and sundry.”—Received-

From the Valuer-General regretting that the Department had overlooked the fact that the Council had already paid the annual charge, and requesting Council to destroy the additional account.

The Clerk of the Horowhenua County Council wrote, informing the Council that a conference of objectors to the height of the Shannou-Moutoa bridge at present in course of construction, was held on the 14th February, in consequence of objections made by the Marine Department. The objectors unanimously agreed to withdraw their objections if the trusses were raised 15 inches higher. The Department has agreed to this, and the Engineer is attending to the alterations.—Cr Baker jocularly asked whether the bridge would be completed within the next ten years?—The Mayor stated that the decking of the first span was completed, and the alterations mentioned were being effected. Cr Hennessy recounted a joke to the eifect that an old lady asked how long the bridge had been under construction, and on being told, expressed the opiuion that the structure must possess strong foundations! A letter was read from the Secretary of the Conference set up to see what action should be taken to control the Oroua, Pohangina and Manawatu rivers, and forwarding copy of the resolution suggesting the setting up of a Royal Commission to enquire into the matter, — The Mayor said that he had recommended the setting up of a Royal Commission at the conference. —Cr Franklaud said a Royal Commission would be the most satisfactory way to deal with the question. The report that had been made by the Government on the rivers had not been published, and would not be made known until the Minister had perused it, and it was stated that it would only be useful to qualified engineers. —The 'Mayor said that the interests of the various local bodies were very conflicting, and there was a lack of unanimity. —Cr Hennessy said it appeared to him that so long as they got rid of the water from the upper reaches, it didn’t matter what happened at the lower end. He asked whether the Borough would be fated upon any scheme propounded. —In reply, the Mayor said he did not see how they could rate the Borough as it only contained a few chains of river frontage, and further, only about ten acres of Borough land was affected by flood waters during the biggest floods.—-Cr Frankland referred to the suggestion of making a cut at Hartley’s Bend, to relieve the congested waters which, if given effect to, would be detrimental to Foxtou. He did not believe in any hole and corner project. The public should be kept informed of the Government’s intention. The public should know what the recommendations contained in the report now in possession of the Government, were.—He moved and Cr Hennessy seconded, “that the delegate to the Palmerston Conference be instructed to vote for the committee’s resolution to ask for a Royal Commission on the management of the Manawatti,

Oroua, and Pohaugina rivers.— Carried.

It was decided to obtain further particulars re drain pipes submitted for sale to the Council. A letter was received from Messrs Brandon, Hislop and Johnston, solicitors, asking the Council to state what portion of the land they required transferred to them from the Foxton Gas Company’s site in consideration of £7O. —The Clerk had replied that upon the transfer of 30ft frontage by the depth of the section the money would be paid over. He further stated that Mr Moore, solicitor, had informed him yesterday, that Messrs Brandon, Hislop, and Johnston, had written him (Mr Moore) to the effect that they were about to pay the £yo balance of purchase money, to Mrs Coley. The Clerk slated that the Government Valuer would visit Foxton next week, and that about 130 alterations would be made to the roll. —In reply to Cr Baker, the Clerk said that rating on the unimproved value would be based on the Government valuation. It was now too late to make objections to the list.

Mr R. Moore, solicitor, forwarded leugthly details, and opinion re the recent impounding case, Feek v Tozer. Proposed by Cr Baker, and seconded by Cr Frankland, That the Foxton Borough Council agrees with the proposal of the Manawatu County Council allowing the ranger of the Foxton Borough to impound all stock off the roads in the Awahou Riding, all roads in the Whirikino sub-division, and along the Palmerston - Foxton Road, as far as Baiuesse, and that the ranger’s fees be paid, and that driving fees be received by the Manawatu County Council. —Carried.

On the motion of Cr Wilson, seconded by Cr Gray, it was proposed, That this Council is willing and agreeable that the Mauawatua County Council take over the bridge over the Manawatu river, which is known as the Whirikino bridge, and requests that a warrant be issued, giving the necessary authority, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Colonial Secretary, and the Manawatu County Council, and Horowhenua County Council. — Carried.

The Poundkeeper reported the impounding of 123 head or cattle during the mouth. The Overseer’s report was read. —Cr Frankland drew the Council’s attention to the fact that no mention had beeu made in the report to the borough windmill, which had served such a good purpose during the recent long spell of dry weather. —The Mayor explained that he had authorised certain work to be done at the mill. It was decided to hold a meeting of the Works Committee on the 13th inst, at 7.30 p.m., to decide upon necessary works to be undertaken.

Accounts were passed for payment. The Clerk was authorised to have certain necessary alterations made to the public appointments at the Council Chambers. The purchase of a stone crusher was discussed and Mr Pearson, representing Messrs Booth, McDonald and Co., was present. After a lengthy discussion it was decided not to purchase a stone-crusher at present, as the metal obtained from the local pit was too small to be treated by a crusher. Cr Gray said the Council should not overlook the fact that there was plenty of metal to be dredged from the river, and this would necessitate the use of a crusher. He did not think councillors had given the subject mature consideration. The Mayor said they might combine the cost of purchase, at a future date, with the County Council.

It was finally resolved that the reports upon crushers before the Council pointed to the fact that they were not suitable for treating local metal.

The Mayor stated that the local ranger had acted in an officious manner towards certain stock drivers whom he threatened to summons, etc. He had entirely exceeded his duty.—The Clerk was instructed to write, informing him to be more careful in future. It was decided to send a letter to Cr Jenks, expressing the Council’s sympathy, owing to his recent accident, and hoping he would make a speedy recovery. No tenders were received for boring artesian wells. Cr Hennessy then opened a lengthy discussion as to the suitability of the Paranui stream at Himatangi, and Wilson’s creek as a source from which to supply Foxton with water. A very lengthy discussion ensued, as to the means of damming the water, its quality for domestic purposes, the fall, etc. It was decided that all Councillors visit the streams, and trace them to their source, and if found suitable, to engage an engineer to report upon the scheme.