BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 372, 14 April 1908, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ordinary Meeting.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held last night. Present : His Worship tire Mayor (B. G. Gower, Ksq.) and Crs Coley, Gray, Wilson, Shadbolt, Stiles, Baker, Frankland and Hennessy. Correspondence was read as follows : From the Clerk of the Moutoa Drainage Board, asking the lowest rental the Council could fix for the use of offices now temporarily used by the Board for a period of twelve months, with right of renewal. From the Palmerston Charitable Aid Board, asking for the capital value of the Foxton Borough at the present time. From the Registrar of Electors, asking for a plan of the borough, as the boundary of the Manawalu Electorate runs through the borough of Foxton. From Cr Jenks, acknowledging resolution of sympathy from the Council.

From the Department of Roads, in re vesting the control of the Whirokino Bridge in the Manawatu County Council, and asking whether the Council is prepared to pay one third of the cost of maintenance. From Mr John Stevens, M.P., enclosing letter in reply from the Minister of Public Works, re erection of post office, stating that the preparation of plans tor a suitable building will be taken in hand as earlv as the architectural staff can devote the necessary attention to the matter. From Herbert Hill, Wellington, staling that second-class drain pipes quoted to the Racing Club are flanged and glazed pipes, which could be supplied to the Council, at same price f.0.b., Wellington. From the Wanganui Education Board, asking for a grant in aid of a plumbing instructor s salar} 7 . From the Pahiatua County, asking for 1 whaif charges at the port of Foxton, and wharfage per ton on oats and chaff respec lively. „ . . „ From the N.Z. Shipping Co., asking whether the Railway Department had made any mor e in reference to extending their wharfage accommodation up the river in front and past the Company’s store The letter further stated that at the time of the Company’s store being built, the Railway authorities promised the Council that this would be done. From R. O. Goddin, asking to lower bank in front of his section in Thynne Street, and promising to replace turf. From P. H. Rae-Howard, auctioneer, notifying the appointment of Mr Percy Morgan Page as his substitute for a period of six months.

From the Roads Department, acknowledging Council’s resolution to pay one-third of cost of maintenance of Whirokino Bridge. From Mr John Stevens M.P. acknowledging receipt of resolution passed by the Council urging the erection of a verandah at the local railway station and stating that he had forwarded the resolution to the Minister for Railways which he supported by a letter strongly urging the Department to have effect given to the wishes of the people of Foxton. From the Palmerston District Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notifying that a levy of 4s 6d in the ,£IOOO of value from April, 1908, to 31st March, 1909. The Council’s liability is ,£3 2 9 s and is payable by equal instalments in the months of May and October next, and that 14s was the Council’s proportion towards cost of Infectious Diseases Hospital. The poundkeeper reported that 50 head of cattle had been impounded during the month. From the Secretary of the Friendly Societies’ Council enclosing balance-sheet of sports held on New Year’s Day, and “ trusting that it would satisfy the Council that all is square and above board with reference to the picnic,” and expressing regret that the Council should doubt the Societies over the matter, and stating that the receipts'were ,£25 less this year, than last, hence the small amount received by the Council.

From Dr. Adams, notifying a case of phthisis in Johnston Street. From the Horowhenua County Council, asking for another instalment of Council’s proportion of cost of Shannon bridge construction, as heavy progress payments have to be made to the contractor on the nth inst.

TOWN CEERK’S ANNUAL REPORT,

In presenting my annual report for the eighth year of my tenancy of the position of Town Clerk, I have much pleasure. in briefly noting the progress of the Borough during the past twelve months. The council held twenty-four meetings in the course of the year, and the individual attendance was as follows, exclusive of committee meetings ; —The Mayor (B. G. Gower, Esq.), attended 24 meetings; Cr O. E. Austin, 6 ; Cr S. H. Baker, 24; Cr G. C. Coley, 16 ; Cr F. W. Frankland, 12 ; Cr G. A. Gray, 21 ; Cr S. J. Hickson, 9 ; Cr P. J. Hennessy, 21 ; Cr A. E. Shadbolt, 9 ; Cr G. H. Stiles, 17; Cr E. W. Wilson, 20. On the 9th September, 1907, Cr Austin resigned and Cr Shadbolt, a former Councillor, was elected to fill the vacancy. On the 10th February, Cr Hickson’s seat was torfeited by non-attendance, and F, E. Jenks was elected in his stead, but was unable to take his seat through sickness at the only meeting held since his election. For the 12 months just ended 44 building permits were issued, representing ,£12,900 in new buildings in the

Borough. Karly in the year, the Council decided to deal with the problem of night-soil removal, by striking a sanitation rate, and the result has been eminently successful, the present employer having carried out the work

with the greatest smoothness and has given universal satisfaction. On the 14th November, 1907, a poll was taken to determine whether the Borough should adopt the system of rating on the basis of the Unimproved Values, instead of the annual rental value, and the proposal was carried by a majority of 68, and the new system comes into force as from the first April 190 S. I again have the satisfaction of stating that every penny of last year’s rates havebeen collected, this being the sixth year in succession that I have been able to do so. The Coum i! has within the past year done away with, the old unsightly wooden kerbing in the Main Street, and replaced it with concrete also adding concrete water tables at a cost of ,£235, ibis was done out of an ordinary revenue, and without taxing the ratepayers qy borrowing money for the purpose. At the beginning of last year the Council entered into an agreement with Mr T. W. Butcher granting him the rights to instal gas works in the Borough, which may be taken over at the option of the Council, in 5, 10, or 15 years ; the brick gas house is now built and waiting the arrival of the machinery which, together with the the whole of the plant is expected to be delivered in Foxton before the end of the present month, and it is anticipated by the proprietors that the gas will be available by the end of June. In September the Council erected a band practice room tor the use of the Foxton Borough Band, on Harbour Street frontage of the Council Chambers section at a cost of 10s. At about the same time it w r as found necessary to rebuild the pound-keepers cottage, it being very old and unsuitable for the present time, and a new one was accordingly built at a cost of ,£lB4. The Town Clerk’s office which was most inconvenient for the use of the public, has been altered and re-arranged so as to provide a counter where the wants of the public can be complied with in a business like manner and has given universal satisfaction. Owing to the dekty on the part of the Government Valuer, I am unable to give the position of the Borough under the new system of valuation, nor am I at present, able to state what the probable amount of the general rate will be for the ensuing year.

The offer made by Mr R. K. Gray to repair the wash-out in the Awahou drain near his properly, provided the Council gave him the necessary timber, was accepted. The clerk stated that he had written informing the Registrar of Klectors the Council had no plan of the borough. No action was taken in respect to Education Board’s request lor grant towards- the salary of a plumbing instructor. The clerk explained that the object was to prevent incompetent plumbers dealing with sewage and water connections. Cr Baker said the Council had no by-law dealing with the question. The Mayor stated in reference to the letter from the N.Z. Shipping Co. that he had no recollection of a promise being made by the railway authorities to extend the wharf as stated in the letter. No further action was taken.

Mr R. O. Goddin’s request to lower bank was granted provided the sand is properly turfed. Cr Baker suggested painting the old library building, but the clerk said the lease of the premises had just about expired and there was an amount owing for rent of same, which Councillors urged should be collected. Cr Frankland referred to the fact that the Mauawatu County Council did not pay a fair proportionate rate for the expenditure incurred out of loan moneys on that portion of the borough which had been taken over by the County.— The Clerk explained that the existing arrangeme'nt was unalterable,—The Mayor referred to the fact that ratepayers in that portion of the borough taken over by the Manawatu County had previously helped, through the rates to form roads etc. in other parts of the borough. The ratepayers referred to were paying the same rate now as they did prior to the borough being divided. Accounts were passed for payment, and reports adopted. FOOTPATHS. The Mayor presented a petition from the residents in the vicinity, asking the Council to form a footway from Manchester House to Thynne and along the south side of Thynne Street to Russell Street. The petitionerspointed out that the uneven nature of the ground was a source of danger to pedestrians on dark nights, etc. The Mayor stated that the request of the petitioners was fair and reasonable. If kerbed and properly formed footpaths were asked for, then the Council could claim half cost of same from property owners, but this was not required. All that was asked was that a footway be formed and water channels dug to carry off the surface water. The nature of the soil in the locality was suitable for the carrying out of the work. Cr Stiles said the request of the petitioners was a reasonable one and would not incur much expense. The footway was bad and a great deal of surface water accumulated after rain. The outlet for the water would be Russell Street. He would support the petition. Cr Frankland also supported the petitiop.

Cr Hennessy opposed the petition and thought the matter should be held over. Roads wanted attending to in other parts of the borough. Jlfthe Council granted the request of this petition they would have petition coming in from all parts of the borough. Cr Stiles : Quite right too. Cr Shadbolt thought the request was reasonable.

Cr Coley opposed it on the grounds that the Council had refused to form a path in Cook Street, though half the cost of same had been promised by a resident in the vicinity. It was only chucking money away to do the work. Eet the Council add Coley Street as well. - The footway the Council did in the Avenue was going to be nusiauce. Cr Baker contradicted this remark and said the footway in the Avenue was greatly used and a benefit to residents. He would support the request of the petitioners. The Mayor said he would like to see a footway in Cook Street because it connected with a number of back streets. Cr Stiles urged that a footway be continued from the Thynne St. intersection to the park. On the motion of Crs Baker and .Stiles the following resolution was carried : That the request of petitioners for a footpath in Park St. and Thynne Street, be granted and that the overseer be instructed to proceed with the work on the same lines as that done in Avenue Road. —Crs Coley and Hennessy voted against the motion. Proposed by Cr Coley, seconded by Cr Wilson,, that the clerk be requested to arrange for overdraft against the current year’s revenue. —Carried. Cr Frankland proposed, and Cr Hennessy seconded, that a footpath be formed along Cook Street, of the same kind as that from Clyde Street to the Masonic Hall. —Carried.

Proposed by Cr Gray, seconded by Cr Wilson, that the clerk be instructed to write to the solicitors of the Foxton Gas Company and ask if the balance of purchase of section has been paid to Mrs G. Coley, if not, what is the cause of delay. On the motion of Crs Gray and Coley, a resolution was carried, that a fence be erected between the Council Chambers and property belonging to Mr Lange so as to stop section being made a public road, and also that the owner of the property be given notice to clear up all rubbish fronting in Main Street.