BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 384, 12 May 1908, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting ot the above was held in the Council Chambers last evening. Present; His Worship the Mayor (B. G. Gower, Ksq.), and Crs G. Coley, George Gray, Stiles, and H. Baker, An apology for absence was received from Cr Jenks. The Mayor read the statutory declaration, and took his seat as Mayor for the fourth term. Cr Stiles congratulated the Mayor upon resuming office for a further term. The past year had been both pleasant and profitable to the Council, and he hoped the good feeling now existing in the Council would continue. Cr Baker endorsed Cr Stiles’ remarks.

The Mayor suitably acknowledged the compliments paid him, and said it was not his wish to again resume office, but he bad given way to the wishes of the councillors and ratepayers.

Correspondence was read as follows :

From Henry Berg asking for a site on the river bank for the purpose of erecting a boatbuilding shod.

From the Horowbenua County Council, forwarding the following resolution : “ That the Clerk write to the Eoxlon Borough Council and Manawatu Comity Council, stating that the only benefit this Council can derive by the proposed River Boards Commission will be by the construction of some works whereby the flood waters may be enabled to reach the ocean by a shorter course than that at present existing, and asking such local bodies what position they propose taking up at such commission.”

From Mr John Stevens, M.P. covering a letter from the Hon. Minister of Railways, re erection of verandah at the local railway station. Mr Stevens regretted that the Department did not look upon the work as one of necessity. He added that he would as opportunity offered from time to lime continue to press the claims of Foxton in this matter, as although the verandah may not be an absolute necessity, it would nevertheless be a very great comfort and convenience to the people who travel by rail. The Minister (Hon. Hall-Jones), in his letter, stated inter alia “ that the provision of verandahs at stations cannot be regarded as altogether necessary work, and in view of the many more urgent works at present in hand, or awaiting funds, I regret that I cannot at the present time authorise any expenditure in the direction desired by you.” From George S. Whibley and R. Haydock, drawing attention to a drain lately cut across the footpath in Frances Street, and asking the Council to have same filled in as there is no light in the street and the drain is a source of danger at night. From Municipal Association notifying that the Biennial Conference would be held in July next and asking that remits be sent as early as possible. Proposed by Cr Stiles and seconded by Cr Baker, that the Mayor and Town Clerk and any of the Works Committee meet Mr Berg on the river bank, with a view of arranging a site as requested, on Thursday next, at 8.30 a.m. —Carried.

Proposed by Cr Baker and seconded by Cr Stiles, that the overseer be instructed to attend to the complaint in Frances Street, and ascertain if possible who dug the drain, and see that it is repaired, or that the owner of the properly put in a culvert to carry off the surface water. —Carried.

Proposed by Cr Stiles and seconded by Cr Baker, that the Racing Club be asked to contribute towards the cost of carrying the water from the racecourse at the North end of Park Street, the water accumulating at this point, consequent on the course having been drained recently. The Club’s cost is estimated roughly at about —Cr Gray said he did not think the Racing Club would be averse to paying a fair proportion of the cost. —The resolution was carried. The estimates of receipts and expenditure for the year 1908-9, as prepared by the Town Clerk, were read and adopted. Accounts amounting to Xll3 6s were passed for payment. The Town Clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps to obtain a loan to meet the ,£SOO required to repair the Whirokino bridge. On the motion of Crs Stiles and Baker, it was resolved that a special meeting of the Council be held on Monday, May 18th, to discuss the subject of extra street lamps that will be required on the installation of gas, also to consider the best means of paying for street lighting, whether by meter or per lamp per annum. —Carried. The tender of W. J. Full ham for carting metal was acceptedNo action was taken in reference to Lady Plunket’s circular, published elsewhere, —Cr Coley remarked that in the good old days they did very well without the services of highly-trained nurses, and then the families were large. He instanced his own. But at the present time,with modern nursing, etc ; the families numbered two and’ three. Ho would leave the matter in the hands of some of the younger ones- None of the “younger ones” showed any desire to take the matter up, and so the subject was dropped. In reference to the verandah at the railway station, Cr Baker asked why the Government thought it necessary to erect a verandah at Taihape ? —The Mayor, in reply, said he supposed t)ie solution was that

Taihape was favoured with more rain.

In reference to the resolution forwarded from the Horowheuua County Council, the Mayor said the commission would be set up by the Government without cost to the local bodies concerned. Engineers would be provided and the whole subject of the flood waters of the various rivers would be gone into. In reply to a question the Mayor said that the Government would see that Foxton’s shipping and wharf would not be jeopardised. Cr Coley brought up the question of leasing land on the river bank, for milling purposes, and said that all applications for sites should be discussed and decided by the Council.

A resolution authorising the Bank overdraft was passed. Cr Coley referred to the noxious weeds growing in the borough. He had been compelled to eradicate weeds growing on the roads facing his property, but he noticed that weeds still flourished in some parts of the borough. The Roadman’s report was read, selling forth the works carried out during the past month and suggesting that the cleaning of drains be continued, and roads in general needed attention ; culverts were needed iu Russell and Coley Streets - Mr A. Reeves be notified to repair crossing in Coley Street; \V. Rammer be notified to put in new crossing over water channel in Johnson Street ; also J. Coley in same Street ; the owner of section at corner of Johnson and Coley Streets be notified to trim trees.

The Poundkeeper reported that 60 head of cattle had been impounded during the month. The Treasurer’s report was read as follows :

“ I have the hononur to report that since the last monthly meeting of the Council the sum of 7s 4d, has been paid into the District Fund Account which this day was overdrawn to the extent of ,£2B 2s gd. The balances ot the various separate accounts are as follows: General account, 7s gd; library account, ,£ll ios 2d ; cemetery account 12s od ; sanitation account ,£6O 6s od, all overdrawn ; reserves account, £go is xod; interest account, .£137 3s Bd, both in credit.” The overseer’s report was read as follows : —I beg to report that since the last general meeting the following work has been done: — Drains that have been cleaned are as follows : —Spring Street, Norbiton Road, Coley. Street, Futter Street and Hetter Street. Cleaned water channel in Jouston Street, and is now filling in old, and making new drain in front of Mr Walshe’s residence in Coley Street, which, I understand, the owners of property along side same will bear the cost. I beg to suggest the following work be done : —Cleaning of drains be continued, roads in general will need attention this month. Russel and Coley Streets culverts be put in as soon as possible when pipes can be obtained. Would the Council procure 44, 18inch pipes for Russell Street, 50, 12-inch pipes for Coley Street, also 14 9-inch pipes for crossings of footpaths, the cost to be charged to Mr Hennessy. Mr A. Reeves be notified to repair crossing in Coley Street as it is broken down and stopping the waterway, also Mr W. Rimmer be notified to put new crossing over water-channel in Jonston Street, Mr J. Coley also be notified to put new crossing in Jonston Street. The owner of section on the corner of Jonston and Coley Street, be notified to trim trees, as they are hanging over foot-path.