BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 422, 11 August 1908, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Ordinary Meeting.

The ordinary meeting of above was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Coley, Gray, Wilson, Jenks, Hennessy, Frankland, Stiles and Baker. Correspondence was read as follows

From the Horowhenua County Council, enclosing engineer’s final certificate for Shannon bridge. A circular (as already printed) was received re proposed visit of the Manawatu Drainage Commissioners.

From the Mayor of Greymouth, protesting against the dumping of Oregon lumber on the Dominion markets.

From the Wellington Gas Co., submitting print of street lamp posts, the price for which would be £ll los per lamp. From the Manawatu County Council, agieeiug to pay half cost of street lamp at corner of Purcell and Patrick Streets, cost not to exceed £2 ros. From same, stating that the Premier will be pleased to receive the deputation consisting of representatives of local bodies with respect to extending the scope of “The Local Bodies Loan Act, 1901,” as soon as the proposed Bill for e-x tending the borrowing powers of local bodies has been circulated in the House.

From the Treasury, subsidy on rates us qd. From Mr R. Kirste, sanitary contractor and poundkeeper, tendering his resignation and re - commending Mr Ward as his successor.

The poundkeeper, reported impounding 20 head of cattle during the past month, and 24 impounded by settlers; fees £1 17s. Cr Hennessy contended that the Council was not liable for more than 2-i2ths of a total cost of £SOOO for the erection of the Moutoa Bridge.—The Clerk said the commission had apportioned the Council’s share at 2-i2ths but the Commission could not make an estimate of the cost of construction. The Council had anticipated the extra cost and had borrowed more than its proportion of the dost based on the The Mayor explained the reason of the extra cost, and it was decided to examine the decision of the Commissioners before taking further action.

The Clerk read a lengthy circular re the setting up of the Rivers Comission, which wasjlaid on the table. No action was taken on the resolution passed by a public meeting at Greymouth urging the Government to protect local sawmillers against the importation of of Oregon pine. —Cr Coley said the charges made by Dominion millefs for timber was excessive and he quoted prices in support of his contention.

A letter was read from the borough overseer, expressing surprise at the action of the Works Committee iu passing a resolution complaining that he was not making the best use ot his time, and requesting him lo send in time schedules in future.—The Clerk explained that the time schedule was not attached to the overseer’s report. —It was decided to deal with the subject at a special meeting. The overseer’s report was read and adopted. The Nuisance Inspector reported upon several minor matters, and stated that the town was in a good sanitary condition. Discussing the poundkeeper’s report, one councillor remarked that settlers had been more enterprising than the ranger. Another Councillor stated that the fees paid to the ranger were not sufficient inducement for him to carry out his duties properly. It was also stated that stock was still wandering at large.

The special order re Whirokino Bridge loan of £4OO was confirmed. The Town Clerk was authorised to procure from the Government printer consolidated acts relating to the municipal government at a cost not to exceed £3. It was decided to hold a special meeting to discuss the rivers’ commission, and to decide what action should be taken in the matter of giving evidence on behalf of the borough.—Cr Hennessy was appointed the borough’s representative at the commission. Cr Baker gave notice of motion that this Council take steps to consider the further reduction of the borough boundary, so as to exclude all farm properties. It was decided to discuss the motion at a special meeting. Accounts were passed for payment.

Cr Jenks asked whether prices for lamp posts had been obtained from firms other than the Wellington Gas Company. He said a Palmerston firm could cast the posts. The Clerk stated that only one quotation had been obtained. It was decided to obtain other quotations and deal with the subject at a special meeting. Cr Frankland said he had been approached to have a lamp erected at the railway crossing in the I,ady’s Mile. The Mayor said it was a reasonable request but it was decided to see what effect the lamp a little lower down would have. Only one tender was received for alterations to the pound. The price was considered reasonable but it was decided to hold the tender over until an estimate of the work had been ascertained. The Clerk was authorised to obtain estimates for all future work for which tenders are called.

It was decided to call fresh tenders for the work of formation of Fuller Street, it being the opinion of Councillors that the tenders received for this work were too kiflk.