INSTALLATION OF MAYOR AND FIRST MEETING OF NEW COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 11 May 1909, Page 3

INSTALLATION OF MAYOR AND FIRST MEETING OF NEW COUNCIL.

The installation of Mayor for the Borough of Foxton took place at the Council Chambers last night. Present; —’His Worship tke Mayor (B. G. Gower, Esq.), Mayor-elect (G. H. Stiles, Esq.,) and Crs G. Coley, Jenks, Alex. Speirs, Levett, Gibbs, Dr. Adams, Ross, Rae-Howard and Rimmer. The Mayor said he understood that it was the usual custom for a Mayor, when vacating the chair, to make a long speech, but he did not intend to follow that course. He desired to congratulate the Councillors on their election, and he hoped that they would have as good a time in the Council as he had experienced. He had acted as Councillor for four years, and had also occupied the Mayoral chair for a like period, and during that time the business had always been a pleasure to him. On vacating the chair he was pleased to say that the finances were iu a very healthy state, there being a credit balance on the general account of over The roads throughout the borough were in good repair, having just 'received thorough attention. The footpaths were in the worst state, but there was money iu hand to put these in good order. This matter would have been attended to at an earlier period, only the Council had been waiting until the Gas Co. had finished laying the mains and making connections across the paths. This had now been practically completed, and the work of the footpaths could be proceeded with. There was one other matter he would like to refer to; Eight years ago, when he entered the Council, Mr A If. Fraser was Town Clerk, and since then be had watched the way in which he had transacted the Council’s business, and was sure that Mr Fraser was the “right man in the right place.” During his terms as mayor, Mr Fraser had assisted him very considerably. He (Mr Fraser) had gone out of his way to do this, and he took this opportunity of placing his appreciation of the clerk’s services on record. In vacating the chair, he congratulated ex-Cr Stiles on his election as mayor, and wished him a successful term of office. Mr Stiles thanked Mr Gower for his kind remarks. He said he felt highly honoured at occupying the Mayoral Chair. It was an honour that fell to the lot of a few. He very much regretted that Mr Gower was severing his connection with the Council, the speaker had sat seven years at the Council table, and could testify to the good work that Mr Gower had done during his terms as councillor and mayor. He had spent a great deal of his time on borough business, and if he (the speaker) carried out the duties as well as Mr Gower had done, he would be very satisfied. He would be able to give the position as much time as it required. He congratulated the Councillors on their election, and welcomed them to the table. He was especially pleased to see Crs Cofey and Jenks again take their seat, and also ex-Cr Speirss. He hoped they would all have a successful term. He intended to enforce the standing orders, and referred the Councillors to several clauses of same, and expressed the hope that they would abide strictly to the rules, by so doing it would expedite business. He then made the declaration and took his seat. The newly - elected Councillors signed the declarations, and the business was proceeded with. ORDINARY BUSINESS. Correspondence was read as follows From Department of Lands, enclosing copy of report of the Manawatu Land Drainage Commission. —Received. From Dr Adams, reporting a case of -phthisis in Harbour Street and a case of diphtheric croup in Union Street. From the Treasury, advising that the /300 loan for formation and metalling of streets would be gazetted immediately.—The Clerk reported that the gazette notice had been published. From the District Engineer, advising that 780 yards of gravel ordered by the Council would be forwarded as soon as waggons were available. From Rev. G Young-Woodward, vicar of All Saints’, advising that he had arranged a church parade in connection with the local Friendly Societies and Brass Band, and asking the Council to take part. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Rimmer, seconded by Cr Ross, that the letter of the Rev. G. Y. Woodward be acknowledged and a reply sent stating that as this Council is purely a secular body, it cannot see its way to accede to the request.—Carried. From S. H. Baker, offering to sell tq the Cquucil for the Library, Encyclopedia of New Zealand for the sum of £7 7s.—Referred to the Library. Committee. From owners and occupiers of . properties in Reeve Street, asking the Council to make a cutting : through hill in Brown Street, 1 as at present there is no means t of

access to their properties from Union Street. Also from rate- 1 payers iu Lady’s Mile asking for a lamp to be erected at the railway crossing.—Both requests were releri -d to ihe Works Committee for a report at next meeting iu accordance with the standing orders. From The Palmer Engineering Co., offering to sell Council water purification plant, and forwarding catalogue etc. —No action taken. The following committees were set up :—Library —Crs Levett, Rae-Howard, Adams and Ross —: Reserves. —Crs Jenks, Levett, RaeHoward, Coley and Adams ; Works. —Crs Coley, Speirs, Ross, Rimmer and Gibbs, The Mayor and Crs Levett and Rae-Howard were appointed to sign cheques and rate book. The pound keeper reported that during last month ten head of cattle and eight horses had been impounded by the ranger, driving fees amounting to 10s had been collected. The Inspector of Nuisances reported the borough was iu good sanitary condition. The Town Clerk submitted the annual estimated receipts and expenditure which were approved. The resolution striking the following rate was passed : A general rate of threepence iu the £, and a library rate of l /i of a penny in the £ of rateable properties within the borough, and a sanitation charge of 15& per pan on all house property. within the night soil area. Accounts amounting to ns id were passed for payment.

It was decided on the motion of Cr Speirs seconded by Cr RaeHoward, that the Town Clerk prepare the following statement and forward the same to each Councillor :—The amount of revenue received from the rates and the amounts from other revenue showing the totals in each case, and a statement showing the expenditure of the Council over which it might be said the Council had little or no control, such as, all salaries paid and to whom, showing the different officers working under the Council, also such as gas, charitable aid, hospital etc. The other returns to be forwarded by post to each Councillor as early as possible.

It was resolved, on the motion of Crs Adams and Rae-Howard, that each Councillor be presented with a copy of the Municipal Corporations Act and General By-laws of the Foxton Borough Council. — Carried.

It was decided, on the motion of Crs Speirs and Gibbs, that the footpaths in Main Street and all other footpaths that have already been formed and tarred, be regraded and tarred, and that the roadman take his instructions from the Works Committee, and further, that the Town Clerk procure for the above work 15 casks of tar and three trucks of limestone ; to be attended to as soon as possible. —Carried.

Cr Ross brought up the question of street lighting. He said that some of the lamps were not lit at night, and that they were all extinguished shortly after io o’clock, whereas the agreement states that they must be kept burning until midnight. The matter was referred to the Works Committee, requesting them to see that the agreement re street-lighting is carried out. It was decided that the Works Committee meet on Wednesday next at 2 p.m. The Council rose at 9.50 p.m.