The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 11, 1909. BOROUGH COUNCIL MATTERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 11 May 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 11, 1909. BOROUGH COUNCIL MATTERS.

Last night’s Borough Council meeting was conducted iu a very business-like fashion. Each Councillor was provided with up-to-date standing orders and the rules of debate were strictly enforced by the Mayor. Once or twice Councillors who had forgotten to mention an important point when speaking to a motion, and who subsequently asked leave to ventilate it, discovered that they had ‘'missed the bus.” Mayor Stiles, after being installed, clearly made it understandable that discussions at the horse-shoe table would in future be kept within due bounds. We congratulate him on having made such an excellent start and have every reason to believe that he possesses sufficient back-bone to continue in the same course. Jerky and desultory discussions are a weariness to the flesh —at least to pressmen —and a waste of time.

Ex-Mayor Gower after devoting eight years to local public affairs — four as Councillor and four as Mayor—passed into private life after installing his successor at last night’s Council meeting. During the period referred to he filled the exalted positions honourably and goes out of civic life as became iu: with an unsullied character. If he erred as Mayor it was in the direction of allowing councillors too much latitude in debate—characterstic of his unselfish nature. He did not attempt ‘‘to set the Thames afire” but was content to carefully husband the ratepayers funds, of which he was a faithful trustee. He went out of office leaving the general account in credit to the tune of ,£l5O. In common with the old councillors we shall miss his familiar and good - natured face at the Council table. Although absent from the chamber we know that he will not shirk his duties as a citizen. It is opportune here to suggest that he and succeeding Mayors, on vacating office, present to the Council an enlarged photograph of themselves to adorn the walls of the chamber. It has a certain historic significance and is put into practice in other towns. Every Councillor was present in his place last night, read and signed the statutory declaration, and we say without hesitation that

the borough has every reason to feel proud of its trustees —for, after all, they are our trustees. Of the nine councillors, three have served on previous councils, viz., Crs Jenks, G. Coley and Alex Speirs. The first named has served on local governing bodies for more years than be cares to recollect and has also occupied the civic chair; the second, whose practical knowledge is well-known, is one of the most useful members of the new Council and the last named is an individualist who will allow very little to pass his notice without the closest scrutiny. By the way, we would suggest that his position at the table be nearer the “head" for a certain that was obvious last night. The “new blood,” including such prominent men as Crs Wm. Ross, J. T. Eevett, Dr. Adams, A. J. Gibbs, Thos. Rimmer and Rae-Howard give evidence of great promise and if Foxton does not come into line with other boroughs as a result of their combined intelligence, then we shall have to admit that we are a cobwebbed and progress-forsaken village. We are reminded, however, of the programme : water scheme, good footpaths and a municipal town hall. Of the future we are optimistic.

Judging by the great amount of business transacted last night in a given space, augurs well for the future. The various departments are under the supervision of committees of which the most important is the works committee, the personnel being Crs Coley, Speirs, Wm. Ross, Rimmer and Gibbs, All important street and footpath undertakings will be mapped out and submitted to the Council by this committee whose monthly reports and general supervision will be anticipated with interest by ratepayers. We presume this committee will fix its special night of meeting. The library committee, which will have charge of the public reading room and library, consists of Crs Eevett, Dr. Adams, Rae-Howard and Ross ; reserves, another very important department, is supervised by Crs Jenks, Devett, Rae-Howard, Coley and Dr. Adams. We think a serious mistake has been made in setting up these committees on the ground that they consist of more than three members excepting the Works Committee. It is unwise for a Councillor to devote divided attention to too many subjects and it will be noticed in reading over the names of the various committees that overlapping has occurredThe Mayor is ex-officio member of each committee but not necessarily chairman. Taking this fact into consideration it will be noticed that the works committee consists of six members ! This is decidely unconstitutional, as no committee should consist of a majority of the Council except a committee of the whole. The same thing applies to the reserves committee. We opine that the setting up of these committees was given rather hasty consideration and a revision is necessary to avoid an absurd situation. Each committee has very important duties to perform and we hope the most enthusiastic Councillor of each will be appointed chairman.