ZEPHYRS IN THE COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 493, 12 October 1909, Page 2

ZEPHYRS IN THE COUNCIL.

At last night’s Council meeting when the Town Clerk’s report was presented, Cr Coley said that in reference to the gravel carting he had been asked what it was worth to do the work, and he had told them. He continued: “You now say that it cost only rod per yard. They never carted Soyds last week. They’re only earning about six shillings per day. One of the horses is not fit to do a day’s work.” The Town Clerk said that he had based his calculations on the railway charges and had allowed iY? tons to the yard. The man’s time at actual filling was i y days, and the cart was employed on the metal for four days. Cr Coley : “ I might just as well keep away from the meetings. I think I will only come to one meeting in three, in order to retain my seat. It’s no good my coming here. I might as well be a wooden man.”

The Mayor: ”Cr Coley, you must go outside if you can’t keep order.”

Crs Speirs and Rimraer also considered that one of the hoises used by the Borough contractor was not suitable for the work.

The Mayor said he was of the same opinion, but in this particular instance they could not get away from the fact that the work had been done cheaper than it would have been done by contract., At the same time the horse in question would not suit for carting any distance.

Cr Coley then asked why the Gas Company’s account had beeh passed for payment. He wanted to know the reason. They refused to pass it at the ordinary meeting then at a special meeting they passed it. The Mayor : You are out of order Cr Coley. You should have brought this up before the minutes were confirmed.

At this Cr Robinson rose to speak and the Mayor told him he was only allowed to ask a question. Cr Robinson said he wanted to know when he could speak in reference to the recision of the motion re asphalting the footpaths. Cr Coley: “You never will get a chance.”

Cr Robinson then asked if the Council had the power to rescind a motion without giving notice of motion. It not then the contract in question was not legal. The Mayor said that since passing the resolution he found that it required seven days notice to rescind a motion. They were partially out of order in doing what had been done, but the motion passed at last meeting was only partially covered by the motion ■ that had been rescinded. Cr Robinson said that it was not fair that after tenders had been considered that another person should tender for the work and' the tender be accepted.

Cr Gibbs said that on the notice convening the special meeting it was stated that the business included further consideration of regrading footpaths and councillors should have attended that meeting if they wanted to oppose it.

Cr Coley ; “ Every Councillor mightn’t have as much time as you and can’t attend 1 every meeting. Perhaps they do a little more work than ypu;” Cr Speirs said that there was a difference between the tenders of 30s per yard. The first three tenders were dealt with on their merits and were considered too high. It was then decided to do the work by day labour. A few days later another tender was received and was much lower than the other tenders and it was accepted. He considered it was paltry of one person to come now and question the legality of same. Cr Coley said that he thought they were in committee when the tenders in question were discussed. Did not think it, was right to publish tenders when they were all declined. The Council should always go into committee to deal with tenders. The contract in question was not legal. Cr Eevett asked when the tender was received. ’

The Clerk said it was received during the afternoon following the meeting.

Cr Eevett said he was not quite in favour of the way this was done. He did not oppose it at the time because the footpaths required immediate attention. He thought they were now closing the stable door after the horse had gone.

The Clerk said that Mr Sherratt had told him about a week previous to the date on which the tenders closed that he intended to tender for the work.

The Mayor: “If this matter came before the ratepayers they would endorse our action.”

Cr Robinson : “I don’t think so, sir.”