FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 825, 12 April 1910, Page 3

FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHFY MKKTING

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present; —His Worship the Mayor (G. H. Stiles Esq.,) and Crs Coley, Ross, Gibbs, Robinson, Speirs, Fevett, Stewart, Adams and Rim me r.

Correspondence was read from C. E. Hoskings complaining of the unsatisfactory manner in which the sanitary contractor is carrying out his duties. —The contractor was in attendance, and after hearing his explanation no action was taken other than impressing on him the neccessity of carrying out his duties properly. From the Valuation Department, advising that the roll would be returned as soon after March 31st as possible. From the P'oxton Gas Proprietary advising that a company had been formed to take over the works, aud asking the Council’s consent to a transfer of their rights to the company and also a mortgage to T. G. McCarthy, of Wellington. Agreed to. From the Registrar-General, advising that copies of the Municipal Handbook had been forwarded for use of councillors.

From the District Engineer, regretting his inability to supply screened limestone on account of the cost to obtain it, and a further letter from same advising that as instructed eight trucks of ordinary limestone would be supplied. Rk-vai.uatiun ok Borough. Cr Gibbs brought up the question of a re-valuation of the borough, which at present was very irregular, pointing out that two adjoining sections iu Johnston Street of the same area were valued at ,£7l and ,£33 respectively and also other instances of bad valuation, and moved that owing to the unequal valuations in the sanitary area as disclosed by the valuation roll recently printed, the Council at once have the borough re-valued so as to have all ratepayers on a equal basis. The motion was seconded by Cr Speirs aud carried.

Closing Portion ok Thynnk Stkkht.

A letter was read from the Borough Solicitor, stating that the Chief Surveyor will now agree to the transfer of portion of Thynne Street and will issue titles without the necessity of a survey, but the Chief Surveyor considered it would be prudent to have the survey made as it may save a great deal of trouble in the future. Cr Speirs was of opinion that the survey should be made and borne by the purchasers of the laud. He moved that the streets which have been reduced in width be surveyed and that the cost be charged to the buyers of the land. Cr Gibbs seconded the motion. He said the survey should be made no matter who paid for it. Crs Ross and Robinson favoured the survey but said the cost of same should be paid by the Council. Cr Levett suggested that the Council and purchasers should each pay half of the cost. The Mayor was of opinion that a survey was not necessary. If it had been the solicitor would certainly have advised the Council to have one made. The resolution was lost. OuTI.KT FOR REBVK STRKKT. Cr Speirs again brought forward the question of connecting Reeve Street with Johnston Street. This had been before the Council last year and had been put off on account of want of funds. It was desirable that the work should be attended to and as it was now the commencement of a new year he was of opinion that it should receive immediate attention. He moved that a committee consisting of the Mayor and Crs Gibbs, Ross, Rimraer and the mover be appointed to interview Mr Brewer or other landowners in- the vicinity of Reeve Street, with a view to getting an outlet from Reeve Street into Johnston Street, the committee to report at next meeting of the Council what it considers the best outlet together with the expected cost of the same. Seconded by Cr Gibbs and carried. Cr Gibbs also tabled a petition from the residents in Reeve Street and the business people engaged in carrying stores along this street, asking that a cutting be made through the hill in Brown Street. Cr Gibbs said something should be done at once to help the residents in Reeve Street as this had been promised last year, but nothing had yet been done. The petition was, in accordance with the borough by-laws, allowed to lay on the tabic and will be discussed at the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

Riki.h Ranch kok Sciiooi. Cadkts.

Mr Oabitcs, a member of the teaching staff of the local school attended and asked that the school cadets be granted permission to use the rifle range on the Borough Reserve at the back of the racecourse. If this were granted it was his intention to set up a minature range. It was decided ou the motion of Cr Gibbs, seconded by Cr Levett that permission be granted the cadets to use the rifle range for practice. Water Surrey. A letter was read from Mr H. W. Climie, expressing regret at the non-success of the recent poll on the proposed loan for a water and drainage scheme. He had heard that the Council were considering the advisability of obtaining a water supply from the

Shannon hills and if this were so he would be pleased to go into the matter with the Council. He suggested, however, that it would be cheaper to get a water supply from Fevin if they were agreeable to allow Foxton to connect with their main. If the Council considered this scheme he would be pleased to submit an estimate ot the cost of same.

Crs Fevett, Ross and Adams expressed the opinions that the ratepayers would not at present sanction a loan for any water scheme. The Shannon scheme was only a redherring drawn across the scent and those who opposed the last scheme would also oppose the Shannon or any other scheme.

Cr Speirs thought that the ratepayers at the recent poll had shown that they were not in favour of a water supply aud drainage system and he thought the matter snould therefore be left alone for a few years.

Crs Stewart aud Rimmer said there would be no harm in obtaining as much information as possible, as it was costing nothing. The Mayor expressed surprise at the remarks made by councillors that nothing further should be done in the matter of a water supply. Because they had been defeated at the recent poll was no reason that they should go no further. He considered it was the duty of the Council to get estimates from other places, and moved that Mr Climie, C.H., having suggested that Foxton could obtain a water supply from Fevin the Town Clerk be instructed to write, and enquire if the Fevin Borough Council would be prepared to grant a supply of water from their main and the quantity that could be supplied aud also cost of same per annum. —Seconded by Cr Coley aud carried. Cr Robinson also presented a petition signed by Messrs P. T. Robinson, P. Henuessy, M- E. Perreau and 22 other ratepayers in the present sanitary area asking the Council to take the necessary steps to obtain an estimate of the cost of a water supply from the Shannon hills with a view of taking a poll of the ratepayers on same. —Raid on table for one month in accordance with standing orders. Thk Bkach Road. The Mayor moved, seconded by Cr Coley, that the Manawatu Council be asked what has been done in connection with the proposed road to the F'oxtou Beach, and if any estimate has been formed of work and how it is proposed to fiuauce the same. Cr Robinson said he favoured the motion. All particulars possible should be obtained. He was of opinion that the Council could be forced to contribute towards the cost of the road if it were proved that such road was a benefit to the town.

Crs Coley and Gibbs were against contributing anything towards the cost of the road, as it was outside the borough boundaries. They pointed out that there were a number of roads in the borough which required forming, and these should be attended to before money was spent on a road outside the borough boundaries, and further the Foxtou Council had already metalled a mile of the road in question. Cr Speirs would not support spending borough money on outside roads. He said he could not understand why the councillors wanted to run after the Manawatu County Council to spend their money. They should let the Manawatu County take the initiative steps. The Mayor said he did not think anyone at the table wanted to run after the Manawatu County. They had asked if the Foxton Council would contribute towards the cost of the road, and what Foxton wanted was information. This was committing them to nothing. The motion on being put was carried, Cr Spiers alone dessentiug. Gknkkai,. The ponndkeeper reported that during the month 14 head ofcattle and 30 horses had been impounded by the ranger, and driving fees amounting to £1 had been collected. Two horses had also been impounded by settlers. Accounts amounting to 3s qd were passed for payment. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that the Borough was in a clean condition.

It was decided, ou the motion of Cr Gibbs, seconded by Cr Speirs, that a footpath be formed in Ravensworth Place, except in front of the old cemeterjq and that provision be made to take off storm water from the north side of the street.

It was decided that the Council visit the extension ot Cook Street on April aoth, with the object of taking over this street it the conditions ot formation of same have been complied with. Cr Robinson gave notice of his intention to move at the next ordinary meeting that the Council establish a municipal coal depot.

The Council went into committee to consider a request for payment for services by Miss Fraser, and ou resuming business the following motion was carried unanimously : “ That Miss Fraser be paid a salary to start with of ten shillings per week as from April ist, 1910, and that the Borough office be kept open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Council rose at 10 p.m

Mr Parkes, he locai watchmaker and jeweller is opening up a splendid assortment of gold, silver and electro-plate goods suitable for presentations. Watch the window displays.*