TOWN CLERK’S ANNUAL REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 826, 14 April 1910, Page 3

TOWN CLERK’S ANNUAL REPORT.

At Monday night’s Council meeting the Town Clerk presented his annual report, which was as follows: “In April 1909, G. H. Stiles Ksq., was elected Mayor, and on the same date the following new Council was also elected : Dr. Adams, Geo. Coley, A. J. Gibbs, F. K. Jenks, J. T. Levett, P. H. Rae-Hovvard, T. Rimmer, Wm. Ross and A. Speirs. On July 12th, Cr Rae-Hovvard tendered his resignation, which was received with regret, and Cr P. T. Robinson was duly elected in his place. On 13th September, Cr Jenks resigned and Cr W. S. Stewart was elected to fill the vacancy. During the past year the Council has held 26 meetings, and passed 184 resolutions. Tire following is a table of attendance of Councillors at meetings: The Mayor attended 25 meetings, Cr Adams 22, Cr Speirs 22, Cr Rimmer 21, Cr Gibbs 20, Cr Levett 20, Cr Coley 17, Cr Ross 17, Cr Robinson 14, Cr Jenks 12, Cr Stewart 8, Cr Rae-Howard 5. In May it was resolved on the motion of the Mayor to get a new borough map on an enlarged scale to show all levels, and to invite offers for a Water and Drainage Scheme, and in June the offer of Mr H. W. Climie was accepted and in due course the scheme was received and approved by the Council, after the necessary statutory steps had been taken, the proposals were submitted to 0 poll oi the ratepayers and lost, the voting being yo in favour, and 150 against. It was resolved in June that the Town Clerk should undertake the supervision of the roadmen and all outside work in addition to his office work. On the 14th June it was decided on the motion of Crs Ross and Coley to extend the night soil area to the western boundary of the borough. In accordance with a resolution by Crs Ross and Rimmer it was decided to plant all streets over a chain wide with ornamental trees, and a start has been made with Clyde and Park Streets. In September a beginning was made with formation of lootpaths in various streets in the borough and up to the present Ladies’ Mile, Robinson and Purcell Streets have been done, the remainder will be gone on with as soon as the drains are cleaned. In October the Council decided to send the Town Clerk to Wellington, to investigate the Gas Coy’s, books in conjunction with an auditor, with a view to purchase same, the report however was not satisfactory, and the Council decided to take no further action until the date of their first option, under the agreement, became due. In December Mr P. Sherratt finished his contract for the asphalting both sides of the footpath in Main Street full width from the Avenue to Cook Street. The following portraits of past Mayors were received with thanks and hung in Council Chambers in the course of the year; E. S. Thynne, Geo. Nye, Alf. Fraser and B. G. Gower, the Mayor also presented to the Council Chamber a fine portrait group of himself, the newly elected Councillors and Town Clerk. In the past twelve months 28 building permits have been issued by the Borough Surveyor, representing the erection of buildings to the value of £6631. The Mayor, with the approval of the Council, got the flag staff removed from the Main Street triangle to the Victoria Park, and has supervised the transformation of the ragged shrubbery into a neat grass plot, dotted with beds of gay flowers, and surrounded with an asphalt path, enclosed by a neat fence, and ornamental gate, a garden seat presented by Cr Ross is greatly used, and the thanks of the Council are due to the Rev P. Mairs, who together with the ' Mayor has put in a lot of time and labour at the triangle, the Mayor also has borne a considerable amount of expense in connection with same. The Council sunk an artesian bore at the triangle and though the How was not all that was hoped from it, nevertheless it provides beautiful clear water for the drinking trough, in place of the former surface well. In response to a petition from all the property owners on the north side of Thynne Street, the Council took the necessary steps to reduce - the width of the street to one chain, in order to sell the surplus to said owners, so that they might get better access to their sections, all the steps have now been completed, and the titles for the frontages await those who have not yet obtained them. The financial position of the Council is very sound, for notwithstanding the heavy expenditure of the past year the actual receipts ot the general account have exceeded the expenditure by £74 2s 2d, all rents,etc., have been collected the only amount outstanding is a sum of £l2 owing over two years by John Wyeth for rent of old Council Chamber, which so far 1 have not been able to get in. In conclusion I may say that the past year has been a busy one, and shows a marked advance in borough life, and the Council are to be congratulated on the year.”