BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 933, 20 December 1910, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night, for the purpose of further discussing the question of the proposal to erect a municipal hall and general. Present: —His Worship the Mayor (G. H. Stiles Esq.,) and Crs. Adams, Coley, Speirs, Ross, Rimmer, Gibbs, Stewart, and Robinson. Mr L. G. West, architect, of Palmerston N., was also in attendance by invitation of the Council.

On the motion of Cr Coley seconded by Cr Ross, the Council went into committee to further discuss the municipal hall question and upon resuming business it was decided that Mr West’s offer as laid down at the previous meeting —to submit plans and a correct estimate of the cost of a suitable hall free, provided that should the work go on he be engaged as architect on the usual scale of charges—be accepted. Another matter to be dealt with was a complaint by Cr Robinson in reference to the matter in which the sexton was carrying out his duties, A letter was read from the sexton advising that he was unable to attend the meeting on account of not feeling well. The Mayor said that under the circumstances it would perhaps be better to leave the matter over until the next meeting in order that the sexton could be present. Cr Robinson said that applications could be called for the position to be in by next meeting and the present sexton could be in attendance and give his explanation before the applications were considered, and if his explanation were satisfactory he could be reappointed to the position. Cr Speirs did not think it advisable to call for applications every year. The Mayor agreed saying if a suitable man was got they would not call for applications again. Cr Rimmer, said that in speaking to the present sexton in the street he had told him that he had held the position tor 40 years. On being asked if he was going to attend the meeting, the sexton said he was not. He had had advice, and thought it would be better to stay away as if he attended he would only lose his temper and make matters worse. Cr Robinson moved that applications be called lor the position of sexton, to be in by next meeting.

Cr Adams, seconded the motion pro forma.

Cr Speirs said to pass the motion was really dispensing with the services of the present sexton. Cr Ross thought it was premature to pass the motion. If the present sexton saw an advertisement inviting applications for the position he might throw up the job, and leave the Council in an awkward position. Cr Robinson said he would move to give the present sexton a month’s notice. After some further discussion the motion was withdrawn, and the matter will again be brought up at the next meeting, which the sexton will be called upon to attend.

Cr Adams mentioned that the Borough Band had improved greatly of late, and thought a letter should be sent to the members of the band, conveying the Council’s appreciation of their efforts. —This was agreed to.

The Town Clerk drew the Council’s attention to the assistance rendered by Mr Edward Newman, M.P., in connection with the gas works purchase loan. Mr Newman had gone out of his way to do all he could to assist the Council in any way possible.

It was decided on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Coley, that Edward Newman, Esq., M.P., be thanked by this Council for kind assistance rendered in the matter of the gas works loau, and the attention and courtesy be has shown to this Council during the past session.