BOROUGH COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 996, 25 May 1911, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers on Tuesday evening to confirm special order in connection with the Beach Road and general. —There were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr G. H. Stiles) and Crs Coley, Rimmer, Stewart, Adams, Gibbs, Carter, Chrystall and Grelg. reach road. The special order authorising the raising of a loan to pay half cost of Beach Road was confirmed, and a rate of three-sixteenths of a penny in the £ on the unimproved value of all the rateable property in the borough was struck as security lor the loan. The Mayor said the reason for striking the rate was to provide security for the loan ; it was not intended to collect it. Although the Foxton Borough and Manawatu County were jointly responsible for the whole of the interest on the loan, a clause had been inserted in the leases from the Harbour Board to the tenants at the Beach to the effect that a contribution, up to 15s per year, was to be paid by each tenant towards the cost of the road. Then again the Harbour Board had agreed to pay ,£l2 1 os per annum towards Fox ton’s share of the cost, and he anticipated that the small amount Foxton would be called upon to provide could well be paid out of general revenue. The Council’s contribution of £ifi 1 os .pi per year on account of the Sanson tram would also expire in two years’ time, and this would only leave a matter of about £H to be paid from general revenue. RAKER STREET EXTENSION. The Town Clerk reported that he had inspected this street and estimated that the work proposed to be done would cost £l2 9s. Messrs Jensen and Bak had previously offered to carry out the work for £l2 10s. Cr Coley said the work was unnecessary and he would vote against having it carried out. The Mayor explained that the Works Committee had inspected the street and agreed to carry out the work. After considerable discussion it was decided to invite tenders for the job, to be in by next meeting, and in the meantime the Works Committee will again visit the spot. MUNICIPAL HALL. A letter was read from the Electric Picture Syndicate of Christchurch, asking for particulars re Hall, and advising that if satisfactory arrangements could be made they would be prepared to take the Hall for a picture show one night a week. The Town Clerk said he had forwarded the information asked for. He also mentioned that a representative from Messrs John Fuller and Sons had called on him during the afternoon, and stated that the letters received by the Council from Mr Brooks were nothing to do with his firm. He asked if the council intended installing a gas engine and dynamo. If so, Messrs Fullers would make an offer for the Hall for one night a week. They would probably also include Foxton in a vaudeville circuit which they were arranging, playing in Foxton either weekly or fortnightly. The Council decided to leave the question in abeyance for the ttme being. The Mayor asked if it was the intention of the Council to celebrate Coronation Day in any way. He thought it would be a good idea to lay the foundation stone of the Coronation Hall on that day. He had mentioned the matter to Mr Newman when he was in Foxton recently, and he had signified his willingness to come down and perform the ceremony. It was decided, on the motion of Cr Adams, seconded by Cr Greig, that Mr Newman, M.P., be invited to perform the function of laying the foundation stone of the Coronation Town Hall on Coronation Day, and that preparations be left in the hands of the Hall Committee. THE IiOROUCiI SAND. A letter was received from Mr W. H. Read, secretary of the Foxton Band, advising that it was intended to re-form the baud. He asked that gas be installed in the band room. Cr Greig moved that the Foxton Band be requested to return the band instruments and uniforms to the Town Clerk, and it the baud is to be re-formed, the instruments and uniforms will be again handed back to a properly constituted baud committee, who will be responsible for their safe keeping and return and give a written undertaking to that effect. Further that the Library Committee have this matter placed under their control and that instruments and uniforms shall be available for their inspection at any time on reasonable notice being given. In speaking to the motion Cr Greig said that he didn’t quite understand the position in regard to the band. Apparently there was no one responsible for the instruments and uniforms and consequently there was the danger ot their going astray. Before they were handed out the Council should see that there was someone who would be responsible for their safe-keeping. The motion was seconded by Cr Adams and carried. WATER SUPPLY. Cr Carter asked when it was intended to again bring up the question of a water supply for Foxton, He said that the Shannon people

were very keen on joining in with Foxton in this connection. The Mayor thought it would be a good idea to have a conference with some of the leading people in Shannon and thoroughly discuss the matter. Cr Greig said he had spoken to several in Shannon, and they had expressed a desire to show the Foxton Councillors over the ground. It was decided' that the Town Clerk communicate with Crs Venn and Stephenson, of Shannon, members of the Horowhenua County Council, with a view of meeting and discussing the question, and also to visit the ground. general. Letters were read from the Foxton Harbour Board and Horticultural Society, expressing thanks for the use of the Council Chamber for meetings. Mr W. Ross wrote, asking that something be done to improve the road at the junction of Johnstou and Union Streets. In its present state after rain the water lies about for days.—lt was decided that the Works Committee visit the locality on Monday next, at 11 a.m. Mr J. E. White, of Palmerston North, wrote, advising that his metal pit was worked out, and he would, therefore, be unable to supply the Council with any more metal. A petition was received from the residents of Frances and Johnston Streets asking that a gas lamp be erected at the corner of Johnston and Frances Streets, and also that a footpath be formed along Johnstou Street from Union Street to Purcell Street. —The petition was “ fathered ” by Cr Coley, and was, in accordance with the Standing Orders, allowed to lie on the table until next meeting. The Mayor asked what was to be done in connection with the trees planted in Park Street. He said that with one or two exceptions they were all dead. He considered that fresh trees should be planted. After some discussion, it was decided to have shelters cleared and holes dug, trees to be planted at the most opportune time.