MOCK COUNCIL MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1005, 15 June 1911, Page 2

MOCK COUNCIL MEETING.

Foxton’s Debating Society provided a rare treat on Tuesday night. Something of the sort must have been anticipated, for there was a remarkably good attendance, in which the fair sex, seated all together, claimed a half interest. A mock Borough Council meeting composed the evening’s delectation and, as it was of an impromptu nature, the proceedings were dominated by the burlesque. The spurious councillors were well assorted, and their varying—often conflicting—temperaments stimulated a forceful current of badinage. Only the necessary nine councillors were nominated, and the expense of an election was thus avoided. The appointments were as follow :—Mayor, Rev. G. K. Aitken; councillors, Messrs Chrystall, G. Speirs, R. N. Speirs, Wilson, Codlin, G. Rough,

Wrigley, H. Claris, and Johnston ; town clerk, Mr A. McCall ; inspector of nuisances, Mr K. Furrie ; caretaker of ball, Mr J. Ross ; borough engineer, Mr J. Rough. A couucillor complained that he had recently had his toe run over by a perambulator. He' suggested that a special roadway be constructed for the accommodation of perambulator traffic. The scheme was viewed favourably, and it was proposed that a wheel tax be levied to provide for maintenance. Eventually, however, it was decided to impose a regulation compelling owners of prams to provide them with tyres of not less than gin diameter, so that they may assist to form their own road. The juvenile question came up in another form when a petition, largely aud influentially signed, was received, prayiug that the Council establish a creche, to which worthy object the Mayor and a councillor each contributed £IOO, in a spontaneous outburst of generosity. The spirit of the Council was exhibited in a far less noble vein when the onerous task of “mothering” the inmates was assigned to the already overburdened inspector of nuisances. That official presented a neat report on a humble subject—a heap of rubbish —but was so doubtfully rewarded that he presently tendered his resignation. Instead of relieviug him of his duties, his employers risked the credit of the borough by raising his salary from 7s 7d toys7%d per annum. Many matters of greater or less moment were dealt with, among others the water trouble in Frances Street, it being decided to place lifebuoys at the corners of the several sheets of water in the roadway with the appurtenances of first aid close handy. During this and subsequent transactions, acrimony several times crept into the discussion. and / one councillor narrowly escaped the indignity of being ejected by the Inspector of Nuisances. Fortunately, the meeting ended in amity, and His Worship was able to congratulate councillors on the manner in which they had come through a trying ordeal.