BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1006, 13 February 1912, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last night. Present : His Worship the Mayor (G. H. Stiles, Esq.,) and Crs, Adams, Chrystall, Coley, Gibbs, Richmond and Speirs, An apology was received Irom Cr Greig. Mr W. Nye wrote asking that the price paid him for carting coal to the gas works be increased from is to is 3d per ton. It was pointed out that the contract had expired and it was resolved on the motion of Cr Gibbs seconded by Cr Coley, that the increase asked for be granted. The poundkeeper reported that during the month of January iS horses and 14 head of cattle had been impounded by the ranger, and driving fees amounting to 24s had been collected.

The Inspector of Nuisances reported that the town was in a fairly clean state with one or two exceptions which he was endeavouring to get put right. Accounts amounting to £450 4s id were passed for payment, distributed as follows : General account £l3l 6s gd, gas works account £136 19s yd, town hall account ,£66 9s, reserves account ,£5 4s iod, sanitation account £7O 7s, town hall loan account ,£25 7s 7d, cemetery account ,£3 7s 6d and library account £lO is rod. The manager of the gas works reported on January’s working as follows : Gas in holder on December 31st 5000 ft., gas manufactured during month 250,100 ft., gas in holder on January 31st 3000 ft., gas sold to consumers 184,100 ft., used in works 29,500 ft., street lamps 30,000 ft., manager’s hou c e 1,400 ft., and leakage and unaccounted for 7, 1 ooft.

Mr E. R. B. Holben wrote on behalf ol the section holders at the Beach, asking that the road at present In course of construction be extended to Cleland’s corner, a further distance of three and a quarter chains. After some discussion the following motion was carried : Proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Cr Coley, that the Council inform Mr Holben, in reply to his letter, that we have no objection to the road being diverted as asked for on condition only that there is sufficient loan mone; available to pay for the increased cost, or in the event of there not being sufficient funds the petitioners to find the amount required for additional cost of diverting road ; also a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Manawatu County Office. The manager of the gas works wrote, asking that he should be supplied with a bicycle for use at the works. He pointed out that since he had been in charge of the works he had worn out his own bicycle on the Council’s work. Cr Coley moved that the Town Clerk be authorised to procure a bicycle for the use of the gasworks manager, at the beginning of the financial year. The motion was seconded by Cr Gibbs pro forma. Cr Coley said he understood that at other gasworks the manager was provided with a bicycle, and under the circumstances it was only reasonable to supply the local manager with one.

Cr Gibbs said he seconded the motion pro forma in order to get it discussed, but he would oppose it. When a man is employed and a bicycle is needed he usually has to find the machine himself. He would oppose getting the bike for the manager until the works were made to pay. Cr Speirs opposed the motion. He didn’t see why the Council should provide the bicycle. It was not the usual thing, at least for Foxton. If the Council provided a bicycle for anyone it should be for the officer who had the most running about to do —and that would be the Town Clerk. The gasworks account was not in a position to afford the expense.

Cr Adams did not like opposing a motion of this description, but he thought it was only right that an employee should provide his oWn means of getting about. Cr Richmond said he would rather see the request stand over until the works were a paying concern.

Cr Chrystall opposed the motion, stating that he would rather move for au increase in the Mayor’s honorarium than support the motion.

The Mayor said he thought Councillors were missing the main point, and that was, who was going to benefit ? It seemed to him that any benefit must come back to the Council. The manager would use the bicycle when required, and save the Council’s lime. He was going to support the motion because he considered the Council was going to save a considerable amount ot time by buying the bicycle. The motion, on being put, was lost, the Mayor and Cr Coley supporting it, and Crs Adams, Gibbs, Speirs, Chrystall and Richmond voting against it. It was decided on the motion of the xVlayor, seconded by Cr Coley, that on account of poverty the following rates be remitted : Sarah Collins 8s 7d, and C. F. JBeeston £S 19s 3d. The Council rose at 9.15 p.m.