TOWN CLERK’S ANNUAL REPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1085, 17 April 1913, Page 4

TOWN CLERK’S ANNUAL REPORT.

At Monday night’s Council meeting the Town Clerk presented his annual report which was read and adopted and is as follows : In April, 1912, G. H. Stiles was re-elected Mayor without opposition and resigned on 2nd August following, and at a special meeting of the Council Cr Gibbs was elected for the balance of the term. In July Cr Carter resigned his seat on the Council, and at an election to fill the vacancy held on the 27th July, George S. Whibley was elected to till the vacancy, and on the 24th August, Cr John Hannah was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Cr Gibbs as Mayor. The Council has held 23 meetings during the past year, and passed 183 resolutions. The following table shows the attendance at above meetings Mayor Stiles attended 7. Mayor Gibbs 15, Cr Gibbs 6, 21, Cr Richmond 21, Cr Coley 19, Cr Chrystall 19, Cr Stewart 17, Cr Whibley 16, Cr Speirs 14, Cr Adams 13, Cr Hannah n, Cr Greig 9, Cr Carter 1.

In June last the Council approached Shannon townspeople and the Horowhenua County Council relative to a water supply trom the hills, but nothing came of it. On the 9th September, Mr H. W. Climie was requested to revise his water and drainage scheme, and on nth November, alter receipt of Mr Climie’s revised report, the Council decided to hold over the question of a poll for water and drainage until the money market was easier. In Jauuary the Council decided to erect a strong room for the safe custody of borough books and records, and the same is now nearing completion. The Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. H. Herries, was entertained at dinner at Whyte's Hotel by the Council on 6th February, on the occasion of his visit to Foxton to enquire into railway and wharf matters.

Permission was granted to Mr J. Hillary to make a new street in the borough connecting Coley and Cook Streets, situate about midway between Johnston Street and Putter Street, under the usual conditions. ROADS AND STREETS. The southern end of Main St., which had been in a bad condition for years has had over 500 yards of Palmerston North metal spread and broken, and the road has been graded to water channels. Owing to the extreme difficulty in getting metal the north end has not yet received the attention that it should have, but this will be remedied as soon as possible. Asphalt has been made and laid by the road men to replace that destroyed by the recent fires, except in one or two places where the buildings are still unfinished, and more asphalt is being made for south end of Main Street and Union Street. The cutting in Johnston Street between Cook and’ Union Street has been widened out and fascined and fenced. 3ft 6in cement pipes across Norbiton Road at Spring Street junction, extending cement pipes to the full width of Norbiton Road at Russell Street junction, full width of road at Frances St. and Gladstone Street has also been done during the year. The drains were thoroughly cleaned, and roads kept in repair to the full extent of our finance. The total expenditure on roads, streets and drains during the year was 4s 6d, an increase of 12s 8d on the previous year.

public’ library. The public continue to make use of the privileges of the library, and the subscriptions for the past year show an increase from £ll 9s gd to 9s sd. In the early part of October last the caretaker, Mr Thorpe, tendered bis resignation, through the death, of his wife, and on the l Bth October, Mrs A. Mitchell was appointed, and has carried out the duties very satisfactorily. One hundred and fiftyone new books were added during the year. RESERVES, There is practically nothing to report in connection with the reserves this .year, except to note that the cr. balance has increased from 17s yd to 2s sd, and to point out the necessity of painting the cottage in Frances street, the poundkeeper’s cottage, and board, especially the latter, &nd the band-room, which should all be done in the coming year in order to keep same in repair. The Council Chamber and Public Library also require painting this year. CEMETERY. Alter thirty years’ service as

sexton, Mr A. Jouson resigned that position in July last, and Mr George Reay was appointed to the vacant post, and is taking a commendable interest in his duties. Seven very comfortable seats have been procured and placed in suitable positions for the convenience and comfort of mourners and visitors. Other work is to be carried out in the direction of trimming trees and shrubs, regrading paths, and repairing fences, etc.

Much could be done to improve and beautify our cemetery if some public-spirited citizens would only come forward and augment our very meagre funds.

.SANITATION, This service continues to be carried out in the most admirable manner by the borough employee, Mr F. W. Gardes. The only complaint that was made to the office came while Mr Gardes was away in Australia lor his health. It may be necessary to procure a new cart before long, as the present one has seen the best of its days, or nights rather, and a credit balance in the account will permit of this being done. gas works. This year the works have shown a credit in actual receipts against expenditure of ,£96 16s 2d, though the account shows a debit of ,£BS 17s 6d ; this is due to the fact that we started the year with a dr; balance of ,£lB2 13s 9d, and in addition to the ,£96 16s 2d there is ,£238 13s sd expended in mains, ,£B3 in meters, which should show a total profit of 9s yd. This is still a long way short of the amount required for sinking fund and interest—^7ls. During the year, new mains were laid down the Indies’ Mile and Purcell street, and the manager has been asked to canvass the town lor new consumers. The sales of gas have increased Irom ,£1,116 6s 3d to ,£1,392 i6s, an advance of £276 10s 7d ; tar £43 to £52; coke £29 10s to £95 los 2d. CORONATION TOWN HALL. The past year has been a very busy one in connection with the Town Hall, and the Manager has had his hands full. In addition to picture shows twice a week, and extra ones on holidays, and rink two and three nights a week during the season, there has been a considerable amount of letting of both main hall and supper-room, the receipts from which amounted to £137 5s od. The receipts Irom all sources were ,£2,027 17s 6d, and the expenditure ,£1,713 2s sd, leaving a talance of £314 I S S id, from which must be deducted an account owing for films on 31st of ,£2O, showing a net profit of £294 15s id for the year. During the year a cess-pit was sunk at the side of the Hall, storm water from the roof diverted to the street channels, a section acquired in Hall street giving a cart entrance to the caretaker’s cottage and engine room. This has been fenced, a gate erected on the Avenue, an electrolier installed to supersede the sun-light at pictur e shows, and also two extra electric lights for musicians, of whom there are now three. Skirting has been fixed round the main hall and supper-room, and all doors and windows seen to.

A special word of praise is due to Mr H. McArtuey, the operator and caretaker, for the very capable and thorough manner in which he has carried out his duties.

KATES. I feel proud to be able to report for the eleventh year in succession that there are no rates outstanding, every penny having been collected. This is, I believe, a Dominion record. The rates collected lor the year amounted to ,£2,189 19s xos, being £203 10s $d less than last year, owing to some of the special rates not being collected, there being a sufficient sum accumulated to meet the charges last year. These special rates will require to be collected again next year, but as a set off the gas rate will be less. building permits. Owing to the disastrous fires which occurred last year the building trad? lifts been particularly brisk, 34 building permits having been issued, and buildings to the value of ,£14,525 have been, or ate now being, erected, and as the by-laws now require all buildings in the business area to be erected in either brick or concrete, the town stands to day in a far better position than it 4*4 twelve Uto.nths ago. PUBLIC DEBT. The public debt of the borough has fallen from ,£22,265 X S S 8d to £21,872 17s od, a decrease of ,£392 15s Sd, owing to the extinction of the debt to the Sanson Tramway of £367 and ,£25 15s 8d paid off the Beach road loan, so that the amount of £l6 10s 4d, Sanson Tram interest, will not again appear RU our balancesheets.