FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1495, 11 January 1916, Page 2

FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

COMMITTEE REPORTS. The following committe reports were dealt with at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council: GAS WORKS. Meeting held on December 20th. Present ; The Mayor and Crs. Henderson, McColl and Coley and Mr Hamilton (gas manager) by request. The Mayor explained to Mr Hamilton that the meeting was called to consider hD last report as it was felt that on more than one occasion lately he had put suggestions into his reports that should first come before the gas works committee instead of being placed first before the Council for discussion. Mr Hamilton stated that he considered it was the usual custotq in other boroughs for the manager’s report to be first read at the Council and then referred to the gas committee.

It was decided on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Coley, that the Council be recommended to instal gas in all houses of not more five rooms at net cost of fittings, pipes and labour, for a period of three months only as orders are received during the said period. On the motion of Cr McColl, seconded by Cr Henderson, it was resolved that the gas manager be instructed to canvass for consumers and report to the gas committee the number willing to take it. It was further decided on the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Cr Henderson, that owing to several consumers pressing for services to be finished before Christmas the dayman, Mr Collins, be lent to the gas works for a week.

Cr Whibley thought that the three months limit in reference to the free installation of gas should be deleted as he considered gas fittings should be installed at

bare cost in all cases. In reference to the employment of an - extra man at the works the old Council, during Mr Stunell’s management saw fit to pass a resolution that all work was to be done by the manager and his assistant, and he did not consider the Gas Committee had any right to go past that resolution. Cr Henderson referring to the latter part of Cr Whibley remarks, said that circumstances altered cases. The manager’s assistant had been ill for two weeks, and the work consequently got behind, and for that reason another’ man was allowed for a week. Cr Whibley said that after hearing the explanation he was quite satisfied. The Mayor said it was very easy to criticise, but it was rather awkward when one started and didn’t know what he was criticising; ‘ It was always better to ask questions before passing any criticism, and if Cr Whibley had done this, there would have been no need for his remarks. Cr Whibley said that had the mover of the motion that the report be adopted made a short explanation in the first plate, everything would have been alright. Cr Henderson said it appeared to him that Cr Whiblej; was “looking for trouble,” and he, was sorry it he couldn’t find it. 'v The report was adopted- *' SUB-COMMITTEE RE RANGER, Meeting held,'on December 20th. Present: Crs Whibley (chairman), Coley and Bryant. It was decided on the motion of Cr Whibley, seconded by Cr Bryant, to recommend the Council that the ranger be instructed to pay over all driving fees to the Town Clerk at the end of each month as the driving fees are the property of the Council and that he be paid the sum of nine pence for every such driving fee of one shilling that he receives for horses, cattle or sheep liberated before reaching the pound, and that his receipt books for driving fees be submitted to the Council at each ordinary meeting night. Adopted. FINANCE. Meeting held on January Ist. Present: The Mayor and Crs Whibley and Freeman. An apology for absence was received from Cr Simmons. It was decided that the accounts submitted totalling £422 15s lid be certified to and recommended for payment.— Adopted. LIBRARY. Meeting held on January 10th. Present : The Mayor and Crs Freeman and Stevenson. It was decided to procure seven new volumes.