BOROUGH COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2467, 15 August 1922, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held last night. There were present: —The Mayor (John Chrystall Esq.) and 1 Crs. Coley, Thompson, Martin, Alex. Ross, C. Rand, A. N. Smith, F. Whibley, It.- Bryant and 1 M. H. Walker. The treasurer’s report was adopted and accounts amounting to £2,604 18s Id were passed for payment. .

The tender of the Manawatu Herald for printing the Borough bylaws was accepted, on the motion of the Mayor, who remarked that other things being equal, the work should be done locally. The Council endorsed a circular letter from the chairman of the Hospital Board, re increase of Government subsidy.

The Health Department wrote asking for an increase in Council’s payment to the Health officer. The following motion was carried unanimously: “That this Council is of opinion that the salary is out of all proportion to • the services rendered.” The Mayor said the Council was unable to pay the increase asked for which was manifestly unjust. A further letter was received from the Health Department suggesting that a daily removal of garbage he carried out in the business area and a weekly service in the residential area, in order to safethe health of the community and to guard against plague, and to continue to wage war against vermin.—The Mayor said the war against rats and mice would be continued, but to carry out the other suggestions was outside the Council’s financial means. The Council would concentrate on the completion of the water and drainage scheme in order to safeguard the health of the community in the meantime. It was decided to notify the Health Department to this effect. It was decided to grant the retort setter travelling expenses from Wellington'to Foxton and Foxton to Marton as requested. Cr. Coley voted against same as the payment was contrary to the original agreement of service.

No action was taken in connection with the registration of transfer by exchange of a small piece of land to the Racecourse Trustees. A refund for sanitation overcharge was made to F. J. Carmont, out of unauthorised expenditure. Mr J. G. Honore was granted £1 10s damages sustained to his cart ■through a collision with the borough cart. Mr Christie, local manager of the C. M. Ross Co. Ltd. waited upon the Council and explained that his firm was willing to pay one-third of cost in laying down footpath in front of the premises in Main Street. —The Council agreed to accede to the request, the work not to exceed £lB and to be done to the satisfaction of the borough foreman. A similar arrangement to apply to the footpath in front of Mi' Perreau’s premises. Mr F. Robinson forwarded a lengthy complaint against the dog registrar and notified that he would be present to substantiate same. He did not appear. Mr Brown was present to support the action of the registrar'.—No aetion taken. Votes of sympathy were passed to the relatives of the late Mr Thos. Henderson and Mr and Mrs W. Bock. The Agricultural Department notified the Council that Japanese wine berry had been placed on the noxious weed list.

Mr George Scadden was thanked for a gift of hooks for the public library. The Chamber of Commerce wrote calling attention to the necessity for a light in the passage way at the Town Hall in order to “protect people of mature age and declining vision.”:—The Clerk reported that there was a jet there already and it only required to be lit. A Councillor facetiously remarked that the Chamber be supplied with matches. It was decided to institute pi’oceedings against Chung Wah for a breach of building by-laws; It was decided to call tenders for the lease of an acre section in Avenue Road. The following remit was passed to be moved by the Mayor at the Municipal Conference: “That the Government be urged to amend the Fire Brigades Act, apportioning the cost of maintenance of brigades at 60 per emit for insurance companies, 30 per cent, local bodies, and 10 per cent. Government.”—Cr. Ross said if the insurance companies were compelled to pay -more they might increase the premiums. The Mayor moved that the Council extend a hearty welcome to the Right Hon. Wm. Massey on his approaching visit to Foxton, on the 21st inst. —Carried. Cr. Martin moved a vote of thanks to the Town Hall manager for introducing dancing at the Town Hall. Cr. Martin said that some people with evil minds had said that this innovation would lead to immorality. The manager had conducted the affair to the satisfaction of all. The motion was earned. Permission was granted to connect the Presbyterian manse and C. M. Ross Co.’s premises with the drainage system, the wdrk to be done in accordance with the bylaws and under the supervision of Mr Reid.