BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 22, 25 October 1901, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Motueka Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present : His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Hursthou.se), Ryder, Satherley, Tan-ant, Simpson, Moffatt, Wratt, Knapp, and Rankin. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The following report of the Works Committee was read: Report of Works Committee held on the 19th October. Present: Messrs Tarrant ( hairman), Ryder, Moffatt and Satherley. The accounts presented were recommenced lor payment. Resolved that it is desirable certain standing orders be passed, and that a committee be appointed to frame them; That it is desirable the bad places on the fr <jt jo ad be repaired, and Cr Thorp be /Vflfcisted to have it done; That It is desiraLnjpai! tenders be considered in committee; That the Council take into consideration the naming of the streets ; That upon the expiration of the required time given to any person for clearing gcrse, and other noxious weeds, should the work not be (.tone, such person be proceeded .against according to law; That the ranger's attention be directed to the number of stray cattle upon, the roads.. With reference to the request of the Council that certain members cf the Works Committee should devise some means for cheapening the cost of broken metal, Cr Tarrant reported that 'Mi account of Cr Thorpe's, illness nothing had. been done..

The following accounts were passed for payment: W. ELing<£3 Os 6d, C. J. Boyee £2 18s 6d, Chapman £3 Os 3d H. Wrattan 13s 6d, Oddfellows Lodge £1 15s, Lucas and Son =£l 12s 6d, Colonist 17s 6d, Town Clerk 15s 6d, Office expenses 18s 4d. Cr Moffatt moved the adoption of the Committee's* report. Seconded by Cr Tarrant. Cr Rankin moved as an amendment, that the clause having reference to the standing orders be expunged. Cr Simpson seconded. On a division being taken, the amendment was carried. His Worship the Mayor, referring to the Harbor Board question explained what had transpired, since the last monthly meeting an account of which has already appeared in out columns. He had received no word from Mr R. McKenzie, but had met him at a late Harbor Board meeting in Nelson and was informed the necessary bill would be put through during the present session. Cr Rankin moved, and Cr Wratt seconded, that the Town Clerk wire to Mr MeKLenzie asking him to urge the progress of the bill through the House. A letter from Mr Thomas Pattie, chairman of the late fruit growers meeting was received enclosing copy of resolution passed re subsidising direct steamer to Wellington. Cr Moffatt moved that applications be made to the Government to grant a subsidy. He thought as the district was not benefitting directly by the railway service ot the colony, a subsidy should be granted to the steamer trading direct with Wellington, especially as business with merchants and others in the Empire Cisy was increasing. Seconded by Cr Ryder and carried. Mr 11. Budden sent in a letter relet ring to the afiahs of the Motueka Band, suggesting that the Mayor should call a public meeting to discuss the question ; also that the Band's property should be vested in the Council. Councillor Rankin said he was of opinion the Council could do nothing in the matter, as it was an open question as to who really owned the instruments. If money was still owing on them, and the bailment sent up Dunedin for signature was still in existance, the person who signed it could by paying the amount due, claim the lot. This he could legally do, although morally it might be wrong. He thought the Band should find out the exact position before approaching them.

Cr Ryder thought something should be done. The public had subscribed to pay for the instruments, and lie, as one who helped, felt very sore about it. The Mayor also considered the public had been badly treated. The position was not creditable to the bandsman, who displayed great carelessness. The money collected had been improperly spent. He would object to incur any expense in connection with the proposed meeting. Cr Simpson urged that the request should not be entertained. Cr Moffatt moved that Mr Budden's request be acceeded to, and that the Mayor be asked to call a public meeting to consider the position. Referring to the Mayor's statement as to their carelessness in bu sin ess tra n saction, the speaker pointed out that several persons had been asked to become trustees for the band, but they had all declined to act. Cr Wratt moved as an amendment, that the letter be referred to Mr Avery late Bandsmaster, for his opinion, and informing him that if the Band will guarantee all preliminary expenses, the Mayor will call a public meeting. . The amendment was carried.

A letter from Mr Girdler, Otago, re jaws for the sfonebreaker, was referred to tie Works Committee.

Messrs A. Manoy and C. B. Jordan wrote urging the construction of a footpath in front of the husiress premises on the western side of High St., and widening the same ; also requesting street lines ; referred to the Works Committee.

Mr E. Goodman, Inspector of Nuisances, repotted re two nu'sances, one of which lad been ttmedied and the other i rferred to the Education Board. The alleged nuisance, biought up at last meeting still existed. Cr Ryder empathically denied the Inspectors statement that the nuisance continued.

Cr Rankin thought the Inspector had committed a grave error of judgment in bringing the matter befol e the Council in the manner he had done. He considered the Inspector should have full insti uctions as to his duties, and not be allowed to reply in his official capacity to anonymous letters appearing in the local newspaper. He proposed that the necessary Acts, requited by virtue of bis office be procured. Cr:Moffatt seconded the proposition. His Worship tbe Mayor endorsed the remarks made by Cr Rankin, and eventually agreed, at the request of the Council, to visit the locality complained of. It was resolved to thank Mr F. S. Smith, of Kaikoura, for his letter re wire netting. No tenders having - been received for the river protective works at Glover's Overflow the Council decided to do the work by day labor. Consider - able discussion ensued. Members generally agreed that the work should be done forthwith. And it was finally decided on the motion cf Cr Moffatt, seconded by Cr Ivnapp, that the matter be discussed at a special meeting of the Council to be held on Tuesday next at 7 p.m. The Council then adjourned.