BOROUGH COUNCIL

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 71, 18 April 1902, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Mx>i«eka Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Present His Worship tfh& Mayor (Mr It, Hursthouse) in the ehairyCrs Wratt. Ryder, Satherley,. Moffatt, Simpson, Thorp, Trewavasy and Edwards. Minutes of previous meeting-, and also of special meetings, read and adopted. Accounts amounting to .£l9 10s 8d were passed for payment.

It was resolved that Messrs Duthie and Go's account for stonebreaker jaws be held over till next meeting. The Town Clerk stated that upon receipt of advice as to shipment of stonebreaker jaws he had made arrangements for the cartage of same; also, that he had written to Mr Hewetson, asking him to place the jaws in position. , . .

Resolved, on trie motion of Cr Thorp, seconded by Cr "Wratt, That the Town Clerk wire to Messrs Duthie and Co., instructing them not to forward the patterns of the stonebreaker jaws to England.

Letter received from Jeffries and Sons, London, i-e decorative illuminations for Coronation celebrations ; from T. F. Martin, counsel to the Municipal Association, advising that lodgers cannot yote ; from the Secretary of the Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board notifying that .£6O was apportioned as the amount payable by the Motueka Borough Council for the year ending 31st March, 1003. His Worship the Mayor ' rep >rted that when over in Nelson lately, lie went to see the Chairman of the Waimea County Council, as requested, re upkeep of roads and bridges adjoining the Borough, . but found that gentleman was absent. However, he would again endeavor to see Mr Wastney and find out his views on the subject. Cr Simpson moved, and it was seconded by Cr Ryder, that applications be called for daymen at 6s 6d per day and for drays and horses. It was resolved, on the mo-io i f Cr Simpson, seconded by Cr Srherley, that the rate for the ensuing y a ■ be one penny in the pound and t a it be paid on the Ist July, 1902. Cr Satherley proposed, seconded by Cr Wratt, that the Town Clerk procure four bushels of poisoned grain for the destruction of small birds. Carried.

By permission of the Council, Mr 11. A Tarrant stated that he was deputed by the Cemetery Trustees t > ask the Borough Council to take over the cemetery. He mentioned that it was the desire of the Trustees to be relieved of their charge, for which he had acted as Secretary during the past 31 vears. The public cemeteries at Nelson and Richmond were now administered by the Councils and the Trustees had, that day, passed a resolution to the effect that the Motueka Borough be asked to assume charge. There was a credit balance of about .£4O and he thought the account might be kept in connection with that of the Borough.

His Worship the Mayor, as one of the Trustees, said their were several reasons why the Corporation should take over the Cemetery, o e being that the Council, as a body, never dies whereas there were frequent changes of Trustees. Another reason was that there was a diff culty in getting anyone to take charge of the accounts and to keep the plans of the ground The pnblic certainly owed a debt of gratitude to Mr Jordan, who had kept the plan in excellent order and now he was anxious to be relieved of the responsibility. If the cemetery was taken over by the Council, the Town ( lerc and his office would be availab e- ' o the

public. No expense would be incurred in taking * the cemetery over; the Trustees would have to apply to the Government for an Order in Council to hand oyer their trust to the Borough.

Cr Edwards said it was advisable for the Council to take charge of the cemetery j they would then be able to look after the roads leading thereto. Cr Satherley enquired as to whether the Council would have to pay for any clerical work if they assumed control of the cemetery. His Worship said they could not expect the Town Clerk to perform the additional work which would follow, without increased remuneration, as his duties were specified upon taking office. Besides it would be perfectly legitimate for the Council to debit the cemetery account with the salary paid Tt was resolved, on the motion of Cr Satherley, seconded by Cr Ryder-, That this Council agrees to take over the control of the cemetery. Cr Thorp moved, seconded by Cr Satherley, That the late Town Clerk be written to and asked to make up the books of the Borough to the date on which he relinquished office. Carried. Cr Ryder referred to the rubbish heaps deposited on several of the roads' in the Borough, and thought it ./was time such a state of things was. 'stopped. After considerable discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Wratt, seconded by Cr Edwards, That citizens be notified by advertisement that they are breaking both the Statute and Korough by-la%vs by allowing rubbish to remain on the public street. Gr Simpson enquired as to whether the local subscriptions promised in connection with the protective works at Glover's Overflow had been collected.

In reply, it was stated that Mr Everett had the matter in hand.

Cr Edwards moved, seconded by Cr Wratt, That the road from Cacutb's c rner to Wildman's read be tabled where necessary and that that the Clerk arrange with the pioperty owners as to the removal of gorse etc-. Carried.

It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Ryder, seconded by Cr Wratt, That the footp; t\ in Street be repaired .vith Moutere jgraveL —., ... *£~"Cr Thorp referred to the fact that the present meeting Wris the last. His Worship the Mayor would preside over Mr Hursthouse had piloted them safely through the troubled waters since the formation of the Bo -ough and had proved himself to be the right man in the right place, and he thought they should place on record their appreciation of h"s past services. He would move the following resolution. That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the present Mayor for his uniform kindness and courtesy during the time he had been in office, and the Council sincerely regret his approaching deCr Edwards seconded the resolution. He had lived to appreciate the work of Mr Hursthouse, not only as a citizen but also as the Mayor of the Borough. In losing him they lost an able man, who was always ready to .help them out of their difficulties, and the least they could do would be to give him a hearty good bye and to express regret that he was leaving. Cr Wratt,„heartily endorsed the rei marks of the previous speakers. He was not a member of the first Council, because he had contested the Mayoralty with His Worship, but he felt it would be a great loss to Motueka when Mr Hursthouse left, arid he did not think they could replace him. He wished him success in the future in whatever he undertook._'

His Worship said he was conscious of many failings, but he had honestly endeavored to conduct the business of

the Council to the best of his ability. He might safely say that he had never intentionally given offence to any Councillor, although one of them had taken exception to some action of bis, but he could assure him he never meant to give offence. He" was opposed to the constitution of the Borough, and was still of opinion wrong step had been taken, but when called upon he had taken up his present position. He thanked them for the courtesy extended to him. He did not think much of a man -who lived thirty years amongst them, as he had done, and was not missed. He'considered it the duty of every man to take his share in the administration of local matters, a duty he had often emphasised and he impressed upon the Councillors still to do so. He had often received complaints from residents who took no interest in local affairs, and who never voted, and he maintained they should not find fault if they held aloof ; every one should accept the responsibilities of a citizen... He proposed showing Councillors his respect for them by asking them to meet him in another place, so that he could take an affectionate farewell of them.

The resolution was put and carried unanimously, after which the Council adjourned till noon of the second Wednesday in May, when the incoming Mayor will be installed.