BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 7, 6 December 1883, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

; • ■ ♦- — 'r* LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. Present — -The Mayor, Grs Ferguson, West, Mowleni, Snelsou, aad Walker. CorrespondenceFrom Mr Marchant, senr., offering his services as Engineer for works required by the Borough, and enclosing testimonials. - From Tbwn Clerk, Wahganui, re. questing the Council to pay m equal proportion to other contributing bodies to the maintenance of the Hospital, the Wanganui Borough paging double. Fiom Mr Wylds, complaining that no portion of the rates ■ or loan had been expended m the formation of East street between Qhurch street and Ferguson" street. From Mr Han kins, as to what steps the Council was taking with regard to Main street, which had so long remained m abeyance. From Mr Wollerman.asking the Council for a refund of 30s as half cost of metalling a portion of Ferguson street two years ago. . From Mr Maul, that Cr Mowlem had stated m the Council that his cattle had been allowed to graze m the street. He had had no cattle foi the past six months. He had only a grey mare. From Messrs S. Abrahams and Milverton, re division of Borough into Wards. Mr Marehant. The Mayor explained that Mr Marchant did not appear to be .aware th;«t the Council had already an fenginiser, and suggested that the Clerk . be iujstmcted~to inform bimof this fact,' and return liunhis testimonials;. '"^ --•-— The suggestion was -adopted m the form of a resolution. S •'.. y -■ Charitable. . The Clerk was instructed to reply to the Clerk of the Wanganui Borough, ■and ask tor further information, and enquire from him as to what the; expenses were likely to bo. The Late Banger* Cr Snelson thought Mr Mauls' letter discourteous .m the extreme, and moved "that his letter be received and lie oii the table." . ... ' The motion was seconded and carried. ' : [ ' ■""■' iU '■'■ '• East Street. Mr Wylds 1 letter having been read, Cr Snelson said that the whole rates received from this land was £1 per annum, sinco it was tKe property of the Provincial Government, which would make it altogether £5. The town had been improved by the expenditure of the mone^ raised by loan, and Hhe East-street property had risen io value accordingly. Or Ferguson observed the street was; a mere bog, and persons living m such places would be inclined to write hastily, and under the circumstances moved that the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee. The Mayor explained that wljy (he formation of this street had not been previously made was because it would make the street wowe instead of better. They had not the money to metal the street. He might also say there was not a single soul living m the street, and the petitioners, must be all absentee's. . . . Cr Ferguson's proposition w*s adopted. Nairn-Street. The Mayor stated that no communication had been received from the Government as to what portion of this street it lays claim to, and the matter still remained m abeyance. Cr Ferguson observed that he Had recently conversed with Mr Stuart on the matter, who stated that the question was now engaging the attention of the Government. Mr Wollennan's Application. On the motion Cr Snelson seconded by Cr. Ferguson, the application of Mr Wollcrman for a '-refund of 30s for the metalling of a -portion of Fergusson r ntreet was referred to the consideration of the Public Works Committee. ; Division of the Borough into Wards! The Mayor read a letter from Messrs S. Abrahams and Milverton stating that 145 ratepayers had signed a,.petition to the Governor praying th.it the town be divided into Wards, and. farther stated that they believed the' majority ot the ratepayers were of opinion that the Borough should be divided into four wards starting from the centre of the Square, and enclosing a sketch plan of the township divided ai suggested^ Cr Forguson had signed the petition, not because he believed that it would be for the benefit of the town that it should be divided, but because he felt that a section of the ratepayers desired such a change. But to divide the Borough into Wards as suggested by Messrs Abrahams and Milverton would cause ,thenv to become the laughing stock of the public. He was certainly opposed to cutting up the Square after that fashion, and would oppose most strenuously such a proposition. Cr West had not signed the petition, because he was not aware what would be its effect. At present, he was opposed to dividing the town into wards, as be thought the money would not be laid out fairly and to the benefit of the ratepayers as a whole. Cr Snelson had signed the petition, but did not believe m the division ot the Wards a* suggested. For instance; who was to look ufter the Eangitikei Line ? Three of the principal streets, including the Square, would not be represented. He signed the petition because he thought it would make the Square the centre of the town. . He was sure that if the ratepayeis iv the town were aware what the promoters suggested they w6uld oppose it to the utmost. Cr Walker had declined to sign the petition because he has opposed to the division of the town into wards. He did not consider it necessary^ and he believed, it would be "detrimental to the best interests of the eomin unity. After some further discussion and hearing Mr Milverton who was present, who stated he was not wedded to the proposal, Cr Snelson proposed and Cr Mowlem seconded the following proposition ;— * "That the petition for the division of the Borough ;into Wards be received and forwarded to the Governor." Cr Ferguson moved a.s an amendment : — "That the Council will consider the petition of the Council to divide the Borough into Wards, when the petition is presented." The Mayor said that a number of ratepayers had signed the petition m

the belief that the suggestion' a$ r to the division .would be accepted % the Council; ? _; ■ : : On 'the ' question being . put, the amendment was carried. : For : Crs Ferguson,|West, iand Mowlem. Against:— Cr Snelson and Walker. Pnblic Works Committee Report. The Committee reported that the only communication received was from I Mr Dundas for the metalling of ten chains m Furgmon street, which work would be fonnd m the schedule of works m the proposed new loan. The report was adopted. laspector.of Nuisances Report. The Inspector of Nuisances reported that all the nuisances he bad complained of had been abated with the exception of thatat the Palmereton North Biewery which was being rectified. ' • A Nuisance. ■ CrMowlem drew attention to the nuisance created by a Urinal close to Mr Carrol's Hotel. ; It was resolved to call the attention of the owner of the property [to the matter, and if not removed, to complain to the Licensing Bench at its next sitting. The Banger fecit was resolved, out of numerous applications to appoint Mr F. Haines poundkeeper, amd Mr Chamberlain ranger and caretaker, and to giye Mr Laurenson one month's notice' that his services would not bo required after next month. The New' Loan. ') ( Tlie Mayor m bringing up the Committees redort, and schedule of proposed 5 works attached, said >the members were „ . unanimom .on the jnatterl^ile suggested that a public meeting bo called to consider the proposals ai the earliest opportunity, They were quite ready to receive any .proposition from the public as to a water &che>ne, * provided . ifc dijd not exceed £10,000. They were bound to have a water scheme m conjunction with a sewerage one. The one was quite useless without the other. T!he loan provided for a special rate of Is iv the £, which would, .cover interest on the former loan and meet all other, requirements. On the motion of Ci* /Snelson it Was resolved, "That the- schedule, of works and report of Committee be printed and circulated among the ratepayers." Tie Town Side Drum. A letter was read from Mr Jolly as secretary of tho Town Band asking for the use of the side drum. The application was granted pnthe condition that the drum was not it present used W 1 the Volunteer Band. ..'.. i Special Bate. Cr Snelson gave notice "That a special rate be struck m order to pay interest' on the present loan.' He was not sure that ho was quite m order, but explained that he would desire to have a discussion on the Borough finances, so that the ratepayers might be thoroughly acquainted with their position. J.f the proposal was not agreed upon, it would be* absolutely necessary m order to pay their way and meet the interest accruing from the old loan to have, a special rate of 9d m the £. The Mayor observed that whether they got foreign money or not, they 1 bound to get at least 9d m the £ as 'a' special rate to meet the present interest. The question for the ratepayers to decide, was, would they pay 9d m the £ for interest, or 1/- m the £ and get £30,000 for much required improve ments, for the extra 3d. He thought the Council deserved great oredit for what it had m meeting expenditure out of present revenue, but this could no longer be accomplished. He howeyer adv-ised the matter should be dropped for to-u ; gh<. Cr Ferguson thought tho best course to adopt was to get a shilling rate truck at once. Cr Snelson after a few remarks withdrew his proposal as he found that by the Act it would require a special meeting of the Council to consider it. Accounts. The following accounts were passed for payment :— •

. Roadmen... ... ... ,33 j§ A , E.J.Armstrong... .., 10 8 4. B. N. Keeling (stamps, &c., i; " '.10/0.... ... „. 16 13 4 • G. Hartley .„, ...„..• 3 6; 8 ,t. Goodisoa ;.. ,. fi 12; 0 0 H. Moffatt ... ... 416 0 ', "Wanganiu Hospital ... 111 6 Manawatu Times... ... 4 ; 3 6 MHrerton&Sona... ... 12 6 A. Fergusoa ...;... 5 410 Manawaxf StandaSd; ... a: 5 8 . J, Hanlon 3 11 0 . The Council then adjourned.-