OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Otaki Mail, 4 May 1923, Page 2

OTAKI BOROUGH COUNCIL

SPECIAL MEETING. The first meeting of the newly-elected Council was held on Wednesday night. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. P. Brandon). Crs. C. Kilsby, 11. Taylor, H. Cockreii. H. Kihnister, T. O'Rourke, P. Rikihana. Mr T. Hannah was also present. The Mayor and Councillors signed the usual declaration and took their seats. The Mayor extended a cordial invi tation to those elected as Councillors. and to those who were not returned ho hoped they would be more successful next time, not that he d.-sired to see any of the old Council go out of office, but because he thought new blood did good, tie then tend a letter from .Mi Byron Brown, who stated that he funappreciated the invitation to be pie-sent at the installation, but regretted, ow-

ing to business in Wellington, being tinable to be present. He wished the .Mayer and the new Council till the good things they could wish themselves, and stated their desire was to see Otaki progress, aad here they all met on

oiumon ground. The Council would

find him a loyal supporter with this common object in view. The Mayor, continuing. >aid it had been very pleasant working with the old Council, all had been a happy family. They had

never stuck hard and fast to the standing orders, but. on the other hand, indulged in heart to heart talks. He did

not propose to take business, but mentioned that in the past committees had been set up aud had worked well. However, the public looked upon them as too secret and he suggested that the Council meet fortnightly and do away with committee business. In conclusion he expressed a wish thai all would work well together. Cr. Taylor asked it' it was proposed that instead of Committees the whole Council would transact all business? Cr. Cockreii thought it would be ud vistil.de lo have domain and cemetery committees, and leave other work to the full Council. The Mayor agreed, but Cr. Kilsby believed in the election of finance and works committees. Cr. Taylor considered the sugges lien was common mis,': Ire llioughl by the Council meeting once fortnightly they would be away from hone- men-, while meetings would be much longer. Cr. O'Rourke though! the Mayor's suggestion to do away with committees a reasonable one. By open Council the business could be dealt with and the public would lie better satisfied.

Cr. Cockreii agreed with Cr. Kilsby that work could be done better in committee, but thought perhaps the Mayor's suggestion could be tried for .~ix months. He knew there was a feeling by the public against committee meeting-. The Mayor said he would like matters ventilated, and like the public lo know that everything i\a- above aboard. It lion appeared to him that the wish was to have committees. It was agreed that such be drawn up for next meeting. Tie- Mayor said he was pleased to see Mr Hannah present, aud was pleased to know that Captain Bax. now 111 hospital, was making good progress. Mr Hannah said he »t,.- pleased to be present, and stated he would be only too pleased to assist :he Ceuncil in any Cr O'Rourke asked ii it tvould not be better to have the finances of the Council dealt with in open Council. Cr. Taylor agreed thai finance matter- were most important, tin ' agreed with Cr. O'Rourke that such might be worked by the full Council. He. how-

; ever, thought the Work, Committee j necessary. Cr. Cockreii agreed. It was decided to see up domain I and cemetery committees, and Crs. Tay- | 101 and Cockreii wtv appointed to act. Cr. Taylor -aid there was no repreI -emativ<- for the Rangiuru or Ta.-man j Roads, and considered it advisable ! when electing the Works Committee to j have ,:„„, ,ne»iber* on it. The Mayor s :ii ,i :,|,} loy o;, ,)„.,-,. lvas j :io representative living at the beach cud residents could rely upon their interests being catered for. Cr. Kilrnister said they were not in the Council for one particular road but for the benefit of the town as ;t whole. He thought ali would have : , ; ; ,ir 20. Aite r further discussion the Mayor a-ked that Cr-. Kilsby, Kilrnister. and O'Rourke be elected to the Work-' Committee. Agreed to. Cr. Kilsby favored meeting- during the winter months at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. After discussion it was decided to j meet at Jo a.m. in June. July, and Augu.-t. in other month.- at 7.30 p.m.

Cr. Taylor drew attendee to the bad ' j state, of some of the road- and was, ' ' assured by the Engineer that they would have attention. Or. O'Rourke asked how long were the timekeepers to keep their positions. The Clerk replied that the positions

I only temporary, aad would be rc- ; viewed at the next meeting. Cr. O'Rourke thought the appointi tcents unneeessar** expense, and con- ; -id.-red the matter could be dealt with 1 u&dvr rhf Police; Offences' Act I Or. Cockreii ,-bid some action should be taken relative to excessive motorJ J driving in the town 2 a2 d Cr. o ; Kouii:e. i j in uspeeu.g thought the police should j Ibe asked to take astion. He consider- ; ed it advisable also to sue an(3er the j , Council', by-law, so that fines K o ' to the Council.—Agreed to. The Mayor and Cr. Coekreil «rere an- i pointed to sign cheques.