BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 10, 24 November 1887, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The Patea Borough Council, after five adjournments, managed to “come to time ” on Monday last, when there were present: K, A. Adams (Mayor), Crs. Aitchison, Brown, Gibbons, Gibson and McKenna. Minutes of former meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence read and considered. Irwin s request to he allowed to cut the grass in the market reserve, was acceded to, on condition that the trees are properly cleaned out. Dr. request re footpath referred to the Works Committee. Mr Looker’s name was ordered to be inserted on roll in lieu of C. Dale. A letter from Mr Mahony, relative to a foothpath ci'ossing, was considered, and it was resolved that Mr Mahony be informed that under the circumstances the Council withdraws its former offer, and requests him to i le a proper crossing, if he wishes to continue a crossing, for wheeled vehicles. Mr Finnerty’s request to have his resignation accepted, was read and considered ; and it was resolved that it bo accepted with regret, and his offer of assistance to the incoming clerk, be aor cepted with thanks. Cr Gibson, in moving the resolution, said he had added the words the offer of assistance, as he was aware what assistance from a man wißi the work at his fingers end meant, to a clerk coming in new to the office for information which a clerk might have to hunt for hours for, would be conveyed in a moment by the px-esent clerk, and would prevent a very great deal of trouble. On the motion of Cr Aitchison, seconded by Cr Gibbons, Mr D. M. Harris, was appointed acting Town Clerk to December 31st, prox.

The opinion of the Borough Solicitor,; relative to the late action of the Council in reducing the number of Councillors: A\ r as read, and, consequent theron, a - notice of motion was tabled to rescind the - resolution passed at a- former meeting, | reducing the number of councillors. ! A petition \\ r as presented from ratepayers in Victoria street, asking for repairs to footpaths. y. His Worship in referring to the potation, said the footpaths were only apologies for footpaths, and really useless; portions of the road also wanted attention to prevent Avaste of money already expended. Cr McKenna moved that the petition be referred to the Works Committee.

Cr Gibson seconded it, and said that where money had been spent it should be protected from Avaste as far as possible. He was afraid, boAvever, that footpaths could not bo kept in order unless they* Avcre curbed, and he thought the Conned should see to the curbing as soon as it could.

Cr Aitchison would support the motion, bat was afraid it would be difficult to keep the footpaths in order, for people just rode over them without the slightest consideration. 0The resolution was put and carried. The Works Committee "report Avas then read as folloAvs : “ The Committee have to report that the folloAving works have been carried out during the month of October: Fencing and protecting sandhills in Bedfordstreet, claying, &c., lowering and gravelling footpath in Egmont street, cleaning Avatcr tables, &0., covering Avell in Egmont street, cleaning sumps, and general work. The Foreman was instructed to have American thistles cut in all the streets and Borough properties. The Committee would desire an expression of opinion from the Council, with regard to these thistles on unoccupied sections, the Council having promised the County Council that it would attend to the matter this year.” E. A. Adams, Chairman. The Inspector of Nuisances reported the Borough clean. Accounts amounting to £39 Is 4d wore read and passed for payment. His Worship then introduced his resolution relative to the appointment of a ToAvn Clerk, and said the Council were unanimous in thinking it better to have a clerk’s whole time, instead of having to be contented with portions of his time. Tho Auditor when up boro a short time ago, complained of the arrears of rents and rates, and said it was preposterous to see such an overdraft, Avhen the arrears of rents and rates were larger than the overdraft. The arrears were much less uoav than they had been formerly, and most of the arreaM were of longstanding. Ho would, thd|P fore, move “That the Toaati Clerk receive notice that his various services under present arrangement terminate at the end of December 1887, and that application be called by advertisement in Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, and Patea for the service of a person to perform tho duties of Toaati Clerk at a salary of £2 per week. Duties to consist of (in addition to the duties of Toaati Clerk) * Eate collector, Health officer, Dog tax collector, Eetuming officer, and Domain clerk. The Clerk to devote the whole of his services to tho Borough. Hours 9 to 4, except on Saturday, when the office aatll close at 1 p.rn. One months notice to terminate the arrangement on either side, applications to bo in by noon on the 14th December, 1887. Cr Gibbons seconded the resolution. Councillors Adams, Gibson, and Brown were appointed a committee to consider, enquire, and report upon the question of Borough offices. The Council then rose.