MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8750, 26 February 1907, Page 2

MARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tlio monthly meeting of above waß held' last evening. Present—The Mayor, Mr J. P. Sicoly, Crs. Read, Mcßldmvney, Sutcliffe and Grove. Correspondence v/as dealt with as f °From AH. Sutcliffe, claim of £2O damsigo to Ms violin as a result of collapse of steps In Opera House.— Legal advice to be obtained as to the Council’s liability. . , From Valuation Department, asking Council to appoint a representative for tho Assessment Court. Air J. W. Marshall, who acts for Rangitikei County Council, was appointed. From Wanganui Charitable Aid Board, asking for the -amount required by Council for charitable aid for ensuing year and annual rental value of the Borough.—The Clerk to

supply' information. From N.Z. Railways, acknowledg-

ing Council's letter drawing attention to the inadequate aocommouatiou at Martou Kailway station and intimating that the letter had been referred to the General Manager of Railways.—Received. ■ From Martou Fire Brigade, ashing for a donation towards expenses _ox team to Christchurch Demonstration and applying for a refund of £2 2s paid for use of Martou Park for the Brigade Garden Party.—The Mayor recommended a donation he granted. Or. McEldowney supported the application and referred to the good work •• accomplished by the Brigade in checking fires despite tao inadequate water supply. It was movecl—Or. McEldowney—the Mayor—that the sums asked for be granted. Or. Read, though not opposed to the grant, questioned whether the payment would bo legal. Ho would have preferred the grant to ho £lO. —Motion carried. From H. H. Richardson, asking to have culvert lowered across Maunder street and offering a man for day work to assist. —Resolved —the Mayor Or. Read—that request he granted. From W. Morsou, contractor, Wanganui, stating it would bo impossible to send his teams to Martou to carry 200 loads of metal. He had offered to complete the contract in JNovembor and Council replied that the stream was unworkable. He now asked for a refund of deposit.—-De-cided to return deposit and call tor fresh tenders. . , From F. D. Young, objecting to pay water rates as lie had receipts to end of last year.—lt was explained that account was for second connection which had now been cut ofL Matter deferred till next meeting. „ From Mr Max Eoruhoid, who was granted permission to erect clock in front of his shop. From Health Department, recommending adoption of drainage scheme for Martou.—-Received. From manager Opera House, recommending alteration to fire escapes, etc.—Referred, to Hall Committee. The Assistant Librarian was granted an increase in. salary to £1 per week. The Gas Manager’s report showed a profit of £l4 13s fid for last month. It was decided to call tenders for carting gas coal for ensuing year. Tlie Pouudkcepor’s report showed that 19 head of cattle had been impounded during the month. The Gas Manager applied forgan increase in salary—The Mayor moved that increase of £l2 per annum ho granted. The motion was not seconded. Or. Read moved that the manager’s salary ho increased to £3 10s, hut the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. Or. Read remarked that an ordinary gas fitter received 12s a day. Or. McEldowney wanted time to consider the application. A prise had'been sprung on them and if the matter was deferred for a mouth he was prepared to give it careful consideration. In any case it would bo bettor for the new Council to decide. He thought consumers were paying too much for gas. Or. Read asked the' manager to quote charges' made by other companies. The manager replied and claimed that Martou was the cheapest town in the colony for its size in the matter of gas charges. The application, was deferred till next meeting. It was resolved (the Mayor—Of. Sutcliffe) that largo stones on west side of Wellington Roab footpath between Morris and Russell Streets, be removed and that fine binding metal be put bn.—That, the Mayor—Or. Read, south eud of Hare street bo rounded up aud repaired.—That, the Mayor—Or. Sutcliffe, an advertisement he inserted in the Advocate excluding bookmakers and their clerks from Martou Park on the day of the sports andjihat the police bo requested to enforce the prohibition.—That, the Mayor—Or. Sutcliffe, Council forego its claim against G. F. Bishop in connection with cost of water service.

The Mayor proposed that a concrete parapet he erected on top of main dam at the' reservoir and that necessary alterations he made to the overflow channel and that the dam he cleared all round to a chain width. The motion was not seconded, the opinion being expressed that the matter should bo held over for the new Council to consider. Accounts amounting to £230 14s 7d were passed for payment.—The Clerk reported that the debit balance at the Bank, after payments,’ would be £2037 Gs Id. Crs. McEldowney and Grove were appointed inspectors for the month. _ A petition was received from residents on Pukepapa Line asking Council to qxtend water mains when_ laying gas mains.—rMr Robert Wilson waited on Council and asked for estimated cost of extending gas and water to his new premises.—The gas mana, ger said the cost would he £l3 10s for gas and 50 per cent, additional for water pipes.—Mr Wilson said the cost seemed to bo very reasonable and .ho would no doubt ask Council to do the work. Air T. H, Brediu waited on Council and wanted a continuation of road made from High street to the Railway Station. He claimed this work would benefit the borough, as it would increase settlement. —Cr Read said the Council could not entertain the application as the work asked for was outside the borough boundary. It was the duty of applicant to do this work at his own expense,. if he intended to subdivide his property. It appaurod that Mr Brediu wanted to enhance the value of his property at the expense of the Borough. The Mayor moved that Mr Bredin’s verbal application receive consideration when that area is included in the Borough. '