BARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8801, 1 May 1907, Page 2

BARTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Installation of Mayor. I The ceremony of installing tlwj Mayor newly-elected (Dr. SternumJl took place at'noon to-day. Present a Mr J. F. Sicely (retiring Mayor)! Ovs. MeEldowney, Gibbons, Hilton! Gould, ami Lyon. 1 Mr Sicely gave a brief account off Ills stewardship during his term ofi office. Ho considered tho time had arrived to cease collecting rates on tho gas loan, although it would be necessary to strike the rate. Re. ferriug to the water works rate, I\q said it would only be tiecessarv to collect half the rate, as £135 'haft been collected from consumers, which would go far towards paying the interest (£200). The vegetable matter collected at tho reservoir would require the attention of the Oouucil, as it was a menace to tha public health. He referred to the necessity of having by-laws. This hart been left to a sub-committee, bu l so far nothing hart been done. Dr. Skerman was then installed as Mayor for the ousuiug term. He os pressed his pleasure at taking office, He was rather disappointed thai

attention had not been given to by. laws, but now that they had Cr, Lyou with them his assistance would no doubt bo of great value Ho could not give au expression o] opinion at present about reducing rates as suggested by Mr Sieely-. Ha had hoped the overdraft would, have boon reduced, £bnt it had increased, aud was higher now thai during his former term of office, He considered it was good finance tc keep the overdraft within the limit, It would be the first duty of tho new Council to go into tho financial position of tlio Borough aud devise ways and moans to obtain a hotter state of affairs. A good deal 'ol monoy had been spent on works op of revenue instead of by special loan Ho would endeavour to carry out the wishes of the Councillors, aud hoped they would work harmoniously foa the general advancement of tlia Borough. <| A discussion took placo in counec tiou with tho gas works, and a sug. gestion was made to dispense \vi\h the gas fittinsg staff aud get loca tradesmen to do the gas fitting work; Mr Sicoly said if this was done ij would imean a saving of £.200 to the Borough. 4 Qv, McEldownoy said ho would; have preferred to have seen Mr Sicoly hold office for another term as lio had not had a fair chance during thffl 13 months. But now that tho rate| payers had elected Dr. Skerman hQ] would do his best to assist in evoryJ way possible. With regard to the] gas works he had not yet succeeded" in finding out tho position of gas works accounts. He urged tho necessity of keeping a stock account aud allowing for depreciation. Sfcocfc purchased' 13 months ago would naturally depreciate in value \mt Council never allowed for this. H«t favoured tho appointment of Lyon to tho Gas Committee as liij would Lo a useful member. question of vegetable matter in tli«water would no doubt receive the attention of the Council.