FEILDING BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9152, 22 May 1908, Page 4

FEILDING BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The fortnightly meeting was held last night. Present: Ors. West, Damigh, Oobbe, Tolley, Atkinson, Bn-mwell, and Goodbehere. CORRESPONDENCE. F;om residents of South street, asking that footpaths he formed 'and lights placed in that part of the entrance to the town.—Referred to the Works Committee. From the Cricket Clnh, asking for the £SO promised towards the cost of making cricket ground on the South street reserve.—Held over until reports of committees set up to overlook the carrying out of the improvements are received. Prom Mrs Sfaerwill, asking that sewerage ha extended to her residence.—Work not provided for in loan proposals. From proprietor of Rangitikei Advocate, suggesting that’tendersfqr important con ton eta be advertised in the Advocate. —Or. Cohhe said it had been the intention of his motion at a previous meeting that the Advocate should he used as and avertising medium for the drain contract when it was included in the term “local papers.” Crs. Gooclhehere and Atkinson also spoke as to the advisability of using the Advocate. The Mayor said he had not noticed that the words “local papers” werq in the plural, hence the reason the tender for the drain had not been advertised in the Advocate. DEPUTATIONS. The Revs. Jones, Oossmn, Budd, Beecroft and Swineherd, waited on the Council and requested that the by-law fixing the hour of closing billiard saloons he altered to make the closing time 10 o’clock, instead of 11. They pointed out that the hour had been fixed at 10 some years ago and as hotels closed at that hour it was desirable to bring the billiard saloons into line.—Held over. A deputation of plumbers waited upon the Council and protested against the proposed by-law of the Council to give builders a plumbing certificate. Mr P. Thomson pointed out that carpentering and plumbing were as different as medicine Jand law. Mr Williamson, teacher of plumbing at the Technical School, stated that if the by-law were adopted the present pupils at the school would cease attending. He said it would take four years for a plumber to obtain sufficient knowledge of theory and practice to gain a certificate. The effect of such a by-law would he that builders being able to obtain a certificate it would not be necesasry to them to obtain the services of a certificated man.— Held over. THE ESTIMATES.

The Mayor, in moving the rescinding ofthe motion passed last meeting to strike a rate of twopence with a view of re-considering the estimates, said the receipts from the abattoir should not have been considered in the general estimates. The Council

paid £1027 yearly in salaries, yet it had been proposed to charge only £2OO to general account. The estimate of £250 for legal costs was too low by half. The wages of maintenance men was £SOO, and yet only an additional £250 had been allowed for material. Lighting had cost £SOO last year, consequently as many new lamps were required, that estimate was too low. On the other hand in his opinion it was not necessary to make such additions to the Municipal Chambers as had bsen proposed, and as a matter of fact, Mr Wilkinson had declined to go on with his contract. If it was the intention of the Council to reduce’ the overdraft by £489 and purchase the South street reserve it would be necessary to strike a higher rate. He intimated that the purchase of the South stree.t reserve could be deferred three or five years. Cr. Atkinson asking how, admitting what the Mayor had remarked was correct, could he excuse himself, being Mayoraud member of the Finance Committee, for bringing down estimates that were not properly prepared? He wasj opposed to raising the rate. Or. Goodbehere said the |Mayor, as member of the committee, had made no objection to the estimates, yet he had come before the Council to criticise them. He contended that the abattoir accounts were properly included in the estimates.

Or. Cobbe said the Mayor should have called the Finance Committee together and explained his objections to the estimates. The motion was withdrawn and the estimates were referred back to the Finance Committee, but not to make provision for a higher rate than twopence. OTHER BUSINESS. The Engineer reported in regard to the manhole which was said to have been projecting to 3 inches and to have caused an accident, that metal had been put around it the nest morning that the Overseer had affirmed, and that it had not been projecting so much. He had been informed by the Palmer Engineering Company, that the filters and gear were on board the Whakatane which was expected in p'rt yesterday. It was decided on the motion of Or. Goodbehere, seconded by Or. Fitzherhert. That Mr Graham be informed that the Council decline to recognise any liability for injury to hia client s horse, said to piave been cansed by tripping over a manhole. Or. Fitzherbert reported for the committee appointed to place bicycle stands opposite the Post Office that they proposed to place them against the front of the building, bnt they had not obtained authority from the Department so to do. The estimated cost was £6 10s. Some objections were made to placing the rests against the building aud after some discussion the matter was held over until next meeting. On the three tenders for North street drain being opened, Or. Cobbe proposed the acceptance of that of W. Wilkinson.

Crs. Darragh, West, Fitzherbert aud the Mayor opposed the motion on the ground that there was no money provided for it. Ors. Oobbe, Bramwell and Goodbehere pointed out that the £6OOO loan had been raised partly for surface drainage. The mistake had been to schedule any part of the loan for other work, and the fact that ic bad been scheduled did not its diversion; also that there were ample funds available from contingencies. Amendment after amendment was proposed, the question being discussed up to nearly 13 o’clock when the motion to accept the tender was carried by five votes to four. Or. Fitzherbert then tabled a notice of motion to rescind it at the next meeting. '