Borough Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2128, 16 July 1898, Page 2

Borough Council .

The first meeting of the le Aroha Borough Council took place last Wednesday night in the Domain Offices, when there were present : Councillors Edwards, Wallace, Hirst, Bygrave and O’Meagher. His Worship the Mayor (Mr Mills) presided. The usual formal declarations were made by the Mayor and Councillors, after which the Mayor made a brief introductory speech. He said the Borough was now complete, and he was happy to meet them, much of the happiness and prosperity of the town would depend on their action, and lie felt certain -they would not neglect their duties. They should all recognise that their powers were equal, as no one (including the Mayor) had more power 7 than another. They should , consult with each other, before uuderj taking any work, or expending any { mouey, and any one acting otherwise did so at his own responsibility.. Of course there were certain exceptions, !• when prompt action to save property ! might be necessary, but on all ordini ary occasions they should wait until ; their next meeting before taking ’ action. If they observed this principle lie bad no doubt they would work : harmoniously, an l the towu would • prosper under their ‘aegis.’ I The Clerk then read the minutes of i the final meetings of the Town Board, which were put to the meeting and ; confirmed. j A letter was received from Mr Myers j of the Campbell-Ehrenfried 0-)., offer 5 ing £SO towards cost of connecting ' the Palace hotel with new sewer-in ' Kanrick and Hevvi Streets.

On the motion of Or Wallace a vote of thanks was passed to the Campbell, Eorenfried Company for their offer. Cr O’Meagher seconded, and mentioned that Mr Myers had personally inti-

mated to him his willingness to grant £IOO for this work. Messrs Hull and Co., of Auckland, agents for IVlerry vrenther and Co., of Loudon, wrote offering to supply the Council with fire extinguishing apparatus of the most approved t} r pe. Deceived. The Mayor then suggested the formation of Commitiees, and -thought a Works and Finance and Legal Committee should be formed. He asked them to agree on the number for each Co amittee.

Works Committee. Cr Edwards thought there should be three on this Committee. Cr Gallagher said the experience of the Town Board was that matters worked smoother s when they had only one, as there was no conflict of opinion. This was agreed to, and Cr Gallagher was appointed for the fitst term of 3 months. Finance and Legal Committee.— Crs Edwards, Wallace and Hirst were elected. The Mayor ‘ ex-officio;’ acts bn both these committees. Office Hours.—-These were fixed as formerly; on Mondays and Fridays from 10 to 12. Council meetings to be held on Wednesday nights. Revvi street Contract.—Mr Pavitt forwarded amended plan of drainage work in connection with this work, providing for 100 ft of extra piping to carry drainage to lagoon near foot of Bridge Street. Some discussion ensued ou this point, Cr Hirst being of opinion that the drainage ought to be carried right to the river. It was ultimately decided that the Council should visit the spot. Burgess List..— The Mayor drew Council’s attention to the necessity for

making this more complete as much annoyance was caused to ratepayers through their names not being on the Roll, and the Council were being de prived of power to rate these people,’ and he thought they should do this at cnee, and quoted the Act to show that they could alter and amend the Roll at any time. Cr Hirst suggested that legal advice should be taken on the point. His Worship thought it would be as well to do so in order to he thoroughly sure of their ground. It was decided to do this, and if the advice was favourable, to proceed with tha work of amending the Roll. Clerk. Cr Gallagher raised the point of inviting applications for Clerk as he thought Mr Snewin’s term of office had expired. In reply to a question by Cr Edwards, Crs Gallagher and Bygrave stated that Mr Snewin had always performed his work satisfactorily. Cr Gallagher said, as they were now a new body, applications should he invited, and Mr Snewin. could apply as well as anyone else. The Clerk stated, in reply to a question, that the salary for acting as Clerk, Valuator, Inspector - of Nuisances, Dog Tax Collector, and Rate Collector was 15s per week. Cr Edwards moved that Mr Snewin be appointed Borough Clerk for 3 months at the same salary, and Cr O’Mengher seconded. Cr Gallagher moved as an amendment that application be iuvited f lithe petition of Cierk, Rate and Dog Tax Collector, Returning Officer and Valuator at 15s per week. Cr Wallace moved as an amendment that the mutter of appointing- Clerk be deferred for a month. As Cr Gallagher’s amendment failed to find a seconder Cr Wallace’s amend-

ment was put to the meeting was carried. Bye-laws and Seal.—lt was decided to consult Mr Gilchrist as to whether the Town bye-laws could be adopted by the Council until others could be framed, and the Clerk was' instructed to write for Seal of the Board. Water Supply.— The meeting was adjourned till Friday night, and the Clerk was. instructed to look up in the meantime, Mr Metcalfe’s report on the scheme, and Air Miller’s advice obtained some years ago, as to the steps to be taken to introduce the matter. White’s Bridge.—Repairs were remitted to the Works Committee.