Borough Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43096, 23 May 1907, Page 2

Borough Council.

An ordinary meeting of tbe Borough Council was held last night. Present : Crs Hubbard, Devey, Spence, Annan and Jackson. In the absence of tiie Mayor, Cr Hubbard was voted to the chair. Minutes of tbe previous meeting were read and confirmed. Water Rate.— Mr John Williams drew tlie Council’s attention to an overcharge for water. He had been charged 10s yearly for water, but had been charged 15s in the last account. He stated he was not using supply water for his shop next to the Grand Hotel, as he had a tank at the back. He was only using tbe water for his garden. He also asked tbe Council to consider liis claim for 15s, half-cost of repairing the boundary fence between bis place and the public pound. The old Council had promised to consider the matter. The Clerk said an overcharge had been made. On tlio motion of Cr Annan, seconded by Cr Spence it was decided to notify Mr Williams that lie would be allowed a rebate on the water rate as long as ho remained in occupation of tbe shop. In regard to the fence, tbe Council could not see Its way to do anything in tbe matter. Foreman Dierok reported on a number of works in hand since last meeting.

The Works Committee explained their action in regard to forming Koromiko-street, which was approved of, Cr Jackson saying it was money well spent. Electric Light.— The Treasury notified the Council that the sum of £39 4s 4d had been remitted to tbe credit of the Te Aroha District Fund Account at tlio Bank of New Zealand for 011 c quarters supply of electric energy. Electric Cables. —Messrs Turnbull and Jones, Wellington, wrote confirming their telegrams of the 20th and 22nd inst. Electric Insulating. The electrician forwarded the particulars and cost of insulating the overhead wires, amounting to £23 19s 6d. —’To bo left to the Electric Light Committee, the Clerk and electrician to arrange the proportion to be charged to the Telephone Department. Railway Station.— A letter was received from the Railway Department stating they could not see their way clear to do, anything to the Te Aroha Railway station. —To he held over till next meeting.

A circular was received from the Municipal Association of Now Zealand in regard to a milk clearing house.—Received. The Sanitary and Building Inspector reported that during the month several complaints had been remedied. *He found all the hoarding-houses in a fair sanitary state, and all fire escapes were in good, order. In regard to tlm drain in Bridge-street, it was decided that the Works Committee and Inspector view the drain and report to tho next meeting. To take legal advice if necessary. . It, was decided to call for tenders for pans, to bo in bv next meeting. Bank Overdraft.— On tbe motion of Cr Devey, it was decided to arrange with the Bank of Nmv Zealand for an overdraft of £1,800.' Estimates. —Report of Legal and Finance Committee upon assessment of rates for the year ending 31st March, 190 S.

The Committee in submitting the estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the year ending March 31st, 1908, recommend that a general rate of Is Gd and a special water rate of 7d in the £ he struck. The estimated revenue (which has not been duly inflated), less the general rate, amounts to £1823 4s 3d. The estimated expenditure is shown as £2,703 2s 4d, to which must be added the overdraft at the commencement of the year, viz., £1,147 8s Gd, making a total of £3,850 10s lOd. To meet this your Committee consider it necessary to strike a general rate of Is Gd, and apply to the Bank of New Zealand for an overdraft limit of £I,BOO. Revision op Salaries. —Cr Devey proposed and Cr Annan seconded, that the Electrician’s salary be increased from £ISG to .£ L 7 0. —Carried.

Willis’ salary was raised from £7B to £B/5, and Galey’s from 7s per day to Bs. Eire Brigade TREAsurer. —On the motion of Cr Annan, Cr Devey was appointed treasurer of the Eire Brigade. Typewriter. —The Clerk applied for a typewriter, which was greatly needed. He said he could get a second-hand one for £5. Cr Devev proposed that if the Clerk could obtain one for £o the Council would pay for it. —Agreed to

Mr Wild also applied for a few days leave of absence to enable him to visit the Winter Show, which was granted, the Chairman expressing - his appreciation of the Clerk’s services to the Council.

The Chairman gave notice of motion to strike a rate of Is 6d and a special water rate of 7d.

Cr Devey reported that the Fire Brigade finances were in a very bad state, and they were in debt. He moved that they be paid the half-year’s subsidy in advance. Cr Jackson seconded the motion, which was carried.

Accounts amounting to £llO 2s were passed for payment. On the motion of Cr Hubbard it was decided that all stone carted on district roads be Borough property. Cr Jackson called the attention of the Council to the practice of driving and riding on the footpaths, and moved that the offenders be notified of the By-law through the Press.—Carried. The Chairman said the overdraft at present was £I,IIG 16s Id, and with the addition of the accounts passed for payment that night, would he £1,226 10s Id. This concluded the business.

Revenue. Licenses—Hotels, auctioneers, billiards, veliicles, plumbers, etc 190 0 0 Treasury—Fees and fines, gold duty, goldfields revenue 251 5 0 Endowment rent 15 15 0 Arrears in rates 40 0 0 Subsidy on rates... S3 0 0 Pound revenue ... 12 0 0 Dog Tax 30 0 0 Contribution to works ... 20 0 0 Rates—Water, arrears to 31/3/07 fees water 370 9 3 Sanitary service ... S 0 0 Electric light revenue stfo 0 0 Miscellaneous 3 0 0 1S23 4 3 Rate for current year on assessment of £7000 ,. 57410 0 Total estimated revenue 2397 14 3 Loan from bank on overdraft during the financial year 1452 16 7 Grand total 3850 10 10 Exi’ENDITCItE. Licensing expenses 70 0 0 Administration —Salaries: Clerk, Inspectors of Nuisances and Building, Foreman of Works 222 10 0 Engineer’s commission JO 0 0 Charitable aid 86 0 0 Nightsoil expenses 40 0 0 Office expenses and rent 25 0 0 Audit fees 4 10 0 Printing and advertising 30 0 0 Fire prevention ... 40 0 0 Re payment principal and interest on Government loans ... 146 2 4 Legal expenses ... 10 0 0 Bank interest 65 0 0 Street-lighting 140 0 0 Insurance... 1 0 0 Dog Registration ... • ... 11 0 0 Bridge upkeep 15 0 0 Street maintenance 500 0 0 Waterworks maintenance and salaries... 100 0 0 Electric light maintenance, ditto loan interest, ditto salaries ... G75 0 0 Ground rent 12 0 0 Bank overdraft commencement financial year ... 1147 8 6 Council Chambt .a 500 0 0 1 3850 10 10