WAITARA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 7 June 1912, Page 4

WAITARA NEWS

BOROUGH COUNCIL. (From Our Own Correspondent). The usual monthly meeting was held on ;ty evening, there being present llis Worship the Mayor, Crs. Battenbury, Tate, Langman, Klenner, Birdling, Black, and Elliot. Messrs. Bortlnvick and Sons applied for a slaughtering and meat export license.—Granted. Messrs. Roy and Nicholson submitted draft plan of leases, which was adopted. The Fire Brigade asked that the old fire bell and tower be removed to Waitara East. Mr. 11. E. Gilbert wrote expressing appreciation of the work of improvingthe zig-zag in Brown street, and calling attention to the fact that the work would be destroyed by straying animals, which were deliberately turned out and driven over the zig-zag. Mr. Haylock complained of bullocks owned by a neighbor being a nuisance on Johnston street, where they were allowed to run at large. Several residents on Bank street asked that a footpath be formed on the street. —Referred to Works Committee. Messrs. A. J. Kibby (Brown street), I C. Old (Gray street), and G. Saleman I (High street east) asked that repairs be effected to the respective footpaths. The Lands Department wrote asking if the council desired to have the leas# of an island in the river, and if not did they object to the Department leasing it. The Taranaki County Council complained of heavy traffic by the borough ; contractor. Correspondence was received from Mr. Orbell re balance of account for waterworks. ' Mr. A. Klenner applied for a alaughtering license.—Granted. Estimates for the ensuing year were submitted and approved. The engineer's, foreman's and evorseer's reports were read. Applications for the position of ranger and poundkeeper were considered, and J. Ohlsen was appointed. The only tender received for the concrete culvert near the flagstaff was that of W. J. Clare, at £BO 10s. The engineer stated that his estimate was £75. —Accepted.

The plans showing the sections connected with the water service and those within two chains, also value of properties connected were submitted by the clerk and overseer. The Mayor reported that a poll for drainage taken on the previous day had been lost, and he was of opinion that some better arrangement should be mad# for the collection and disposal of nightsoil, and he proposed to submit a scheme at the next meeting both in regard to a partial drainage proposal and some better system of attending to nightsoil. Undoubtedly the present arrangements were unsatisfactory, and complaints -were numerous, and some improvement must be made. Cr. Elliot concurred and said he would be pleased to assist in every way. Cr. Tate thought the matter should be dealt with. If some temporary arrangement could be made this should be adopted until the ratepavers came to their senses, but he did'not think it wise to do a partial work. The Mayor pointed out that the present contractor was still doing the work. Cr. Tate said he thought this was not so, and that being so he would withdraw the suggestion. Cr. Rattenbury thought the matte* should be dealt with by a committee, and he moved that the Mayor, with Crs. Klenner and Elliot be appointed to submit a scheme at next meeting. He did not think the present loan should be Utilised, but should be returned to the Department. Cr. Elliot was of the same opinion as Cr. Rattenbury, and thought that ab the ratepayers had rejected the additional loan it was for the council to leave the matter of drainage alone, and if any misfortune happened no blame could be attached to the council. The Mayor said, in regard to the first loan, that it had been agreed to by the ratepayers, and so far as he was concerned it was his intention to use hie best efforts to expend that loan to the very best advantage as the neucleus ol a comprehensive scheme. Cr. Tate said he was not antagonists to the expenditure of the present loan' provided he was satisfied it would be judiciously expended, provided it was the beginning of a comprehensive scheme. He moved that the engineer submit a scheme to the next meeting. Cr. Klenner seconded the motion, believing that a scheme could be devised that would be of ultimate benefit to a further scheme. Cr. Rattenbury did not think that a. scheme could be devised to expend the ture aiU * °PP ose its expendiFinally, His Worship withdrew the motion and seconded that of Cr. Rattenbury, which was carried. • Mr ;, T l lrner waited on the council asking that something be done to Pratt street.—-The matter was referred to the £ r Committee to report on. Captain Ford and Fireman Froat waited on the council and asked that' Lieutenant Bird be appointed in the place of Mr. F. J. Brabant. ntXa aDd Cr " m,iot ««" onded, that Lieutenant Bird be appointed fire inspector in place of Mr. Brabant, whose appointment be cancelled. The Mayor moved, as an amendment, that the matter be held over till next Cr. Black seconding. The amendment was lost and the motion carried. The application of the Fire Brigade for removal of the bell was granted Applications for additional street re,emi 10 ,h « Lightin * Tie Mayor gave notice to move at next meeting that a general rate of be struck for the year. Accounts amounting to £639 4s 7& were passed for payment. , Tate said that with regret he handed in his resignation as a councillor, owing to the fact that he felt he was unable to give the attention to details, it was inconvenient to attend meetings. He expressed pleasure at re " e 'p c tion of the Mayor, and thanked him and the councillors for their kindness towards him as a brother councillor. His Worship said he felt sorry at Cr. Tate's intention, and hoped he would see his way clear to hold office until the end of the term next year. Councillors generally expressed the same opinion and hoped he would withdraw his resignation. Cr. Tate said as it was the wish of the council, he would withdraw and see his term out.