Conference of Local Bodies.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3098, 22 January 1879, Page 2

Conference of Local Bodies.

A conference of local bodies, convened by County Councillor Caf pentier td fcbnjsider matters re Water Supply and Cemetery, was held at the Borough Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The Mayor was voted to the chair, and there were also present— Messrs A. Erodie, A. Porter, J. McGowan, A. Price, J. Wilson, W. J l. Speight, jC. J. Stone, JVM. Mennie, W; LPThorburn, W. Deeble, and W. Carpenter. rr ■ The Mayor called 5 on tW convener of, the meeting to introduce.ithe business.

Mr Carpenter said that the County Councillors were present to discuss the matters of the Water Supply and Ceme-

teries,. with a view to placing both institutions on a more satisfactory basis. With regard to the Water Supply he thought that it should be handed over to and managed by one body, and he considered the Borough Council the fittest body to deal with it, but of course : compensation would have to be given to the bodies outside the Borough. He understood that the Farawai Board were willing to hand over their share to either County or Borough Councils, if they paid off their (Parawai's) share of the liability, and would guarantee Parawai rej indents a supply of water. With reference to the Cemetery Committee, it appeared there was a desire on the, part of the Borough to obtain sole possession and control of the Cemeteries. ' i

The County Chairman said he understood the meeting was held for discussing the bank guarantee re Water Supply. He endorsed what Mr Carpenter said with reference to the cemeteries, but they mutt mind that Mr Carpenter was simply expressing his own mind, and not that of the County Council or himself (the speaker) concerning the Water Supply; The business re the Water Supply wag with reference to the bank guarantee which,the, County Council had met to discuss. The meeting was held in consequence of a letter from the Water Supply Committee to the County Council. Mr Carpenter said he thought it would be well to consider what was! the best way to dispose of the water supply management— whether it should be handed over to the County or Borough Council. j At the request of Mr McGowan the Mayor read a statement to date of the liabilities of.the Water Committee. The Bank overdraft to date was £2700, and there would shortly be £1500. due t6 McCaul. The total liabilities were £765 li The Borough was liable for 5-Bths of the Bank overdraft; the County one-quarter:, and the Parawai Board one-eighth, while the Water Committee was responsible for the remainder of the^liabilities, .... I Mr Carpenter said.\ehad a suggestion to make that might be a means of getting over a portion of the difficulty. The por? tions of the County now using the Water Supply might be supplied from the County Race, when the Borough could have, control of the Supply within its own limits.: Mr McGowan, after a few rfeniarks; moved—" For the better distribution and management of the Water Supply, this meeting considers it imperative that its control and management be in the hands of the Borough Council."

Mr Thorbum said he had come totally unprepared for a resolution like the one Mr McGowan had proposed. Mr Wilson seconded.

Mr Carpenter moved that the words " Thames Borough Council be omitted " for the purpose of inserting the words "one of the local governing bodies." The County Chairman seconded. Mr McQowan said that that amendment meant nothing. :Mr Carpenter and the County Chair* man asserted that it did mean something; If the resolutiooLwas carried it wdald in a measure bind them to handing over the supply to the ■ Borough.' The Count; Chairman asserted that an enormous amount of the debt had been incurred by members of the Borough Council in opposition to the other members, who were out-voted. If fie amendment was carried the Water Committee could: ask:each of the local bodies what they were'prepared to do. .........!

Mr Speight said it had been stated that the debt of the Committee had been chiefly incurred in the Borough. He challenged the statement. A great portion of the debt was incurred by works out* side the Borough, which yielded norevenue.whatever. The fault of the County Council representatives was not attending: the f meetings. The supply was- never intended to be an endowment for any local body or bodies, but for the people of the district, and could not yield a revenue to any local body unless an exorbitant rate was charged, which would not be allowed by the people. ? Although the bill of last session was not carried, they should endeavor to make the best of the position. The Borough had power'under Municipal Corporations Act to rate for water. Let them do it, and let those portions of the County using the supply aldo pay. :; "■.:<•■••, p ,• ■; ;: "■ .;; ; ; : " The County Chairman laid 'that about £250 had been spent in the Waiotatii riding. As to the County members not attending, he had been at Wellington while a considerable portion of the debt was incurred. He referred to the spending of large amounts to reduce insurance rates, and also to the removal of the etandpipes, and said it was all claptrap talking of the rights of the people; after such actions. ;

Mr Deeble said that the present water supply would not supply the upper portion of the Kauaeranga -Riding. ; t Mr Porter said he did not care which local body took over the supply as long as the matter was settled oue way or another.

Mr. Thorburn explained that he had gone in for a plentiful supply of water, thinking that the Act giving then) rating powers would be passed. * ■ The resolution was then carried, the Borough members giving a block vote for the resolution, and the County members, except Mr Porter, against. Mr Porter did not vote. : H The Mayor here left the chair, and Mr Thorburn was voted to that office. It was decided to discuss the financial position of the Water Supply: ■; The Chairman requested the secretary to give the Conference the financial position of the Committee, which he did. . ' Mr Carpenter thought it was no use going into the financial position. They all knew the Water Supply was in debt, and they all knew it would have to be paid. Mr Speight suggested the appointment of a sub-committee from each of local bodies to draw up a basis of agreement, to go on concerning the handing over of Supply to Borough. The County Chairman said that the former resolution precluded them from doing that; The Borough Council alone could act. ■

Mr Speight moved a resolution in accord with bis suggestion which, fcowever, the Chairman ruled oat of order. < ■ Mr. Speight said the creditors could stop in and that would toon' settle the master. . The County Chairman asked by whose authority application had been made to vest control of cemeteries in Borough ? The Town Clerk said he had done it. Bobberies of flowers had been made from Tararu cemetery, and they had been unable to prosecute, as they had no title.;,/■•„. ;'■■'■_ '■ .'•■_.'■,' ,^/\ "'y ;- J1; '■;> : . Mr Thorbiirn spoke on the necessity of some steps beiDg adopted to preserve graves from sacrilege. The meeting then broke up. '