PAHIATUA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3091, 13 January 1909, Page 5

PAHIATUA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tha ordinary monthly meeting of the Pahiatua Borough Council was held in the Council Chambers last evening. There were present—His i Worship the Mayor (Mr D. Crewe), Crs W. W. McCardla, J. D. Wilton, J. B. Westlake, J. W. Sturton, G. 11. Drew, Bisdee and Davidson. The Public Health Officer's report stated that the general condition of public health in the Borough was satisfactory. Two whares had been condemned as unfit for human habitation. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Eames (spokesman), Hare and Burgess, waited on the Council and asked for a reduction in the charges (>f the water supply to the hospital, as tha institution wrs a benefit t<» tnt dis rict, and deserving of support Iby the Council. It was managed as ' economically as possible, but at the ' same time it was difficult to make both ends meet. The Mayor quoted. charges made by other Boroughs, and moved a resolution, t which was seconded by Cr Sturton and carried,, that the matter be dealt with by a committee. The Post and Telegraph Depart- { merit wrote asking the Council if they would donate the central square of the town as a site for a new Post Office if they decided to rebuild. The Mayor thought it would be necessary to first close the road, and have an Act of Parliament passed before they could dispose of the property. Cr McCardle moved, and Cr Drew seconded , "That this Council cannot see its way clear to grant a portion of the road reserve tor a site for the Post Office." Cr Wilson said that he thought the Post Office should be more central. The Government would build a newPost Office, but would not purchase a site, and it would be an advantage to the public to give one of the squares. He would like to see the question fully discussed. Cr Westlake supported Cr Wilson's contention, and said that he thought they should meat the Government, provided they spent between £5,000 and £6,000 in bricks and mortar for a good building. He was in favour of the building o? a good edifice in the squa.re, and could see no valid yeasoj) why the land, should not he giver. In anwser to questions, the Mayor said that he understood it was necessary xq either enlarge or re-bulid the present Post Office. Mr Ross, M.P., was responsible for suggesting one of the squares as the best place for *-t-building. Discussion on this matter had evidently been going on for some time. Cr Davidson said, he thought that after spending so much money in the squares in beautifying the town u seuufau unjustifiable to give the land to the Government.

Cr Wilson moved,- as an amendment, "That this Council consent to one of the squares on either side of Mangahao Road being vested iu the Government for the purpose of building a new Post Office." The •■ ayor ruleu that the amendment was a direct negative to the resolution, and could not be' accepted. or vv'ilson said that he thought they should not bind the Council to refuse a site, and he would like to see the. mattor left open for further discussion. The Mayor pointed out that the motion did not prohibit the matter neing re-opened, but only showed that the Council at present could not'definitely say they would give the property. Their legal right was doubtful, and when the exact position was ascertained they could easily re-open the matter and meet the Government if they meant business. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was carried, the Mayor and Crs Drew, Sturton, Bisdee, McCardle and Davidson voting for it, and Crs Wilson and Westlake against. Messrs J. W. Mills and Co. wrote asking permission to erect a verandah to their premises. The request was granted on the usual conditions. Mr H. H. Godfrey wrote re moving the school buildings from the old site to the new site by means of a traction engine. Permission was granted to do this on condition that t h e contractor made good any damage done. Messrs T. Boyd, 0. Cooper and H. Griffiths were granted auctioneers' licenses for the ensuing year. The dog tax was fixed at 2s 6d for droving dogs and 10s all other dogs. Mr J. Toon was appointed dog tax collector.