WAIMATE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 14, 27 August 1898, Page 8

WAIMATE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual inonthfy meeting was held in Ifthe Council Chambers on Monday evening ; present — His Worship the Mayor »nd 'Councillors Coltman, Inkster, Petit, •Cameron,' O'Connor, Sinclair, and Jones. "The' minutes of the previous meeting mere lead and confirmed, v Correspondence was read as follows :—: — From the secretary of the library ConaTaaittee, asking the Conncil to help them 3to paint and repair the library building, .and stating that Messrs Hamilton and Scott -would wait upon the Council to ex~plain matters. These gentlemen stated that the finances were in a low state, the building's badly needed renovating, and it was thought that the Council should at least 'have the opportunity of protecting then' own property. If the Council would forego the interest on the mortgage held by thorn the Committee could manage to paint the building. Councillor Coltrnan asked the money received for the billiard table was spent, and was informed that it was applied to current expenditure. For some time before the table was sold, the institution was run at a loss. They had not been able to buy new books for some time, although the expenses had been reduced to a minimum. His Worship thanked the deputation for explaining matters, and the deputation withdrew. Councillor Coltman said he noticed a sum had beer placed on the Estimates for assisting public libraries. He thought there was much logic in the contention ihat the Council should keep its own property in order. He thought the rate of subscription was too small. They would get more than half the number of subscribers at double the amount. Mr said they should grant this modest request, and get the buildings in order before the summer. Councillor Coltman thought it better to vote a sum to the library. Councillor Inkster thought the Council ~ had done well by the library. The Coun- . cil 'Should do the work, and add it to the -present li ability of the library. .Ultimately, Councillor O'Connor moved .and Councillor Sinclair seconded, "That the interest be remitted for this year, the : money to be spent in painting aud jreno- . vating the building. Councillor Coltman proposed as an - amendment, and Councillor Cameron . seconded, " That a sum of be voted." '.This being put to the vote, the amend-rmeht-was-carried, the motion being lost. From the Gore Borough Council, with i reference to the Municipal Franchise. Eeceived. From Dr Barclay, asking two months' leave of absence. A resolution was passed expressing in--ability to accede to the request, as Coun_«illor Barclay's time would expire^during that time, thus preventing his standing 4or election, and hoping that he wouid be .able to resume Ins seat in the near future.

From chairman of the Waimate School Committee asking to be given the flag pole, at present in Council's yard, for erection at the school. Bequest granted. From secretary of the Waimate Football Club thanking the Council for use of Victoria Park for the recent match. The Mayor's action, in granting the ground without consulting Council, was confirmed. From the Wairarapa County Council, asking for co-operation with regard to hospital and charitable aid 'reform. Councillor Coltman supported the present system. Most of the poor people were in the towns, and the country districts must support them. It was only fair that the Wairarapa people should send more money to Wellington than they got back. The letter was received. From the trustees of the Waimate Volunteer Fire Brigade, stating that the plant was in a satisfactory condition, and recommending Council to pay the subsidy. It was resolved to grant £25, the efficiency of the Brigade being favourably commented on. His Worship read the resolution passed at last week's special meeting — " That the meeting recommend the Council to adopt one of the schemes, and take a vote of the ratepayers upon the question. His Worship thought that the ratepayers should be asked to sign a requisition, asking the Council to take the question to the poll. Mr Coltman said that if a small pipe were brought in from the spring near Rogers' for a swimming bath, it would be a good thing. He thought about £700 would cover the cost, although he had made no calculations. The bath could be excavated in the paddock near the Council. If they could have got a water suppjy this would have been easily done, but as they could not, they should do this. There was no convenient place for to learn to swim, an art in which overyone ought to be proficient. A great deal of discusston took place on the three schemes, and finally the Council resolved to adopt Mr Dobsons No. 3 scheme and take a vote thereon when they should have received some indication that the matter would be favourably received by the ratepayers. Tenders were opened for supplying about 486 yards of footpath shingle as follows : — Ed. Williams (accepted), £32 8s ; Hardy and Co., .£34 8s 6d ; M, Thyne, .234 ; W. Geo. Black, £38 9s 6d. Accounts amounting to £27 19s lid were passed for payment. The Council then sat as a Domain Board. The Caretaker's report was read and adopted. Mr Petit's notice of motion that by-law No. 13, with regard to vehicular traffic in the park, be rescinded was discussed, and it was decided to rescind the by-law. Accounts amounting to £6 15s were passed and the Board rose.