Waimate Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 41, 4 March 1899, Page 4

Waimate Borough Council.

The usual monthly meeting of the fho^e was hold oil Monday e\onuig. Present — His Worship iho Mayor (duiir). ?nd Councillois Collutt, O'Connor, Jones, Petit, Mann, Cameron, Ink&ter, and ("loltinan.

CORI.ESI'ONDKNCIi. From Mr J. Sinclair, apologising for bis unavoidable absence. — .Received. From the Kailway Department, stating that tlie matter ot crossing at Hillaiy •treet was being considered. From Mr G. H. Graham, secietaiy of the High School Bon id, stating that Mr Ooltman's time had expired as the Council's representative on the Waimate High School Board — Councillor ('-oilman was unanimously re elected, and thanked the councillors foi re electing him. From the Smithfield picnic committee, Asking for the use of the park for holding » picnic — The letter had already been replied to. Fioru the Secretary of Labour, asking if the half holiday had been legally appointed — Replied to by the cleik in the *ffirmati\ c. From the town cleik of Oamaru, and county cleik of Waimate, stating that they had conveyed the Council's expression of condolence to then late respective cliairnien's wives. From Messrs Nicol and Scott, drawing attention to the state of the drain ciossing Queen street in front of the mill, and asking that same be attended to. — Granted. From Mr J. B. Fox, asking for permission to erect a verandah' in front of his fihop in Queen street —Agreed to, if done under the supervision ot the clerk. From Major Steuaid, stating that he had done even thing to further the desire of the petitioner-, for further subdivision of the "Waikiikahi Estate but without av;ul. There had been a conferonco with the surveyor, and the Boaid was unanimous that the allotments near Waihao, ranging troni 4 c i to 100 icies, were quite small enough, and furthei subdivision hnd thciefoie been refused. The Board had prouded for the extension of the school restive, foi a icf>erve at Waihao, and tor the livng off of 50 acie lots adjacent to the "Vv aitaki "village settlement, '.o as to enable the Aettlers there to extend their holdings. — liecwed. The Inspector repoi ted e\ erv thing satisfactory, but asked that a time oe h\ed for the removal of dust bins troni the streets, as sometimes they wore out until noon. Had summoned a boiough resident for allowing cattle to wander, and obtained a conviction. Dr Barclay mentioned that the ballot for the Waikakalu J'lstato was to take place on the 29th March. Thinking something should be done to provide accommodation he had ascertained that the licensed victuallers could put up about 240. He thought it the drill shod and Oddfellows' Hall were tuLen, accommodation might be provided thus. It might not be a mattei foi the Council to touch, but it would not be a wise thing to allow the people to tram to other towns. One of the local papers had acconnnodxtion had been found for 1000 people, but this was not correct If no private poison was enteipusmg enough to take the hall and shed, it would be a good thing for a few to run a syndicate. The >r ot would accupy about torn days. Some discius-ion took place, meinbeis geneially not being in favour of acting. Seveial thought the publicans should take the matter up, but the chairman said they had said they would have enorgh to do with their own houses and in providing meals. The matter then dropped without anything definite being done. ' The town clerk handed in the valuation list for 1899-1 ( JCO, in accordance with section 8 hiating Act, 18G4. Fiom Mr J. o'Lea.ry, applying for 50 squaie -surds of asphalt on footpath adjoining his propeity, Stewaid stieet, immediately ironting Mr John Molloy's. ■ — Request complied with, Council to pay half cost.

Mr Taaffe, the new town cleik, was authorised to sign cheques and operate on the bank in future. The Engineers' report was read, and was held over till next meeting. It recommended that a concrete bottom be put m the diain near Council Chambers, as to make an arch culvert would be too expensive ; also that a shed be built for mixing asphalt. The Telegraph DepaiLment had put poles in the footpath, Queen street, and had agreed to make good tho asphalt. From Father Regnault, re closets of Catholic school. — Nightman to be instructed to attend to these and those at Victoria Park. Councillor Coltman said the Works Committee had to repoit before next meeting, and he would like them to take notice of the streets near the Wesleyan Church, Victoiia Ten.ice, and the dull shed. These streets badly requned shingling. The clerk said this opened up a large matter. Most of the roads wanted

making up. As far as metalling was concerned, High street wanted it, and so did Paisonage road. In rcplv to Mr Petit, the clerk said the estimates had to be prepared by April, and th.it gentleman thought one job should bo made of the matter. It was decided to hold over the matter until the Works Committee made its annual inspection and report. Councillor Inkster mentioned aliother road near Victoria P,irk, and it was decided to include this m the Works Committee's report. Mr Petit asked if the asphalt crossing asked for by Mr Baxter had been attended to, and was infoiniud that the weather had been too wet for 1 the work, but full instructions had been gi\en. Councillor Mann moved, l% That in view of the ioithcofning poll on rating on unimproved values, a notice should be sent to each ratepayer showing how the new s\, stein would affect him." Speaki to his motion, Councillor Mann said this was vciy nccessaiy. A poll would be taken and it might be carried without thp ratepayeis knowing how they were affected one way or the other. The Council had the lcquisite information, and it was right the ratepa\ois should be supplied with it Council did not need to discuss the matter. Councillor Coltruan seconded the motion pio. forma. The chanman thought there was nothing objectionable in the motion* The information was only approximate, but he did not see why it should not be supplied. He would, hoAve-\er, have liked this matter more fully discussed. To his own mind, there were several inequalities in the Act, and he would ha^e moved that other bodies be consulted to see if those could be removed. He was a firm believer in the general principle of the Act. Councillor Petit- would vote for the motion, if the Valuations made up by the clerk had been correct. Mr Baxter, in reply, stated that they Were as near conoct as could be. There might be half a do/en Wrong. Th^ new clok pointed out that he would have the valuation notices to get out, and the other notices before the lOlh. Councillor O'Conuoi thought it was tho business of each ratepayer to lind out his own valuation. s Counullor Coltman said the matter of holding ,i ballot was taken out of the Council's hands The motion was put and lost, only tho mover voting for it The ch.iuman said there had been no uneollocted airoais of rates since '87. He would niDic thit a congratulatory motion be passed to the ]<Uc town clerk, and entered on the minutes. — 'I his was done. Accounts amounting to £81 11s 9d wove passed, and the Council then sat as a domain boaid. Ths caretaker's leport showed that he had finished the protection fences at the new crossings at the east end of the park and was now cutting firewood. The report was considered satisfactory. Accounts amounting to .£4 83 4d were passed. Before retiring, Mr Baxter thanked the Council for the courtesy accorded him during his term of office. The present officials of the Council were good ones, and no trouble need be expected of them. Mr Baxter then retired, and the Council rose. Before leading the Council chamber, Dr Barclay said it had occurred to him that it would be better to part from Mr Baxter in a fitting manner. After consulting with most of the members they had decided to have a semi-official gathering to say fai'ewell, not to inteifere with anything got up later.