Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 113, 26 February 1901, Page 3

Borough Council.

... The usual monthly meeting of the above was held last evening, there being present. His Worship the Mayor (Dr. Barclay), in the chair,and Crs. Coltman, Cameron, Inkster, Mann,,. Philip, Jorips, Sinclair, Dean and O'Connor. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Major Steward enclosed Mr Ward’s assurance of attention in the matter of rendering it unnecessary for the borough map to show all streets and private 'streets, with levels thereof, and that it be made optional instead of mandatory.—Received. .. Mr H. B. Kirk (Timaru) wrote, quoting price of drain-pipes, etc. — Received. ' Mr F. J. Maindonald asked for permission to put down a crossing over side channel to his premises. Some discussion took place on the liability of applicant should the asphalt i fie damaged, and finally Mr Maindonald’s application was left in the hands of the Mayor and Crs. Inkster and De in, who would discuss it with him and make suitable arrangements. A similar request was received from MrJ. W. Hayes for a crossing near the railway engina-shed, and was granted, the former committee to arrange details. Mr W. M. Hamilton, chairman Library Committee, asked for transfer of, site offered to and accepted by the library. Cr. Jones asked had the council power to give this freehold P •After discussion, ii was resolved that, if legally possible, the transfer be effected on the condition as before stated, that a public reading-room of not less than 270ft..f100r sp ice be provided, with a fireplace, Crs. Coltman and Philip and the Mayor to meet library representatives and settle area to be transferred. Mr J, S. Batcher, secretary 1.0.0. F., wrot*v asking. .-for a license for the society’s hall as a place .of entertainment. Several clauses of the new Act -were read. They are much more stringent than formerly, forbidding Sunday concerts except by special permission of the council, and also for inspection to show that due precautions were taken to prevent loss in case of fire. Gr. Coltman thought there was no need to get up a scare over the matter. It was no worse than most of the churches and public buildings in town. However, he would move —“ That the application for a license be granted on condition that the front doors be made to, open outwards and a door, also opening outwards, be placed on each side of the hall about half way along.” Cr, Inkster seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. : Mr G. H. Graham, secretary of the Waimate High School Board, wrote that. Mr Coltman’s time as representative of the, council, on that body had expired. He was eligible for re-election. The chairman moved and Or. Dean seconded —'‘ That Mr Coltman be re-elected.” The chairman spoke in appreciative terms of Mr Coltman’s services on the board.

The motion was. unanimously carried.

The report of the committee re a drain on Mr Costello’s property was read, and it was decided to offer Mr Costello a price for cleaning the drain. Failing that, to do it by day work. . . The Works Committee reported examining the leases of falling in. reserves. They decided that the council be recommended to adopt the provisions of Section 193 of the new Municipal Act, and the committee suggest the making of the leases for 21 years, and also draw attention to the clause in the leases which provides for a two-thirds valuation for all improvements. Or. Colt man thought the thanks of the council were due to fthe Mayor and committee for the clear report presented. H He’ himself was in favour of the re-lease after 21 years. The report was adopted after careful consideration accoidlng to the new Act. Mr Hamilton, borough solicitor, wrote at • length regarding the position of the council as trustees of the public library. The council might at«any tune divest, them*selves of their powers as trustees to similar functionaries approved by the library, but it was bound to pay-over all trust moneys, including the insurance money now held, to the library cbm- Si mittee. During a long discussion it’was asked if the subsidy would still continue to be paid if the Borodgh Council separated entirely from the library, 4 The Chairman thought the subsidy given for v , a public reading-room and the gift of land for the same purpose would do away with the necessity of paying it. It amounted to a library tax, and it had better be put on as such, that it might be recognised by the ratepayers. ■ " 1 r Or. Mann thought they could not take away the eiftwidy. If

they did the librarj need nbt put in any papers, and the ijloyern;-ment-subsidy was for books; It was moved by Crs. Dean-and Sinclair--- 14 That the ipsuranci money, £123, be paid to the. library in accordance with thi solicitor’s opinion.’’-- Carried. * An application from Mr H. Saunders to fence a portion of the town belt was received, Or. Coltman,said, Belt street felt that it was an infringement of their rights to take away part of tho town bolt., on which they expected trees to be planted at a future date!. -, He* would suggest that the road past the manse go" straight through, and the land in-front of the existing houses be sold to the proprietors. No action was taken, ■ It was decided that a- special meeting be held to arrange the electoral roll on Friday-evening. • - TENDERS, Tenders were openedr ; for the position of nightman v and. scavenger, but were not satisfactory, and it was decided to consider this also on Friday.. The following .tenders': were received for borough surfacemen : J. Werges, 9s 6d per day and 3s 6J for extra horse ; J. Hiorns, 9s per day, and Is for extra horse'; W. Hawke, 12s per day and.2sfor extra horse. The tender of Mr Hiorns was accepte.dThe Mayor read correspondence which passed between Aii-msclf and the clerk. The latter had tendered his resignation on account of insults he had been subjected to by a member-of the council. The Mayor had repited asking him to withdraw it, as the strictures had not been passed by the council as a whole. The clerk had replied that he would continue as at present if the council made some,recognition of the unjustness of the remarks. It was then proposed by Cr. Dean and seconded by Cr. Sinclair, “That this council strongly disapproves of the unjustifiable remarks passed on the Acting Town Clerk at last meeting by Cr. Coltman, and now desire to put on record its appreciation of the services to the council by Mr Akhurst while temporarily in charge, more especially for the creditable way in- which the books have been made and kept up to date and the rates and rents, etc., collected, all the business having been behind ha till when he took it up, owing to tire unfortunate illness: of Mr Taalfe ; and that the Mayor be requested to forward thisresolution,in. writing, to Mr Akhurst.”

Cr. Jones Said they had travelled through a troublous time for tho last six months. At List meeting Cr. Coltman made remarks about Mr Akhurst which in cooler moments he might regret. He. himself was sorry that such remarks had been made by any member of the council. He would support the motion. :

Or. Coleman said this was an attempt to move a vote of censure on him. Any - remarks he made at last meeting might have been inopportune. He considered the question of the town clerk was being discussed. ■ He thought the tovvn clerk’s duties were outside book-keeping. He had had a fair amount of abuse himself.

Or. Philip thought if Or. Coltman would withdraw the remarks he had made it might suffice. Cr, Dean said it-Was not intended as a vote of cen mre. .

Or. Inkster thought-if votes of censure were to be passed they should go all round the table, Cr. Mann: Hear, &ear v The town clerk has taken sides, in this, matter when he had no need to.

Cr. Coltman regretted havingmade the remarks at. the jjnae he did. If they had been considering the question of the town clerk his remarks would have been justifiable. He had stated to people outside that he was sorry he made them. But he had been falsely repbrfced. He had not said “A child-could have done better than theclerk.” It was Cr. Inkster who said it. It had been put in his mouth to blacken him in the eyes of oho ratepayers. He was sorry indeed, t 6 think it should be, necessary to try to ‘pass a vote of censure on him.

Or. O’Connor " thought ,Or; Coltman’s expression of regret would meet the case. . , ■

. Cr. Sinclair, as Seconder, said that as Cr, Gpitman had apologised he thought it sufficient. , ■ . Cr. Cameron had been- a little surprised to hear Or. Coltman make the remarks he did last meeting, but during the time be had been associated with him, he had always acted honourably and fairly. The acting town clerk (Mr Akhucat), having leave to speak, said that at the last; meeting Mr Coltman said lie: whs the worst man they could have got foe .the position.. This had been published in the Waimate ■ and Timarn papers. If ‘he wfcfe applying for a’, situation, outside these unwarranted africtnres would le adj.perhhpsV to, his being refused. Cr. Coltman had. had three weeks in which/!to flool down an d express his tegrefc but him not 'done so. If 'he was willing to publish an apology in he Waimate ahdTimara papers

Ihe would be satisfied. ' fie had given the., council no, reason to itieriiatfse him incompetent. Or. Jones said thai when he had spoken he had not looked on the .notion as a vote of censure. Now he thought it was. There was a certain amount of truth in the .statements. The election of councillors had been overruled through Mr Akhurst’s. fahit. /It was Jiard to force a auan to publish an apology. It was going too far. The chairman took it that Mr Akhurst had been charged with incompetence. This could not be accepted as a slip. • The remarks were practically actionable. (Cr, Ooltman : Query.) They should cleai x Mr Akhurst.,; Or. Colfcrmm : You don’t mind injuring me in doing-this. Or. Inkster said Mr Akhurst had hot - done all he might, and, the Mayor rejoined that he was not competent to judge. The motion was put rind carried, councillors Dean, O'Connor, Sinclair, Philip and the Mayor for; and all the others against except councillor Jones, whq did not vpte. Mr Coltman’s notice of motion to rescind the motion that applications for the Town Clerkship be called locally only was seconded by councillor Inkster. The Mayor said the idea of outside application was to gert a Surveyor, but as they had appointed an inspector all they needed was a clerk. Cr, Jones said the Friendly Societies had as, much clerical work as the Borough, and they only paid i!10 per year. Cr. Mann had it on good authority that the work could be done in a week per month. In reply to a question the clerk said he worked till 5 three nights a week, and in addition worked nights a week. He had had 20 general meetings in his term of six months, Cr. Mann said the clerk said he had written eighty pages of minutes but this was unnecessary work. What had they done in the past five months,?. The Mayor: Wrangle. The motion was lost on the casting vote of the chairman. The Mayor suggested that they advertise locally and apprise previous applicants. Should they then not be satisfied they could discuss it on Friday night. Cr.. Inkster thought they should hold up the matter till after the election of councillors. Or! Cdltmau moved and, Cr. Inkster seconded, -‘That the appointment of town clerk be held over till after the election of councillors.” The Mayor moved as an amendment and Cr. O’Connor seconded/ “ That applications be called for the town clerkship, in accordance with the resolution pf October-22nd, 1900, to be in by .6 p.m. bri Friday next, notice to be sent former applicants." They were only complying with a technicality. Cr. Mann protested , against |be Mayor using .his casting. vote jm every occasion. ' The Mayor: You ace entirely out of order. I will not allow you to make continual personal references.

• Or. Jones thought there had been enough of this trouble; Accounts amounting to £34 were passed, and the meeting adjourned at 12.10 p.m.