Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 179, 23 July 1901, Page 3

Borough Council.

The ordinary monthly meeting Was held in the Council Chambers last evening, there being present His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Manchester), in the chair, and Crs. Coltman, Inkster, Cameron, Nicol, Barclay, Jones, Freeman and Sinclair. The minutes of previous meeting were read and Confirmed. doARHSt’ONDKNGB. From Mr Carlisle Stmjholnie, re purchasing a portion of Kelcy’s bush as a national park. The Mayor said that Mr Studholme spoke to him on the matter, and said there was a Government agent in the district, but he himself knew nothing furthe.-.

Cr. Nicol thought something should be done to induce the Government to purchase part of the bush as a public reserve. It would be a good thing for the district. At the Horticultural Societies’ conference in Dunedin it was mentioned that many other places had such reserves, and Mr Scott was asked to see whether a portion of the bush was purchasable. He would move— *• That the Government be asked to take into consideration the question of reserving a portion of Kelcy’s bttsh as a forest reserve, and that a copy of this motion be forwarded to the member for the district."

Cr. Barclay had much pleasure in seconding the motion, though he thought little would come of it. The question came up some time before. The Messrs Studholme approached him, and he had the matter before the Council, the cost being £4OOO. He then thought it entirely out of the question, but 6omehow after that he had been accused of wanting to buy the whole of the bush. The only possible suggestion was that they might buy a few acres. The motion was carried unanimously. The W&imate Public Library wrote, asking for the usual £25 subsidy, The request was bold over. TIMARU HARBOUR DISTRICT.

The petition to the Legislature against the incorporation of Waimate Borough in the Timaru Harbour Board district was read and adopted. WAIMAI'B LIBRARY. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Hamilton, Scott, Milsom and Graham, waited on the Council in reference to the annual subsidy granted by the Council. Mr Hamilton said the Library Committee was surprised to see that the usual subsidy had been cut down by more than one-half, and they thought the Council must be In some misconception as to the Library’s circumstances, being unaware of any other probable ijaibte. Therefore they waited on the Council to place before them the circumstances of the institution, and leave it in their hands, The conditions on which the subsidy had been granted were that they kept open a Free reading-room, which they were still doing. When the section was given there was a condition that a loom of a certain size was to be provided, abd the institution thought this balanced the gift. Otherwise they could have done with a smaller room. The Library would be in no better financial position when their building was up. They had decided to erect as good a building as possible, on the understanding taat the subsidy would be continued. They had in hand £625 from the sale of sections, and £l5B cash in hand; total £783. It was necessary tb spend .£2OO in books, and then their building had to be put up and furnished. This would leave them with very little and dependent on the subscriptions, thus having nothing to keep the room going. It had been suggested that the subsidy should be levied by special rate, but if this were done the whole Library had to be open to the public free of charge. Mr G. H. Graham sketched the career of the Library, and appealed to the Council to make no change in the subsidy—unless they doubled it, Mr J. B. Milsom appealed to the Council on the ground of the great good served by having a library in the town. _ In reply to Cr, Barclay, Mr Hamilton said the building would be ready in a little over three months. Or. Barclay said, according to the balance sheet he had, only £7 9s \Vas spent on magazines and books. He was not certain that this was correct, and would like to ask. The chairman said be hardly thought this correct, but there were other expenses, such as firing, lighting and cleaning. The Library Committee, for controlling and managing, were entitled to receive some consideration on behalf of the for their services. The greater subsidy they received, the better treatment the public would receive. Cr. Barclay asked did the Library Committee consider that their property was formerly mortgaged to the Council, paying £l6 16s interest; which; when deducted from the £25, left only £8 4s ? Now, when offered £lO free of interest, they objected. Mr Hamilton said they now had the principal, if'not the interest. , Cr.. Coltman said they gftve”thC subsidy as such apart from the question of paortgage. Cr. Jones asked had the County Council heen approached ? He thought thejr should help with the free reading room. Also, one would think that not one of the subscribers ever entered the reading room, only nbn-Bubacribera. Mr Hamilton said the tlouhty Council had given a subsidy, but discontinued it owing to the precedent Preatedt

Xh reply to Or. Sinclair* the same Speaker said the Government subsidy depended on keeping open .a free rOading-room. in reply to Or. Freeman that the membership was 101, and to Or. Coltman that the rOom would be furnished tad attractive id tbpse desiring to read the papers. Oc,. Barclay trusted that they understood that there was ho feeling against the Library. Mr Hamilton said they only thought U a misconception. O»U*UW thought the subsidy

granted was as yet only an estimate, and they could increase it. , Tne Mayor ruled that the amount I had been Used by minuted resolution, and could only be altered after a notice of motion. Cr. Goltman gave notice of motion that the previous resolution on the subject be rescinded. i The inspector’s report was read. He asked that some repairs be made to the pound. Cr. Cameron thought that as the, pound heeded repairing they should shift it. It was too near the centre of the town. The county might be asked to contribute a share. Crs. Cameron, Inkster, Freeman and Jones were appointed a committee to inspect and report. ANNUAL RATE. ; In accordance with a proposal duly advertised, the Council struck a rate of 4Jd in the £ on the unimproved value of the Borough.

RESERVE. No tender had been received for the reserve in High street, half an acre, near Mr Symons,

The matter was left in the hands of the clerk.

employers’ liability. When this question came up. His Worship the Mayor left the chair, his firm being agents for an Accident Insurance firm.

Cr. Barclay was voted to the chair. Three offers Were received. Or. Ooltman said he had since last meeting seen the vety great risks employers of labour ran unless they had their men insured, It would be compulsory soon. He had a week *go been in the position of being liable for £2OOO.

Other raerhbers thought it compul sory now.

It was decided to insure in the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, Ltd. A good deal of discussion took place on the metalling of Queen street. Cr. Inkster said the work was being well done, and other members endorsed this. The matter then dropped..

Cr. Nicol said, in view of the recent fires, he thought the gorse fence round the police camp was very dangerous. Ho would move that the Minister for Justice be asked to have it removed. This was carried. ODDFBLLOWs’ HALL.

The clerk reported that the Oddfellows’ Hall had not complied with the resolution that their license would be granted on condition chat a door, opening out, be put on each side. One door only had been put iii. It was decided that unless the previous conditions were Carried out within one month the conditional license now held would be cancelled.

Arising out of this dpiastion, the chairman said the licensing of St. Augustine’s schoolroom for concerts in aid of the technical classes had been mentioned. After discussion on thP Act it was decided to issue a license at a cost of one shilling; It was decided to instruct the Inspector to inspect a drain complained of in Queen Street. Cr. Barclay’s notice of motion that meetings be held fortnightly instead of monthly was discussed and held over. Cr. Sinclair was re-appointed Fire Inspector. ■ Cr. Inkster mentioned the question of the asphalt being broken near the Police station, and the Inspector is to p.jort.

At the suggestion of the chairman a resolution was passed expressing appreciation of the Fire Brigade’s services at the recent fire.

In reply to Councillor Inkster Clerk said some information was yet needed in regard to Butcher’s Lane. Accounts for £67 17s 9d were passed for payment. The Council then sat as a POMAIN BOARb.

After reading the minutes, the caretaker’s report was read. He a iked for £1 to be spent on choice flowers and walnut trees.

It was decided to grant the request. Accounts amounting to £5 5s 10d wers passed.