Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 199, 6 May 1902, Page 3

Borough Council.

The adjourned meeting was held las* evening : present —His Worship the Major (Mr John Mam-best* r), in the chair, and Crs. Coltman, Inks e-. Nino I, Jones, Biloheuor, Freeman, and Dr Barclay.

The Mayor said that in response to

the telegram he had received whilst in Dunedin he called on the solicitors of Mr J. Watt to enquire the cause of the delay in installing water-gas in Waimate. He mat Mr Watt. The explanation of the delay was that certain parts of the machinery had not yet arrived from England. Thera were other unavoidable •auses of delay, but the work would be gona on with as soon as possible.

Mr S. J. Adams and a number of other ratepayers asked that a lamp be placed at the corner of Opie street and the Mill road. as it was a very dark and dangerous corner.

The Technical Cl’sses A-sociation *"kod that a lamp he placed in front of the school.

Or Barclay said uhore wore several standing requests for lamps—one was urgently needed near the drillshed, for two corps uxing it, and J. Ruby long ago applied —and they might all bo considered at once.

His Worship suggested that ihe Works Committee report on the whole question. Or Coltiran moved that the applications before the Council he granted. Cr Barclay ; Then I will more that Ruby's lamp and the drillshed 'arnp be done too.

Cr Coltman: You needn’t make oppo sition.

Cr Barclay : I am not making opposition, but you propose to grunt, new applications while old ones are simply shelved. If you will add these to your motion I will support it. Cr Coltman ; I do not see the necessity of two lamps at the drillshed within a few yards of each other. Cr Barclay: You yourself a'ked that a lamp be placed near the drillshed, and if it was a necessity in your time it is surely more so now Cr Collman then moved and Cr Freeman seconded —“ That a lamp be placed at the corner of Opie street and Mill road, also one formerly applied for by J. Ruby, and that the Works Committee report on any others necessary.”

—CarriedThe Waimate Technical Association asked for a donation to their funds, under the Manual and Technical Clsnes Act. Cr Barclay proposed and Or Nieol seconded that the sum of £5 b* granted. Cr Coltman thought they needed money, but he hardly saw what they wanted it for. (Cr Barclay; To pay teachers and for tools.) He wpuld be rather prepared to move as an amendment that the Finance Committee report on the question at next meeting. They might meet Mr Pitoaithly and get him to explain the question. Cr Inkster would support the amendment until they knew how the money was to be spent and how much was required. His Wordiip thought that they should be sure of their ground before making any expenditure; Cr Barclay said hie motion was simply to bring the matter up for discussion and he would withdraw it rather than put it to an antagonistic vote. With the consent of his seconder he tharefore withdrew it. The amendment, now become the motion, was put and carried. Mr D. A. Morgan wrote asking if the Council would rent a spare room in the Council building, and at what rent. Cra- Jones and Inkster opposed the application, as there was no warranty in letting public property and it was running opposition to people with buildings to let. Cr. Barclay moved and Cr. Nicol seconded “That the application b* granted at 7s fid per week.” Cr. Barclay said there was no competition and they should increase the finances fairly if possible. The offices had not been used sinca Mr Baxter left and the matter of making something from it was worth considering. The motion was put and carried by 5 to 4.

(The above report ia somewhat cur tailed.)

DOMAIN BOARD

The Council then sat as a Domain Board.

The caretaker’s report showed ho had repaired flood damages in Kuottingly Park, and he asked for a dozen concrete pipes and some walnut trees.

The committee appointed to report on the Park reported, per Mu Jones, that the condition of things was very unsatisfactory, the flower garden was overrun with sorrel and weeds ami was a disgrace, and everything seamed neglected. He had done during the month about throe days’ work. They were not getting value for their money. The caretaker was catting down firewooa trees and leaving soft trees standing. He needed someone to look after him, the clerk or someone else, to sec that he did his work.

Dr. Barclay was astonished to hear this. During his term he had worked well, and must have drifted into lazy ways very quickly. They could expect little else when a man was allowed to jog along as ho pleased. They ought really to appoint a visiting committee to go round every month. Mr Inkster thought the suggestion a good one. The caretaker had been authorised to start a small fernery, but nothing was done and all the ferns in the diatriat were being cut out. Or. Goltman thought the previous speakers that the Board was also to blame for negligence. Messrs Jones, Nicol and Cameron were appointed a Supervising Committee for the ensuing month. Accounts amounting to £4 19s 6d were passed and the Board rose.