Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 229, 15 July 1902, Page 3

Borough Council.

The monthly meeting of the Council was held last evening, present— His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Manchester) in the chair, and Crs. Coltmau, Inkster, Cameron, Nicol, Barclay, Freeman, Sinclair and Bitcboner. The minutes of the previous mooting were read and confirmed. Correspondence. From the Commissioner of Taxes enclosing a form of declaration entithng the Council to the subsidy. From Messrs Guinness and LeCren, stating that no live stock was allowed to remain in their yards overnight with their knowledge. However, one or two exceptions had occurred, so that they had given orders that their yard man must see all stock removed the same day. From Messrs Jones, Burton and Co., engineers, asking the addresses of engineering firms for circularising. From Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, stating that instructions had been received from headquarters that the Mayor of Waimate is to present medals or clasps to members of New Zealand contingents, and asking the most suitable date for this. A petition asking that local valuers be appointed was read. Cr. Barclay did not altogether sympathise with the petition, but he thought there was something in their complaint as regards the Assessment Court. Some of the valuations were wrong and mistakes had been made which, however, was likely to occur with a man coming to value for the first time. Ho would very much like to know how far the Government valuers were wrong, whether pounds or a few shillings, for there was nothing more to show than that the petitioners were dissatisfied. He knew of a case, however, where the improvements on a place cost £SOO and the valuer only allowed £340, although the insurance was £450. But on the other hand, ho had little doubt that these anomalies would be remedied at a figure date, and he suggested not to oust the present valuers, but that local men should be put on the Bench to assist the judge, tie moved and Cr. Sinclair seconded. _ “ That in reply to the memorialists re the recent valuation of the borough, they be informed that this Council views parts of the valuation with dissatisfaction and that this Council, considering the valuation was made for the first time by outside valuers and likely to include anomalies, hereby strongly recommends the Government to appoint local assessors to assist the judge of the Assessment Court. The chairman agreed with the motion, but thought it did not go far enough. They would observe that there had been no blunders on the down-grade —there had been a remarkable degree of aspiration. It looked as if certain instructions had been given to Government officers and they, true to their office, did as they were bid. He did not say the same of the assessors; they probably were not told anything, but it was not always necessary to tell a man what he was expected to do. There might be a reason why local bodies should not meddle with these appointments, but they were there to represent the best interests of the ratepayers, who were now further removed from the exemptions, and put nearer the graduated tax. It was a scheme to inflate valuations for borrowing power. The motion was carried. Prom Mr W. M. Hamilton re Butcher’s proposed road, that the land could be vested in the Council by resolution after being advertised for at least a month.. Major Steward forwarded a letter from the Treasury Department staling that in October last the Borough applied for a loan for water supply to cost £9,800. iho Borough was asked the amount required and the currency of the loan. Since that date the Treasury bad heard nothing further and

meantime the Act of IS.M had run out and the pr-seut 1 i\r ou;y enabled the Treasury to lend £.’oo v ) in any one year, or £lO >0 altogether to a borough for water supply purposes.

A circular was read from the preliminary committee of the National Memorial Home for veterans.

The Fire Brigade’s balance sheet was laid on the tab'e. The chairman asked what was the item “ £8 for delegates expenses.”

Or. Sinclair said it was to the annual conference at Hokitika. It was held in different parts of New Zealand.

His Worship said it seemed pretty stiff to pay £8 out of £25 for this purpose. Would the conference be held in Waimate ? Cr. Sinclair said it would if the Council paid up. His Worship said it seemed that they paid up whether the conference was held here or not. Cr. Nicol said he understood a member of the Brigade had been invited to receive some recognition of long service. His Worship : “ What was the recognition.” Cr. Sinclair said it was a long service medal.

His Worship : “ What was the value of the medal ?” Cr. Sinclair : “I don’t know.”

His Worship said it would pay them better to buy their own medals and present them here. He was in favour of spending money in fire prevention purposes, but it seemed a considerable sum to spend in sending a man to Hokitika for a medal.

Ors. Coltrnan and Barclay thought no objection could be taken. The Brigade was simply given the money without restriction.

Cr, Nicol said the Fire Brigade was purely voluntary. If a fire occurred they were .glad of their services without discussing the cash.

Cr. Barclay said the Brigade worked away with an ont-of-date plant and did very well, but the whole thing was unsatisfactory and needed revision. The balance sheet was “ received.”

From the Chief Health Officer, sending a supply of pamphlets on scarlet fever and enteric.

From the Colonial Secretary stating that July 16th would be observed as a public holiday in the Government Oifices. From Mr W. M. Hamilton re Mr Freeland's asphalting application.

The Clerk stated that this was an oldstaiiding application for one half the cost of asphalting the footpath near Mr Presland’s.

The matter was left in the hands of the Mayor and Clerk. From Mr Hutchinson, secretary of the Technical Classes Association asking that the Council, us a contributor, be represented on the management committee. Mr Nicol was appointed. From Major Steward stating that, as requested, he had represented the Council at the Municipal Conference and moved for the simplification of the roll, but the motion was lost on a division, the majority considering the full particulars to bo required. Cr. Freeman reported having seen Mr Wills re the lease of the grain store in John street. Mr Wills offered £l2 per year and to pay rates and insurance. This offer was accepted.

The next item was the selection of a fence (227 feet) round the triangle. A number of plans were submitied and discussed. A committee consisting of Crs. Barclay, Nicol, Inkster and Cameron was appointed to receive letters and report at next meeting. The surfaceman’s report was read and approved. Accounts amounting to £BO 6s Id were passed. Cr. Sinclair drew attention to the need of repairs on the footpath past the railway station in Queen street. It was decided to hold the matter over to see about channeling and asphalting it.