Borough Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 235, 29 July 1902, Page 3

Borough Council.

The monthly meeting was held last evening, present—His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Manchester) in the chiir, and Councillors Coltman, Inkster, Nicol, Barclay, Jones, Freeman and Sinclair. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr L. Glendinning, Waimate agent of the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, wrote stating that the year’s insurance had expired. There was a slight difference in premium. It was decided to continue the insurance. A letter was received from the Mayor of Christchurch asking the Mayor to attend a meeting in Christchurch in support of the proposal by His Excellency the Governor to establish a Veteran’s Home. The Mayor stated that he was unable to attend. Messrs Carolin and Co. sent testimonials of road and d ainmaking machinery in view of the Waimate Council purchasing same.—Received. A communication was received from Mr K. G. Baxter offering to supply a map showing the levels and drainage of the streets and the offer was accepted.

Mr H. Butcher waited on the council in regard to signing the conveyance of bis road to the municipality, which had decided to accept it. Mr Butcher demurred to paying the costs of title. It was generally thought that Mr Butcher should not be called on to pay for the deeds when he had made a gift of the land, and it was decided that the Council pay for them. A forma! resolution striking a rate of 3d in the £ was passed. Councillor Barclay said he had seen both valuers in regard to the anomalies -in rating and they expressed themselves in favour of the appointment of a local man, and should any genuine grievances exist they could amend them. Mr Lyall, one of the assessors, and Mr Douglas, chairman of the County Council, had also expressed themselves in favour of local valuers.

The secretary of the Waimate Volunteer Fire Brigade wro f e that the Brigade disbanded in a body on the 19th August unless some better terms were arrived at between themselves and the Council. They resigned owing to not having received sufficient support from the Council. Cr. Barclay favoured setting up a committee to discuss the matter with the Brigade. He moved — “ That a committee consisting of Crs. Freeman, Nicol, and Inkster be appointed to enquire into the relations of the Council and the Brigade and report.” He for one regretted that the Fire Brigade should have seen fit to resign as they had done, although the strictures passed on them were fairly severe. At the same time they were in an unsatisfactory, position from the Fire Brigade’s point of view. The position with the Brigade was that they were a purely voluntary body struggling with a plant entirely out of date. However, there had always been the question that the Brigade received public money, and only put a statement of accounts on the Council table Instead of a

uahin • -sheet, as some held. It wuuld be much bdfer if it was ascertained who was iu tho-ri^life. He moved some months ago that a committee be set up to report on the relationship of the Brigade and the Council, but this committee did not report any difficulties. But it was now a question as to whether a public meeting should be called to see if they would be upheld in purchasing an up-to date plant and a specified grant to be spent as they chose. The question of a high-pressure water supply was evidently permanentlyshelved, and they should endeavour to have an up-to-date engine and tanks to protect the town. Cr. Nicol said he was on the committee referred to, and they handed in a report. There was an agreement that the Brigade had only to put on a statement. They must remember that they were dealing with volunteers, They would not submit to much criticism, but he had no doubt the moneys spent had been well spent. Cr. Inkster thought volunteers’ work was always the dearest. He would be prepared to advocate giving the members of the Brigade a retaining fee and working it under the municipality. The Mayor said they had before them an absolute resignation, and could do-nothing unless they met the Brigade and found out what their grievance was. He favoured Cr. Barclay’s motion, but would like to see the same committee draw up a report on the subject of placing the Brigade under the control of the Council.

Cr. Barclay was entirely in favour of municipalisation, as suggested by Or. Inkster, but he did not like to mention it to cause a discussion. They must, of course, face an increased expenditure. The trouble arose over the criticism of the expenditure of the subsidy, an 1 if this were sett led the Brigade might still go on.

The resolution was put and carried, with the carrying out of Cr. Inkster’s suggestion as an additional duty on the committee. Tne committee appointed to choose a fence for the triangle in Victoria Terrace reported that Messrs J. and W. Faulkner’s price of £6l) Is 6 I uas the lowest. The fence is an iron one, and, with labour and carriage, will reach a total of £72.

His Worship thought the money was a great sum to spend. Councillor Barclay pointed out that the fence would only cost £4O, with the Government refund. Councillor Coltman favoured a cheaper fence. Councillor Nicol said if they put up a picket fence it would always be an expense, whereas the iron one would be done with once and for all. Councillor Inkster favoured erecting the iron fence. They would lose nothing by beautifying the town, and there were always certain associations connected with these improvements. The resolution was put and carried, the Mayor and Cr. Coltman dissenting. The plans for stopping the surveyed road through Victoria Terrace were put iu and it was decided to write to the SurveyorGeneral for the further procedure. It was decided to call ten 1 o-s for reforming and metalling Michael street.

Accounts amoundiig to £33 14s were passed for payment.