BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 63, 12 September 1908, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting -of the ab<yfr<2 was held last evening. Present— The Mayor (Pastor Ries), and Crs Collett, Ransom, Johnstone, Haines, , Rathbone, Bain, Cullinane and Wratt.

PETITION

A letter was received from Mr N. L. Gurr, enclosing a petition from a number of. ratepayers, petitioning against the costs' of the' Councillors in the mandamus action being paid by the Council. . The Mayor's bill of costs was also enclosed^ and the petition set forth that if the councillors' costs were paid the Mayor's costs should be paid also. Letters were also enclosed from J. Mitchell, Marton, L. Mackersey, Henry Carlson, and A. G. Freeman. It was resolved that the petition be received. ; FINANCE COMMITTEE. The finance committee reported that accounts amounting to £192 4s •lid, had been certified to. ; The committee had before them a letter from Mr Gurr, enclosing various petitions in reference to the mandamus costs, and referred it to the Council as a whole. The Mayor said that a reply should be sent. Cr Wratt moved that a reply be sent to Mr Gurr, stating that the Council cannot entertain the suggestion that the Council should pay the j Mayor's costs, 'and thought it right that the .Councillors' costs should be ..paid,— Seconded by Cr Collett and carried. • - WORKS COMMITTEE. , The engineer's report was read. ; It was resolved that the Garton seed oats as per sample submitted by Barraud and Abraham be xased in sowing the v Irrigation Area. It was resolved that the committee recommend the Council to purchase a cultivator and plough as suggested [ by the engineer.

It \raa resolved to recommend that tree seeds such as blue and red gum, chestnuts and walnuts, etc., be pur-, chased as suggested by the engineer for planting the Sewerage Irrigation Area. It was further resolved that the question of raising young trees, etc., from seed be brought under the notice of the Domain Committee.. j

Tho engineer's report was thenadopted and the meeting rose. ;

Action of committee endorsed an. purchasing seed oats and they -were also authorised to purchase plough and cultivator, and to purchase seed for the trees.

Cr Collett said that he had approached Mr Retter, in deference to the wishes of the Council, and he (Mr Retter) ..had offered to lease from the Council 19 acres at 7s 6d per acre per annum.— Left to the Works Committee to meet Mr Retter on the ground, and go into the question of leasing r the land, with power to act. :

CEMETERY.

The special committee set up re the cemetery site, reported that they had visited, with the County Council delegates, the sites offered, and resolved to recommend the purchase of 10 acres of the Tahoraite Block on the northern side of the old Kaifoke road.

A letter was read from the County Council stating that they would contribute £100 towards the purchase of the cemetery site, the Borough to complete all arangements and/have full control, as the County Council would contribute nothing towards the maintenance • of the cemetery.

The Mayor said he was of opinion that they could not have a better site than the one the Council offered on the Umutaoroa .Road, but the Tahoraiti site was an ideal one, being in all ways very suitable. He wished to draw their attention to the fact that tho cemetery would be adjoining the racecourse, and it would not be nice to have a funeral whilst the races were being held. Then, again, they would have great difficulty in obtaining the land. They could take the land under the Public Works Act, but this entailed a lot of trouble. .

' " Crs Bain and Wratt did not think that the .fact of the cemetery being near the racecourse was objectionable.

Cr Collott said that he thought this objection was a very serious, one. He was in favor of the Umittaoroa site.

The Mayor said that the best thing the Coxmcil could, do would be to de-

fer the matter to allow the councilors to give greater consideration to the matter. This course was adopted.

Tho Mayor moved, That the Woodvine County Council be communicated with, asking them to contribute a Share of the cost.— Cr Johnston seconded.

Cr Wratt said he thought the Council wero making a mistake in doing this, as the settlers of the surrounding districts cam© here to: do their business, and the town was under an obligation to these settlers. The Dannevirke County Council Was in a different position.

The motion was carried

Tho ordinary cemetery committee reported that they recommended that tho domain caretaker be sexton for the cemetery and. dig all graves. — Adopted.

Cr Wratt *dsketl s it" the 'caretaker would receive a fee for grave-digging in addition to his ordinary pay. Cr Ransom said it had been arranged that if the graves were dug in i&te 'Council's time," nothing extra was to bo paid, but if -the. graves were dug or filled in in the caretaker's own time, then a portion of the fee would be paid him. If "the graves were dug on Sunday, then the whole fee would be pdid. •- ; • '■■■•'"•; Resolved, that in reference, to Ma* thoson's complaint re .Scott's grave) plot 49, he be infor^ned. by, the secretary that, the chair-man will meet him-, so that -the particular plot can be pointed out and the fault -complained of remedied. LIGHTING. The Engineer suggested in refer-" ence to the lamp' pillars already erected which required their bases to bo protected, and about which he Avas asked to report, that concrete hexagon bases be put in round the bottom of the posts, thereby removing the stilted appearance. The matter was referred to the chairman and engineer to do what they deemed advisable. ■ , The committee would recommend the Council to instal the automatic controllers throughout the borough,' and in meantime nothing be done with lamp pillars alre.ady erected. Cr Wratt asked what the cost of lighting the lamps was per year ''by the lamp-lighter: . • The clerk : £50 for , 27 lamps. Tile clocks would' cost £2. each.. •. , sCr Wratt: "then have the clocks by all ..-means. "—-The £50 would p£y interest on £1000. The cost of tlie : would' be /paid'^-for by!' three ; years' lighting fees. I Left over' for "further information/ S tho Mayor to make enquiries in Napier. ; #-$%liaiues as lj {i d when- lamps, wefce . ' #> be erected in McCallum andt-Deh- '. fthirk strjeets. ? § 4 ?.- "f Ransom: We are only waiting igMW^he iGoiuicil Ao- .decide. -whether they purchase the clocks or not. • '&&£Zi<--: • ■'■ DANGER,., ,; : ■ .>., .; The, ra.ng.er reported that . he had impounded five head of cattle and 18. head of horses. : ■• : '- } ' :lt ' ABATTOIR. ' i Tire- abattoir manager reported ; .. that, during the month. JO4 cattle* .478 "sheep, 18 pigs, and 2 calves had been slaughtered, and of this number 7 cattle, 6 sheep and 1 pig had been condemned as unfit for human con- • sumption. ' K •■■ SPECIAL COMMITTEE. A special committee Avent into Mr C. C. Neilstm's. claim of £22 18s v a "refund of survey fees of the proposed Tjpapnlcuku Road. They recommended that the claim be paid.— Cr Collett moved, and Cr Johnstone seconded that the recommendation be: adopted. ■ , ' Cr Wratt said that they , should make a stipulation that they, should, have tho option of the small; piece oorf r : the proposed road left. He understood that Mr Neflsen > had sold the greater part of the land, and could • not give the. other, portion now. There was only a smal portion left, and the Council, should have the option of this piece. There" was no dociibt. that a road was necessary at this place. He mentioned the mat- . ter because it might possibly, be .brought up at some future time. It ,' would save Miller's Road a good deal. l,t was more of a county matter than-. , ./a Borough Council one. "

The motion was then put and carried. .--.''•'. ' . . BOROUGH. OFFICES. Tho committee set up under tho above heading reported '-that they had submitted a r suito of , offices to the County Council at £50 i>er year, free of all rates and taxes. A letter was read from the' County Council, thanking the Borough for their courteous' offer, ' ; but declining 'same. . '''■.'. • • The aicport was adopted. ;*.;.■ Cr Wratt : .Then that quashes the whole business. I shall certainly not. 'favor building by ourselves. - . Cr Ransom asked if the commit-' tefc's , dirties were now ended ? . The Mayor : Yesi-'.'V .. ; domain! -. The Council then adjourned, and sat as the -Domain Board. : TJie 7)omain Committee's reiiort was read. The engineer -reported that the coni struction of the pillars as originally planned for the principal entrance to domain would prove unsatisfactory, and he advised that f erro-concreto .pillar's be erected. — The matter of these gate pillars was left with the chairman and engineer.

It was resolved that a small triangular piece of land be taken in froni the Christian, street end to the caretaker's cottage, and that the old material from the cemetery bo utilised for fe.ncing same.

The chairman and the Mayor were deputed to interview the caretaker with regard to his duties in the domain and -cemetery. - ; ,

The chairman and the Mayor were also deputed to" go into tlie question of horses, vehicles, etc., being allowed on the domain.- '

The committee were' given power to act with reference to. the posts. The bye-laws committee were instructed to. draw up rules' for the domain, to be submitted to the Coiincil at an early date. The committee 1 were given power to deAl with the vehicles and. horses entering tho domain. .. CORRESPONDENCE. i From Sir J, G. Ward, in reference to Dominion Day, -25th September, being kept as a i>ublic holiday^ andsuggesting arrangements that might be carried out on that day. — The! Mayoiymoved that off ect be given ;to J the ±"remier?s suggestipn. He said that they should encourage patriotism, and learn to love their country. Cr Collett seconded, and said that a holiday should; be observed.. . ; Several Couucillors spoke against the unsuitability of. the day". It

• would not be wise. -,to sh tit. up. /bn the Saturday evening,- They could shut up a few hours while the ceremony was gone through. Cr Haiues said it appeared to hhr: that the shopkeepers were the o"iy people to be consulted. If llic-sc people worked outside they would not want so many holidays. The Mayor altered his motion -to read that in. tho. opinion of this Council it be a recommendation to the Holiday Association to observe Dominion Day as a holiday. , Cr Haiues. moved an. 1 'amendment that the whale matter he referred to the Holiday Association. The amendment was carried. From the Daunevirke County Council, stating that they could not contribute towards the cost of the Stanley street bridge at present, and had deferred the matter "to more convenient time. .'. . • ' Cr Haines : We have been trying for this bridge for ten years now. Cannot the Council go on with tho bridge, and charge the- County with half cost. The Mayor : Xot without a commission..- — ■....,.„.... . .*_.-..,;.,.,...„„...,..,..... The matter then dropped. , From Barraud and Abraham s ', ter in reference to road roller and scarifier.— Received. • ; Jooster and Murie', ro disinfectants as. supplied by Hope and Co. — Referred to r sanita.ry r hisp.fector. From Secretary Pastorat and,. Agricultural Society, ■ Ca-rterton, asking that' 29th October; 1908, be' declared, a .holiday as from. 11 . o'clock ..a.m.— Referred to Holiday Association.-^ From Steel Pipe Company, an reference to measurement of pipes and certain joints (5) that were sent short ; also advising that one of 'their' special ratchet box spanners should bo. procured for. screwing up the joint bolts.-— Received. '. • From Rev. 'Robertshawe, / stating that the church fences can he taken down for * the extension, of Waterloo street as soon as the side fences;' are erected. The church authorities expect the expense of erecting fences to be borne- by the Council. Mr Neilsen to be written to for information. ■ . From .Town Clerk, Waimate, askiug for information in regard to cost of drainage and septic tank.— Clerk to supply information. From G. Wright, executor Gordon estate, stating executors in this estate are willing to deposit cost of pipes for drainage extension in Seddon stfeet.-^Received. From John Clerk, Hastings,, maki ing application for, an advance of £15 -to. assist him in- connecting. his premises'in Salisbury street with sewerage scheme. — Granted on usual condi- I -Aions. „.-; , , .. i;ir , . :/ ., / v „..,....„ From Briscoeyand 'Co.", iii reference to" explosives stored in the danger magazine by Wylie and Co., and stating that these- explosives are tho property of themselves, and will hold tho Council liable if handed over to any one else without written order from them. — Council to inform Briscoe and Co. that it disclaims all liability. \ The Mayor was also deputed to 'investigate tho matter, to obtain a legal opinion if necessary. . From G. K. Bredrup, malting application to have water main (1 inch) extended along Victoria Avenue to his allotments, 64 and 65 of section 21. — Referred, to Works Committee, with power to Act. From Rose, Ltd., offering no objec- | tion to connect shop owned by^Mat- ; thew Henderson and occupied by Hibbard, fishmonger, with their water service. — Received. From H. Holden, offering to lease waste land in. the Mangatera river bed belonging to the Council at £2 per annum rental. — Received. From D. McLennan, application for 10ft culvert to be placed opposite his gate in Swinburn street. — Granted. From Kaipai Corn Broom Co., ro street sweeper brushes forwarded and advising as to freight on refills, etc. — Received. ' Notico of transfers of property : Macallan to Crallan, Rose to Bateman, sen., Fahey to Burtenshaw. — Received. From Dr Macallan, notifying case of scarlet fever in Ruahine street. — Received . TREE - PLANTING. From tho Mayor of Invercnrgill, in reference to tree-planting, stating that tlio.y had planted trees, and they had proved .very detrimental, taking the sun from iho houses, and keeping the streets in a damp condition. From N. L. Gurr, stating that as a move was hying made to plant out certain streets with trees, he begged to offer some provided they were planted in Edward and King streets. — Received. From Mrs A. L. Hartgill, advising that 50 planes. supplied by Mesdames W^ F. Knight, Gordon . Lloyd, and herself had been sent to Cr Ransom. — Received. The Mayor said he had met the Mayor of Invercargill, and he had stated that the trees were very detrimental. He, in view of the fact that trees were being' planted in Dannevirke, had written for information, hence the above letter.

'Or Hnines: Ami they -have streets two chains wide.

The engineer replied, .■in:;' answer to a question, that the guards cost Gs I l?,d each, and each guard, cost of planting 1 , top-dressing, etc., complete, was v 7sk lid per tree. The cost of planting the trees in.Qneen street was? •£8 14s M. ■ NOTICES OF MOTION. - Cr.Wratt moved, according to no-*---tice, that the councillors' costs in the mandamus action be paid. Cr Ha hies seconded, and the motion Avas carried. Cx Cullinane moved, according to notice, that the matter of Mr Scott's claim in connection -with the heating chamber at the library be;rc-open-od. He said that Mr Scott had worked night and day pumping water, from the pit, and had ' otherwise ex-pended-a great deal of : labor in- this oonection, and lie should be paid. • The motion v/as carried. Mr Cullinane then fxirther moved . that; the remaining £1-3. be paid. The Mayor seconded, and said.ho was of exactly the same opinion, as he had expressed before. . ■ -,_■'.! Cr, AVvatt said that when the com.--mittoG had refused to pay the amount previous!}* -'the' Mayor had- concurred witli-tlfe recorilmGifdation. Ho was of opiniqi] that : ,Mr Scott had been well paid. : .' : He allowed £180 for extras,, .a'lid^the- -profit on these extras- wouild make, up iq-r .the loss. It was a contingency in the contract and Mr Scott should have been prepared -for it. '-\ , 'Tho motion. was then put. and Crs Cullinane, Haines,; 'and: 'the. JVlayqr voted- in favor, and Crs Collett,. Raiisom, Bain, Jolinston'e, Wrattj ■ and . Rathbone were against. • '.:;...; Thei'nratioii was declared lost. . ; ;;-^ ; '■'■' RATES; ■■-■;-";/ . TlieiMayor" moved that a rate of l&d in the £ ; ; 'b.e'. struck:— Cr' Wratt. seconded.' ,-■■ ,''."'■ , ■ .Cr ' Ransom, saidj .he would' like, to mpve an amendment. : , , t i" ! The Mayor, said he coiild npt 3o so. Cr Ransom said he- .Was informed that the matter was a formal matter at last meeting, and 'lie had framed Ids motion for this meeting. There had been no resolution before, the Council until to-night, so that he could not move his amendment. The-.Mayor: I am hot sure that you are in order, but I am of this opinion. Cr "Wratt said he would like to hear what Cr Ransom had to say. It might have an. important bearing on the rate. • : The Mayor : I am of. opinion that you are not in. order, for the reason that the estimates were before last meeting, and the rate was mentioned, therein. The amendment would upset the whole matter, and delay the striking of the rate. They were very late now. Cr Ransom asked if the advertising- was not- done to allow ratepayer's to object if they so chose. The Mayor': I suppose so. • Cr Ransom :■ Then as a ratepayer I claim the right to be heard. The Mayor : lam quite willing to hear what you Jiave to say, but I could not take a motion. Cr Ransome : Then I can state my easo without a motion. It appears to me that these matters are slipped over without giving the: councillors a proper opportunity of discussing them. He had gone into the figures very carefully, and was surprised to see that such a large amount was asked for. He came to the meeting in the belief that he could- move in the matter, and he was surprised that he could not do so. \ The minute of the previous*meeting was then referred to, and showed that the estimates were before the Council and were adopted. Tho clerk stated that the rate demands had been printed, and most of. the accounts had been made out. Cr Ransom said that the value of property had been unduly increased in Dannevirke. The' striking of a rate at the same as "last year was really increasing tho rates, the Ifd this year on the increased valuation produced £127 14s lid increase on last year's revenue. He said that a l|d in the £ on the present valuation would produce £2458 8s 2d, a decrease on last year's rates of £61 7s 3d. .At tho beginning of last year there was a debit balance of £325 9s 7d, and at the end of the present year they had a credit balance I of £113 19s Id, an increase in the j year of £439 8s Bd, putting the Council in a fairly strong financial posii tion. And yet this year the- rates were further increased by over £100 for the coming year. He failed to see any call to raise the rate. Last year had been a heavy year in extraordinary expenditure, which would not occur during the coming year. There Avas the £500 extra on the library, and £61 for the extension of Waterloo street. He asked permission- to move arid amendment. Tho Mayor said he could not allow this. The £500 was not paid, but was' debited to the library, to be paid this year. Then they had £750 for the office's site. This would leave then really a debit of nearly £1000 on the amount struck this year. The rates had been increased from year to year, hence the ability of the Council to pay off their debit balance. They could not possibly decrease the rates. The general account had been increased,, but the water rate had been brought down. Ho was glad that Cr Ransom had brought the matter up. He took his remarks as having been spoken to the motion. They would be a guidance to the councillors in the future. He was glad that Cr Ransom did not push his amendment. The motion was then put and carried, there being no dissentient voices. Thero being no general business, accounts amounting to £192 were passed for payment. The meeting then adjourned, 11.40 p.m.