BOROUGH COUNCILS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15485, 12 January 1916, Page 8

BOROUGH COUNCILS.

SUMNER. The monthly meeting of the Sumner Borough Council was held last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr J. B. Laurenson), Councillors A. D. *Paterson, W. J. La\rson, A. E. E-ankin, M. Laurenson, G. W. C. Smithsort, T. E. Whitfield, and the Hon. John Barr. The financial statement was as follows: —District fund account, debit. £3473 3s 3d; gas revenue account, debit, £446 6s Bd. On the recommendation of the Financs Committee, it was decided to pav tho sum of £10 towards the funds of the Sumne r branch of tho Royal Life Saving Society. The town clerk; reported that the building permits issued for the nine months ending December 31st were valued at £11,495, as against £13,056 for the same period last year. A letter was" received from the River Bank Carnival Committee, .thanking: tho Council for the use of the Council Chambers for meetings. The Sumner Lifeboat Brigade wrote drawing tho Council's attention to the state of the boat-slip. The town clerk reported having had the matter attended to, and his action was endorsed. ' Correspondence was received from the Greymouth Borough Council, suggesting the publication of the names of men who, according to the National Register, are not willing to serve in any capacity. On the motion of the Hon. John Barr, it was decided to reply stating that the Council did not agree with the suggestion. It was decided to immediately supply the metal required for Mulgan's Track. ' The Public Trustee-wrote agreeing to advance the electricity loan at 5i per cent., plus 1 per cent, sinking fund, for a term of 36 years. • The District Health Officer wrote criticising the Council's action in giving lighting precedence over drainage matters. Cr. Barr strongly protested against the action of the Health Officer in attempting to interfere with the right-of the Council to pursue its own policy in the matter of public works. Crs. Laurenson and Lawson also protested. . I The leHler was received. . Tho annual report of the Fire Brigade was referred to the Fire Brigade Committee. Cr. Barr moved, and Cr. Whitfield seconded—"That the work of : installing electric light in RedclifEs should be done by the ■Cormeil, and that the control of the whole work should be left in "tho hands of a committee consisting of tho Mayor, chairman of the Finance Committee, chairman of the Lighting Committee, and Cr. Rankin, with the town clerk as executive offiCr. Paterson moved as an amendment, that the work be carried out by contract. There was. no seconder, and the motion was carried. ; The question of purchasing two motors for pumping purposes was left in the hands of the special committee. Cr. Paterson said the Council had taken advantage of the Act in raising £3000 without going to the ratepayers, and he registered his protest against the proceedings.. On the motion of Cr. Barr, it • was decided to proceed "witih. "tho installstion. of electric light at Redcliffs at once. __ At tlio conclusion of the business, Cr. Paterson stated that he would resign his position on the Conncil.