MUNICIPAL.

Evening Star, Issue 8407, 7 January 1891, Page 2

MUNICIPAL.

West Harbor. The ordinary meeting of the West Harbor Borough Council, held last evening, was attended by the Mayor (Mr W. Barclay), Crs M’Cullocb, Harold, Mtiller, George, O’Donnell, Griffin, Ross, and Sievwright.—Cr SieVweight moved—- “ That the toWn clerk write to the Railway Coihmissioners to ascertain whether (provided the Council of the Borough of West Harbor is prepared to recommend the burgesses to consent to levy a special rate to guarantee the Railway Commissioners against loss, in terms of the resolution of the Railway Parliamentary Committee) they, the Commissioners, will agree to try on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers section either the Hungarian zone system or some modification thereof, or the Vaile system, In speaking to the resolution, the mover said that to take up such a position would be quite harmless, and the Council could in no way commit itself thereby. His idea was to keep hammering away at the railway authorities until the present fares were reduced. The fares as they stood at present were far too high—absurdly high ; and they could never make the borough a success until they were altered. So far as consenting to levy a special rate was concerned the Council, of course, would not take that step until a public meeting of ratepayers was called. To levy a rate did not necessarily mean to collect it. Cr O’Donnell seconded the motion. Cr Harold considered that the present rate of fares was not half low enough, and he would clearly be in favor of the motion if the ratepayers were consulted before any definite step was taken by the Council in the way of levying rates. The Mayor replied that that could not be done until a public meeting of ratepayers was held, Cr George thought that the idea was an excellent one. They could not get all they wanted, but if a uniform rate of fares was obtained from one end of the borough to the other, that would be something. Cr M'Culloch thought they would all be agreed that something should bo done in this direction, and the borough would never go ahead unless the railway rates were reduced. The Mayor said that the fares from town to Ravensbourne were very moderate, a working man being able to travel daily second class at something like 10|d per week,_ and consequently there was a comparatively large population in and around that portion of the borough. But another station down the fares were much higher, and the locality in that direction was but thinly settled, showing conclusively the advantage of reduced fares. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Cr George, seconded by Cr Sibvwright, that the sum of twenty-five guineas be voted as salary to the mayor. Several of the councillors stated that the services of the mayor bad been of immense value to the borough, and the ratepayers ought to be proud in securing a gentleman who was so worthy to fill the position which Mr Barclay held.