MUNICIPAL

Evening Star, Issue 11892, 21 May 1903, Page 8

MUNICIPAL

St. Hilda.—Mayor Gore presided at last night's meeting, and others present were Crs Culling, Marlow. M'Farlane, Ashton, Bragg, Bellett, Burk, Hodges, and Dr Coughtrey.—The Works Committee reported, in to several applications lor footpaths, etc., that they intended shortly to inspect both wards, and to report to the Council.—The Finance Committee stated the funds to be: District fund (dr), £915 lis 8d; .special loan account (cr), £3B Is lOd; sanitary (dr), £Bl 17s 3d.—The General Committee reported re the cattle-straying nuisance that persons complained of should be notified that unless they abite this nuisance they will be summoned. They further reported that the Council had no power to compel the Forbury Park Land Company to lower their trees.—A claim from a ratepayer for damages sustained through falling into a ditch was referred to the Drainage Board. —Mr E. J. Duthie, secretary to the Royal Reception Committee, notified that a balance of 13s 9d was due to the Council, and suggested that this amount be passed on to the Queens Statue Fund. This suggestion was adopted. —Cr Marlow brought up the matter of footpath formation. He said that the numerous demands continually reaching the Council for improved road and footpath formation intimated a strong desire for such works, but unfortunately their finances would not bear the strain. * A balance of £3OO was all that was available for the next twelve months, and that would not go very far. The only thing he could see for it was another loan. He would move that the Works Committee be asked to report on the advisability of raising, say, a £3,000 loan for footpath formation. This would probably enable them to form three or four miles of properly-kerbed footpaths in each waid. He thought, also, that'it was time the Council exercised their power of calling upon ratepayers to contribute onethird cost of footpath formation, which power they had not hitherto used. The number of houses going up in the district proved the necessity of such works, and these could not be carried out without further borrowing. The Mayor pointed out that the Council's overdraft was about £l,lOO (only £2OO below the limit), and if works were to be carried out a loan was necessary. After further discussion as to whether the Council should continue to "go ahead" or "go slow," Cr Marlow's motion was carried.