BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 123, 22 November 1906, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the above was held yesterday afternoon. Present — Mr W. J. B. Trewin (Mayor), Crs. Dunlop, Richmond, A. Thompson, Harford, Fitzhrbert, Williamson, Burne and West. The meeting was called for the purpose of considering the night soil question. Iv discussing the question of removing night soil free outside the sewerage area, the Mayor stated that it appeared to him that an extra rate of *d in the £ would be unduly oppressive on people living within tho sewerage area and who are already connected. He contended that the former Council had no right to pass the same. Mr Harford interjected, and said if they did not pass it they would never have got the loan. .* T o c . Mayor, continuing, said that Mr bimms, of Dunedin, had given his opinion that no Council had the right to tie the hands of the succeeding Council. He contended that assuming that the night soil was removed free, he did not believe that the tenants would get one penny reduction in their rents. Cr. Harford said it was bringing matters to a low ebb, not to carry out the resolution as passed by a previous Council. Cr. Fitzherbert said there was only one way to look at the question, and that was to carry it out to the .best of their ability. The ratepayers outside a certain area had been led to believe that they were to derive certain benefits and now that the people inside the area had got what they required, they were going to repudiate it, which, to him, appeared a very dishonourable proposal. He thought that there was no good discussing the matter further, so the best thing they could do was to get to business. Proposed by Cr. Harford, seconded by Cr. Richmond, That the resolution re removal of night soil in outer area passed at last meeting be rescinded. — Carried. Proposed by Cr. West, seconded by Cr. Harford. That the Council collect the night soil in the area now served, viz*., that portion of the Borough bounded by North, East, bouth and West streets. The houses in this area which are outside the sewerage area to be served free, houses in the sewerage area to be charged 6d per bucket until they connect with the sewerage system. — Carried.. Proposed by Cr. Burne, seconded by Cr. Williamson, That tenders be called for the removal of night soil. — Carried. Resolved that the Jockey Club be charged the sum of £10 per year for the use of water and be supplied by meter if preferred, the Council to have the option of installing a meter at any time if considered necessary. THE TOWN CLERK. The Mayor, iv moving a motion hat Mr J. Rankin, the Town Clerk, be granted one month's leave of absence and a bonus of £25, referred to the many high qualities of Mr Rankin, and the valuable assistance given by him during his four years' term of service. He had not enjoyed the best of good health lately, owing to the heavy strain of work during the last twelve months. Other Councillors also spoke of the sterling qualities of Mr Rankin, so the Mayor's proposition was unanimously agreed to. . IN COMMITTEE. The Council then went into Committee to consider another important matter. THE GAS WORKS. The Mayor read the following letter fiom Messrs Meek and Von Haast, solicitors for the Feilding Gas Coy.: — Following on our letter of the 21st September, we have no instructions from the directors of the Feilding Gas Coy., Ltd., to say that, having 01-tained the information for which thoy were waiting, the directors are now prepared to recommend the shareholders of the Coy. to sell to the Feilding Borough the two sections of land forming the site of the Coy.'s works together with building erections and machinery thereon (including Manager's residence) and fixed appliances used in connection together with all mains, meters and with the Coy's business for the sum of £16,500. The proposal excludes the office, shop and workshop in Kimbolton road, which the directors believe the Council does not want to acquire. The date for giving possession is left over and can be fixed to suit the mutual convenience of the Council and Company . Several of the Councillors indulged in a hearty laugh on hearing the letter read.