BOROUGH COUNCIL,

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2318, 5 January 1893, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL,

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday evening. Present — His Worship tbe Mayor (Mr. O. E. Major), Councillors Hood, Wm. Adamson, Winks, Satton, Wilson , and Johnston.

MAYORAL STATEMENT.

The Mayor, before proceeding with the business, addressed tbe Council, and expressed tbe hope that their meetings would be marked by harmony, due regard being paid to the main object in view — the

welfare and advancement of tbe borough.. Though they should have no objeots inimical to neighbouring towns, for he did not hold with fighting and biokering between towns, and was incliaed to see them mutually helpful, he considered that our watchword should be vigilance, and we should not neglect our own interest?. Before referring to matters he would have to bring before the Council, he spoke of tbe advancement made in recent times in Taranaki generally, including particularly our own town and tbe immediately surrounding district, There was no doubt that as a community, and, generally speaking, individually, we were a richer community at the end of 1892 than we were at the end of 1891. Statistics lately published showed that tbe exports of Taranaki were three times as great during the last quarter of 1891. There was reason to hope for much greater progress, and as to the town of Hawera be believed tnat the cutting up of. lands in the vicinity of Hawera into small areas of from 150 (O 300 acres, which would be brought about by the passage of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act of last session, would lead to a volume of business accruing to tbe town, which would be at least equal to the volume accruing from all other sources at the present time. Among tbe matters to be dealt with at onoe was, first of all, the water supply question. He bad at various-times in the past opposed sohemes brought forward, because he considered that the financial position and the smaliness of the population would not warrant tbe necessary expenditure for securing a permanent supply of good water, but he thought tbe time had arrived for aotion. He .quite recognised that the town oould not progress very far unless it had a water supply. He referred to the various schemes, and considered that of Barr and Oliver the only practioable one, so far proposed, but they were aware that Mr. H. W. Olimie Btated that a gravitation sobeme conld be scoured for a much less sum than that mentioned by Barr and Oliver— £ 18,000. Of course, £13,000 would be a large sum, and even if it were reduced to £10,000, as it could probably be, it would be a big thing, and there might be some difficulty in getting the ratepayers to vote for a scheme whioh on present rate basis would mean an extra rate of 2s 6d in tbe £. However, they would discuss that later on. He thought that the next valuation would give the borough another £150 or £200 a year. There was £1000 available for water out of the old loan. He would be very anxions to see a water supply because of the greater feeling of security it would give to residents, especially business men ; it would improve sanitary matters, and be a great convenience. In addition, it would improve the value of property, it would attract population, and therefore the burden would be carried by more shoulders. He thought with a feasible economical scheme to carry out, and with the security they could give, tbe money could be borrowed at 5 per cent. Following in tbe wake of a water supply would come a better sanitary system— perhaps a proper, system of drainage. Present arrangement! were not satisfao* tory ; and until a proper system of drainage could be got they must consider what could be done to improve existing arrangements. He understood that in towns of a considerable size in America, and also in Australia, there was a system of depositing dirty water and filth in airtight pits, and having it removed at stated times in air-tight carts, and he would have enquiries made to see if anything of the sort could be done here. Much rubbish, too, could be burned. He thoald insist on tbe inspector of nuisances compelling people to comply with tbe by-laws to the letter. Councillor Winks said people would be driven out of tbe town if that were done. The Mayor thought not. It might affect some councillors personally, but he would see that the by-laws were rigidly enforced j and he would try to see what could be done to prevent mobs of horses and cows being driven through the town damaging the streets and creating filth. He thought also that a stop should be put to the praotioe of some shopkeepers and others sweeping paper and rubbish into tbe streets. The keeping of tbe streets clean and the enforcement of sanitation would make tbe town far more attractive. There were a number of old settlers who, having done well, were passing their farms over to their sons, and- were the town affaire well managed would no doubt come here to live. He spoke of the need of a bridge over the Ararata stream to open np a road to Hawera for settlers inland; he would bring forward a resolution on that subject. There was another road required through the Ngaire bJook, but be understood that until the Government had acquired that land they would not make tbe road. There should be urged on tbe postoffice authorities the need that existed for a new post office. He was assured by the postmaster, that that the accommodation was not sufficient to enable him to conduct business properly, and at times all felt tbe inconvenience caused. He referred to the Botokare reserve, and hoped that would be soon let, so that there would be money to spend on it, and make tbe place one of tbe " lions " of Hawera. ( These and other matters would require attention, and he hoped that all would work together to assist the prosperity of tbe town. CORRESPONDENCE.

Stratford Baoing Club asking that holiday may be declared in borough on 19ch January, Stratford race day. — The Mayor Baid id was usual for the Mayor to be requisitioned by ratepayers ; and he gave instructions that such a reply be sent. ACCOUNTS.

The following accounts were passed for payment : — H. Soutbey, blocks for kerbing, £69 143 8d ; Styles, glazing pavillioo, £1 15s ; MoLaughlin, oartiDg, £8 Is 6d ; Gunn, pay-sheet, £9.ss ; Wallace, kerbing, £9 6s; Parkin, kerbing, £7 145; G. Grant, carting, 11s; Innes "and Co., £2 7s; ■•BSrflett ' and Noble, barrow, &s Sd ; A'Gonrt, horse and caffc hire, £B 7s 6d. An account from J. Milford for gravel for j£ss was-paased subject to approval by the works committee. - ..,_... . -DO& TAX. -- ir- a It was resolved that the police be asked : to collect the doe tax again thisyear. The usual disonssion took p!aO6 as to ; there b^ing a difference of fee as between" cattle dogs and others. On a division a motion to make the fee for sporting-dogs 7s 6d and for others 2a 6d was- negatived, tbe Mayor, Ors. Sutton r and" Winks for ; Crs. Wilson, Hood, Johnston, and Adamson against;, the fee was made. 5g all round. Councillor Wilson thought that sporting ] dogs should be kept on the. chain as they were a great nuisance. , ( . . ' . ARTESIAN WELL FUND> This matter which was discussed fully ,and left over from last meeting, again come up for* discussion. \ There were two proposals again brought forward, one by Councillor .Winks that ; . \egal , advice be taken 'as to the, position of affairs, and tha.t,a.conjmittß8 M be appointed to enquire r : what jabpuld be dons as to a water supply ; and" then an amendment by Councillor : Hood that a meeting of subscribers be j conventd to consider what should be 111 1

done with tha unexpended biknoe of the money. The former was amglto. A ABABATA STRKAK^ A" The Mayor moved that % oommitfcT consisting of Councillor* Oaplen and Adamscn *ait on tbe County Council and ask them to urge the Government to construct a bridge over the Ararata stream.— Agreed to. LEASING BOROUGH BESHBVE. The Mayor moved that instruction bo given to the clerk to take.atepaiw learios section next Hudson's samplerooto. Several councillors pointed out tbat that was a firebrigaJe reserve. j The Clerk said there'wasiStninK in the grant about the fire brigade, - It wm eimnly a borough reserve, , The" enghn shed had since been brought next borough . chambers. "

Councillor Wilson would second the motion provided that the *«ntt'rfenk to I the brigade. ■'. „, .f i| Councillor Sntton seconded tiha motion! ' Agreed to. - / MBS. DOUGLASVPADJOOOX* '"• The need for draining <y*B brought up by Councillor Hood. This m»tteTia in the hands of the works coimiiiftee,*ana' it was understood that the matter would be attended to by the committee before next meeting. The council adjourned. <\ ■ - -