BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3787, 11 February 1908, Page 3

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above was held in the Council Chambers last night. Present; His Worship the Mayor (B. G. Gower Esq.), and Crs Wilson, Gray, Shadbolt, Hennessy, Stiles, and Baker.

Minutes of the last general and special meetings were read and confirmed.

Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows :

From Valuation ' Department, asking payment of three guineas Borough‘Council’s share of revaluation of Borough. —The Clerk stated that the Council had already paid this amount in November last, and that no revision'of the roll has taken place since then, though the roll itself badly needs ‘ revising, and repeated efforts had been made to get the Government Valuer to go through it, but he has not yet done so. From Messrs Brandon, Hislop and Johnston, solicitors, re Coley to Butcher and others in reference to the gas works site. From «T. F. Martin solicitor to the Municipal Association, in reply, stating that the cemetery moneys must-be kept in a separate account in the corporations book, but are not in his opinion-required to. be kept in a separate bank account. Cr Stiles moved, and - Cr -Henriessy seconded, That the AuditorGeneral be informed that this Council is advised by T. F. Martin Esq., solicitor, to-the Municipal Association, that it is not Obliged to keep a separate bank account for the cemetery, so long as a separate account is kept in Council books' of all cemetery monies, which has been done, and further,that it would be against the interests of the cemetery to have a separate bank account, as it would be frequently overdrawn, and interest thereon charged against the cemetery.—Carried. A letter was read from Dr. Mandl drawing the Council’s attention to a matter which is closely associated with the health of the town so long as Foxton is without a water supply and is dependent upon tank water for domestic purposes. The letter stated that the purity of the water depended upon the cleanliness of the roofs and tanks, and respectfully suggested the necessity for periodical inspection of roofs and tanks. He was safe in saying that in the majority of cases tanks and roofs are in anything but a sanitary condition. This is a menace to the public health, and combined with the long spell of dry weather, has resulted in a considerable amount of sickness, which, in the case of infants, has taken a severe, and in a few cases, fatal form. The letter further stated that Dr Mandl was communicating with the Health Department, with a view to having leaflets issued bearing on this subject.

Councillors expressed appreciation of Dr Mandl’s letter. It was pointed out that the Council had no power to compel householders to clean their tanks.—Cr Hennessy said it should be compulsory on the part of householders in the absence of a borough water supply, to provide two house tanks to each dwelling.—Cr Baker suggested that the pine trees in the old cemetery should be cut down, as such trees contaminated tank water,—No further action was taken.

Dr Adams- wrote, notifying a case of phthisis in the borough. From the Treasury, notifying the gazetting of the special order re loan. The Secretary of the Friendly Societies’ Council wrote, enclosing £7 las, being io per cent, of gate money from Sports on New Year’s Day. . From the Minister of Lands, re planting at Sanatorium, and stating that the Department did not intend to proceed with same. Re cutting and removing grass in cemetery, opinion was divided as to what action should be taken for recovery of cost, of same. —-It was finally resolved that an account of the cost of cutting and removing grass in the cemetery be forwarded to Mr G. Barber. A communication from Mr A. R. Macdonald, asking the Council to prevent persons from lighting fires at the rubbish depot, had been attended to by the Mayor, A letter was received from the Christchurch Fire Board, offering to sell a chemical fire engine to the Council at a reduced price.— Councillors were of opinion that further information should be obtained re same, and the Clerk was insl:"c f ed to write for particulars and pncj. The Mayor stated that the borough windmill had broken down, and as it was important thst the matter should receive immediate attention, he had instructed a new mill to be erected. The mayor’s action was endorsed.

The road overseer stated that 300yds metal would be required for urgent road repairs. The poundkeeper’s report was read, and accounts amounting to £%b odd passed for payment.

From the Secretary of the Palmerston Chamber of Commerce requesting the co-operation of the Council in asking the Manawaiu County Council to metal the road near Himatangi while the weather is favourable, also asking the Council to appoint a delegate to wait on the .County Council, and urge the desirability of having the road from Foxton to the Beach metalled at an early date.—Reported elsewhere. A letter was read from the Government Valuer stating that he would visit Foxton as soon as he had completed valuing in the Rangitikei County. In. reference to the letter from

Messrs Brandon, Hislop and Johnson, the Mayor said it was apparent they did not understand the situation. —Or Stiles said he had spoken to Mr Ford, the gas works engineer, who said that the matter would be settled satisfactorily to all parties.-—Cr Wilson moved and the Mayor seconded: —That Messrs Brandon, Hislop and Johnston be informed that the Council is quite willing to pay the £7O referred to in their letter of 7th inst. upon the transfer of a portion of the section to the Council, but not otherwise. —Carried.

Cr Gray was of opinion that tlie Council should procure a stone crusher.-y After discussion a resolution was passed authorising the Clerk to procure all necessary information with regard to price of stone crusher, arid report to next meeting.—The resolution was seconded by Cf Wilson and carried. • The tender of Mr James Coley, for carting metal from the pit was accepted as follows: —2% mi.les, 4/6; 3 miles, 5/-; iniles, 5/6.