FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1932, 28 January 1919, Page 3

FOXTON BOROUGH COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Foxton Borough Council was held last night to appoint a roadman, and general. There wore present: The Mayor (Mr J. Chryslall) and Crs. Coley, Henderson, Me Murray,' Hurley, Kemp%ter, Hannah and Bryant. An apology for absence was received from Cr. Tliompson. ROADMAN. The Mayor stated that for health reasons Mr W. B. Brown, who was appointed to the position at the last monthly meeting of the Council would he unable to accept same, and it would he necessary to appoint one of (he other applicants. It was decided that Mr W. Sexton bo appointed, FOOTPATHS. The Mayor said the Council should endeavour to do a certain amount of now work in connection with footpaths every year. An effort should be made to do one street each year. Cr. Henderson said there was a motion passed some years ago authorising the asphalting of Park, Liddell and Cook Streets and Ravens worth Place, to be gone on with at once, hut (his bad not been done, and other work had been given precedence. He considered the streets mentioned should be done before any others. He also mentioned that trees had been felled across flic Avenue Road footpath, and considerable damage bad resulted. Cr. Bryant said he had given notice of motion to rescind all motions in connection with public works wh ieh bad so far not been carried out. These motions should all he wiped out and a fresh start made.

Cr. Coley said he would like to see the footpath on one side of Cook Street completed. Crt'Hurley agreed with the Mayor that it would be a good policy to complete a certain amount of footpath work every year.

Cr. Bryant said (he Council should make I lie property owners hear some proportion of the cost of the footpaths. Cr. Coley said that properly owners could not he compelled to contribute towards (he cost of footpaths along their frontages. Cr. Kempster said he understood that in other towns property owners were ealled'upon to pay portion of the cos) of footpaths.' He suggest - ed that half the width of the,-path should lie done and the property owners complete same. Cr. Hannah suggested raising a loan for the purpose of fool path construction.

The Town Clerk read the section of tin' Public Works Act dealing with footpath construction, from which it is clear Hint the property owners can be compelled to contribute up to half the cost by way of a rate.

Cr. Bryant amended his notice 01. motion to read “That a committee, consisting of Crs, Bryant, Thompson and Hurley, he set up to go through the minute hook and submit a report on motions authorising public works that had so Jar not been carried out.” This was seconded by Cr Kempster, and carried.

Cr. Hurley moved, and Cr. Coley seconded, that Cook Street, from Main Street to Johnston Street, lie asphalted. On being pul to the meeting this was lost, the voting being: .For, Crs. Hurley and Coley and the Mayor; against, Crs. Henderson, Bryant, Kempster, Me Murray and Hannah.

Crs. Kcmpstcr :ind Ab-Murray said they would have supported the motion if (ho property owners were to be called upon to contribute half the cost.

Cr. Coley said he understood thali was to he the position. He was prepared to pay his share, provided all other streets were put on the same basis.

The Mayor said he -would have an estimate of the whole cost of footpath construction prepared, and the Council could consider the question of raising a loan for same at a future meeting. WATER SCULLY.

Cr. Me Murray brought up the question of a water supply. He said it was time a move was made in the matter, in view of the recent tires, where valuable property had gone up in smoke. W ater was very badly needed, and when that was obtained drainage could follow later. At present they had to rely on Hie railfall for their water supply, and the nenewing of tanks was a continual rale. The Council already had an estimate of the cost of an artesian supply, which he considered was Hie best proposal for Foxton. Tho hydro-electric scheme from Shannon, when installed, would cut down the cost of pumping to a minimum. He asked that tho previous estima!es,ete.,be. tabled at the next meeting, and gave notice of his intention to move at that meeting that the question of a water supply for Foxton be further considered.

Cr. Bryant also favoured the artesian scheme as being the only one Foxton could afford.

The Mayor said that undoubtedly the gravitation, scheme was too costly for the Borough to undertake. '

Cr. Henderson said ho believed the previous poll, on this question would have been carried had one scheme only been submitted to the ratepayers, instead of two. Cr. Coley said he would support a water scheme if the cost was reasonable. The previous scheme was altogether too costly. His rates at present were £ll4 per year, and he was prepared to support any scheme that would not more than double his rates. He thought anything above that was too expensive, and lie could wot support it.