BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 140, 15 May 1936, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The Feilding Borough Council held its monthly meeting last evening, the Mayor. Mi- T. Collins, presiding. There were also present: Councillors E. Fair, W. W. Andrews, G. Darragh, P. G. Guy. A. C. McCorkindale, V. E. Smith, A. J. Ivellow, T. L. Seddon and G. J. Fitzpatrick. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr H. E. Butcher, offering his services regarding a town-planning scheme. —After a lengthy discussion the letter was received, the Mayor stating that it would be filed for future reference, but he did not think it necessary to engage an expert to advise how to plan out the town. A letter was received from the Palmerston North Free Ambulance asking for support. —The Mayor said that the council had its increased commitments to the Palmerston North Hospital Board to meet and that the Free Ambulance canvassed the town once a month. The council should not contribute as a body. Cr. V. E. Smith said that the Free Ambulance could hardly be called a free ambulance. They asked sections of the community to contribute towards their maintenance. The Hospital Board rate had gone up by £3OO for the borough and there was no need for a free ambulance. Or. Seddon said that until it was proved that the present hospital service was inadequate there was no need for another service. The council had no right to use the ratepayers’ money to support the Free Ambulance. Cr. Kellow did not think it fair to say that the Free Ambulance was not doing good service. The letter was received. The Feilding Pipe Band wrote seeking permission to conduct a street stall. —Cr. Andrews was of the opinion that the street stalls should not be held at the same spot each time. It was the opinion of the council that they should be rotated. The council

decided to grant permission and the town clerk was instructed to arrange the site for the stall. A letter was received from Archdeacon Petrie asking permission to conduct a Paddy’s market in McArthur Street and to'erect a banner across the street —.Granted. REPORT ON FINANCES.

The finance committee’s report was considered and adopted after several items ha.d been lengthily discussed. The Palmerston North Hospital levy, which showed an increase of £357 17s lOd, was the subject of consideration. The council now has to find £I6BO 16s 7d. Cr. Smith explained the increased Hospital Board levy and in a reply to Cr. Kellow. who asked if the limit had been reached, lie was emphatic that it ha.d not.

Cr. Seddon asked if tliere was any maximum amount that the council could be levied. The Mayor replied that there were prospects pf further increases next year. The Hospital Board had gone in for a building programme involving £IOO,OOO. Cr. Fitzpatrick ■ said that the rate had increased and was bound to increase annually. Discussing an item in connection with the Feilding Caledonian Pip® Band being given a subsidy of £o 101 the ensuing vear, Crs. Guy and \ - Ij. Smith moved an amendment to increase the subsidy to £9, and this was carried. ESTIMATES. _ To provide for the increased hospital levy, the hospital rate had to be increased from i3-i6d to Id in the £• 'the other rates are the same as last year’s: General rate, 211-16 d; hospital rate, id; special rate, 4j(d ; total amalgamated rate, 8 9-16 a in the £. \\ ater rate, 4 per cent, on the annual value, the rates are to be levied on SO per cent, values. • the estimated expenditure lor the year is £24,536. The estimated expenditure last year was £22,732 and the actual expenditure £23,575. Tlie estimated receipts are £24,03b. Last year’s estimate was £22,441 and the actual receipts were £24,127. Loan charges.—The increase, the clerk reported, is due to the inclusion of charges on the new £6OOO loan, less a saving of £33 regarding conversion. The total Joan charges payable for the year amount to £10,334. 01 this amount £224 is charged direct to the jubilee building account and £147 to the abattoir. The balance ot £9963 is provided by proceeds from special rates/ payments from the Oroua county and from the watei account. The total of £10,334 includes payments for interest (£6991), sinking fund instalments (£2343) and repayments ol principal (£1000). Public debt.—The gross public debt of the borough at March 31, 1936, was £178,619, and the net debt £150,915. Repayments of principal and payments to sinking fund will reduce this amount, by a further £3343 during the current year. On the other liand, there is a balance of £2OOO in the £6OOO loan yet to be raised. Cr Smith complimented the town clerk (Mr C. H. Tate) on the manner in which the estimates had been prepared for presentation. WORKS COMMITTEE.

The report of the works committee was adopted. It involved the tarsealing of Grey and King Streets, a grant towards the cost of a stopbank to prevent the flooding of the Oroua Itiver, the re-formation and re-sealing of Manchester Street from Eyre Street to Gladstone Street (to a width of 18 feet, at an estimated cost of £200), the sealing of Warwick Street from the bridge to Grey Street (at an estimated cost of £200), and provision in the estimates for £3OO for ordinary street maintenance purposes. The report of the reserves, baths and cemetery committee was adopted. It involved £lO for the provision of seats at the lower end of Kimbolton Road, the removal of unnecessary shrubs and plants in Manchester Square to add to its appearance, the painting of the band rotunda, and provision in the estimates for the following jmrposes : Reserves, £650 (including £54 regarding Kowhai Park and provision for a motor lawn mower); baths, £120; cemetery, £2BO (with provision for additional labour). The report was adopted. MUNICIPAL ABATTOIR.

The abattoir committee's report stated : The engineer’s report, with plan and lay-out of the proposed new buildings, estimated to cost approximately £6500, was submitted. The report embodied an estimate for an alternative scheme of strengthening the existing building, including necessary repairs to the floor at an estimated cost of £220. It was resolved, after consideration of the report and estimates of the cost of a new abattoir, to recommend the adoption of the modified scheme of improvements as outlined, including alterations to the pig department in accordance with the previous report of the borough engineer. The engineers report on the abattoirs stated, inter alia: —With reference to the enlargement of the pig slaughtering department as asked for by Mr Hausmann, the requirements of the district superindent of the Department of Agriculture, and to the

general condition of the abattoir. Mr Hausmann’s request is for greater facilities and convenience to cope with the large increase in the number of pigs now being handled. The district superintendent draws attention to various matters considered unsatisfactory. These matters are dealt with in the proposed alterations. The scheme submitted by Mr Hausmann was further discussed and examined by Mr Gill, district superintendent, Mr Mcllwaine, M.R.C.V.S., also or the Department of Agriculture, Mr Hausmann, Mr Ramsay and myself, as a result of which the plan has been modified to some extent and in its pre- : sent form is approved by the above mentioned interests. The proposal now provides for an extension of 12 feet on the existing pig slaughter room. A partly open lean-to roof will provide sufficient ventilation for any fumes to escape. The hanging space between the clehairer and the singer will now amount to 34 feet as against eight at present. A suitable space is required for the convenience of handling by-products and this is provided by an extension on the side of the budding. The floor of the pig slaughter room will require re-concret-ing over part of its area and suitable drains provided. The boiler house is located alongside the singer room and a new boiler is provided for in the estimates. The foregoing is a general description of the proposed work. The cost of the alterations as described is estimated at £950.