THE PRESENT COUNCIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 85, 25 April 1903, Page 2

THE PRESENT COUNCIL

ITS DYING HOURS

THE RETIREMENT OP COTJN-

CILLOR HARLEY

RECOGNITION OF GOOD

SERVICES

At last night's meeting of the City Council tbe Mayor (Mr H. Bateent) said that as that was the last meeting of the present Council he hopod to see all of the members who were seeking re-elec-tion returned. Important; works had been commenced which were still in hand, including the waterworks extension, gaß works extension, and the building of the new offices. He was sure that when these works were completed they would no doubt be approved of by the Council. That the action of the Council I in these works had been agreed to by tho public was proved by his re-elecfcioo, and his relations with the Council hap! been most cordial and harmony bad existed amongst them all. Although he may have erred in allowing too much discussion, he thought they should not work uader a cast iron rule. Hoiverer, he promised to be more strict in tbis respect in the future. There was a considerable increase in the rateable value of property t.his year, the sum amounting to iJ2529, 1 and he was of opinion that there would be a larger increase next, year. The matter of overdraft had increased by £143, and he considered theie wa<j cause . for gratification that it was not higher On the whole, considering the small amount of money the Council had the little excess of overdaraft was excusable. The Council had been accused of squandering money on cab hire for the Works Committee. The cost for the year, he said, would not exceed £4, or at the outside £5. The actual cab hire for the last quarter I was £i 16s. Referring to works that will havo to bo done this year, the speaker said thait the culvert tn Halifax stress)

would hare to be extended. He hoped the work would be taken in band shortly, as well as the work oq the Port road. Io a few dayß Trafalgar street would be rolled and graded, and it had also beon agreed to grade Alton street. The work in Waimea Street had been done splendidly, as anyone could testify. The Council, he considered, mast provide for an infectious Diseases Hospital, and it would have to be put np. This would cost tbe Council .£2OO or .£3OO. As boqd ac the new Council were elected he proposed calling the members together for the purpose of framing estimates. But he was opposed to raising the rates. They were about to lose two Councillors, Tr Boon had proved himself an excellent Councillor, but unfortunately pressure of basiness prevented him from standing again. Cr Harley's retirement he deeply regretted. Had Cr Harley been in Nelson when the nominations closed he would certainly have pressed him hard to again contest the Council. Cr Harley bad been in the Council for 13 years , and during the time the speaker had been associate! with him in the Chamber — some nine years — he had al ways looked upon him as an adviser, and Cr Harley deserved the heartiest thanks of all the citizens. Cr Harley always took an interest in the local affairs, and no Councillor , had done more than he during tha past^l3 years. The speaker hoped that when a vacancy occurred Cr Harley would come forward again.

All the Councillors present referredJiD flattering terms to tho good work done by Cr Harley, and it wa3 resolved on the

motion of Cr Fairey, seconded by Cr Fathers, that the Council's recognition of Cr Harlsy's thirteen years of service be pLicad on record. The motion* was carried°amidst heaity applause,' --:-;3fe -,2 *-* g~ I Cr Harley, in returning;? thanks, said that pressure oi private bosiness prevented him from contesting lhe election. He hoped to see the present Councillors ro» turned, and referredto the splendid staff of officers the Council possessed. He considered the Council had as good a staff of officers as could be procured by any body or firm. He was* sorry to part from the Council, and said goodbye for a bit at all eventß. Cr Boon also returned thanks for tho kind words said of him. g The Mayor also stated that Mr H. V. Gully, Town Clerk, had celebrated his 28th year of work in the Council on Monday last.