PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8168, 20 August 1887, Page 2

PALMERSTON NORTH.

{from: oue own coeeespondent.) August 18. The Borough Council Chamber last night was the scene of a rather warm •discussion over arrears of rates. Councillor Hall had taken considerable trouble to overhaul the list of burgesses in arrear, and he produced the result of his labors. Even old councillors were astonished when he read out a list of rates unpaid, amounting to £275, owing by eleven burgesses, three of whom were responsible for £ll3. It appears that the Council’s system of balloting for which defaulting ratepayers to summon has had the contrary effect to that intended, as a number of those owing large amounts aeem ' determined to wait until their names are drawn before paying up, on the off chance of being the lucky parties. The exposure made by the plucky councillor mentioned will, no doubt, have a beneficial effect. A letter was read at the Borough Council meeting from Mr Hall, solicitor to the successful competitor for the water-supply scheme, threatening legal proceedings unless the amount is paid over. - The Council referred the matter to their legal .adviser. Another step has been taken, in the matter of pushing on the gasworks, the Council having decided upon the conditions for leasing the reserve as a site, and giving power for the agreement to be signed. A meeting of gentleman interested in the hospital was held hero this afternoon to consider a proposal to hold a fancy fair and industrial exhibition.in aid of the hospital funds. Opinions were expressed very favorable to the prospects of such an undertaking, "and it was decided to hold an industrial exhibition during Christmas week, and a fandy fair some time afterward. A committee, consisting of Messrs M. Cohen, F. Jenssen, Grace, Buiok, and Alex. Ferguson, were appointed to draw up a programme of procedure. Mr H. Barnett, the well-known architect, was appointed honorary secretary. Two neglected children named Mills were committed to the Industrial School, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court here to-day.