WAIMATE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10583, 12 October 1910, Page 2

WAIMATE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A meeting of the above was held last evening;' present —His Worship the Mayor (Mr N. Francis) and Councillors Inkster, Miller, Jones, Cox, Gollett, and .Sanders. ' After reading the minutes Councillor W. E. Evans, the newly-elected councillor, made the usual statutory declaration and took his seat. —The Mayor welcomed Councillor Evans to the Council table, and made reference to the fact that Councillor Evans' father was a member of the first Council elected in 1879. ' The Mayor's statement was read and received. . • Councillor Manchester apologised for absence. —Councillor Hunt forwarded apology for absence, and asked for two months' leave of absence. —Granted. Councillor Evans was appointed to the vacancies on all committees of which exCouncillor Hntt was a member. Mrs G. Manchester drew attention to the nuisance caused by running the water from the side channels, on to lier property, and requested the Council to abate the nuisance.—The letter was referred to the Works Committee for report. The Town Clerk applied for and \vas granted leave of absence from the 17th to the 20th, Mr J. Crawshaw being appointed acting town clerk. ■ The Gisborne Borough Council asked as to what was the experience of Waimate in regard to the system of rating on unimproved values. —To be informed that the system has been found satisfactory.

G. Marriott applied for and was granted a permit to keep pigs in the borough subject to the approval of the sanitary inspector. The Anglican Church Property Trustees returned a rate demand for rates on the St. Augustine Hall in. .Paul street, claiming exemption.—The Clerk reported that the hall was used for lectures and flower shows, and so became rateable. —Resolved to state the case for an opinion from the solicitor to the Municipal Association. —The Clerk reported that the same hall had been used for a public lecture on the 6th instant without a license having been applied for. The Rev. MackenzieGibson was present and addressed the Council. —After considerable discussion it was resolved to notify the trustees: that a. breach of the provisions of the Municipal Corporations Act had been committed in not applying for a license. The borough solicitor forwarded an opinion that the Council had no power after once forming a.'special drainage area to afterwards rate such special area, in connection With a complete system without the consent of the ratepayer in such area.—The Mayor said that this opened up the drainage question again, and Dr Finch being present the Council .woujd perhaps like to hear his opinion.—Dr Finch spoke at length, drawing attention to the fact tliat'the system of cesspits had only been permitted as a temporary relief, but the time had now come when the Council would be justified in considering the question of installing underground drainage, particularly in the more congested portion of the borough. The need was not pressing outside the main streets, but in these some'steps ought to be taken to meet the requirements of the ratepayers. The only alternative to putting in an underground drain was to use the side channels, and this would probably be in the end almost as expensive and not as satisfactory as the former. He would advise the Council ta get a report and see if something could not be done to relieve the present trouble with a view to an extension later on.— It was resolved, on the motion of Councillors Sanders and Cox—"That in the opinion of this Council the time has arrived when it is necessary to provide some system of-.underground drainage for the congested portion of the borough."—Proposed by Councillors Jones and Inkster-—"That further consideration .of the drainage question be ;held over for a. special meeting,*t<s be held on the 20tli inst." —Dr Finch was thanked for. his visit. Resolved to open the swimming baths on Monday, 31st October, and that A. H. Wemyss be offered the position of i caretaker. • ' i Tenders for fencing the reservoir were ] •received and referred to the Town Clerk with power to act. :, ; _ Resolved that the "Water Committee make inquiries ;and report to the CounI cil upon the question of a readjustment of all • water charges. ■■■'■> .■■■".•■'. v J. Jameson'objected to the charge made for water for cows.—Referred to the water inspector with power to act. ■ In pursuance of notice of motion, the Mayor moved - and Councillor Sanders seconded, that resolution 2000—making a charge for all garden hoses—be rescinded.—Carried. The Clerk was instructed to apply for a title of the pound reserve and to take steps to let the reserve on a short tenancy. Accounts amounting to £l7l 9s 2d were passed for payment.