WAIKOUAITI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 35

WAIKOUAITI.

April 0 — The statutory meeting of the Hawk* bury Borough Council was held on Wednesday, 22nd inst., to amend and sign the district electors' list, 1905-6. The list, as amended, contained 350 names, and. on being approved of, the Mayo* «cd Crs Da^is and FeCl were appointed to sign same. Borough Council. — The ordinary monthly meeting of the council was held ort Monday evening, there being present — the Mayor (Mr R. Temple+on), and Crs "Davis, FeJl. Heckler, O'Halloxaii, Rendall, Russell,vStewart. Smith and Valentine. Dr Ogstan -wrote in reply to the council, that he was doing all he could in regard- to the borrow pitg alongside the railway station, but stated that the drainage from on© of the hotels -would' have to "be diverted from the pits. The-Under-secretary Lands Department wrote that as land applied for recently in Edinburgh, street formed part of th© streott the departmetnt was unable to grant the council permission to have -it fenced off as a, reserveMr A. S. Orbell appeared personally to ask if the council was agreeable to exchange » piece of land at Mount Watkins Reserve for another piece that he was negotiating foe with Douglas's trustees. The council's tenanfc (Mr P. Toomey) also attended, and it wa3 pointed out thai the exchange would benefit both parties very much in regard t-o fences ajid gates. — The exchange was agreed to, provided it could be legaily effected, the several" uarties interested to bear their proportion of the expense in connection therewith. Three tenders fox the post of ranger, etc., were received, but, after consideration, it -was decided that noiie of the tenders were suitable, nmd the matter was left over for the new council to daal with. Two ratepayers applied to have some improvements to their entrances, and the secretary of the Presbyterian Church Committee asked for permission to take about 30 yards of clay from Kildaro street for filling-in purposes. — The applications were" granted. The borough inspector having prepared estimates, it was decid'sd that footpaths be formed in Thomas street from Main road to the Roman Catholic Church ; in Aberdeen slreet from railway crossing to Edinburgh street; in Glasgow street from Main, road to the bridge ; and in Malloeh street from. school gate fo the bridge on liagoon road; also, that some gravel be spread on. Inverary street. In response to an inquiry from anagent of the Liands Department re sand drift; areas requiring to be planted, the coimcil decided to apply for sufficient marram grass to plant about 12 acres on each side of Beach, street extension through the sandhills, and Ihe clerk was instructed to write the School Committee asking its co>-operation in getting the school children to assist in the planting: of the grass. The Finance Committee reported a credit balance of £120, and accounts amounting to £78 13s 7d were passed for payment. No Wards. — A special meeting of tha council followed. at which the reso-

lution passed at the last monthly meeting to the effect that the waids bo abolished within the borough, was unanimously confirmed. As this was the last meeting of the present council the Mayor took the opportunity of thanking the councillors for the ! courtesy and assistance rendered him during his term of office. They had paid especial attention to their duties, and had had several long sittings together to get through the busiress "brought before them. He thought the present sitting was a record one, as it was then after 11 p.m. He also referred to the loss the council had sustained in the death of the ' late town clerk, who had been a particularly ! careful and painstaking officer. Cr Davis, ia reply, said the councillors had been fortunate in having such a capable and energetic ma-yor to preside over their meetings. They had _ beers shown eACiy consideration during the deliberations, and he moved that a hearty vote of thanks ba accorded the Mayor for the manner 1 in which he had conducted the business of 1 the council. This was carried amidst applause. I Pensions. — Major Keddell held a sitting oi the Old Age Pensions' Court on the 2Sth inst., the Deputy [Registrar being present on behalf o£ the department. Renewals were granted to 5 Maoris and 3 Europeans — i of trhicli were for full pension, 2 for £17, and 1 for £15. One renewal was held over for further inquiry. i Mayoralty. — The present mayor has ~i cl

not to offer himself for re-election. Several J names of persons likely to com© forward have I "been mentioned, bu+ the only one. who has definitely announced himself as a candidate is Mr Thos. Smith, who has been a member of the council, on and off, 'for the last 26 years. The election of mayor and new councillors takes place on the 26th inst.