PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 94, 7 August 1895, Page 2

PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The above Council held its usual monthly meeting on Monday, when there were present—His Worship the Mater (presiding), Councillors Adams, Gower, Irwin, Mahony, Sergeant and Williams. Minutes of former meeting read and confirmed. Correspondence read and dealt with. Outwards as authorised; Inwards; from Mahony and Co., staling that license lately issued was only a renewal, not a new license, and consequently no application necessary; from Department of Agriculture re Arbor Day; from Gold mining League, re objects of league; from Commissioner of Taxes, notifying forwarding balance of subsidy, £l7 9s 3d; from Auditor-General, stating Government prepared accept re payment of loan at any time; from T. Wright, offering trees for sale: from County Council, asking for payment of balance due on bridge-building account and licensing accounts ; from Patea Fire Brigade, asking Borough Council to fix the annual subsidy to the brigade at £lB, brigade to keep everything in order. Referring to the claim on licensing account, Cr Gower thought they should protest against paying two clerks. The mayor thought it would be no use protesting to tbe County Council, as they merely worked under the law, If they protested at all, they should protest to the Government. The matter then dropped. Re claim for balance of bridge. His Worship said it would be extremely expensive to go through all the formula for raising a loan for the sake of so small a sura, and they had money at the ciedit or No. 2 Account; and it was a question whether it would not be advisable to utilise that balance and pay the accounts. Cr Adams moved, and Cr Gower seconded, “That the County Council’s Bridge Account be paid by cheque on the Patea Bridge Loan Account No. 2.” Carried unanimously. The Fire Brigade’s letter was considered, and after a short discussion it was referred to the Fire Brigade committee for information as to requirements, and report at next meeting. Mr Wright’s offer of trees was considered, and it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Adams, “That the forest committee be empowered to purchase any trees required for planting during the present season.” Letter from Auditor-General, re repayment of loan, when His Worship the Mayor stated that the borough loan was paying 3 per cent without any sinking fund, which, he thought, should not ba allowed to continue, as he thought the money could be borrowed in England at 4 per cent, thus leaving 1 per cent for sinking fund, which, in time, would erase the debt.

Cr Williams thought they would be able to get money from Government on even better terms than they could get it from England. Cr Adams thought it would be a good thing if the loan could be arranged at 4 per cent, and so enable them to pay 1 per cent sinking fund without any further charge on the rates; but he tlaought local bodies loans were not a success in England, and would be dearer there than in the colony, and thought by the time exchanges, etc., were paid they would find a loan dearer than the present I one. 1 The mayor said he did not propose to | give unlimited authority to Mi Cowern to get the money; but he presumed the Ceuneil would make distinct arrangements for the money at Patea. On the motion of Cr Adams, it was nanimouaty resolved that a Fuanca Comumittee, consisting of the mayor and Crs Brown, Gower and tbs mover, be appointed to make all enquiries into the loan, and report at nest meeting of the Council.” His Worship, referring to the letter from the Agricultural Department, said there was no hope of doing anything with Ai’boi Day fills year ; but wben the road to tho Heads was fenced in, he hoped the Council would have the assistance of the burgesses in planting it, when “ Arbor Day ” could be observed with advantage. Ee Mahony and Co.’s letter. Cr Mahon y said the license gx anted was a renewal, not a new license, and that the Inspector of Buildings bad inspected the building and was satisfied with the arrangements made. Cr Adams thought if the Inspector was satisfied with the arrangements made, and if Mahony and Co. had com* plied with the Act, they had nothing more to do with it. Cr Gower thought if Mahony and Co. has held a license for that hall for several years past councillors were very much to blame,Jas the building certainly had not been tit for public purposes; but it was different now, as Messrs Mabony and Co. Lad complied with the requirements of the Act, and were entitled to a license. Tho subject then dropped. Cr Williams asked what licenses of all sorts were granted. The clerk replied that G. Williams bad licenses for one cab and one express ; J Mereer one express; one cab, and one dray; W. J. Dickson one dray; H, Locker one dray; all licenses were paid. The foreman’s -report was read, reporting chief work to be draining,—. Eeport adopted. The Mayor then reported the result of bis enquiries re interest on everdraft, and his report was adopted. Accounts to £233 were passed for payment. Mr Eossiter waited on the Council to explain that if his tender was accepted he should like to run sheep instead of cattle. The Council then went into committee to open tenders for the reserves, .and on resuming the recommendation of the.committee, that Mr D. Sargeant’s tendeWbr block 4li, at £lO 15s Od per annum, and Mrs Jans Irwin’s for block 42, at £8 per annum, bo accepted, was unanimously adopted. It was resolved to cancel Mr Holmes* lease of sectionlately occupied by the late foreman of works, Mr O’Meara, and the same be left with the Town cleik to re-let from year to year. Tho mayor reported that the trees in the Market Square were being trimmed, and those in Bedford-street would bQ thinned out immediately after# Couugii th«u adjourqe^

CEMETERY BOARD then met; same members present. Minutes of former meeting read and confirmed. Mr Brown reported the work done by the committee during the month, Mr Invm congratulated the members of the committee on the very excellent manner in which the work had been done at the cemetery. Accounts amounting to £7 16s 4d were passed for payment, and the Board ad' journed. DOMAIN BOARD then met; same members present Minutes of former meeting road and confirmed. Mr Gower thought something might be done in the direction cf planting trees round the lake, as every year was of importance'in getting that portion of the domain in order. An irregular discussion followed, but no resolution on the subject was tabled. Notice was given by the clerk, of the expiry of two leases of the Board’s reserves, and it was resolved, “ That tender* be called for leases of reserves occupied by Messrs J. A. McKenna and Rossi ter, to be in by noon on 16th Sept; and that a special meeting of the Board be held on that evening to deal with same. The Board then adjourned,