PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Patea Mail, Volume XXIX, 7 October 1908, Page 2

PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Monthly Meeting. The monthlv meeting 0 f the Patea Borough Council was h«ld in the Borough Council Chambers on Monlay evening. Present—The Mayor, Crs. Q. Smith, J. A

McKenna, W. Hancock, H. Littlewood, F. Spooner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The Patei Harbor Board offered old rails suitable for plectric light purposes.

—Referred to Electric Light Committee. M. M. Johnston, captaia Salvation Army, explaining that he had pat in two 50-candle power by mistike in the local Barracks not being aware that it was contrary to the agreement. Secretary Patea Bowliug Club, asking on what terms the Council would supply the Club with light (three 32's) for four months. Manager, Bank of New Zealand, an. nouacing that the rate of interest on the Borough overdraft wouli be 5£ per cent, from October Ist. Department of Agriculture, drawing attention to the gorse growing on tke sections occupied by Mrs Wilson and Mra Co Uopy.—Referred to Mayor to attend _ to. fjL; TRANSFER. ' '"' A transfer of section 49, Block 3«, from B. T. Bennett to H. Priestley was granted.

REPORTS. The Foreman's report was read and adopted. The Electrician reported as follows : The plant at the Power Hous9 is running well. During the month the street lamps have been put up in Cornwall and Cam* bridge streets. Mr Edndge's kouse hat been connected. I should likw to have a man for a day at Payne's dam. The Electric Light Committee reported as follows: That the engineer inspsct raile at Heads offered by Harbor Board to Council, ascertain if suitable for limp poles, and price required for same; That on account of the very greit increase in candle power at the Salvation Army Barracks, the assessment for the months of Aug*st and September last be increased to 10s per mouth, and that providing the 50-c.p. lamps are removed, the assessment

for the present be 6s p?r month ; That Mr Manoy be charged 10s for current consumed daring the last three weeks; That Mr Edvidge be assessed at 10a per month until the new meters arrire; That the application of the Bow-Hug Club be granted, and that the assessment be 15s per month for three 32 c.p.; That the engineer be empowered to employ assistance to finish repairs at dam; That six T, & H. 5 auop. meters be obtained at ones ; That as the summsr months are now approaching the requests for lights in Meredith, Richmond and Lincoln streets be held over till next winter; That* new cover be obtained for the macbiue, cost

about 10s; That th« necessary wire, etc., for connecting the new transformer »• obtained, cost estimated about about £33 4s; That Mr Ramsbbttom's offer of £2 for oat crusher at Payee's dam be left to* the chairman to deal with. On the motion of Or McKenna, seconded by Cr Smith the report was adopted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £S9 7s general account, and £-H) 2s lOd electric light account wer« passed for payment. THE WINDMILL. Cr Littlewood a9ked if any action had been taken in regard to rer> wring the windmill. The Mayor said nothing had been d«nt.' Cr Smith explaiued that he had understood that the captain of the Brigade had seen the Mayor who had nndertaken ta attend to the matter. The Mayor said this was not so. Cr Smith Baid that the windmill was being repaired but he did not know who had authorised it. BATHING. The Mayor sud Patea bad a good river but there was no accommodation for ladies for bathing. He thaught the time had arrived when something should bo done in the matter. He hoped at the next meeting the matter would be goua into and some of the councillors coma forward with a scheme. SHORTAGE OF LABOB. Cr Smith said he understood from the Foreman's report he could net get man to do tarring.

The Mayor said there was a shortage of labor.

Or Smith; Is it a shortage of meu or a shortage of wages? He thought they should pay 9s a day to casual laborers for tarring. He moved that the Council pay the men employed in tarring 9s a day.

Cc Litfclewood asked if this was the ruling rat* of wages. The Mayor said Is an hour was the ruling rate. He knew there was a scarcity of labor from his own experience. Or McKeana in saconding the resolution pro forma, pointed out that there had been no demand from the men for increased wages. He thought that the. trouble was from scarcity of men. Cr Smith said there were plenty of men who would prefer to ramaia idle rather thau take tarring at Is aa hour. The motion was put and lost. SPOKTS MEETIXG.

Cr Littlewood wanted to know if the Council could not assist in the oinreiaeat in the town for getting up sports. The Mayor: How do you mean ? Cr Littltwood; Financially. It is a> movement which should be supported. The Mayor." We have uot the power. Cr McKenoa pointed out that in the past the resident* had supportel the sp>rts and he saw no reason why it should not be so again, STRAYING STOCK. The Mayor asked if any of tha couacillors could suggest anything to stop cattle straying. Cr Smith thought that the owners should be prosecuted. Cr Littlewood stated that a resident had complained of a cow getting into his. garden. The matter dropped with a siigges.tJon from the Mayor that some definite action should be taken at next meeting.; Cemetery Board. The monthly meeting of the Ofinletify Board was held on Monday ev^ing. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The chairmiu stated that ditriug the month cattle had got into the Oeuietery doing damage to tha extent of 16s. They were considering the advisability of suing for trespass but they found that they could not prosecute unless they had a lesjai fence. —The matter was referred tothe Committee. Accounts amounting to £S 14s werepassed for payment.