PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Patea Mail, Volume XXXIV, 24 May 1911, Page 2

PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Special Meeting.

Annual Estimates Brought Down. A special meeting of the Borongti Council was held in the Council Chambers on Monday night, His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Grainger, Rarnsbottom, B, T. Bennett, F. Spoonor, A. Gupo, W. Cody, and Dr Simmons being present. Cr Grainger said before the business of the meeting was proceeded with he would like to enter a strong protest against the setting up <>f the committees at the previous special meeting of the Council. He had distinctly understood that there was to be no business taken at that meeting other than that of installing the Mayor. Cr Cody said he was under a like impression, and he would like his protest recordedTho annual Estimates and the Finance Committee's report were then read as follows : Finance Committee's Report. The committee begs to report that the leases held by Messrs Larking and A. M, Howitt are being re-offered by public tender, the former property for the balance of the term held by Larking, and the latter for five years, the conditions of lease fully protecting tho Council's inte'reste. That all tenauts cf the Council are now receive ing notice to comply with the condi. tions of their leases within six months or notion will be taken by the Council; that the property let to Mr Hulbert on a weekly tenancy be painted by the Council. The Committee bgs to recommend that a general rate of Is 6d in the £ be struck for the ensuing year, and that the water rate bo not collected ; that a special meeting of tho Council be held on Monday sth June, 1911, for the purpose of confirming the rate." Estimates, IiECEIPTS. Received. Estimated 1910-11 .1911-12. £ s. d. £ s. d. General Rat&of 1/6 in the £ on £B2OO 665 0 0 Subsidy on rates ... 75 5 0 194 0 0 Rents ... 480 7 7 490 0 0 Licenses ... 180 9 0 175 0 0 Dog Tax ... 29 12 6 30 0 0 1554 0 0 EXPENDITURE. Expended Estimated ] 910-11 1911-12, £ s. d. £ s. d. Salaries ... 182 7 0 185 0 0 Advertising, etc. ... 54 17 9 40 0 0 Stamps, stationery 9 2 9 9 0 0 Audit Fee ... 4 16 8 4 10 0 Valuation Fee ... 7 7 0 7 7 0 Street Maintenance 533 16 1 500 0 0 Insurance ... 11 9 0 20 0 0 Water Supply ... 207 0 7 10 0 0 Fire Prevention ... 58 10 6 30 0 0 Hospital and Charitable Aid ... 12 4 1 13 1 8 Drainage and Sanitation ... 31 1 0 15 0 0 Oilico Cleaning ... 610 0 610 0 Sub. to M.C. Assn. 22 0 22 0 Dog Tax ... 2 4 0 Bank charge for. ac- , count and Interest on Overdraft ... 85 2 9 80 10 0 Interest cAc. No. 1. 225 0 0 225 0 0 Street Lighting ... 100 0 0 100 0 0 Band ... 20 0 0 20 0 0 Licensing Kxpeui.es 16 17 2 12 13 6 Bridge Maintenance 22 13 5 3 0 8 Law Costs ... 13 13 6 6 6 0 Domain Board ... 20 0 0 20 0 0 Technical School ... 20 0 0 Miscellaneous ... 7 0 0 7 0 0 Cjnting ncies ... 214 15 2 1554 0 0 His Worship explained the Bati. mates in detail and said that the Financa Committee recommended that the general rate be reduced to Is 6d in tho £ this year in view of the probablo loan expenditure during the coming year. He also mentioned the fact that tho Qovomm9nt had signified the intention of substdising the Council to tho extent of £ for £ up to £250 for any expenditure that may bo incurred by the Council in connection with any Coronation memorial they may decide upon. In considering the Estimates Cr Grainger said he thought a larger amount than £SCO should have boen allocated for street work as tho streets were in very bad repair.

His Worship said the sum named judiciously spent, would suiilco to keep the roads in fair repair for the voar.

Cr Ramsbottora moved that the Domain Board and Band b 9 granted (he sum of £2O each for the year. Cr Grainger sec ruled the motion and said he was sorry that this was not a fixture on the Estimates each year. Personally he would like to see tho grant increased. Cr Spooner said ho thought it would be better to boll oil from the Domain and Band for this year to onablo tho Borough to improve its position. Or Simmons said he would support tho grant to to the Board. He thought it a very necessary expenditure. The 80.-.ul was doing very good work but ■... ,:t\ hampered for want of funds.

His Worship said ho wouhl .support tho grants, Ho thought the present pavilion was a disgrace to the town and ho hoped the Brmrd would take tho earliest opportunity.of either ronewing or repairing it. Tho resolution was then put and carried.

Ilia Worship then moved that the Estimates as read bo adopted.

Cr Simmons seconded the resolution which was carried,

His Worship asked tho members of tho several committors to mo?t at the earliest opportunity and elect chairmen and get down to business straight away.

Cr Grainger stated that ho would not attend any committeo meetings until tho motion, of which he intended to give notice, with regard to the setting up of tho Committees, had been dealt with.

At the conclusion of the ordinary business of the Council, His Worship tho Mayor brought forward the question of the Council availing themselves of the offer of the Government to grant a £ for £ subsidy up to £250 for any expenditure the Council might incur in connection with a memorial of the Coronation. He thought it would bo advisable to call a public meeting and allow the residents of the town to express an opinion as to what they considered the most suitab'.o method of eimmeraoiating the Coronation of His Majesty. The Councillors agreed with His

Worship's suggestion and it was decided to leave thg w uior of ti'U.9 and date of meeting io His Worship's hands.