Waimate Borough Council.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2954, 28 November 1900, Page 4

Waimate Borough Council.

The monthly meeting of the Waimate Borough Council was held on Monday evening last. There were present—His Worship the Mayor and Councillors Philip, O’Connor, Sinclair and Dean. Since last meeting five Councillors had resigned their seats, but had been re-elected. Four of these were present at the opening of the meeting, namely, Messrs Coltman, Inkster, Jones and Cameron, and having made their declaration as newly-elected Councillors, took their seats. In consequence of the interest taken in the proceedings of the Council recently, and in the elections, there were a good number of borough ratepayers

present. The Mayor referred in feeling terms to the recent death of Mr Taaffe, Town Clerk, and proposed that a letter of regret and sympathy be sent to Mrs Taaffe. The motion was unanimously carried. The following correspondence was dealt with :—From the Canterbury Jubilee Memorial Committee, with information as to the carrying out of the committee’s programme, and asking the assistance of the Council in the matter.-—Letter received. From Mr J. Moore, asking to have a transfer to him of the lease of the dairy factory section near railway station effected.—Councillors Coltman and Dean were authorised to sign the transfer on behalf of the Council. From the Timaru High School Board, notifying that Mr M. Smith, this Council s representative on the Board, is now retired by effluxion of time.—His Worship said that this election would have to be made at the same time _as the Mayoral election under the provisions of the new Municipal Act. After some discussion it was resolved to defer the election of a representative until the time for the election of Mayor. From Mr Watt, of Pahiatua, enclosing a plan and estimates for water-gas for lighting the borough.—Referred to the Works Committee. From the secretary of the Waimate County Council, re the annual appointment for the combined County and Borough Councils of a member of the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board.—lt was resolved that Councillor Dean be elected as representative of the Council on the Board. Councillor Inkster was elected a member of the Waimate Hospital Board. His Worship the Mayor vacated the chair, apologising for being compelled to leave on account of urgent business. Councillor Sinclair was voted to the chair. From Messrs Price and Son, of Sydenham, and W. H. Symes, re supply of sewage pumps. —The letters were referred to the Sanitary Committee. From the Waimate Library Committee, asking the attendance of representatives of the Council at a meeting to confer as to the selection of a site for a new Town Hall and new library buildings.—lt was resolved that a meeting of ratepayers be convened to consider the erection of a Town Hall. The committee appointed to enquire as to the terms on which part of Kelcy’s Bush could be acquired reported having interviewed Mr Studholme on the matter.—lt was moved and seconded that the matter of the purchase of Kelcy’s Bush for the borough be brought before the meeting to be convened to eonsider the Town Hall erectiopppap Tim resolution twas lost. The Mayor resumed the chair. The report of the works committee was read. Some drainage improvement had lately been carried out. Several small works, improvement of roads and footpaths, clearing of obstructions, etc., were recommended. It was resolved that the smaller works be done under the direction of the works committee, and that tenders be invited for the larger works. The sanitary state of the town was reported to be satisfactory by the nuisance inspector. A complaint of Sir Heron for being called on to pay a license fee for his milk cart was read.—The Council considered that no license fee in such a case should be demanded. Correspondence respecting the appointment of consulting engineer was read. It was stated by Councillor Coltman, that in accordance with the borough by-laws such appointment must not be made without first advertising for applicants, and stating in ruch advertisement the salary to be given by the Council. —After considerable discussion the matter was held over until the appointment of the Town Clerk is under consideration. Applications for the office of Town Clerk were brought forward. Councillor Coltman objected to take them into consideration as the advertisement calling for applications did not state the salary proposed to be paid, the same objection as that to the engineer’s applying, namely, non-compliance with the bylaws. He also gave notice of motion for next meeting to rescind the resolution of last meeting that the advertisements be inserted in the local papers only, advertisements for applications for the office of Town Clerk to be inserted in other than the local papers. Councillor Coltman gave notice"ftTmove at next meeting, that the resolution of last meeting for the printing of the building bylaw be rescinded. Councillor Coltman was voted the thanks of the Council for his long and faithful service as representative of the borough on the South Canterbury Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board. The following committees were ap-

pointed Works : Councillcrs Cameron, Inkster, and Dean. Finance: Councillors ’’ Dean, Mann, Jones, and Coltman. Reserves : Councillors O’Connor. Sinclair, and Philp. Sanitary : Same as works committee.

The acting clerk was appointed returning officer.

In passing accounts, amounting to £59 11s 6d, Councillor Coltman objected to an item which he said was unauthorised expenditure. On being put to the meeting the accounts in toto were passed for payment by a majority of one vote. The Council then rose.