MOTUEKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13771, 7 May 1915, Page 2

MOTUEKA BOROUGH COUNCIL.

{From Our Own Correspondent.)

Tho monthly meeting of the Motueka Borough Council was held on Tuesday evening. Tho Mayor (Mr. P. G. Moifatt) occupied the chair. As it was the first meeting of the new Council, the business of the meeting was preceded by councillors making tho usual declaration. C'v. Wallace was unable through illness to be present, and sent an apology for his absence. The members who made the declaration, were Cis. Henry Buckeridge, A. Grooby, C. J. Boycs, J. A. McGlashen, and It.' Atkins.

The Mayor welcomed the new Council, and said he vas sure that his successor (Mr. Lowe) would work with thtin for tho good of the borough.. The finances of tho town required the careful consideration of the new Council. If progress was to be made, provision would- have to be made for rais ing the money. He regretted that Mr. R. Fry. had bean defeated, as he had been a useful member.

Cr. -Ihackeridge thanked the' Mayor for \j?. kmdly remarks, am] liopetl that tho new members' would all pull together, and that after arguing out matters in the Council all differences would be forgotten when the meeting ended. The retiring Mayor (Mr. Moffiitt) had got through a most arduous year's work with credit to himself and tho borough. Cr. Grooby, as the.councillor witn (he longest" term of .service, endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker^ Cr. McGlashen also spoke in a simi--l;ir strain, and emphasised, the fact that their differences should only "exist in thr council chamber.

Resolved, that.; Crs. , Buckeridge, B.yes and -McGlaslieh bo appointed to sigri cheques on behalf of the Council. Accounts were passed for payment amounting to £122: The overdraft at. the Bank "of New Zealand wan given as £1:298. and the rates outntandinp; amounted to £150.

(>. Groohy reported Unit repair* to t!m ff.otpatli in Poole street had -boon ofrV'otcd ?t a cost of £G 9s. .. " / fn reply to a request for a ccmtri-

Lmtion towards the upkeep of the Nelson Technical School, the Council decided to reply thnt it was in favour of a conference of local bodies on the subject before deciding on any course of action. The Mayor repoi-ted that an applit" cation had been made to the Fire & \ Underwriters' Association, for a reduc- ;> tion of fire insurance premiums in a : - certain area of the borough. The matt': ter was now under the consideration >;of the association, and it was to be j '* hoped that the reply would be f avourr able. :1 The foreman's report was read, show- * ing details of work done during the 1 month. . Resolved, that the Works Committee - consist of Crs. Grooby, Boves and Mcc Glashen. : " Correspondence was received as fol- " lows: — ■ 1 From the engineer, Waimea Cotinty, 3 asking if gravel could be obtained from the pit in Hurst-house street; also what '» royalty would be^isked by the Council. > —'Resolved, that a reply be sent stat- j » ing that the Council cannot entertain " the proposal. » From the Minister of Internal Af--3 fairs, asjking for particulars of certain 3 matters in connection with tho rating > of the borough.—Resolved that the let- ' ter be acknowledged. From the trustee of the Fearon c Estate, stating that a contract for the formation of the new street, near \ Fearon street, had been let to Mr. * Kelling, and asking that the Council's 1 overseer supervise, the work.—Resolved ■ that the trustee be referred to a pre--1 vious letter from the Council on tho ' matter. 1 From Fell and Atkinson, asking that ! the seal of the Council be affixed to ■the plan' showing the right of way on ; the premises of'Mr. W. J. Moffatt.— 1 Request granted, Crs^ Buckeridge and Grooby to" sign the plan. From the secretary of the Hospital and Charitable- Aid Board, stating that the contribution of the Council for the year had been fixed at £110. —Received. Mr. W. J. Moffatt interviewed the Council regarding his property in Greenwood street. Under the street widening arrangements of the Council !ho would be losing 17ft of land, and the reduced size of tho section would preclude anything being erected except a luikling 'suitable for business purposes. If the Council decided to widen Greenwood street right into High street, it would make the site of some value in that direction, but if the widening was not completed then his property would be greatly depreciated in value. Cr. Grooby was of the opinion that the street should be completely widened, as at present it was a disgrace to the borough. Resolved (Crs. Buckeridge and Grooby), that the matter be deferred until next meeting. Mr. James McGlashen interviewed the Council, and asked their permission to move back 6ft the fence 'on the old cemetery in Pah street. The present fence was out of tho street alignment, and there was no means of ."getting flood-water away at present. Resolved, that the matter be re- ; ffMTPcI to the Works Committee to report os regards the flood-water, but that Mr. McGlashen be informed that the matter of moving ,the fence had been gone into previously, and that it ■, would be illegal to do so. ] In connection with the forthcoming i sitting of the Assessment Court, Mr. j H. P. Knyvett was appointed to act |on behalf of the...Council.

MA'S ORAL INSTALLATION

j T,ho installatim of Mr C E. Lowe as i Mayol' took place at noon on "Wednesday. All the councillors were present; also several ex-councillors and other citizens. Tlw retiring Mayor (Mr P. G. Moffatt)/ in giving his farewell address, stated that hi* occupancy of the Mayoi.il chair had been an education to iitni. During his term of office "they had '-xperieneed an uphill fight. Owing to the war the'money market had tightened, and it had heea thought advisa>>h? not to place a loan proposal before the electors. In his opinion, progress did not always mean raising rat-es and spending ?noney; and there [were many oth?r ways ir. which the ! Council could study and conserve the interests of the borough • During his | term of office tho foreshore near the beacons had bfcn secured as a pleasure resort," practically without .any monetary expenditure. Arrangements were being mado with the Fire Underwriters' Association to reckiee the insurance rates on portions^ of the borough, owing to the existence of a com]X>tei\t Fire Brigade. It was a mistake ior the electors fco think that the raising of the rates or the floating of a loaii jneant additional. taxation without' any return. If th>s money was spent proppj'ly it nioaut ah increase in the value of property, and additional convenience and pleasure to the citizens. If tho town was to make any marked progress it would bo necessary for the citizens to take a more active interest in municipal matters. He had duri.i;; his term called several public meetings, but the attendance had been .very-, unsatisfactory-vM> Moffatt conoludod by.\yishing his successor and the new Council a successful term of office. Mr Lowe, alter making the usual declaration, expressed his thanks to the electors for placing him in such a responsible position. ;|e did not think that so much responsibility rested wita the Mayor; and it was for the Council to take the initiative in all matters pertaining- to tho public welfare. Their responsibii:t,y was just as great, and lie trusted that he would have their support in ma'n.'taiidng the. dignity of the governing bod> of the town. He intended to introduce a modified form of standing orders for the conduct of their meetings, ana he was certain that much valuable time >\ould be saved. A finance committee Mould have to bo appointed to go thoroughly into all the cktails of their experdituve, and suppl..'. the Council with a clear conception of what, all ivork reaiJy cost. He iclt sure +hnt. if this was propt>rly done their funds would go much further than had been the case in tlie past. Mr Lowe concluded by.i inviting the cmwcillois, their wives, and (iie representatives of the Press, j to a trip down tlie Bay. All tho councillors congratulated Mr Lowo on his fKetion to the ofiice ot Mayor and from the tone of rhe romarks made, M is evident thah the ■ Couni-il intend to work harmoniously! together. r ... j Il'r \V*. J. Mfffatt, an ei-coimomor, expressed \\U pleasure a*; the^eliange of the municipal ''atmosphere." l>vrm<y his- term'-of office, he. with otihers, had 1 ought .for progress, but they na« always been in a minority. In nis , iopin-oii the town had a great future, and ho was plri'iscd to'-sen a program- \ ive M.uov and Council in. office. . Messrs G. W. Uonivly and L. Manoy ■ also i-pokf in congratulatory terms ol the Mayor and the personnel of the Council;"