WAITARA BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1927, Page 11

WAITARA BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING GF THE COUNCIL. SOME BREEZY BUSINESS. The Waitara Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. E. A, George), and Crs. J. Hine, H. Wakely, H. E. Brabant, T. B. Ewens, L. Sampson, T. Taylor, and 11. Spurdie. The engineer (Mr. C, F. Dowsett) reported that the main road required immediate treatment in order to preserve and maintain it. It was important that the “bleeding” should be absorbed by suitable gravel or chips. Places in tho road were also exposed and required treatment. He recommended that 200 yards of gravel be procured and spread. —The engineer was authorised to supervise the work. The borough inspector reported having repaired four water mains and laying two water services. There had been another water service applied for. The intake race at tho reservoir would soon need cleaning. An inspection had 'been made of the tunnel with satisfactory results. Five building permits had been issued and seven drivers’ licenses given. "Is the Taranaki Local Bodies’ meeting more important than the Municipal Conference?” asked Cr. Ewens of the Mayor when the rouncil was appointing a delegate to attend the local bodies’ meeting. The Mayor explained that the Municipal Conference was being held in the South Island, whereas Eltliam was tho meeting place of the latter. Cr. Ewens: I just wondered whether Waitara was not regarded as worthy of notice.

The Mayor said he could not attend the Municipal Conference. Cr. Ewens: Are you the only one who matters ?

The Mayor: lam easy. If anyone wishes to go and the council decides—well and good.

Ur. Ewens: I just wondered, you know.

Cr. Ewens, when the council was considering a tender for gravel, strongly objected to "the practice of the works committee in taking it on themselves to recommend and carry through the matter of metalling High Street without the matter having been discussed by the council.” He spoke at length. Cr. Brabant asked if Cr, Ewens’ remarks were intended as a vote ci noccnfidenee in the works committee.

Cr. Hine and the Mayor contended that the matter had been discussed and decided upon by the council following the recommendations and a verbal report of the committee.

“That's ail very well; -but where is your proof?” asked Cr. Ewens. “I maintain that the matter was discussed by the full council,” replied the Mayor. “You can maintain what you like, Your Worship,” was the rejoinder.

"Yes, you are looking at the clock again. It is a habit of yours, but I’m getting used to it now,” said Cr. Ewens to the Mayor. A voice: I rise to a point of order!

Cr. Ewens: I am going to have my Another voice: Confine your remarks to the chair.

Cr. Brabant: I move that we proceed. Cr. Ewens: You couldn't move anything else! Cr. Brabant (heatedly): I rise to a point of order against these remarks of Cr. Ewens. We are always wasting time here through his long remarks and irrelevancies. We have been a harmonious council until he came on. I strongly object to his remarks from his chair. If he has anything relevant to say let him Stand on his feet.

The Mayor: Yes, that is why I mentioned that I would not permit any remarks across the table, please address your remarks to the chair.

Cr. Ewens: I always obey the ruling of the chairman, and I always do address my remarks to the chair. The ranger reported that he had impounded 22 cows, 8 horses, 6 heifers and 2 bulls on the roads of the borough during the month.

The electrical engineer (Mr. G. O. Smith) reported that three new lighting and one cooker installations had been added to the mains, making the total number of connections 387. Pressure had been satisfactory and 18,500 units had been registered, as compared . with 15.550 for .the same period last year and B,t>oo fox