BOROUGH COUNCIL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2588, 24 August 1922, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING A SHORT SESSION The monthly meeting of the Borough Council was held in the Council Chamber last evening, when there were present: His Worship tjie Mayor (Mr S. Lewis), Councillors W. Moore, A. H. Gascoigne, W. Stopford, L. M. Morrin, W. Wilkinson and H. Alan Bell. i Pearson Memorial Fund. A letter was received from Mr Clutha Mackenzie, stating that, a 3 % number of local bodies desired to make lai'ge contributions to the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund for the blind, it became necessary for validating legislation tti bg passed, ia Parliament. Cabinet had agreed, provided there is no objection from ratepayers. He hoped this Council would make a contribution. 'Mr Lewis pointed out that if a contribution were given from the Council’s funds, ratepayers might object to a personal canvass being made, as the money given by the Council would be ratepayers’ money. Mr Lewis also stated that the collection from the last community “sing” was to be donated to this fund. As Mr Mackenzie is shortly to address a meeting in Cambridge, the matter of raising further funds was left over until after his visit. The Fountain. Mr A. Underwood wrote, enclosing a cheque for £lO, which he would like to be used in improvements to the fountain in Victoria .Street. He suggested moving the fountain nearer the Post Office. The matter was left in Or. Bell’s hands to report. Building Permit. Mr Veale forwarded plans of new offices, to be erected in Empire Street, for approval. A permit was granted. Arboreal Committee. A report was received from the Arboreal Committee, giving details or the areas that were to bo planted in trees. Application was also made for permission to plant waste portions of the Council’s property near the gasworks. The application was granted. Council in Committee. A very lengthy report of the proceedings of the Council in Committee was presented to the meeting and adopted. Following are the principal items contained therein: —

We are of the qpinion that the matter of provision for the payment of antecedent liability should now be dealt with, and that application should be made to the Bank of New Zealand for a loan on the terrhs of their offer, viz., to place a loan for 15 years at (5 per cent. The Commission to be 1 per cent, —The Mayor and Crs. Gascoigne and Stopford were deputed to endeavour to secure better terms from the Bank, the Mayor pointing out that certain local bodies were securing money by debentures at 51 per cent.

We had under consideration the suggestion to set up separate Committees of which notice was given by His Worship the Mayor at the last meeting of the Council. We are of the opinion that the Council’s work is carried through quite efficiently by the present system of the whole Council meeting in Committee, and in that way dealing with every phase of the Council’s operations. We purpose, however, testing the value of divided responsibility by recommending that the following Departmental Committees be set up: — Works —His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Bell, James, Moore and A. Wilkinson. Finance and Legal—His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Gascoigne, Calvert, Morrin, Stopford and W. Wilkinson.

The Town Clerk reported having received from Mr E. A. Taylor, of the firm of Barton and Taylor, solicitors, Hawcra, a photograph dated about .1873, of the site of the present wharf on the Waikato river. Mr Taylor suggested its inclusion in a local collection. We directed that the thanks of the Council should be conveyed to Mr Taylor. \V T e received from tjie secretary to the Cambridge Borough Sinking Fund Commissioners a request to be allowed to withdraw the whole amount on deposit, £267 12/4. As the whole of the Temporary Loans will bo liquidated ou the completion of the loan arrangements with the Bank of New Zealand, we have postponed payment for the present.’ We received front the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Education Committee communications outlining the objects of the Committee, and iuviting the co-operation of this Council in bringing pressure to bear on Parliament to utilise the buildings hitherto used tit Euakura Farm .School by the Repatriation Department for t,he purpose of a permanent Farm f School, which it is suggested should be established at Euakura in. the near future. We resolved to take no action thereon. The Treasurer reported that of the .1921-22 rate arrears, which amounted to £899 15/7, £650 2/4 had been paid, leaving a balance o? £209 .13/3 yet to be paid. The Treasurer reported the following

rates had been collected to August 10, ! 1922:—General and Special, £OSS 1/3; Water, £222 18/2; Water Sundries, £6O (approx.); Sanitary Fees, £ll.l. Total, £.107S 19/5. Ladies from several social committees reported that the crockery at the Town Hall was much depleted. Wc authorised the ordering of 24 dozen cups,' 3 dozen milk jugs, 2 dozen cream jugs and 2 dozen basins. • Railway Yard The Mayor referred to the present state of the entrance to, and siirroundings of the railway station. All the Councillors agreed that it was in a disgraceful state. The Railway Department had promised to effect improvements, but had not done so. It was decided to mention the matter to the Department again. By-Laws Inspector. The question of the appointment of a By-law Inspector and Bath Caretaker was left to the whole Council in Committee. Road Repairs. It was decided to draw the attention of the foreman t@ the bad state of the road at the Taylor Street end of Bowen Street, and in front of Mrs Hartley’s, in Lako Street. War Memorial. The Mayor stated, that he and other Councillors were continually being asked when the War Memorial would be completed. This matter was not in the Council’s hands but in those of a special committee. Or. 8011, as one of the committee, stated that they had had trouble in procuring marble. As soon as the marble arrived the work would be completed, and the public would be notified. Treasurer’s Report The Treasurer reported a credit balance on all accounts. The 'General account showed a credit of £6OB 15/Bthe Gas account, £76 8/10; and the Waterworks, £2BB 0/6. Accounts The following accounts were passed for payment:—General, £632 4/9; Loan £164 4/11.