Greytown Borough Council

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue XX, 6 May 1887, Page 2

Greytown Borough Council

LIVELY PROCEEDINGS. i This Council met at the Council Chamlx IGrey-town, last night. Present—His • W isbip the Mayor, in the chair, and Cts Coda, Trot ter, Varnham, Udy jun., Smith,; St George, Cameron, Maxton.and Fabian. I There was also a good attendance of resi» I dents in the town and every available seat was occupied, some even sitting on the floor. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The clerk read the outward correspondence. Correspondence Inwards—From Mr Von Stunner, Waikato, re Railway Reform League. From Col Secretary’s office, re debt of local bodies, From Mr Phillips, Auckland town clerk, asking the Council’s co-operation in protecting the rights of municipal bodies, and asking the ‘Council to agree to nominate a delegate to Parliament. From Mr W, Neill, of Masterton, asking Council to forward particulars of sale of a horse from the pound in October last. From Mr Loveday, secretary to United Charitable Aid Board, te funds required by Council for charitable aid purposes and asking lor an estimate of same. From J. E. Boys, asking tbe Council to give him a month’s extension of time in which to pay his rates, and hoping that tbe Council would be metoiful in their strength. From Mr C. Higgins, secretary to the Qreytown Fire Brigade, asking the Council to provide a suitable firebell for tbe Borough. TEE FIREBELL, 0r Cotter said that the application of tbe Fire Brigade was well worthy of the Council's attention. The tone of the present firebell did not extend sufficiently far to be heard at all parts of the town, and it was not in a proper position in the town He thought a larger bell was required wnero the present one was situated, and the old one placed -somewhere near tbe Fostoffloe. He thought the Council should assist the Fire Brigade to the full extent of their power in the matter, and give them every appliance required within reason, Cr Udy, Jun., said that they needed a fire engine more than they did a bell, but at the same time he would like to see a good firebell provided. He considered tbe engine at work at tbe recent fire not at all large enough for the purposes of the Greytown Brigade. Cr Cotter proposed that a suitable firebell be obtained at a cost of £6 10s to £7. Cr Cameron seconded. He would suggest that the present firebell be hung at Witten’s corner. The bell at present was neither use nor ornament. Cr Cotter said he was agreeable to add Or Cameron’s suggestion to his motion. He believed the school bell would answer the purpose at the Postoffice end of the town, but for the purposes of alarm a good sized bell was required in the centre of the town. Cr St George said it was intended to carry out a series of entertainments in aid of a fund to purchase a fire engine. On that aoooant ho would move, as an amendment, that tbe matter be deferred for the present. Or Smith seconded the amendment. Or Fabian could not see that the bell was anything to do with tbs fire engine, unless the concerts were for the purpose of purchasing a bell an well. They wanted a boll as soon as possible. Or Maxton quite agreed with Cr Fabian Ur t i new one suitable for the town is re “u i. ■ lie .Mayor suggested that perhaps if the bell was hung lower down it would improve tbe sound. Or Cotter said that matter could be safely left iu the hands of the Fire Brigade. They were an intelligent body of men, and ooold deal with it. He repeated that the Council should assist the Fire Brigade to the extent of their power. Cr Fabian moved as a further amendment that it be an instruction to tbe elerk to ascertain the cost of a suitable fire bell, Cr Udy, jun., seconded. The amendment moved by Cr St George was withdrawn, and Or Fabian’s further amendment, upon being pnt to the Council, was declared carried and tbe other motion was lost. Mb boys’ trouble. Respecting Mr Boys’ rates, Cr St George moved to the effect that be be given one month to find the money. Cr Udy, Jun, seconded. Cr Trotter said it was a bad precedent; if Mr Boys got a month every one should be allowed the same time. Cr St George’s proposition was carried. charitable aid. Respecting the letter from tbe United Board, Cr Cotter moved and Cr Trotter seconded, that the matter be allowed to stand over until farther information is obtained. Carried. THE POUNDKEKPER AND THE CALF. la reference to a complaint made by Mr J. M. O’Connor, that the ponndkeeper had not properly described the brands on a certain calf advertised as in the pound, it was agreed that it would he as well for the ponndkeeper to be particular about brands. MB NEIL AND THE HOEBE. Cr Maxton proposed and Ct St George seconded, that the Clerk furnish a detailed statement of tbe nett proceeds of tbe sale of > the horse in October, 1886, to Mr W. Neil, I Masterton. Carried. MUNICIPAL BODIES’ DELEGATES. Cr Udy proposed that the letter of the . Auckland town clerk be laid on the table. Seconded by Cr St George. Ct Cotter proposed as an amendment that Mr Buchanan be asked to act as a delegate for the Council. Cr Varnham thought that His Wor-diip the Mayor would be tbe proper delegate. He would move that the Mayor be appointed. Cr Cotter said he would have no objection to substitute the Mayor’s name for that of Mr Bnchauan. The proposition as amended, was carried. SEATS FOB THE PUBLIC. Cr Fabian called tbe attention of the G'ouucil to the want of seats for tbe public. The clerk said he did not anticipate such a large attendance. works committees’ report. This report as read was adopted, and the Finance Committee’s report was also adopted as read. DEFAULTER j. Tiie clerk read the list of outstanding rates, a uiAiug a total of £7l. FENCES. Cr Mixl-in called attention to the state of -v!t in i in the Borough, notably those l i , i i Messrs Welsh, Dunn, Kempton, M. . I Turnbull.' He moved that these .;;vd be written to. and informed lie n ; Hu y erect a legal fence within 21 i.iyr- tin 1 Council will do so at their expense. i-H- MiK!,--! by Cr Cotter and carried. Cr Colter -aid tie did not bring forward the motion lespeeiing Tioehurst’s fence in an arbitrary spirit, b.it upon the complaint of Constable Kccletou. Cr Cameron said it was nothing to do with the present business. Or Cotter said he had a right to make an explanation. inspector’s REPOST. The Inspector reported that Mr Haigh’s slaughterhouse and all back premises were clean. THE CEMETERY. A letter was read irom Mr W. Q. Beard, solicitor, to the effect that tbe Cemetery Trustees could resign in a body, and the Borough Council could ask tbe Governor to delegate powers to tbe Council to act (or him iu the election of Trustees, but the Council under the Aat of 1885 take no burden or iC3B9g»ibilitj) r in the matter of the cemetery management. , J Cr St George moved and Cr Varnham seconded, that the Governor be asked to delegate powers, &o. 1 Seconded by Cr Varnham and carried,

BATES. Cr Cotter moved, in consideration of tlie ; r poverty, that three months be given to tho.s ratepayers in arrears, and after then, if they did not pay their rates, they be sued without respect to persons. Seconded by Ct Fabian pro forma. Cr Varnham proposed and Cr Smith seconded, that one month only be given. The amendment was carried. THK TOWN GLEBE. The Mayor moved that the clerk be given three months’ notice that his services be not required, and that applications be called for the office of Town Clerk. The Mayor in moving the proposition, said some appeared to think be was working rashly, and that be wished to do away altogether with the Town Clerk, and that be was actuated by unworthy motives, but be could assure every one that his only object was to reduce the present unproportional® expenditure and make it compatible with the income. The expenditure for the year current would be £166 and the income is about L 364 if all rates were collected. There would be auctioneer’s licenses to add to this. At the Hutt Town Board the income for the year was L 491 and the clerk’s salary was only L3O. The clerk for the Carterton Town Board wag only getting a salary of L3O. He considered the Borough's outgoing was too much and wished to reduce it so as, if possible, to reduce the present overdraft at the bank which now amounted to L 220 upon which they were paying Ll6 per annum interest. He thought that some part of that item, the clerk’s salary, should be reduced. He had no possible antipathy to the worthy Town Clerk and anyone that assumed so was wrong. His intention solely was to get clear of the Bank. Other little things might be cut down so as to allow them to work clear of the overdraft and save the large amount of interest. The Featherston Town Board paid their man only £37, perhaps he bad not quite so much to do. He trusted that they would take this matter into their serious consideration; be and they were there to do their duty and the work profitably for the public in general to get the rates reduced and save the £ls or £l6 per annum that comes out of the public pocket: they could then give a better account to the burgesses than in the past. Cr Smith seconded the motion pro forma ; ho did not agree altogether with the way the motion was brought forward, but he would like to test the feeling of the Council; he was of opinion that they were paying expenses greatly disproportionate to the money they received ; be would be glad to see the overdraft paid off as soon as possible ; the people in the town weie very heavily taxed ; what with the River Board and other rates, they had to pay abont 2s in the £ ; he thought they ought to get the work done for less money ; each individual councillor bad every tight to his own opinions. Cr St George said if the rates eonld be collected at Christmas instead of in April be thought the overdraft eonld be paid off. Cr Cotter said it was with great astonishment that he received a notice of motion that the Clerk should be disgracefully turned out of bis billet and he found that the reasons for this were very petty fogging indeed. The Town Clerk's salary, including collector’s commission, <feo., amounted to £BO, and they paid £ls per year for office rent; he was surprised, the motion not only takes the good name from an honest man but it takes his bread awar also. His accounts have been duly audited by two gentlemen appointed by the Borough and have also keen examined by the Public Auditor and not one sixpence found wrong ; could anyone say there was anything wrong with the accounts ; they have an annual statutory meeting ; if any reduction was required it would be the duty of the public and the council to constder it; if official expenses were to be reduced or another official required in the stead of the present one ; then would have been the proper time to consrder the matter. His Worship had spoken of Town Boards ; he must bear in mind that Town Boards could be worked much cheaper than a Borough Council can, the man at Petone was grossly under paid ; and what was the result ? If you wish to get a gentleman of integrity you must pay him a sufficient sum to live on ; it would have been more advisable for the Mayor to have conferred with the Town Clerk and asked him to reduce his salary about Lls. If the motion was passed they did not bring down the rates bat their good name. Possibly the Mayor bad a gentleman in view who could do the work cheaper, but he could tell them that they might only get a half paid ragged fellow and he would take this money out of their funds. The Mayor said it was a gross mistake to think his motion was calculated to oast any reflections on the Town Clerk. Ci Varnham said perhaps the Mayor would like to see a legal luminary with glasses appointed. There must be something behind the scenes that he did not understand. Cr Trotter said be believed there was some* thing behind the scenes which be also dia not understand. The Mayor visited hie place to prompt him, Ct Udy, Jun., said that no doubt the way the proposition was worded would influence the minds of Crs against it. fie, for one, would be very sorry to see the Clerk removed, but it was their duty to get the work done at a more reasonable price. The Mayor should have taken another course, and then they could duly consider how the reduction could be made. Cr Maxton said he did not think it was rjally in the interests of the ratepayers that the Mayor brought forward his proposition, fie (Cr Maxton) did not think they could better their present Town Clerk, and no legal gentleman could be of more service. It would be a great pity if the Council lost his services, and for the work he did he thought he was rather underpaid. The Mayor did not seem capable of carrying out his functions and the Town Clerk has to put him right and Mr Travers himself could not get them out of the messes they have got into under Lis Worship’s supervision ; he fully expected to see another councillor’s name to the motion instead of the Mayor’s, who had received so much assistance from the clerk ; he was satisfied that the motion was brought forward in a pusillanimous manner and not in the interests of the ratepayers. Cr Fabian upon rising, said ho must take exception to the remarks of Cr Cotter; he was making a mountain out of a mole hill; the wording of the motion was wrong ; if a proper motion had been brought forward it would have obtained more support ; he thought some councillors should pay more respect to the chair. Cr Cameron said no doubt the intention of the mover was good enough, but the motion was wrongly worded ; he should vote against The Mayor in reply said he did like a man to be consistent. When he (the Mayor) was asked by the lace Mayor to take office, he hj t* little talk with Cr Cotter, who said they ought to do something with their clerk, as he had neglected his business and he (Cr Cotter) could give day and date for it ; he said we must get rid of the clerk, and Councillor Cotter went further than that; he pnt a resolution in the hands of the late Mayor to that same effect, but when he conuted noses at the Council table he withdrew it ; at that time be could have, figuratively speaking out the Town Clerk’s throat. (Cr Varnham here interposed). The Mayor (to Ct Varnham), while I an on my legs you keep quiet. Ct Varnham," Keep quiet yourself.” His Worship went on to say that he had never during his public or private career been treated with such insult as he had received from Cr Maxton. What he did, he did in the interests of the ratepayers. Cr Cotter essayed to speak when the 'favor called him to order. Cr Cotter,(to Mayor) 11 Do you mean to sav that you can accuse me and not allow me to clear myself.” Or Cotter then said that at the time be took action againet the Town Clerk he was laboring under excitement and per haps was rather too impulsive. He had fines been informed that the clerk was justified in being, for a short time, absent from the district. That was the cause for his (Cr Cotter's) complaint. Ct Maxton replied to the effect that if be had treated the chair with contempt or used

any word* in the heet of the moment, hie Worphip had provok.-d it -"-I \,r i nrovst, to the Major's balulavliuo, l„-t ui. A unhip wait wrong. The Mayor—No. Toe motion wae negatived ou the voioee, no one voting for it. It wae resolved to call (or tendon (or tortniog ami metalling about 40 chains fiiraehberg street.