BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 3697, Issue XXI, 25 June 1878, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the Council was held at the Court House yesterday morning. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Chad wick, Carson, Kells. Hurley, SJiarpe, Cross, Brown, and Willis. WJESTMEKE WATER GIFT. A draft of the " Grant of right to convey water from Westmere Lake," as prepared by Mr Borlase, the legal adviser of the Council, and Mr Fitzherbert, on behalf of the grantee, Mr VV. H. Watt, was read, and finally agreed to by the Council. AGItISEMBNT WITH GAS COMPANY. Thia legal document having received the final touches at the hands of the

Solicitor, was laid \ipon the table, and having been duly considered was agreed to. 'hosi'itai/maintenanoe. tiis Worship said that another letter having been received from the Government on the subject of Hospital administration aniP maintenance, in which the I authorities declined any responsibility on account thereof, further than to contribute an equivalent to the amount raised by the Council, ho had thought it desirable to call the Council together to consider what further steps should j bo taken in the matter. Mr Bamber, Chairman of the Hospital Committee, who was present by iuvitation of the Mayor, gave the Council the benefit of liis experience in dealing with Hospital affairs. He also alluded to his attendance as the Borough representative at the Municipal Conference held in Wellington last year, and said thatjthe members of the Conference generally were of opinion that the authorities were anxious to relieve themselves of any further responsibility on such matters, and to shift it on to the various localities. He had represented to the Hon Mr Bow en the;special claims of Wanganui, because of the sources of revenue having been taken away from tha Corporation, which alone had induced it in the first instance to become responsible for the maintenance of the Hospital. Thatgeutleman had acknowledged the justice of his representation, and had had admitted that a better case for the maintenance of the Hospital by the Government could not be made out. He (Mr Bamber) thought that the Council should make a stand on the matter at once. If they failed to do bo the institution must immediately become a heavy charge upon the Borough resources. A lengthy discussion ensued, in which the various points raised were reviewed in all their bearings. It appeared to be the general opinion that the Council was the proper body to be responsible for the administration of the Hospital. And it waa further thought that, with the Government equivalent and the County contribution, the Borough might risk the maintenance — if only the equivalent could be guaranteed. But this appeared to be the difficulty. It was argued by one Councillor that the equivalents were merely a trap ; offered to induce Municipalities to take over the Hospitals ; and that such aid would very soon be withdrawn, and that with it would go the County contributions, and the Borough would then have to bear the burden alone. After all the Councillors had expressed their opinion on the subject, it was finally agreed that the Mayor, with Councillors Cross and Carson, be a Committee, to prepare a report on the whole question, to be submitted at the next Council meeting. WHOLESALE LICENCES. On the motion of Councillor Cross, seconded by Councillor Btown, it was resolved that Mr George Brooking be empowered to issue wholesale licenses under the Licensing Act. This concluding the business, the Council adjourned.