GREYTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 587, 6 October 1880, Page 2

GREYTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Council was held on Monday evening last. Present—His Worship the Mayor, and Crs Baillie, Udy, Haigh, Thompson, Wakelin, and Smith. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence outwards was read from the letter-book. Correspondence inwards was read— From .Secretary of Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association, asking that the sth November, the day fixed for the Show, be proclaimed a public holiday.— From the Collector, withdrawing his resignation.—From the proprietors nf the Wairarapa Standard, agreeing to a reduction of 10 per cent, on advertisements, etc. His Worship the Mayor reported that he, in company with Or Baillie and Mr H, Bunny, had waited upon the Minister of Public Works with regard to working the branch-line by horse-power. They had asked that tho line should be given a fair trial, and rpreesented that in their opinion a small engine would do the necessary work, and at a cheaper rate .than horse-power. The Minister had promised to fully consider the matter, and reply at an early date. His Worship also asked that a reply be given in the matter of the former deputation. The Minister replied that the report waß being prepared by the Engineers, and would' be forwarded without delay. . It was resolved, on the motion of Or Wakelin, seconded by Or Haigh—That the 6th of November l)e proclaimed a public holiday. Tho Treasurer reported .the amount to the credit of the Borough at £4B 7s 9d The Inspector's report was then read, showing that a breach of the by-laws had been committed by Mr Udy, by lighting a fire within tho prescribed diatanco of a building; and that several persons had been guilty of driving without lights, and complaints had been made of persons depositing rubbish on the river-bed, which, when a fresh came down, was carried on to private lands. Cr Baillie thought that the by-laws should be enforced. He instanced the registration of dogs, and would like to see the Inspector empowered to take proceedings. It was resolved, upon discussion, that the Registrar be instructed to proceed at once against all parties having unregistered dogs, Cr Baillie moved that the Inspector should be instructed to proceed against any person driving without lights. Cr Haigh thought that the Inspector should be instructed to - take proceedings against anyone committing a breach of the bye-laws. Cr Wakelin thought the Inspector had power to sue anyone without further instructions, the bye-laws beinsf his guide, Considerable discussion took.place as to the dutiea of Inspectorof Nuisances, and ultimately it was resolved'that the solicitor be consulted on the matter, and instructions given the Inspector, in accordance with his opinion: Tiie poundkeeper's. report for. past month was then read, showing gross receipts at £9 lis. Cr Haigh thought it would be. well to combine the officers of inspector and ranger, Cr Baillie spoke highly of the capabilities of the present ranger, aud thought it well to continue as hitherto. Cr Haigh thought the two offices combined would work, as the ranger, while round, could do the duties of inspector, and thus make the office worth while, The matter then dropped, WORKS COJIJIIITEE, Or Wakelin thought the Committee should meet once a fortnight, a few nights before ordinary meeting. Cr Udy tendered his resignation as a member of the works and finance committee, After a good deal of unavailing persuasion, Or Udy's resignation was accepted, and a vote of thanks tendered for past services, Or Baillie reported that the Revising Committee had met but'as only three were present the matter had not been fully gone into, Cr Udy's notice of motion given at laßt meeting was then read. Cr Udy wished to withdraw his motion arid substitute another as an amendment; but the Council thought the amendment ehould be first read, so that they could form an idea as to whether it was sucbj or a new motion. His Worship ruled that tho former proposition could be amended, and it was ultimately resolved that Cr : Udy be allowed to withdraw his motion. Or Udy then read a proposal that tho present clerk shouid Be asked to fill the offices at L 75 per annum, and colleot rates cent. After soiqe discussion, the clerk asked permission to make a proposal.to... the Council, aud said that he had put it in the form of a letter, so that, if approved,, it could be signed by the Mayor and filed, and thus set all doubts at rest. . The permission was granted, the following being the letter containing tho proposals:— Grey town, October 2nd, 1880. To His Worship the Mayor of the Borough'of Greytown, Sir, —I have the honor to submit the following proposal for your consideration, and in doing so, would assure you that it has been patent to me for some time that a reduction in the expenditure of the Council must be made, and had I followed my own inclinations I should have suggested it myself before Cr Wakelin's first notice of motion was given, but hearing it was coming on I was advised , to leave the matter in the hands of the Council. I regret now that I had not made the proposal earlier.. Then so much uncertainty and conseauent dissatisfaction by the ratepayers as, to the actual amount paid for clerical work would not have been given rise to, I feel quite sure that the action taken by Cr Wakelin is from no other motive than to curtail expenses, but I must be pardoned for paying the matter has not been gone into'in the proper way. I, aB your employee, never having been asked whether or no I would accept a reduction of salary which, in the. face of my office being accepted by tender, I was justly entitled to. Or Udy's notice of motionishall hot refer toss that has already been dealt with. In making the' proposal I lmve considered the various offices and think if they were divided, the work could not be done .without a considerable amount of extra work nd oowequently extr» coit, The fol-

lowinij is tny proposal:—That I fill the combined offices from the Ist of October, 1880; of.Town Clerk, Treasurer, Valuator, iiiid Returning Officer at £BO per annum, the amount, hitherto paid fur the four offices lli. twill collect the--new y6ar'g. rates tovbe .struck'in. Marchbotfr for the Borough and River Board, at A per cent, on amounts col* lected, whicti.mil make a further .saving to the Counfcilof about £5 per annum, / with a like amount to.:.the - and will require 5 per cent, for dog rates-and' rents of cottages, gether th'e; : clerical 'work' and wlll be done for nut exoe'eding- £IOO per >■ annum, as against £l2? to £l3O. I would require the offices being secured to me for twelve months, at the expiration a of which three months notice to be given j on either side if necessary. I would 1 suggest the 4 per cent, on rates starting ;>1 from Ist October last were it not .that I V think it hardly fair as the best of them 1 are collected and there may be some ■diffioijltyin collecting the I have the honor, , . Waltsrßook, Town Clerk. CrUdy then withdrew his proposal, stating that the clerk's offer met his exactly. ; Cr Baillie then moved; Or Smith ' seconded that the Town Clerk's offer be accepted; .which was carried unanimously.' It was resolved that the expenses of the., deputation to Wellington be "paid.'. . The meeting then adjourned.