THE BOROUGH LAMP POSTS.
A WASTE OF PUBLIC MONEY. TO THE EDITOR.
Sir, — One of the last acts of the Town Council during Mr Watt's Mayoralty was the order of 50 lamps and lamp-posts from England. The history of this transaction presents several peculiar features, to which with your leave I would draw attention. In the first place an offer was received from a stranger in Dunedin to import these lamps on commission, and his proposal was favorably thought of, but on the suggestion that the Council was bound to call for public tenders for such supplies, the form was gone through and an advertisement inserted, when several local and Wellington tenders were sent in for the same make of goods delivered in Wanganuijbut these tenders were scarcely considered, and the original offer o import on commission — for the gentleman had sent no tender — was accepted unanimously. After the Council's experience over the water plant, one would scarcely have expected it to again adopt so doubtful a course for a public body ; but, at any rate, if determined to procure these lamps on commission, the order might surely have been given to one of our local business firms.
The lamps so ordered, are at last to hand, and it appears that in place of buying off a lampmaker in Glasgow they have been purchased through the founder who made the posts in England. Perhaps the worthy Scotch founder never heard of Wanganui, and his knowledge of New Zealand is probably limited to Otago, for otherwise it would be difficult to explain why these bulky passages of lamps were taken to Glasgow to be there shipped to Dunedin. Freight from Glasgow is always higher than from London, and I was told that 70s per ton was paid on these goods, and on their arrival at Port Chalmers, not content with the already round about journeying, the lamps are not there put on board the direct steamer, but shipped via Wellington to be there transhipped with all attendant risks of breakage and extra coat to the Corporation. Correct information is difficult to be got, but rumours give the vet loss to the ratepayers at from one hundred to two hundred pounds, being the excess cost over the lowest tender received. If you add to this that the lamps should have been here two months ago for the winter nights, altogether it does not seem that any Councillor ha 3 much to boast of over this importation, and Councillors perhaps do well to contrive to hush the matter up, for it looks as if it will not bear investigation. — I am, &c, A Ratepayer.
Henderson, Mewett, Kirkbride, Ingram. * Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed.
The following applications were received for appointment of inspector of Nuisances : — Messrs Harrison, Jenny, and Wiltshire.
Cr Ruasel proposed and Cr Mewett seconded— That Wright Harrison be appointed Inspector of Nuisances for the Borough of Marton.
Cr Harris Bpoke in favor of Mr Robfc. Jenny and moved— That he receive the appointment, but failing to get a seconder, the original motion was put and carried. The Mayor reported thai he and Or Beckett had waited on Mr Harris in reference to office accommodation, and that he had Offered the use of the room at present used by the Council at a rental of £10 per annum. He thought that some better accommodation would have to be pi o cured.
Cr Humphrey called the attention o the Council to the fact that the room offered to the Council was not at all suitable for the carrying on the business that they might be required to do. There was no proper convenience for the Town Clerk.andhe thought that offices should be secured and used apart from any other business. There was not proper accommodation for the representatives of the Press ; he thought these and other things should be taken into consideration such as for the deputations and for the attendance of the general public, he also referred to the fire Brigade holding their meetings at an hotel, he considered that very objectionable for young men. He thought as Mr Harris was acting as Clerk of the County Council and Highway Board, as well as the Borough Council, it would be much more convenient if a more suitable building could be secured for the meetings and general business of the three public bodies mentioned. He thought that tbe Borough Conncil should at once take action in the matter and would propose — That a deputation from the Council and Highway Board asking their cooperation with a view to the erection of a suitable building with offices for three public bodies and their officers. O Mewett seconded and the motion was carried.
Resolved that the same deputation interview the Council re the license fees.
Resolved on the motion of Councillor Mewett seconded by Cr Henderson— That Mr J, Harris's offer for the use of the room be accepted for a term of six months with a right to an extension of time if required. Corried. Crs Kirkbride and Beckett produced a design of a Borough aeal which was considered very suitable, but which it was decided to hold over to next meeting in order in the meantime to allow of a copy of the Wanganui Borough Council seal being received.
Resolved on the motion of Cr< Kirkbride, seconded by Cr Beckett " That the co-operation of the Boroughs of Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Masterton, be invited with the view to obtain a loan, Of say £100,000, for purposes of Public Works, to be subdivided among the said Boroughs in proportion hereinafter to be determined. The unallotted .balance to be held in trust by tbe Mayors of the respective Boroughs for investment to the best advantage, the interest accruing therefrom to go towards a sinking fund in connection with the loan." Carried.
Eesolved on the motion of Or Beckett, seconded by Cr Russell " That the Mayor and Councillors act as Foremen of Works. Two to act for a term of two weeks at & time, to be taken in alphabetical order." Resolved on the motion of Cr Kirkbride, seconded by Cr Harris, " That the Clerk be instructed to procure a stamp similar to that in use by the County Council."
Cr Henderson intimated that he wonld not be at home on Saturday, and in consequence could not attend as a member of the deputation appointed to wait on the Member for the district re the Borough endowment.
Eesolved— That Or Humphrey be appointed to take the place of Or Henderson.
Resolved on the motion o£ Or Russell, seconded by Or Mewett " That Mr R. J. Hani? be appointed Registrar of ' dogs, for the Borough of Marton." The question of the Borough endowment received some further consideration by the Council.
Or Ingram called the attention of the Council to some mattera of drainage, and the wet state of the footpaths in different parts of the township. The matter was referred to those appointed as Foremen of Works.
Water Question. — Eesolved on the motion of Or Henderson, seconded by Or Humphrey " That the whole Council form itseif into a Committee for the purpose of considering the question of 'a water supply for the Borough." Carried: Meeting adjourned to Thursday 18th inst., at 7 o'clock p.m.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18790915.2.12
Bibliographic details
Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 3513, 15 September 1879, Page 2
Word Count
1,218THE BOROUGH LAMP POSTS. Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 3513, 15 September 1879, Page 2
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.