BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8370, 10 January 1894, Page 2

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Tho Council held its first of this year's meetings laat (Tuesday) evening there being present — His Worship the Mayor (F. R. Jackaon, Eeq ), Cra Parsons, Hogg, Bassett., Perrett, Clapham, Manson, and Carson.

The minutes of tho previous and the annual meeting having been read and confirmed the bank book showing a debit balance of £2393 83 3d was laid on the table.

Permission was granted to Mr T. M. Copeland to erect a Bignboard across tha footpath on Taupo Quay on behalf of Mr Roes (tailor). A letter was read from Mr O. W. Clayton requesting the Council to authorise the formation of an approach to his house iv the Avenue, and suggesting the desirability of eztending the footpath past the Boys' School towardß St. John's Hill. Cr. Bassett said ho had brought up the last mentioned mattor last meeting, and since then had come to the conclusion that this extension could bo made serviceable at a very small cost. [The Foreman, not having reportsd, the request was ordered to stand over till next meeting]. An application for transfer on the burgesß roll, in respect of section 62, from the name of J. A. Burnett tolO. Burnett, was granted.

Tho Inspector of Nuisances' report was read aud received. He was sorry to have to report that he had been obliged to revißit many places before the nuisances complained of were removed. He also drew the attention of tho Council to cortam places in the Borough where tree 3 overhung the footpath, and suggested that orders be given for trimming the samo. After a short discussion Cr Baßsett moved that the clerk bo instructed to ascertain where trees overhang the pathway and give notice for thoir removal. Seconded and carried.

A letter was read from Mr G-eorge Smith, the artesian well contractor, offering to eink another two-inch well at the same price as the one justi completed. — The Mayor said that Mr Smith was under engagement to go to Feilding at once, and he (Mr Jackson) being anxioira to settle the question as to the ultimate results of a permanent supply, authorised him to sink another well at the corner of Liverpool and Campbell-streets (the locality recommended by Mr Hill). He hoped the Council would endorse his action. I a the course of the discussion, Cr Bassett suggested that a test should be made to ascertain whether there was any connection between the river and these wells, as, if so, there need then bo no misgivings as to the flow ever ceasing.

Cr Baisett here gavo details as to tho method of making this teet in a very easy manner.

His Worship considered the suggestion very valuable, and mentioned that Mr Hill would probably be hero at tho end of tho month, whon that point might bo submitted to him. A few minor points having been discussed, it was moved, socondod and carried, that the Mayor's action be endorsed.

The appointment of doe-tax collector was ordered to stand over till next meeting, tho tax being fixed at 7s 6d. Accounts amounting to £469 4s 8d were passed for payment. The Mayor, in directing the Council's attention to the new by-laws, said it was not expedient to force Inem on tho people in a hurried manner, but they must at once take steps to appoint a Sanitary Inspector. The issuo of licenses for dairies, plying of cabs, carts, etc , and plumbers aud drain connectious should, in his opinion, be postponed till April Ist. [A Councillor— Aye these people liable to be proceeded against ?] Mr Jackson replied that that waß bo if any obstreperous person took the matter up. But his (Mr Jackson'a) idea in (suggesting the postponement was that the Council might ascertain who were fit and proper porsons to issue licences to. He would suggest that a board or committee consisting of the Foreman of Works, the Sanitary Inspector, the Mayor, and one Counoillor, bo constituted to inquire into and recommend all applications for licenses made. Already two applications for dairy licenses had been received, but there wss no one appointod to inspect those dairies. Cr Spurdlo thought it would be well if the medical officer conld be attached to the committee, providing it could be done without entailing extra expense. That was the usual coarse taken in larger towns. The Mayor said the committee would not deal with lanitation, that being left to the Sanitation

offioer, whose duties would be to see that tho bylaws were properly carried oat. H« proposed that applications be called iot the position, the salary attaching to which he had fixed at £150. . Cr C&won then, form&lly morea in tnso direction, and to set up a Committee, consisting of the Mayor, Crs Ba«ett, ftndSnurdle, and the mover, to define bis duties.— Seconded and carried. His Worship brought up the question of salaries, stating that he considered the present method of remunerating the Town Clerk was unsatisfactory. He was paid a certain salary, out of whioh ho was to provide whatever clerical assistance he required. He (Mr Jackson) was of opinion , I that that officer's salary should be fixed by the Council, and if assistance was required by him the Counott should seoure it. Referred to the Finance Ckramittee to report. ■Xho Council then went into Committee to oonaidnr official correspondence re proposed loan. _____.—«