MUNICIPAL MATTERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2530, 17 June 1909, Page 5

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

DISCUSSION IN THE BOROUGH COUNCIL. THE MAYOR REQUESTED TO •- DECLARE HIS POLICY. After the ordinary business of the Borough Council had been dealt with last night, CT. Collins moved the following re-, solution; “That the Mayor be requested to definitely formulate to this Council, for its next meeting, a distinctive policy respecting the more inportant measures approaching municipal consideration, and the order of deliberative sequence he- intends to follow.” The Mayor said that he could not permit such a resolution without notice of motion, as was provided for in the rules of the Council. Cr. Clayton asked for the rule, and was referred to the “Proceedings of the Council” as contained in the by-laws. Cr. Collins then gave notice that he 1 would move his motion at the next meeting, and suggested a special meeting of the Council to deal with tho matter. *

The Mayor said that he had mistaken Or. Collins* motion as an intention to alter the sequence of the proceedings. He thought? there no need to •itiate orr the aneetien, as he nad aireadv on its matter. Proceeding C- Collins (as the clock vtruch th<> hour -yr mMr«i2bt* maintained ,:n oration* • the Mayor Siiot: 1 ' 1 i’.ajr ~ .n rArrj

Council, out hue, toei\ ucx«.;r-<3 : f time al'tCr time. They did net 'y>-yt the senile deliberations of other bodies. ; blit- they would have them ii they did not have a defined policy. They want-.' ed a line of policy regarding the waterworks, which the l&ayor had said was unsatisfactory. Also on the question of an intermediate reservoir, if expert advice i s to be sought; when it is proto start the work, and his line ct policy regarding its advocacy. on loan proposals, they wanted to know how they were to be submitted. There was also the question of sewerage and the matter’ of a destructor. Did the Mayor propose to submit a definite scheme for the permanent supply of metal to the Council before submitting the loan proposals to the referendum, and what line of action did lie anticipate with regard to expert advice on the matter. Also what wore the maximum and minimum loans he was prepared to discuss. He had made the suggestions, and asked the Mayor that when he brought down his policy he should be prepared to uphold it, and then they should 'know where they could assist him as Mayor and where they should be compelled to oppose him. , , ~ Cr Clayton seconded the motion, as being desirable for the well-being and good government of the town. Ine queston of sewerage was most important, and would require a definite policy to be debated. Outside the scheme, there was the question of the hardship to many people in the matter ot house connections. It would lie advisable to consider the desirability ol raisin" a loan to finance these people on easy terms. On road loan proposals it was’necessary that they should know 1 the maximum amount of the loan. Also it might not bo desirable to bring up all the loans at once, as with other ' large schemes coming before them, the ratepayers might sec fit to reject them. They also should have to consider the question - of the permanent metal supply and the question of its convey-, aiice. Other matters for consideration were those of an intermediate reservoir, the advisability of the construction of a destructor, and the lmimcipalisation of the gasworks. In view ot all these questions,, and the problems thus put forward, it should also bo con sidered whether it was not advisable to have « permanent engineer. it was necessary lor the Mayor to enunciate, and the Council to discuss, a distinct policy as a desirable tiling tor the good government of the town. \ .. Cr Dafton suggested that Councillors should hot forget they were in a Borough Council and not in 1 arliamThe Mayor said that nothing would <nve him greater pleasure than to enunciate his policy, if such a tlung avas necessary. He never hesitated about giving the lead, winch CounciUois, however, did not always follow. The matters which had been brought up . he bad: already expressed his opinion upon; but perhaps not m detail. It it was the wish of the Council lie was ; perfectly willing to give information on anv subject they wished. t Cr. Barton suggested that a gieat deal of good could be gained by a special meeting to consider the mattei. He thought they should hold such a m< (> in ’F > 'ettie said he was much struck with’the. motion, and the manner m • which it had been received lie 1 thought good would como out ot it, ■ and Tie hoped the Mayqr would fall-in

with the suggestion contained in tho motion. The Mayor said it was not right to say there was no policy before the Council. They had drainage, roads, and the question of metal supply well in hand and under consideration. He quite realized that there were a number of matters that they might profitably spend an evening in discussing. As long as the idea was serious and not factious he agreed with the suggestion, as he often felt that some of his, opinions had not carried much weight, and some of liis proposals had not always boon practicable. He should carefully watch the suggestion, and would ask thd ratepayers to do the same, and if it was the wish of the Council, he would be i>leased to meet thorn and present a policy, for them, if they would support it arid abide by it. Councillors: We will, if it is right. Cr. Collins said that there was absolutely no suggestion of factious opposition. He felt, however, that the new Councillors did not know the mind of the Mayor, and they looked to him for guidanco in the question of administration. Healthy o--'osition was the safeguard of municipal legislation, and was for the benefit of themselves and the ratepayers. They wanted a glimpse into future legislation, and when they knew his policy they could oppose him or assist him seriously, and the Council would not resolve itself into what it had been in the past., a debating society. For its population, Gisborne was the most backward town in the Dominion, anc\ this was the fault of the Mayor’s predecessors, and not the present Mayor. By doing what he was asked, the Mayor would be doing credit to himself, to them, and to those whom they represented. The resolution, on being put to the meeting was earned unanimously,, and the Council adjourned at 1 a.m.