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Manawatu Times, Volume IX, Issue 1120, 6 December 1883, Page 2

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A meeting of the above was held last evening. Present, the Mayor. and'Crs Snelson, Mowlem, Ferguson, Walker, and West. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter wa9 read from Wanganui Hospital Committee covering resolution as to proportion of staff expenditure payable by contributing bodjes. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply, asking what the proportion of expenses is likely to be. Mr N. Marchant, C.E., wrote oi« fering his services as consulting en* gineer fox waterworks, &c. It was resolved to acknowledge receipt of the lcter and return the testimonials with it. Mr F. Maule wrote at some length denying the charges made against him for having cattle on the streets, whereas he had no cattle, " except one grey mare." The letter was ordered to lie -on the table, on the mo« tion of Cr Snelson, seconded by Cr Ferguson. WHERE HAS THE MONEY GONE. Mr A. H. Wylds wrote asking whether the rates had yet been expended, also the £10,000 loan, and if so m what direction^ The writer went on to state that not a fraction had been spent on that portion of ! East street between Church street and Ferguson street, and urged that it should receive immediate attention. Cr Snelson said that so far as he could ascertain the rates referred to amounted to about £1 per year. The whole amount received from the I land since it was sold by the Government was a little under L5, and the rates had been spent for the benefit of the whole tewn. I Cr Ferguson thought the letter had been written somewhat hastily, j but the street certainly requited attention. He moved that the matter be referred to the Public j Works Committee to see if tempore ary relief could be afforded. i The Mayor explained that it had been thought better to leave the j street unformed than to partially form it. There was not a soul living m the street.., The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. ON THE WAB PATH. Mr J. H. Hankins again wrote asking for a reply to his letter claiming compensation for damage done to a buggy. The Mayor stated this matter had been referred to a committee, which sometime ago had reported they had made application to Govern* ment to know what part of the street they claimed. No definite reply had been received. Cr Ferguson stated that be bad had a conversation with the District Engineer m which the latter stated he was prepared to define the portion claimed by Government within the Borough. The Town Clerk was instructed to reply to Mr Hankins setting out the reason of the delay referred to m his letter. THE DIVISION INTO WAEDS. Messis Abrahams and Milverton Wrote stating that ». potitioa had been circulated praying for the division of the Borough into Wards, which had received 145 signatures, and that as soon as a few more were obtained it would be forwarded to the Council for transmission to the Governor. The letter also suggested that a sketch map of the proposed division should be sent with the petition, and that the most suitable mode would be by dividing into four wards, by lines radiating from the centre of the Square, and running along Main street, and Fitzherbeii and JRangitjkei streets. Cr Snelson asked who was to take oharge of the Main street on the Square. He thought the wish of the ratepayers would not be met by the proposed division. Cr Ferguson thought the proposed division an absurd one. When asked to sign the petition he said he thought it bad policy to divide into wards. He signed it, however, be* cause he waß a Councillor, and knew that some of the outside peqple wanted it. Cr West thought that before details were set out, some information should be given as to the results of division. He thought it would prejudice the welfare of the town to divide it. Cr Snelson would be quite willing to receive the petition and forward it to the Governor. He did not. agree with the proposed division, as three of the principal streets m the town would be m no ward at all. He had signed it because he believed the proper division would be to leave the Square the centre of the town. Cr Walker said he had declined to sign the petition as he thought it was not neoessary. If he had signed it he would consider it highly improper to oppose it now. Cr Ferguson wished it to be understood that he did not oppose division but only the manner of doing it. Cr Snelson suggested that the getition should be sent on to the rover nor. Cr West moved, That the Council . consider that at present it is pre* judicial to the interests of the town to divide the Borongh into wards. The motion was not seconded. Cr Walker thought the question of how tho division was to be effected was quite another matter to that which was required to be decided, which was whether it was de* sirable to divide the Borough. Cr Ferguson moved that this Council will consider the question relative to division into vfards as soon as it is properly before them. Seconded by Cr Mowlem. By permission of the Council Mr Milverton explained that the pro* posed mode of division was only a j a suggestion, made for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Council. Cr Snelson thought, after the explanation, that the Council should forward the petition when sent m. It would then be referred back to them by the Governor. He moved that the petition Oe received and forwarded op to the l^overpor as requested. Seconded by Cr Walker The Mayor stated that bo far as he could learn from Councillors they were all against division. Cr Snelson's amendment was put and lost on a division, Crs Waafc

against Wr^M^PßßPKson and Walkor for. Cr Ferguson's motiun was then put and carried. j MISCELLANEOUS. I The resolution previously passed | by the Council relative to farming ( the Pound was formally rescinded. It was also resolved to give the present caretaker of the Square, Mr Laurenson, one month's notice ofthe termination of his engagement. The Charitable Aid Committee reported that £1 15s had been dis* bursed during the month. A letter was received from the Town Band, applying for the loan of the side drum. The request was granted. Mr H. Wollerman wrote asking for payment for half the cost of metalling three chains of Ferguson-st. at £1 per chain. The matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. SEPOBTS, &c. The Public Works Coramitte reported that the only matter tbat had come before them was the application of Mr Dundas for some metalling m Ferguson street, and they could not recommend that any sum be diverted from the current expenditure for this purpose, but would point out that the work is provided for m the schedule of works under the proposed loan. The report was received. The report of the Inspector of Nuisances was also read and adopted. Mr Mowlem drew attention to a nuisance existing near Rangitikei aireet. Or Snelson said the nuisance referred to prevented many from walking on that aide of the Square. The Inspector of Nuisances was directed to interview the ->wner of the property referred to, and m default of abatement the matter be referred: to the next Licensing meeting, with a* request that the Committee take action. THE POtr.NDKEEPEa AN© BANGER. The repirt ot the Committee appointed to arrange for the appointment of a poundkeeper and ranger was read, stating they had prepared a schedule of duties for the poundkeeper,. and had included the work on tbe Square, hi'heto performed by L. Laurenson. They thought it better that the poundkeeper should be paid a s dary m future, instead of fees, and the caretaking of tbe Square had been added, as it was thought that, being near the pound, it would be a suitable work for the person who might be appointed. In response to an advertisement several K.pp"ic itious were received, and they recomended the appointment of F. Haines at a salary of £48 per annum. For the ranger they had not thought it desirable to make any altera* tion m the terns, viz., £20 per annum, and half the driving fees, and recommended Mr W. Chamberlain for the appointment. The following accounts were passed for payment:— Roadmen, L 33 19* 4d ; E. J. Armstrong, salary, LlO 8s 4d ; R JN. Keeling da Ll6 13s 4d ; stamps &c., 10s ; G. Hart'ey, ranger's salary L3 6s 81 ; T Gi-oodisson refund, Ll2 ; H. Moffa ft, lighting, L 4 16s; Wanganui Hospital, Ll 1 1 s 1 Id ; Times, L4 3s 6d; Milverton & Son, horse -feed, 12s 6d ; A. Ferguson, material, L5 4s 10s ; J. McKelvie, L3ss 3d ; J. Haulon ii 3 lis. The Borough Loan Proposals !♦ At last right's Borough Council meeting, tbe committee of the whole Council to whom the question of the loai was referred reported, recommending that a loan of L 30.000 b« raised for the following purposes : — Repayment of present loan £10,000 (Tbat a sum of £10,000 be deposited at the Bank of N,Z. to Tovide for tbe repayment of present loan of £10,000, when falling due) For water- works, according to scheme m report 10,000 JFor sewage 3.6 CD (280 chains of 6 inch and 9 inch glazed earthenware pipe ; 90 chains of 12 inch and 15 inch discharge glazed earthenware pipe ; 18 chains of culverting ,• 25 chains of enlarging drains ; cutting a channel through lav goon, and. making outfall with prcteccion works) For surfac drainage as per schedule including the grading ot footpaths 2,250 For construction of unformed . roads ditto 1,180 For regrading md improving * existing roads 790 For metalling as per schedule 1,680 For grants m aid to streets not taken over 200 Contingencies aoo Total £30,000 The Mayor .explained that if tuis met with the approval of the Council, a p iblic meeting would be called, and if the expression^ opinion was favourable the necessary procedure should he commenced. He also explained that the Council was not bound to cany out the wat er wm ks scheme, but it was necessary to show tbe ratepayers that a sufficient vater supply cou d be got for LIO.OCO. fie might al>o say that wi'bouta water supply drainage or sewage could not be carried out. Security for tbe loan would be provided tor as follows : — £ Special rate of Is m the L IC3O Revenue from waterworks 650 Interest from £10,030 deposit at 5 per cent 500 From ordinary revenue amount of interest paid on present brin 800 Giant from ordinary revenue 50 L3OOO This would provide for interest on L30,0C0 at 6 per cent, viz., Ll.800 ; interest on old loan of LIO,OOO at 8 per cent, LBOO ; and sinking fund of L4OO, making a total of L3OOO. Tne report was adopted, on the motion of Cr West, seconded by Cr Ferguson, and it was also lecolved to request the Mayor to convene a public meeting to discuss the proposal previous to taking the poll of ratepayers. On the motion of Cr Snelson it was resolved that the report and schedule be pnated and circulated amongst the ratepayers. Cr Snelson suggested that a special rate be made to provide interest on the present loan. So far the ratepayers had had all the advantages of the expenditure of the £10,000 without additional cost, and were paying the same rate now as before the loan was raised. The finances were however m such a state that a rate of at least 9d would be required to provide interest for existing loan, Tbe position of the ratepayers was m fact that if the new loan were raised they would have to pay a rate of 2s m the £, and if it were not raised they would have to pay a rate of Is 9d, to enable the Council to carry on. The Mayor said that a rate of 9d would only yield sufficient to pay interest on existing' loan, and would provide nothing for a sinking fund. Whether foreign capital was obtained or not an extra rate of a shi ling would hare to hf levied. He thought the Oonncil deserved the greatest credit for having. carried on so long, with only a shilling rate. The question was ximply whether the ratepayers desired to bave L20.0C3 expended and pay a rate of 2s, or pay the name rate, and Spend merely the ordinary revenue. Furtber consideration of Cr Snelson'* i suggestion was deferred.