WAIMATE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12537, 7 May 1915, Page 1

WAIMATE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(From* Our Own-Correspondent.) A meeting'-x>f the'above was ]ield on 'Wednesday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. Black), the flavor-elect (Mr N. Francis), and Councillors Inkster. Jones, Hayes; Manchester, Pollock, Russell, Atwill, Collett, and Evans. Tlie first business "'as the. .installation of the Mayor-elect-. ' His Worship the Mayor, in installing his successor, congratulated him and also the Councillors oil their election. He thanked the Councillors and the, Town Clerk for tlic very great assist-' ance rendered to Jiim during his three years' occupaiiy of the cliair, .and in re-' tiring lie .felt that he was handing: the. position .over• to very, capable hands'. Mr Francis then made the usual statutory declaration and. ,toolc 'the chaiir. His Worship thanked the retiring Mayor.for so kindly, installing liiiii, and made pleasing reference to the exMayor's serviiccs to tlie borough. "Although tin's is the fifth occasion, on which I have been privileged to make, the necessary mayoral declaration, it is the lirst time that I have occupied tlie position alter a contested election, f very much appreciate the generous support of tlie electors and can assure them' that I shall use every endeavor to ,lustily their decision. . The return.of all the retiring Councillors, with one exception, shows'that the policy of the old Council is .approved by the burgesses, and I take this opportunity to> congratulate them on their return aiid also to welcome Councillors Russell and Pollock. The latter gentlemen, although new „to Municipal Council- work, are' both citizens who have taken, considerable interest in various local matters, and with their known business ability will be of valuable assistance in trans'-

acting our business. I ]ook forward with pleasure to my duties as Chair'-. ' man of. this Council, as I know from past experience that I shall receive from Councillors the support necessary to successfully preside over their deliberations. Very important and extensive improvements were 'initiated and started by the last Council which will necessarily take sometime to complete, but when carried out our town ivill be con: siderably benefited and more closely approach our goal of ambition—'the Model Country Borough.' lii view of these important works and the uncertainty of the future ovinjj to the'after, math of this awful and disastrous war. I do not propose at present to bring forward for the consideration of this Council new schemes of any magnitude.' I ant however,'firmly ■of ■ the opinion, that New Zealand, being mainly an exporter of wool and--foodstuffs, will not suffer to the same exetnt. as many' other countries the general depression which is so widely predicted after the I war is over. However, it is better, I think, to be wise than sorry, and in tho meantime to husband our resources outside 'the' question of drainage and other equally limportant matters concerning the health. of the community. It is my intention, as during my previous tonus of office, to be in attend- j anee at the Council Chambers at II | o'clock each morning, and when this { hour is inconvenient to any of the bur- ' gesscs wishing to see- me on business, j they will always find my services at I their disposal if they call at my private office in High street." The Councillors then signed the usual declarations, and his "Worship express--ed his pleasure in being supported by such an efficient Council, and particularly welcomed the new Councillors (Messrs Pollock and Russell). A resolution was carried expressing appreciation of the services of the retiring Mayor and also of the valuable assistance rendered in all public functions by the Mayoress (Mrs Black). Mr Black thanked the Council for its mark of approval and withdrew. The following resolution was carried: "That- this Council desires to express its gratification cf the splendid services of the New Zealand Expeditionary - force in its first-■ important battle, at which • unfortunately so many of our brave defenders have been killed. And it also desires to express its' sincere; and heartfelt sympathy with the families of those who have fallen in their Country's services, 'particularly with the ••family of Lieut. Barclay, olie of our Waimate contingent, who is reported to be wounded."

It was'resolved to place on the .minutes a. motion expressing appreciation of ex-Councillor liutt's services. The- ■following Standing Committees wero appointed":—

General.- —Councillors Collett (chairman), Inkstcr. Atwill, and Russell. Finance. —Councillors Hayes (chairman), Evans," Manchester, and Atwill. Water and Sanitary—Councillors Inkstcr (chairman), Haves, 'Jones, and Russell.

Works Councillors Evans (chairman), Manchester, Collett, and Pollock. Reserves - Councillors Manchester (chairman), Hayes, Jones, and Pollock. His Worship the Mayor was appointed a member of all committees, and it was agreed that the committees meet at once and prepare estimates for the coining year. W. APGrath applied for renewals of licenses for tile Olyrnpia and Oddfellows' Hall.—Granted.

The Sergeant of Police acknowledged receipt- of a cony of the traction-engine by-law and promised to sec the by-law enforced.—The Clerk to thank Sergeant Crawford his support. Tho Railway .Department wrote re erection of warning signals at railway crossings, and it was decided that same be erected at tluv cemetery, racecourse, Gorge road, and Hillary street crossings. flic Government Insurance" Department wrote that a claim lor accident insurance 011 behalf of an employe© could not be entertained, as the man was only away from work lor one week. —Kccei vcd.

G. S. Meredith and Co. applied for permission, to re-erect an old building on their Borough lease. —Referred to a committee to report. J. Moore objected to >the .Council using reserve leased by him as a "tip." —Referred to the Works Committee.

The "Workers' Dwellings Department wrote •re water supply to workers' homes being erected on old show ground.—Resolved to call tenders for the work'.

Several applications for water supply, were -referred to the .Water'Committee'. The Stale Advances Office wrote that tho application for a drainage loan of £2500 -could • not be granted, as tlip limit for local bodies was now £2OOO. 'Hie Clerk was instructed to make formal application for a loan of £'2ooo. The Jfcvs.- A. Julius (Anglican) and the G. S. Stockwell (Methodist) invited the Mayor and Councillors to attend Divine, service.;— Both invitations were ■accepted. • 1 . Reports from the ranger, captain of the Fire Brigade,' and ■ the Clerk .of Works were received: and several matters were referred to various committees to report. ' ' „ • • .It-'.was-.resolved to approve of -the. proposed levy on behalf of the Belgian Fund being, made on the local bodies on a valuation basis, the Council agreeing to contribute its- quota. The tender of.W. A. Griffiths at- £l7 3< tor painting -and of H. Cameron a:t £3 ]os Sd for hedge-trimming were accepted. It was agreed to grant a subsidy to the Waimate Brass Band of £2O for .1.0 concerts to be given • between Ist October. 1913. and 31st March, 191 G.

Tin; Clerk asked for instructions as. to lending parts of the Council's plant, and it was: resolved to stop all lending."

Accounts, amounting to £509 17s -3d were passed, for payment.