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WAKANUI RIVER BOARD

A* meeting of the Wakanui River Board was held to-day. Present : Messrs Jas. Brown (Ohafrman), D. Leddy, M. VVilaoo and T. Olephane. The Chairman said that the principal business was the consideration of the special order striking a rate, Mr Olepbsne moved the confirmation of the special order. He suggested that the Boid Board should be asked to colieot the rats, becsuse by so doing be thought a finanolal saving would be effected as the oost of collection would be less. The Chairman pointed out that It was let forth in the special order how the rate wai to be collected and if they made any •Iteration now the validity of the order might be affected. In reply to Mr Leddy the Chairman ■aid that if the rate caused hardship to anyone the Board oould accept payment of half theamoantof the rate now, allowing the remainder to stani over. Mr Leddy said that the ratepayers In his part of the district would be satisfied If the Board only collected half the rate now, making the remainder payable in a eoaple of months or 10, The Chairman iald the Board oould arrange for part payment at onoe and allow tbt remainder to stand over. They could go 10 far as to state this on the notices Mr Leddy laid that suoh an arrange BQtot wonld meet (he views of the rate* payers in his part of the distrlot, and Mr Olephane thought It would be generally latlsfactory. ■ Some dltoaiilon followed, In the ooutse of wbloh It was agreed that the oonoesslon would only be given to those who paid the half of their rates on the due date. Speaking to some remarks made by Mr Leddy, the Chairman aaid that If the Board found It practicable the payment of the veoond hall of the rate need not be Insisted on till after harvest. The motion confirming the speofal order wai seconded by Mr Olephane and eanled. The Chairman was authorised to certify that the order had been duly passed. The Chairman then moved that Messrs Fooks and Son be authorised to colieot and iae for rates. Mr Olephane thought it was not advisable to give power yet to sue. If the rate did not oome in well, the Board could then pass the motion. The Chairman altered his motion In accordance with Mr Olephane's suggestion, though he pointed out that no legal proceedings would be taken without prior Instructions from the Board. the raxinoK for abolition. At this stage a letter from Mr James Jamleion was handed in. It was in reply to a communication from the Board, and In answer thereto stated that It was expected to get many more names to the petition, as It was only In course of signature. On behalf of the petitioners the writer suggested that the Board should levy a rate sufficient to pay its debts and abide by tbe result of the petition. The letter waa received. (Mr S. Brown here took his seat.) A MQUBST TO BEBIGK. While an informal discussion was taking plaoe on the subject of protecting one of the embankments, another letter was handedpb. Ic was signed by 23 ratepayerriVbd was as follows : — We, tbe undersigned ratepayers of the Wskanul River Distrlot wish to Inform the Board that feeling highly dissatisfied with the notion of the present Board, and having no confidence la the constitution of the same, hereby earnestly request the members of the said Board to resign so as to allow the ratepayers to eleot fresh members. Should the Board be good enough to aooedo to our request, they can offer themselves for re-election should they seem luoUned. By acceding to the above proposal we believe It <will give general satisfaction to the ratepayers of the district. Mr Wilson- said that the Board had struck a rate and incurred a certain amount of liabilities. He did not see how they could withdraw now. Mr Clephane stated that he had intended to bring a motion forward aekiog the Board to resign because their actions had given dissatisfaction, the principal objections being theiniquitoui classification ana the heavy rate. He did not intend, however, to cow move it, but read it merely for the information of tbe Board. Mr Wilson said that the petition could hardly be considered to properly show the publio feeling, because maoy peop'e required very little persuasion to attach their names to a document of the kind. 0 he Chairman said that he did not see how members could accede to the letter. They have been put in by the ratepayers^ and the latter was not signed by a majority of the ratepayers. He was not aware that the Board had done anything to call forth the letter. At the time tbe letter was written they had done nothing at all; Mr Leddy thought the letter should lie on the table for 12 months. They could then read it again. The Chairman stated that as far as the matter concerned him he intended to resign, but not that day. The matter dropped. BBTUBMNG OFFICER Mr Wilson asked what would be tbe position if the whole Board, or any members of it, resigned. The Chairman said that Mr Fooks was gazetted returning officer, and would take steps to hold a fresh election. it transpired, on looking up the records, that Mr Fooks had only been appointed returning officer for tbe first election. K nrotion was then carried that Mr 0C; Fooks. be appointed returning officer for the Board. PBOTKOTION. A lengthy discussion ensued on the question of protecting the new embankment. Mr Olephane moved that it be proteoted bj means of bundles of willows attached to • tree to be firmly seonred to tbe bank. Mr 8, Brown seconded. Mr Wilson moved an amendment to the effect that an embankment be ereoted farther back on Mr S. Brown's property, oommenolDg at the old embankment and leading baok to the river. Me D. Leddy seconded. The number In favor of eaoh of the proposals being about equal, the Chairman suggested that members should visit the ground that afternoon and deolde on what steps should be taken at a meet log on the following day (Saturday). CLERICAL ABSISTAKCE. Mr Clephane desired to know on what terms Mr Fooks woald oontlnae to do the clerical work of the Board, the work havlDg been hitherto done free. Mr Fooks said that he would be unable, owing to other engagements, to continue doing the Board's clerical work: He woald, however, undertake the collection of the rates. A rote of thanks was passed to Mr Fooks for his past services and the Board adjourned .

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18880817.2.14

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1921, 17 August 1888, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,113

WAKANUI RIVER BOARD Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1921, 17 August 1888, Page 3

WAKANUI RIVER BOARD Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1921, 17 August 1888, Page 3

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