TOWN BOARD FOR TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 36, 28 June 1907, Page 3

TOWN BOARD FOR TE KUITI.

The Proposal Discussed. The public meeting convened for the purpose of discussing of a Town Board for Te Kuiti was held in Hetet's Hall on Saturday evening last. There was a good attendance of residents, and keen interest was evinced in the question. Mr E. H. Hardy was voted to the chair and, in a short speech, outlined the position of affairs. A considerable amount of work in the public interest had been done by the Vigilance Committee, but it was generally felt that the time had arrived to place the affairs of the township on a constitutional basis and elect a local body with power to take proper steps to develop the town and place it on a footing consistent with pn> gress. He suggested that a committee be appointed from those present to go into the matter and ascertain the method to be adopted in order to give effect to the suggestion. A motion, proposed Mr H. Mordaunt, that a Town Board be formed was carried, and the following Committee was elected: Messrs Pine, Qrmsby, Sims, Mordaunt, Hardy, Taylor, Gibson, Lorigan, Tammadge, Rutherford, Hine and Franklin. The public meeting then closed and the Committee remained to discuss the proposition, Mr Sims being appointed chairman, and Mr Franklin secretary pro. tem. In order to open up a discussion Mr J. Ormsby proposed that a Board be formed under the Town Districts Act, 1881. Speaking to the motion the mover said there were many reasons to be adduced in favour of forming a Town' District Board instead of a Board under the Native Townships Act. The place was likely to progress rapidly, and probably in a very few. years it would be found desirable to form the district into a borough. This could be easily accomplished by a Town District Board, and it was doubtful if such a transition could take place from the Native Township Board. The motion was seconded by Mr Mordaunt, who supported Mr Ormsby's contention. Mr Pine thought the motion was premature, and suggested that before passing the Committee should revert to their original position and discuss the question in all its bearings. He was doubtful if the necessary number of householders could be got to enable the Board to be formed. There was another matter he thought should be gone into fully, and that was the position of Maori Land AdministraBoard with regard to the formation of the streets of the township. If a private person had cut up the property into town sections, such person would have been bound by law to form the roads properly befcre they could be taken over by tiny local bedy' Thefee simple of the land was vested in the Maori Land Board, and it seemed as though the responsibility of forming the streets rested upon that body. High rents were being paid for the sections, and if the lessees had to bear the whole responsibility of the street formation the burden would be a tremendous one. He contended that it was the first duty of the Committee to ascertain the exact position with regard to this point, and several others, before committing themselves to any course of action. He did not wish to throw cold on the proposal. A Board was necessary, but they should know their full responsibility before taking final steps. Mr Hardy suggested that they should obtain legal opinion on the matter, but held that in any case their position would not be prejudiced by the establishment of a Board. If the Maori Land Board was liable now it would certainly not be freed from its responsibility by the formation of a local body. Moreover, by getting things in train now they would be so much further ahead, and have a proper channel through which to work for the benefit of the community.

Mr J. Tammadge supported the previous speaker, but also considered they were a little premature in passing the motion at that meeting. Mr Ormsby considered that to demand a rebate of the rents, was hardly fair, seeing that a bargain had been made. He thought the difficulty might be overcome by approaching the Government,.with a view to having the restrictions removed, so that sections could be purchased outright from the owners. The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried. Mr iMordaunt proposed, and Mr Lorigan seconded : That a sub-com-mittee, including Messrs Franklin, Sims, and Ormsby be appointed to ascertain the legal position, and report to a meeting on Saturday night next.

It was decided to hold a committee meeting in Hetet's Hall on Saturday evening next, at 8 o'clock, and a general public meeting at the conclusion of the committee meeting.