TOWN BOARD.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 October 1912, Page 3

TOWN BOARD.

The first meeting of the newly elected members of the . above was held in the Chambers on Thursday afternoon last.

The Clerk (Mr H. W. Stringer) took the chair, and Messrs Becroft, WiUon, Hand, Stewart, and McLeod were present.

Before calling for nominations for chairman, the Clerk after congratulating those present on their election as members of the Board for the next two 3'ears. asked for their indulgence for a few minutes. He stated that as there appeared to be some dissatisfaction in the manner in which he had carried out his duties since he had held the position, he would ask the Boards permission to retire, after the bussness had been finished so as they could consider the position. He stated that if they were dissatisfied with the way he had carried out his duties to let him know and he would tender his resignation at once ; if they were satisfied he would continue to hold office if they wished. After his request had been granted, the Clerk asked for nominations for the position of chairman. Mr J. A. Wilson proposed, Mr J. Hand seconded : " That Mr Jas. McLeod be elected chairman for the coming term." There beiDg no other nominations, the Clerk declared Mr McLeod elected. Mr. McLeod on taking the chair thanked members for putting him in the position. The first business was the election of Committee :—Messrs Becroft, Hand, and Wilson, were elected a Boad's and Cemetery Committee. Messrs Becroft and Stewart were appointed trnstees for the Cemetery Bank Account at the Post Office Savings Bank. It was decided thdt any two members of the Board together with the Clerk sign cheques. The Returning Officer's account of £2 8s 9d was passed for payment. It was decided"that in future meetings of the Board be held every alternate Saturday, commencing from Oct. sth, the meeting being 2.30 p.m. Dkainage. In reply to Mr Becroft, the Chairman said there was enough material on hand to carry on the Drainage work. He stated that he had arranged to get the pipes for 7?, per cent discount, instead of only 5 per cent as arranged by the previous chairman. Mr Stewart said that he could get 10 per cent, but had not done so as he was not safe with the then Board, and he let.the thing drop. It could only be done by the goods coming through a private firm, the firm would get nothing,

Mr Wilson and the Chairman con-* tended that Mr Stewart should have brought it before the meeting at the time.

The Chairman: We have been hoodwinked about the cement in the same way.

Mr Stewart: The b?st thing to do would he to have a meeting with the Engineer present and settle the matter. He moved " That tenders be called for the supply of pipos in accordance with specifications diawn up by Mr Wilson."

The Chairman : Tho matter should go before tho R<>ads committee. He did not think they would get them any less by tender.

Somo discussion ensued as to the quality of pipes nssd, and whether they were better than cemeut or cheaper, or vice versa.

The chaiimmi asked for permission to interview Mr H. M. Wilson and report at next meeting.

The late chairman, now in opposition, contended that was what th^y had bGen blaming him for doing. As to cement, if the chairman cculd do hot*, tt'r than had been done on tho supply of ci nient, ho (Mr Stewait), would give him £25 bonus, and take 200 tons.

The-Chairman i I have finished one £50 but we have not got it yet.

Mr Stewart you might think you have.

Coming back to the supply of pipes it was ultimately decided on the Motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Stewart " That the matter be left to the Roads Committpo to confer with Mr Wilson (Engineer) re getting price for extra quality first pipes, and report at the next meeting of the Board.."

Mr Wilson : The matter should have been brought before the Board sometime ago.

The Chairman : The matter about cement was refenod to the En-

gmeer

Mr Wilson : The Water scheme had not been reported on. How did that matter stand.

The Chairman: The Engineer should report progress of works. So far therd had been no report before the Board from him.

Messrs Becroft and Wilson thought that a report stating tho progress made should be tabled at each meeting. Specifications of Water Scheme were read by the Clerk.

It was resolved "That' the Clerk write to Mr Wilson to inquire what had been done in the way of procuring pipes for the water supply, and asking- him to call for tenders i'or the supply.

After discussion as to right of way over Mr John Hand's property had been carried ou at some length, it was decided that Mr Wilscn (Engineer) be instructed to flag off direction of water supply track through Mr J, Haud's property, also" to ask him to inform the Board what steps had been taken re getting permission to lay drain pipes along the railway lin,e.

In answer to a question about the pipes going along the railway line, Mr Stewart said the plans had gone in The Chairman said he had made inquiries, but the Department could find.

nothing from the Board on the matter.

In reply to a question by Mr Becroft, Mr Stewart informed the Board that the arrangements re output was in the Engineer's hands.

Further discussion was left till Mr Wilson visited Helensville,

It was resolved on the motion of Mr McLeod, seconded by Mr Becroft : " That the whole Board act as a Do* main Board as heretofore.''—Carried.

This being all the Board business, the Chairman asked the Clerk to retire while the members considered his request as stated at the opening of the meeting.

After a few minutes deliberation, during which the members were unanimous that Mr Stringer was capable of looking after the Board's business to the best interest and to carry out the necessary extra work entailed in the Water and Drainage Schemes, and on his being recalled, the Chairman informed him that the Board had decided to retain his , services, and to in« crease his salary by £'26 per annum, the same to be charged to the Drain-, age account. The increase to take effect from the Ist July, when he took office. ! Domain Boaiu;. The Chairman stated that the offer from the Government to takp over the control of the Hot 'Springs, was well known to the members. He thought the matter should be dealt with so as to get something put on the estimates this session. Mr Stewart: The matter should be left for the people to decide by a poll. He thought the increase of revenue would keep the Springs going. The takiugs were £243 odd for the last eight months, and when the bowling green and tennis courts were in use it would be considerably more. The Chairman : There is £60 due, and they had the gardener's report read at last meeting to take into consideration. In speaking to the gardener (Mr Harris), he learnt that the bewling green and tennis courts would keep one man going ah the yeac round and that would mean the cost of an extra hand.

Mr Becroft; Money is required at once. If the Government were not going to make any more grants, what was the Board going to do. If the Government took them over they would have to spend money on them. Mr Stewart : The Government does not want to take the Springs if the people did not want to part with them. If the people wanted to part with them the Government would perhaps take them, but they don't guarantee to spend £10.000 on it.

The Chairman : If they took a vote of the people they would have to include the wholp. They belonged as much to Parakai and Parkhursf. Mr Glover, M.P., in conversation with him, stated that if the Board took a vote of the district, Auckland would also have a vote, they belonged to the whole Dominion.

Mr Becroft: Ido not intend to hand tho concern over without a promise of proper development from the Government, I look on Auckland as the Government of Helensville.

Mr Stewart: It is recognised that local bodies cari-y on control of such Domains better than the Government.

Tjic discussion continued at borne length, during which the taking ovei of the Kaipara Harbour was brought up, and to get back to the Springs tho letter in connection therewith from the Tourist Department was again read.

Mi- "Wilson : If the Government would spend money on development, I would be in favour of their taking them over. The Board is in need of money at the present time to carry on. Mr Stewart: It should come before the people.

The Chairman : If the Government toolc them aud developed them, it would be a good tiling for Helensville. Anyway the whole district had a say in tho matter.

Mr Stewart : It was in tho hands of the Board, and therefore the people of Helensville had tho say.

After further lengthy discussion, it was decided " That a deputation -wait on the Minister in charge of Tourist affair?, at Welling,on, with regard to getting definite information re tho Government talcing over control of theTlot Springs at Helensville/' Also *' That immediate application bo made by telegram to the Minister stating that the Board are considering the handing over of the Springs, and in the meantime the Board being hard pressed for money, would the Government assist, the Board with a grant of £400 to enable them to complete the bowling green, tennis courts, etc., and provide the necessary equipment and shelter sheas.''

It was al-^o resolved " That the Clerk write to Mr J. Gr. Coatos, M.P. for the district, instru'ting him to ask the Minister of Tourist Affairs whether in the event of the I lot Springs being handed over to tho Government will they place a su v of money on the estimates to immediately complete the bowling green, shelter shops, etc, now in h:-.nd, and estimated to cost £400 ; and will tho G jvernment also place upon the estimates a further sum of £1000 to cover immediate r'oiiuirements as p'ac d before them by Mr McLeod Avhen lie was in Wellington. And that Mr Coites be asked to pro-> cure the as-islance of 'Messrs Bradney, Dickson, (Hover/ Harris, and Myers, to support him in his request to tho Minister." It was further proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Jas. Hand, " That this Board is prepared to hand over coutrol of the Springs to the Government if they will place a sum on the estimates for development this session." carried by four to one. Mr Stewart dissenting, as he contended the matter should come before the people.

It was resolved that tenders be callfor the purchase of the crop of oats at

the springs as they stand ; to be removed either now or when ripened ; such tenders to be returnable at the next meeting of the Board, addressed to the Chairman.