TOWN BOARD.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 9 October 1912, Page 3

TOWN BOARD.

The first fortnightly meeting of the newly elected Board was held in the Chambers on Saturday afternoon last. Present: Messrs Jas. McLeod (chairman), A. Becroft, J. A. Wilson, Jas. Hand, and Jas. Stewart, The minutes of the last ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. The Chairman stated that Mr H. M. Wilson (Engineer) had been in the township during the week and had conferred with members of the Board re-drainage works. A letter was read from Mr F. Tucker, poundkeeper, calling attention to the condition of the Public Pound and approach thereto, and pointing out that the pens were, in a boggy state, and he would have to refuse to impound cattle as the condition was too bad to allow them to stand in it foi* any time. He also pointed out that there was no provision for storing water, and asking for a tank to be placed in the Pound. Drawing attention that £4/9/5 had been paid the Board for surplus fees, he thought that amount should be spent in bettering the present condition of the Pound.

The Chairman was of opinion that something should be done in the matter. He also informed the Board that it had been discovered that the pound was partly on private property, and in making any improvement they would have to keep to the Board's section.

After discussion as to best means of, draining the pens, it was left to the Roads Committee to attend to.

The Clerk read copy of letter forwarded to Mr H. M. Wilson, as instructed at last meeting, re Drainage pipes going along the Railway line, and the matter of marking out pipe track over Mr John Hand's property.

The Chairman stated that after conversation with the Engineer, the Clerk had been instructed to write to the N.Z. Railways re the pipes going through. The matter of marking out pipe track, the Engineer suggested should be left in abeyance. ;

The Clerk reported that he had written to the Officer in charge, Agricultural Department, asking that an Inspector be sent to inspect the Helensville township, as there was an immense quantity of blackberries required destroying, pointing out that several people notified to destroy same had apparently taken no heed of the request. He had received a reply to the effect that the matter would receive attention as soon as the Inspector of Noxious Weeds returned to headquarters.

The Clerk stated that he had applied to get £1000 No 2 Debenture in connection with the drainage loan, but no reply had yet come to hand.

Letter read from Mr Jas. W. Blackmore re gas supply.—Received.

The Clerk stated that Mr Ziman (Solicitor) had informed the Board re properties of Messrs Peterson and Williams required for Water Scheme as watershed, on which the arbitrators could not agree, and thought a judge should be appointed.

The Chairman said an umpire should have been selected at the same time as the arbitrators.

Mr Stewart: The arbitrators could not agree and the matter stood there. It was now for the umpire to decide, and the Board's arbitrator required evidence to be supplied by the Board so as he could lay his case before the umpire.

It was resolved, That Messrs Morgan, J. C. Rimmer, J. L. Stewart and P. Monk be asked to give evidence on the Board's behalf, between Peterson and Williams and the Board's Arbitration case.

Mr Stewart stated that Mr Shepherd wae appearing for Williams and Mr Allen for the Board, Mr Ward-Baker being the umpire,

Letter received from the Hobson County Council, forwarding statement showing adjustment of the Kaipara Licensing District expenses to 31st September, 1912, and drawing the Board's attention to their share of the current expenses, £26 15s, to which was to be added £7 9s still owing, making a total sum of £34 4s due by the Board, and asking for a cheque for that amount.

The Chairman : [t is no good the Board not pa-sing the account, as tiie County Council would only for* waid it to the Government, and they would deduct it.

Mernters generally thought the sum was a piece of imposition, hut there was no get out of it. One member saying it w"as good money wasted. Mr Stewait thought it would Lie advisable to pliice an older for metal with the Pi isous Depart., as thoy only supplied a certain quantity each year, and ir. was necessary toirake applica tion early. There was 150 yards nee essary to finish Qarfield Road when £6p, balance of grant could be lifted. The money granted for Eatawhiri road, £150, had already been received. He moyed. secondo<i by the Chairman "That an order for 500 yards be placed^ 150 yards to be used on Grarfield lioad.' —Carried. . \

It was resolved tHat tenders be called locally ior the building of a dray for the Town Boavd.

The price of keeping and feeding the horse owned by the Board, which was costing 25s a week, was discussed, and left to be finally dealt with at next meeting.

The question by Mr Becroft as to whether there had been any fresh grants asked for further improving the roads, was answeied by Mr Stewart in the negative, who pointed out that Mr D. Stewart would give £25 towards the cost of a bridge across the Awaroa Eiver at the bottom of Stewart Street, and if the Board would put in £25, they could ask for a grant of £50, making £100, which ho thought would be sufficient to do the work. He pointed out that it would free the main street and allow the cattle from the steamer to get away without going rightT through the town* ship.

Members were of opinion it would cost more to build the bridge and approaches, and it was decided that the site be visited and reported on at next meeting. The lighting question was brought up and discussed, but as further information was required as to how many lamps would be required, it was decided that the whole Board form a committee to go through the township and decide the best places for the lights and how many could be obtained, and report at next meeting. Friday, 18th inst decided on as the day of inspection. The Chairman stated he had arranged with' Mr Masters to supply 150 12in pipes for the Board less 10 per cent. Mr Stewart asked that a minute be recorded to that effect. Drainage Accounts. Balance per pass book dr. £241 5 7 Balance last meeting 4 17 3 Expenditure since 329 19 4 334 16 7 Receipts 9 1 334 7 6 Outstanding Cheques 93 1 11 241 5 7 Accounts paid between meetings, £270 4s sd, were passed, and accounts amounting to £33 8s 6d were passed for payment. Ordinary Accounts. . Accounts amounting to £9 19s Id paid between meetings were passed, and accounts amounting to £38 10s were passed for payment. DOMAIN BOARD. Minutes of previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed, The Chairman said that Mr Coates, M.P.. who had been in Helensville the day previous, had stated that the matter of the Springs' control had been brought under Mr Massey's notice and he had stated he was of opinion that the Springs should be taken over by the Government and developed for the people of Auckland, but they would not bind themselves to spend any sun:. Mr Coates also informed him (the Chairman) that he had asked for £400 to be put on the estimates and explained the urgent need of the money to complete tho work in hand. A letter was read from Mr Coates acknowledging receipt of letter from the Board, and stating that he would be pleased to act in conjunction with the gentlemen mentioned in getting the £400 put on the estimates, also a sum of £1000 for future development. Letters were also read from Messrs Myers, Bradney, and Glover, expiessmg pleasure in assisting Mr Coates to get grants for the puipose required. Mr Myers intimated that he fully re* cognised the importance of the matter, not only to Helensville but to the city of Auckland, and noting that the people of HelensviKe were prepared to agree to hand over the Springs to the Government if they could get some dennltejunderstanding that the work of development would be undertaken Mr (Jlovor also promised to do his best in the direction indicated. Accounts. Accounts paid between meetings amounting to £20 16s were passed, and accounts amounting to £2 2s 6d were passed for payment. Tenders. Two tenders were received for the crop of oate at the Springs : R, Nicholls1 £8 ss, and D. Eennie's £10. The latter tender was accepted. Opening of Springs Bowling and Tennis Lawns. It was resolved that the members with Mr G. Jackson, meet at the Springs and decide -what is to be done with reference to the grounds; also that a public meeting be called for the purpose of forming clubs, the meeting to take place in the Board Office, Saturday, ~l2th inst., at 8 p.m. CEMETEEY BOAED. It was decided that the new piece of land secured for the Cemeteiy by Mr Stesvart be cleared and ploughed, and fenced. Mr Stewart drew attention to a small section adjoining owned by the Catholic Church which should be secured if possible. Matter left till next meeting for consideration.