MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 102, 17 October 1918, Page 2

MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

Mi l J. Price Re-elected Chairman. The first meeting of the newly elected Town board was held on Monday, the members present being Messrs J. Price, H. A. Kelso, J. F. Vosper, W. A. Gordon and G. G. Bell. On the motion of Messrs Vosper and Kelso, Mr Price was unanimously re-elected chairman of the board. CONDOLENCE. After welcoming the new members, Messrs Kelso and Bell, the chairman stated that it was regrettable that he was again called upon to move votes of condolence in connection with the death of local soldiers. A motion to Mrs Mallett and the relatives of Lance-Cpl. Basil' Beeson was carried in the usual manner. SANITARY SITE. The question of purchasing a site was again discussed, and a certain line of action for the acquisition of portion of a property on the Mangawhero road was decided upon. KAIMAI ROAD. A letter was received from the Matamata County council, asking the board to make a contribution towards the up-keep of the Kaimai road. The letter stated that the road was of infinite benefit to the township ; and that, although deriving buf small revenue from the properties adjoining it, the council was faced with heavy expenditure in keeping the road open for traffic. It was decided to reply stating that board could not see its way to make a contribution. TAPAPA BRIDGE. The Minister for Lands wrote to the chairman as follows: — “ With reference to the representations made by you to me at Matamata, in support of the request by selectors in the Tapapa settlement for the construction of a light bridge over the Waihou river, to give them shorter access to Matamata, I have to state that on inquiry I find that to build a suitable bridge would cost about £IOOO, and if the bridge were erected, further expenditure would be necessary up to about £1,300 for metalling the road b ading to it, as without metal the road would not satisfactorily carry regular dairy traffic. There is already fair means of access to the settlement and it is not considered that expenditure on the suggested bridge is warranted at present. Whatever money becomes available would be better expended in metalling the main road towards the soldiers’ holdings.” It was decided to forward the reply to the soldier settlers. GENERAL. The clerk’s salary was increased to £75 per annum. It was decided ,to close the sand-pit on Burwood road. The clerk was instructed to write to the County council asking for a detailed statement of the position of the finances as affecting the board and the council. On the chairman’s motion it was decided that cows be licensed at £1 per annum for grazing on the streets of the town district. STREET LIGHTING. On the motion of Mr Gordon, the chairman and Mr Vosper were asked to obtain all information regarding the cost of three or four good lights, with a view to installing them at the most important street corners.