MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 135, 5 June 1919, Page 4

MATAMATA TOWN BOARD.

Fortnightly Meeting. The fortnightly meeting of the Matamata Town board was held* last week, Messrs J. Price (chairman), G. G. Bell and W. A. Gordon being present. SYMPATHY. The chairman moved a vote of condolence and sincere sympathy with the widow, children and other relatives of the late Mr H. A. Kelso, and in doing so spoke in feeling terms of the high esteem in which the members of the board had held their .late colleague, and also dwelt on the manner in which Mr Kelso had endeared himself to almost every member of the community and his thorough business integrity. The other members present also expressed in the warmest terms their regard for the.deceased gentleman. The vote of sympathy was carried after which the chairman moved “ that as a slight mark of respect to the memory of its late member the board adjourns until Monday, June 2nd. ADJOURNED MEETING. The adjourned meeting of the board was held on Monday, the same members being present. A COMPLAINT. Mrs A. Potter wrote complaining of the state of the road in front of her property on Peria road, and asked that the board improve the conditions. It was decided that if the applicant provide a culvert, the board would prepare an approach. HYDRO-ELECTRIC MATTERS Letters were received from Te Aroha and Hamilton in connection with the proposals to form hydro-electric boards. Mr Bell was of the opinion that Matamata should find its place on the Thames Valley board. On Mr Bell’s motion it was decided to reply to the Hamilton letter stating that the board intended joining the Thames Valley board, feeling that its interests were in that direction. It was also decided to send two delegates to the Te Aroha meeting to be held on June 16th The appointment of delegates was deferred until next meeting.

PEACE CELEBRATIONS. Several circulars dealing with the proposed Peace celebrations were received from the Minister for Internal Affairs. One of these stated that it had been decided to give a week’s notice of the days on which the celebrations are to be carried out. The clerk of the Matamata County council wrote stating that it was considered approximately 200 children and parents will celebrate peace on the Tuesday. It was decided to write to the Putaruru committee asking if the children are coming to Matamata on the Tuesday, requesting an early answer. ADJUSTMENT. A letter was received from the Matamata County council stating that if the board refused to adhere to the provisions of adjustment as agreed upon the council would ask that a commission be set up. On the chairman’s motion it was decided to object to a commission being asked for, maintaining that the board was prepared to carry out the agreement with the exception of taking over the pound. They were prepared to even accept the latter if the council could give a title. Board members considered that the County councillors were merely quibbling. The chairman said if the councillors knew, at the time the agreement was entered into, that the council held no title it was their duty to have informed the Town board members. In the light of things the councillors were not straight-forward with regard to the pound. It was decided to reply accordingly. STREET LIGHTING. The chairman reported that he had interviewed tradesmen regarding keeping an outside lamp lit up during the winter months, and one had expressed himself as agreeable at 5s per week. The members thought the scheme an economical one and it was decided that the chairman endeavor to obtain three other lights on similar terms for the winter months. UNLICENSED COWS. The question of the number of unlicensed cows and beasts on the town roads was again discussed, and it was decided to appoint a ranger to pound all unlicensed cows and beasts. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. The chairman reported that lie had attended the Town Planning Conference in Wellington, and he assured the board that it was no pleasure trip. To get the thorough grip of the question it was neces-

sary to be present through all sittings. Ho could assure the members that the information gained would be useful in time to come. Regarding the application for a cottage hospital for Matamata the chairman stated that it had been intimated to him that a personal interview with the Waikato Hospital board would be much better than a letter. He intended attending the next meeting of the board. Mr Price also reported upon having interviewed the Undersecretary for Lauds regarding the board’s application for sections in the town area. He would recommend that another letter be written. In connection with the latter the recommendation was adopted.