FOXTON LOCAL BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 69, 25 April 1879, Page 2

FOXTON LOCAL BOARD.

« Tuesday, April 22, 1879. The Board met ah 3 p.m. Present — Messrs Crowther (Chairman;, Cook, Easton, and Dr Rockstrow. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. LOWER LINK. A memorial was read from Messrs Gray, Purcell, Stewart, Adams, Feck, and Naylon, drawing attention to the state of the road from the Ferry to the Southern boundary of tli6 Board district, colled the Lower

Line, and suggesting that t he Boardshould make the lino permanently. Mr Cook thought the presSMtt a> brad tiino to start tho woik. Dr Hu'okstrow suid tho worst part af the road was beyond the boun- M Jary of tho Local Board. The Chairman thought- there was^^ not sufficient monoy in iiand to do» bho work. An improvement might be made in the sand cuttiugs which 1 nad to be gone through. Eventually tho Chairman and Mr Cook were appoiutod v Committee to report upon the work. INCREASE OF SALARY. A letter was read from Mr Robinson Clerk of the Board, asking for an increase of £2C to his salary. Dr Rockstrow asked if there was any written agreement between the Olork and Board. The Chairman replied there was not. He suggested that if Mr Robinson's offer were not accepted, a practical man should be obtained who woulJ act as both Engineer and Clerk. Dr Rockstrow thought the present salary was low, and that the appointments of Clerk and Engineer should be amalgamated. He was in favour of calling tenders for a person to hold both offices. If a new road were laid out, the County Engineer could be obtained. Mr Cook thought the tenders wero sent in for a year. ; Upon examination of the tenders it was found no time was specified. ! Dr Rockstrow said no Engineer was wanted, and the valuator would not be required for 2 years. Members should look after their own dis« '■■ tricts. ■ .• . ; Mr Cook said in times past mem> bers had devoted a considerable amount of time to the work of the Board, especially Mr Liddell. ' , A discussion took place what notice should be given to the officers. Mr Robinson said he would not interfere with the Board. ; „•<« Mr Moinet said he understood: hewas engaged by the year. There was no law by which he could ; be : t sent off without proper notice. Dr Hockstrow replied that if it were a question of law, Mr Moinet could be removed in au hour. Dr Rockstrow moved, "That the Clerk to the Local Board and the Engineer do receive no'ice that their services will not be required after June. " In proposing this, he did not reflect upon their past services. He simply wished to have one man, and give him a good salary. ': ' > Seconded by Mr Cook, and car-; ried. " .■* It was resolved to call for tenders" for the appointment of Clark. valuator's salary. :•!-;■' A letter was read from Mr Moinet^ enclosing account, as follows : — For making first valuation, j£2o; for second, £10; for deposit of £10 made ; salary as Engineer, £5. Dr Rockstrow said if £20 were paid for the first, nothing should be paid for the second valuation. Mr Cook said the Judge's remarks were to the effect that the Board were more to blame than Mr Moinet. He was in favour of passing the account. Dr Rockstrow said Mr Ward had nothing to do with "the Board's finances. If he hked, he could pay £10 to the valuator. He Would oppose payment for both valuations.* !' < Air Easton said that as the valuator was paid at so much per anniim,' even if half-a-dozen valuations were wanted, he should make them. ' After further discussion-, :.■ ; 7 •_;••'.' Mi* Easton proposed that £25 be paid to Mr Moinet for services as Engineer and Valuator. ■.■■< . , i; No member would second this're*>i< solution, which lapsed. . : ■ i:!,i'. Mr Eascon then proposed that Mfc • i Moinet be paid £10 awarded by Mi* Ward, £10 as a bonus, and £5 for services as Engineer. Seconded by Dr Itocbstiow, and carried. ... . •... ■ ;- ; ;,ii W-J CLAIM RE DRAINA(jtS.j |, A letter was read from Mr Feck, calling attention to a letter sent last August to the Board regarding water draining on to his property. Mr Easton said the drain was cut before any Local Board was in existence. r Dr Rockstrow suid if any communication were held with Mr Feck, it might be treated as an acceptance of the responsibility. ' He suggeisteflp they should tell Mr Faek simply that * his letter was read. , „.,.,, No resolution was arrived at. lady's MiLe. . „ ■ : • ■ i •. i The Rev Mr Duncan 6ent in ia,)M claim for several , pounds for wflrjkv/ performed on the Lady's Mile Road, T;; near his ground. The master wag' left in abeyance. ; : '.-. WORKS IN HAND. Mr Easton asked if the Engineer had sent in a report of what works were being done. The Chairman replied : tie' 11^ nOt. . . :..(-.• Mr Easton said a drain"' about 5 chains long had been made on 'AJfil Flat. It had neither beginning, nor! f ending, and could have bberf clone \ x for 'half the money. The work re-. n cently done at the Tramway drain whs '^ useless : '■'• 1?lM RESIGNATION. ' ' ll J)> Mr Robinson sent in his reeigna- // tion, and wished it to be accepted that day. Dr Rockstrow said no letter could be received during the sitting of tho

Board. This resolution would upset all the resolutions passod. By law, they were entitled to one mouth's notice. The Board then adjourned.