SCENE AT A HAMPDEN ROAD BOARD MEETING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1240, 8 April 1880, Page 2

SCENE AT A HAMPDEN ROAD BOARD MEETING.

The members of the Hampden .Road Board —Messrs. Culling (chair), Findlay, M'Kerrow, Mathew Henderson, Riddell, Andrews, Dunbar, Arch. Gillies, and David: Munro—met yesterday for the despatch,of business of importance to the district. After several minor matters had been disposed of, Mr. Munro introduced the debate of the evening as follows = Mr. Munro(toMr. M'Kerrow, tor of the Hampden.bush) j Is it true, as reported, that "Mr, Slater has been permitted to cut timber anywhere he chose in the commonage bush, and have you marked off his claim ?

Mr, M'Kerrow : I have not marked off his claim, as it has been inconvenient for me to do so at a time that would suit Mr, Slater,

Mr. Henderson : Mr. Slater has four claims on which he is cutting timber, and yet only one has been paid for through Mr. Kerrow. Mr. Munro : I consider that Mr. M'Kerrow has not done his duty in not seeing that Slater's and other claims have not been marked off, and his neglect to do so may lead to an action for damages by the Borough Council for unauthorised destruction of bush. I would be very sorry to see the ratepayers' money used for that purpose. Mr. M'Kerrow : Mr, Valpv, Crown Lands Ranger, has done what I am ac-1 oused of doing. He has allowed men to take up claims and. cut timber before | measuring them off. Mr. Munro is acting as a toady to the Borough Council. Mr. Munro : I am as independent as any man on..the Board. I don't toady to any local body, or any party. . Unless j Mr. M'Kerrow withdraws his statement I shall tell him that ho is a liar. : '

Mr. M'Kerrow would not withdraw the statement, and Mr. Munro carried out his threat. • The meeting at this stage broke up without even passing a vote of thanks to the Chairman.