OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 5 March 1920, Page 3

OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the above was held last night. Present: Commissioners J. P. Brandon (chairman), Puku Eikihana, W. Noble, J. Meads, H. H. Olliver, H. Nicolson.

! Correspondence, Correspondence was read and dealt with as under: — From W. H. Field, M.P., offering to meet thc Board and discuss matters of interest appertaining to thc township. Owing to pressure of business and the illness of Mrs Field, Mr Field found it impossible to come to Otaki till a later date.

' From committee Levin Mardi Gras, ' forwarding invitation to attend the crowning ceremony. Levin people thanked for the invitation and congratulated on their successful efforts. From Kalranga County Council forwarding a resolution, which it was hoped the Board would support. It road.- "That the Hospital Board be asked to allow any patients receiving treatment at the public hospital to have, if they so desire, the services of the medical attendant who has been in charge of their cases prior to admission, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to all the contributing local bodies, and they be asked to support it."—To be supported.

'Ratepayers' Association's Suggestions. Mr Bax, who was present as the representative of the Otaki Ratepayers' Association, was given a warm welcome by the Chairman, who pointed out that the O.R.A. was going to be a sort of watch-dog, and not a body that would be antagonistic to the Board, as some people seemed to think. He felt sure as the result of the members' remarks the Association would be out for progress.

Mr Bax, after returning thanks, assured the Board that it was far from the Association's intention to be an-

tagonistic. He recognised thc Board as the representatives of the people, and therefore did not wish to dictate to them, but simply to endeavour to help to give Otaki a push forward. He was there to make suggestions and have matters ventilated, and he hoped both the Board and the Association would work in harmony. The first matter he wished to bring forward was improvement to the foothpatk from tho Post Office to the Native School gates. He also suggested the appointment of an inspector of nuisances, pointing out that when there was no such officer people generally were inclined to bocome dilatory and allow an accmnulaHon of rubbish, in consequonco of which thc health of the town suffered. fie also wished to know if tho by-laws of the Board were law and could they be sued upon, more especially as regards building permits. At present there were many ramshackle buildings in the town, especially among the Chinese, who, ho considered, should be compelled to put up decent residences.

Tho Chairman pointed out that the matter of footpath improvement and thc appointment of a sanitary inspector were to bo disenssed by the Board, also that the by-laws had been passed by the Minister, and that the question of "shacks" would bo considered.

At a later stage the Chairman said the question was whether the Board was going to enforce its by-laws. He considered "shacks" should be condemned, and the owners of tho property sued unless they acted according to the Board's wishes. Ho also favoured the appointment of a building inspector. After a brief discussion, during which Com. Olliver suggested that a test case should bo made against owners of such buildings, and Com. Noble favoured a report from tho Health Officer, it was decided to invite applications for the position of building inspector at a remuneration of £lO per year. It was also resolved to invite applications for the appointment of a sanitary inspector at a similar fee.

Roadman's Report. The roadman (R. Webby), in his report, suggestod the cleaning of the Mangapouri creek and the continuation of street improvement as far as tho Jubilee Hotel. It was agreed that the cleaning of the creek was necessary, and it was decided to make the necessary arrangements. The question of footpath improvement was fully discussed, and it was admitted that street improvement to the end of "Waerenga road was absolutcly necessary, while footpath improvement was also badly needed from the bank corner to tho State school. It was decided to have the levels taken of the footpath from the bank to the State school, and from the corner of Jubilee road to the hotel, and to have improvements effected as soon as possible. General Easiness.

The tender of W. Thompson at 5s per yard was accepted for 800 yards of metal. Other tenders were received from J. C. Guy and P. Dodds, each 6s 3d. It was decided to serve notico on owners of overhanging trees, shrubs, etc.. to have them cut back. It was pointed out that at present many trees were a nuisance and needed trimming without delay. The Chairman and Com. Nieolson were empowered to secure better office accommodation, it being agreed that the present offices were far too small. The ranger (G. Gallagher) reported that several ratepayers had refused to register their dogs!— Decided to take . necessary proceedings. | A request from the Town Clerk for , an increase of salary from March 31st I was held over. i A petition, signed by the requisite . ! number of ratepayer;, asking for a poll ' to be taken re the day for the halfi holiday, was received. —Members coni r-klered the application late, but irrecd ; to make inquiries relative to the matter. Its ay.sidjajt.w§a jejortfid. to, bjj

£1236~T1s sd, and the legal limit £I4BO. Tho following accounts were passed for payment: Registrar of Electors £5, Frank Bennett (sanitary improvement) £ls, B. Webby £lO, H. Knox £l3 4s, M. H. Ayre £l2 lis Id, G. Anderson £1 16s 6d,H. Wise and Co. £1 15s 6d, Hadlield Knocks 10s, "Otaki Mail" (ront and advertising) £3 19s, Bills and Moore £0 ss, John Kirk £3 13s, H. H. Vann 7s, G. Gallagher £1 15s, Ross Webby £1 13s lid.