OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 2 July 1920, Page 3

OTAKI TOWN BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board wa3 held last night. Present: Corns. J. P. Brandon (chairman), W. Noble, J. Meads, P. Rikihana, H. Nicolson, It. M. D ’Ath. Correspondence.

Correspondence wa3 read arid dealt with, as follows: From Department of Industries in reply to a letter from the Board’s chairman regarding the supply of milk at Otaki, .and stating the Department would make inquiries into the position and report later. A later letter stated that owing to the small supply now being obtained from Otaki it would be impossible to allocate any for the use of the residents of Otaki. However, the City Council would be again interviewed on the matter with a view to ascertaining whether the relief aeked for could be afforded. The Chairman pointed out that he had written privately in the mattor of a shortage of milk in Otaki, and asked that the matter be given attention. He thought it was extraordinary that milk was produced here and yet there was a shortage through its being sent to Wellington. He considered if a borough was formed the difficulty would be got over.—Letter received. From Palmerston Morth Hospital Board enclosing invitations to the official opening ot' the now buildings.—As many as possible agreed to attend. From D. .1. Reardon, staling that he had received the Board’s letter, but was not agreeable to the terms of settlement offered. lie was, however, writing further on the question.—Received. From W. 11. Field, M.F’., stating the Government Mould help the Board to secure a plan of the district, provided the Board assisted. Tile Govern-

meat was aware that the matter was less straightforward than usual owing to the. irregular and haphazard manner in which sub-divisions had been made. —The Chairman stated that Mr Beere, of Wellington, had also offered to do his best in the matter. It was agreed that, the Board give all possible assistance. From Minister of Justice, acknowledging the Board's letter urging that I the charge of £tls per annum levied j against the Board as salary for the

Clerk ol' the Licensing Committee was I excessive and should he reduced to £lO. I lie stilted the mutter wuuld receive at- ■ tent ion.—Kcccivcd. I'nai Levin Borough Council, stating it could not see its way to take action in the matter of Licensing Committee clerk’s salary. From Public Health Department, reporting that a building on Convent ] road, occupied by Mrs Giddens; was | unlit for occupation. The improvements suggested were that the roof be painted, the living room re-papered, ceilings and walls of all bedrooms, excepting one, to be re-papered, and where necessary re-scrimmed, kitchen to be painted and re-papered, underfloor ventilation to be provided, and tank replaced.—Notice had been served. The clerk stated that it was possible that the building would shortly be pulled down. From Minister of Labour, acknowledging the petition signed by various shopkeepers respecting the hours of closing their business premises, and , stating the same would receive attention. —Referred to the storekeepers for necessary attention, there being a mistake made in the petition which needed rectifying. From Palmerston North Hospital Board stating that under the Washingup Bill the Town Board was indebted to it for £24 Ss.—To bo placed on the pay-sheet. From Waipukurau Borough Council, stating the maintenance of Dreadnought lamps cost £b per annum each. The lights extinguished automatically at about 10 p.m.—Received. Roadman's Report. K. Webby (roadman) reported that all roads were in fair order with the exception of about ten chains from Waereuga road corner, east of the Board’s boundary, and that it would take about 40 or dO yards of metal to put it in good order. Ta»muu Koaa also required a few yards of metal, wnieb would be put on as soon as possible.' Mill road footpath was receiving attention, and when this was finished attention would bo given Wgerenga road footpath and road. As inspector he suggested ike removal of a cowshed on Tasman road to a point at least one chain from the road. In answer to a question the roadmad-r-aid he expected to be able to do the footpath on Waercnaa roan within a fortnight. General Business. It was decided to write to Mr Field, M.P., relative to a number of his horses which' had been impounded and released without a trespass fee having been paid. The poundkeeper stated that | he was in Wanganui at the time of the ! release and had left his boy in charge, hence the mistake of undercharging. The poundkeeper raised objection io ibe ranger returning stock to owners i instead of impounding them, and thus doing him out of his lees.—Matter to be enquired into. It was decided that the general rate for the year be 2£ J (same as last year) on the unimproved value. The Chairman reported that Mr Cockrell had made a very good suggestion fit lid recent ratepayers’ meeting. and that was that no one owing rates should be allowed to vote, and that legislation should, he introduced I to carry this into effect. The Chair-] man and other members of the Board agreed with this proposal, while others entered a protest against such a. moye_ —No action taken. A short discussion took place relative to the work being done by the roadmen on Mill road, some considering the channelling was unnecessary, while others thought a. good job yras

being made. It was stated that the work would soon be out of hand, and therefore no action was takne. Mr Smith asked that the roadman give attention to the footpath between Cockrell's and the Courthouse. — Agreed to. The matter of reducing the road staff and the oTdce staff was mentioned, but. for the time being it was thought adtherefore no action was taken. It was agreed that the main street should be cleaned oftener and made more presentable for week-end visitors. It was reported that some £-7 15s had been collected as dog tax. Accounts.

The following accounts were passed for paymena:—R. Webby £ls .1 2s (id, H. Knox £l3 15s, J. Gittens £S 10s (id. Wm. Thomson £l(i ss, Clerk £l4, G. Gallagher £5 7s lid, hlatenga Baker £3, Hadfield Knocks £1 (is 3d, Peter Oag £4.