CARLYLE TOWN BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 116, 20 May 1876, Page 2

CARLYLE TOWN BOARD.

A special meeting of 'the hbove Board was held on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of clearing oif air the business remaining undisposed of, prior to the annual ‘retirement by rotation 5 of three s members, as required by the ■ Ordinance. All the members were present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. " , , In reference to the application'on the part of the cricket club, to have that reserve leased to them at a nominal rent, the chairman stated that a conference between the club and the Board had been held, at which certain terms had been agreed on; but it had been'determined to call a public

meeting ou' the-subject before terms were finally made. Amongst -the. outward correspondence read was a : 'letter, to the Superintendent, asking hirai. to tlie £2OO voted for a gaol here‘ l 'by the Provincial Council, towardHltlm niainteiiaiice and improvement of the main road, as the gaol-was not likely to be erected, and was not wanted. In the sainc„coinn>indention his Honor was asked to favor them with an explanation as to how the Board stood with respectto confiscated lands. .To this there had notibeen as yetlany reply. : With reference to the filling in on the sides of the Taranaki road, the chairman said that it had been found better to use loam, and if found necessary afterwards to place some clay on,the top, _ A discussion as to the quality of the gravel being put in the holes in Bedfordstreet, took place, some members conhenming it as worthless. It >Vas stated, however, that it was the same as had been used previously, and the matter dropped. ; CORRESPONDENCE. A telegram was read from the Undersecretary, in reply to one sent from here, relative to the use of the Court House by the Board, in which that gentleman asked \vhy the Board did not sit in the Town Hall. A . letter had' been sent by the chairman'' 'in reply, explaining that the Town Hall belonged to a private company, and that the Board would have to pay for its use. To this no reply had been received up to that time. A letter was read from Major Atkinson, in reply to one sent by the Board, stating that he took great interest in the Patea harbor Avorks, and would do all in his power to forward them. The proceeds of the confiscated lands Averc in the hands of the Provincial GoA'ermncnt, but the Avbole question of endoAvment avus now under the consideration of the Co\ Ternment.

A letter was.received from the Colonial Treasury, stating, that ;thc subsidy to Boards that had not completed their full year would be calculated on’rates collected up to the 31st March, 1870.: Returns were also asked for. ......... A request was made by Mr F. McCarthy to enclose a road between a block he had recently leased, and Mr Collins’. There aauis no traffic whatever over it; , and he undertook to remove the fence Avhencvcr required. At a later stage of the proceedings the request Avas granted. Mr Ilammertou wrote, acknoAvledging a letter from the Board, relative to his being selected to prepare the various leases of reserves 1 A letter had been sent by the Superintendent, asking for sanitary returns. Tlie chairman stated that'he had replied, saying that the health of the district Avas satisfactory. i Account sales were handed in from Mr, Cowern, relative to the sale of reserve leases, by Avhieh it appeared that , they realised £2Bl. The expenses attached to the sale, including auctioneer’s commission at 5 per cent, amounted to £3O 12s. ruw.ic AVORKS. Mr Southby moved, “ That specifications should 'be prepared, and tenders called for widening and gravelling Bedfordstrect.” Mr Taplin seconded, and Mr Williams supported the motion. Air Milroy-.moved an amendment, “That tiie surveyor be requested to prepare draAvjngs and specifications, and submit an estimate of cost for-widening B alford street 12 feet.” This, after som* discussion, was agreed to, the original motion not b-ring pressed. Mr Williams moA'ed —“That a road be made by way of l.eieester-slreet so as to enable a cart to go down to the riverbank.” Mr Southby seconded, and after some debate the motion was carried. GRATUITY TO TilU ToAVN CI.KUK. Mr McCarthy moved—“Tiiat Mr C. N. Campbell. the Toavii Clerk, should,receive a gratuity of £2O for his past very valuable services.” lie pointed out. that the salary paid was altogether inadequate .ami ridiculously disproportionate to the value of liia services. At the time of the election he (McCarthy) thought that the Town Clerk was working too cheap, and now as the Board had a I‘cav pounds extra from the rcnerves, they could avoll afford to that sum, which was little enough. Air Williams seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Southby objected to a gratuity, but would Avillingly raise the Clerk’s salary, for it was most unreasonable at present. He considered now that there would bo so much, extra work it should bo £SO a year, at least.

Mr Rhodes expressed himself to the same effect, and added that Mr Campbell was in every way deserving of an increased salary. The Chairman said that when the Town ..Clerk tendered, he might not have been aware ‘ of the amount of work that he' would have to perform, lie would be proud to support the motion if he could, but at the time when Mr Campbell’s offer was accepted, he specially stated that he would oppose granting any gratuity at the end of the year. At the same time , Mr Campbell’s services wore of great value, and lie had. carried put the act in such a manner as to entitle him to every consideration. It would, however, be unfair to others’ wild had tendered,’ to give this money, for it would be practically raising his salary for the past year. They could, however, make it up some other way, and if he was again returned he would be quite willing to raise the salary, on the Board being re-constructed. ■ ■ Mr Taplin agreed with, the last speaker, and paid a high compliment to Mr Campbell' for the very efficient:manner in : which he had performed his duties. lie considered it a disgrace to the (Board to have such a man working for what was almost nothing, and he moved— 1 u That the salary ; be’ at once raised to : £3O a year.” This was not seconded, arid; tire motion was then put, and , lost, only Messrs McCarthy and Taplin voting fp* it, '(Mr Finnerty, surveyor, Who Jiad beenrequested- tO‘Burvey the- cemetery,-..80 ; .as to. divide, it into plots for .the, different de- v nominations, produced an excellently exe-| ented plan for the inspection of the Board, J ■which gave great satisfaction.;/ -Sections' are; laid off for Protestants; ’ Catholics, Wesleyans, and. Presbyterians, whilst there is a spare corner, intended, we‘ suppose, though it was not so stated, for outsiders. ■" ; • ; •

MISCELLANEOUS. ' .. ■ 'a r , , t . . An,■’amount of’iUO, line on Mr Keys’, contract was ordered to be paid. j, - A;. A balance-,sheet,’thatiappear.s elsewhere) was brought; up ?by the Town Clerk ami ordored./tp f advertWid.'jh,. thePATEA Mail. It showed a balance of £ 119 8s 4d to the credit of the Board, A vote of thanks was moved to the Chairman, who in reply said that dining the time he> had held that position, he had endeavoured” to/ the best of his ability to discharge its duties faithfully. If at tiirids he had apparently been unnecessarily severe, he had only, been so as to preserve order, and had not been actuated by personal or improper motives. The balance-sheet was then adopted. The lease of the Cemetery reserve was ordered to ho put up' by auction without delay. ■ * " A Mr Cowern’s account was passed, as also .the following:—S. Black, making drains, dilling ruts amd making rubbish depot accessible, £6 Is 3d ; W. Williams, gratings,' £llss ; J. Duthie, lamps, £2 14s ; Herald, advertising, 4s ; Willis, stationery and books, &c., £2 11s ; Quinlivan, cartage, £3 10s. A formal vote of thanks was then carried to the Chairman and To\vn Clerk for their services, after which- - the Board separated.