Patea Town Board.

Patea Mail, 7 October 1880, Page 2

Patea Town Board.

mencing at peg No. 11. (Signed) J. Mil-

Roy, W. Aitchison, R. A. Adams.” /-Mr Sherwood now appended a note to the report thus :—“ In the absence of an estimate of this work, I decline to agree _ „ . in~the recoznmendation contained in this COMMISSIONER BROWN RAID 1 repol . t .”-

The monthly meeting of the Patea Town Board was held on Monday night. Present : Messrs Milroy (in the chair), Taplin, Aitcbison, Howitt, Dixon, Adams, and Sherwood . PUBLIC TRUSTEES. The Government having proposed that the Chairman of the Town Board should confer with the Chairman of the County Council as to the appointment of nominated trustees for the Recreation Ground, and the Board having replied by suggesting that four trustees should be elected by the general public and three nominated by the Government, the matter had rested two months in silence. The Government now replied through the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands in these terms, dated September 30 :

“In reply to your letter of the 22ud, I am directed by Mr Rolleston to inform you that the law contemplates the appointment of boards under the Public Domains Act by bis Excellency the Governor, and not through election by the public. The Government is willing to take the joint recommendation of the County of Patea and the Town Board of Carlyle as to the persons to whom the Governor’s powers should be delegated, for the management of the Cricket and Athletic Sports Ground and the Recreation Ground ; but if no conclusion is come to in the matter, Mr Rolleston will assume that it is desired the Government should proceed independently of the local bodies.”

Mr Sherwood moved, and Mr Aitcbison seconded, “ That a deputation consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Taplin, Adams, and Sherwood, be appointed to wait upon the Minister for Lands when in Patea, upon (he matter of appointing trustees of the Recreation Ground under the Domains Act.”

This was agreed to on the understanding that Mr Rolleston was expected at Patea this week.

ROADS AND CURTAIN LECTURES,

The Chairman said : It is 10 chains, commencing from Stafford-strcet (Williams’s). The levels had been taken as far as there

Chairman : Did not I tell you?

Mr Sherwood ; Yes, but you said here that I raised no objection on the ground. Then as regards the levels, they were another objection I raised on the ground. I do not come here with anything fresh. I saw what I conceived to be wrong, and I .made, my objection at once. Then as regards the permanent levels ot the town, the Chairman knows perfectly well that the levels were taken by Mr Williams—all the pathways ; and if they were not done properly the responsibility does not lie upon mo, as he was the only engineer we could get. The levels were taken, and were gazetted by me. The levels to the church were not taken at the time. Chairman : I say no permanent levels. Mr, Sherwood: They were permanent levels. ; Chairman : They have to be altered now. Mr Sherwood : If the levels were, not properly taken by the engineer it is no fault of mine.

Mr Adams : I don’t see what the Works Committee had to do with the estimates of the work. They were only appointed to go and look over the ground. Mr Sherwood seems to think lam only a kind of handy man on the committee, to be used by the Chairman to fill any gap that he wants. I used my own judgment in this matter. I thought that would be a better road for the benefit of the town than any road Mr Sherwood might want to the Hospital. Mr Sherwood wants to get to be a champion for the ratepayers. That is very convenient from mere claptrap. This road is, according to my opinion, the best

The Works Committee, or a majority, reported thus The committee inspected the road to the Hospital, commencing at Stafford-street and proceeding northward to Victoria-street; and would recommend that 10 chains be formed in keeping with the levels as shown in drawing prepared by the engineer, com-

Mr Sherwood : I have asked for estimates, and the Chairman has told us a certain sum. We have ah’ engineer who has been employed on this work. Why is not an estimate got from him and put before the Board to show the cost? Another thing I object to is that if we have a Works Committee at .all/it should be got to work in a proper manner, and should elect a chairman and pass resolu* tions. No resolution was passed by the Committee. I then mentioned the' difficulty about not having estimates, and it was pretty evident to me then that the whole thing was settled. When I come here I find the signatures of the Committee, but no resolution was passed. I am inclined to think a good deal of work has crept on in the town step by step, until it has, totalled up to something enormous. lam not at all satisfied about the action of this Works Committee. When I came into this Board I moved for an addition of a name ; but while I was away the member I had nominated resigned, and an extraordinary resolution was passed that the vacancy should not be filled up. If there is to be responsibility, I should like it to be defined.; If two members get together and get another to form a I shall be content to remain in a minority. Chairman :It was impossible for the engineer to make an estimate unless we defined what amount of work was to be done. From Mr Sherwood, as a member of the Committee, while we walked over this ground, there was no obstruction, and it is only now that he has come to the Board in this matter ; and in about everything that is done by the Board we get a curtain lecture from him. He may rail as he likes, I shall do as I think right. I believe every member of this Board, is honestly inclined towards the public in general in the expenditure of money. I challenge him to say in one instance that money has been frittered away. I could go • to the early days and show there was not a permanent level taken of the public works in this township. Mr Sherwood ; I beg the chairman’s pardon for two things. Chairman : It was only after Mi - Sherwood’s resignation from office that Mr Tregear was appointed to commence taking levels in the township. If he is so earnest in hi? endeavours to serve the public, why docs he not endeavour to call meetings of the Works Committee ? It is left to me to do. Mr Sherwood : You must allow me to c orrect the first statement you made, that I had made no objection upon the ground. The first thing I asked for was the estimate.

that we could chose. As to the expenditure, Ijkijow nothing about it. Mr Sherwood : Hear, hear. That is the most important point. Mr Adams : I think it is the Board that should decide what amount we should expend there.: ~V; ;. • OR' . Mr Aitchison : I think Mr Sherwood’s memory must be very defective in these times. The resolution says the Committee were to report on the amount of work, and we havs reported. Reports have more than once appeared in the Mail that this street was to be levelled and converted into a second main thoroughfare. The public were led to believe it was to bo levelled all the way. Now there is a great deal of difference between taking the levels of a street and levelling a street. I don’t think it is right for the public to be misled in that way. The Chairman proposed that the report be received. Mr Sherwood : I object to the adoption of the report. As to personal interest, the adoption of that report would best serve my interest, as every one here knows. 1 don’t come here to serve ray own interest, or to improve my property at the expense of the ratepayers. If that report is passed, I ask you would it not follow that tenders should be called for the work? It is on the ground principally that the estimates are not here that I intend to vote against that report. If I have any interest to serve in this matter, I should vote for that report. As tenders would naturally follow that report, I say the work is final. The Chairman has alluded to me as indulging in curtain lectures. I wish to do nothing of the kind, but certain things have fallen into arrears, and I wish to correct them. The Chairman knows perfectly well that I am prepared to work with him, and with the other members of the Board, but not to have anything like this coerced. I say this Works Committee has not , been constituted. There is no chairman elected. I shall certainly not remain a member of the Committee and take a responsibility in which I am not to participate in a regular way. Chairman : I think you will sec with me that the work is only about half done. I told the Engineer that until the Board decided the amount of work to be executed it was utterly useless to prepare an estimate. It will follow before tenders are received—the estimates and specifications. Mr Sherwood : That makes it more aud more complicated. Mr Aitchison : I don’t see how it is so. The Committee had no authority to get specifications prepared. They were simply asked to bring up a report. Mr Sherwood seems to think he has found a mare’s next in this piece of business. Mr Sherwood : Oh no. I may find a wasp’s nest, but I’m not afraid of the stings. The adoption of the report was put to the vote. Mr Sherwood opposed it and called for a division. Result, ayes 6, noes 1. Report adopted.. TENDERS CALLED. The Chairman moved, and Mr Howett ssconded, “That the Committee .have specifications prepared, and accept tenders for the same as early as possible.” Mr Sherwood; I shall oppose this because the Committee is not properly constituted.

It transpired that the Committee has no chairman. Mr Aitchison was chairman last year, but since the new committee was constituted no chairman has been appointed. The motion about tenders was put to the vote. Mr Sherwood opposed it, and called for division. Result, ayes 6, no 1. , .. : FINANCES. ; The monthly statement of accounts showed cash £64 5s lOd, rentals from lessees for half-year £36, rates £lll7s 9d ; total £ll2 3s 7d. The expenditure showed £33 4s 2d paid to G. H. Dickson for filling' in Taranaki-road (Egmontstreet), other items £4 9s 4d, leaving balance of cash £74 10a Id. Current accounts remained to be passed for payment, amounting to £lO 2s 9d, reducing the balance to £64 7s 4d. FOOTPATH IN DERBY STREET. Mr Dixon .said he had been requested to bring under the notice of the Board the advisability, of having a footpath formed down Derby-street; : INSPECTION OF WORKS. ’ '' Mr Aitchison moved “ That the Board meet at the office at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, 12th, and proceed tq inspect the various streets requiring improvement, and decide upon where ;to ! expend the balance of money available for the present year,” He said this had been found to work well previously, arid’it enabled all members of the Board to form a clear idea of the

state of the town and new works required, without leaving all the responsibility to the Works Committee. It would also include an inspection of Derby-street with reference to a foot-path. Mr Dixon seconded the motion, and it was adopted. WHERE IS MEREDITH STREET ? The Chairman said ho had procured a copy of the deed from New Plym«uth to enable the Board to ascertain the exact lines of Meredith street, as there might be actions at law as to removal of fences,&c. He hoped any difference would be settled amicably between the Board and owners of sections who might have gone beyond the line.

Mr Sherwood : I think we ought to do some work to make the road decent, and I hope no more roads less than a chain wide will bo taken over. ROAD PAST HOSPITAL. Mr Sherwood moved “ That the necessary action be taken by this Board to have an extension of Dorset-street proclaimed from Unthanks-road to the boundary of the town, taking 33 feet from the Hospital reserve and 33 from the Education reserve.” He said : The action I wish to ask the Board to take is under the Public Works Act of ’76, by which it will be necessary for a survey to be made and plan deposited, and a notice given. If there are no. objections within a certain time, then the plan will have to be forwarded to the Minister and his assent asked for and got ; and the road then becomes public. I don’t ask the Board to take a road past the Hospital to the boundary, but just.to have the road proclaimed. At the end of a few years it may be necessary to have that road made ; but what is required now is that it shall be a road upon paper. The road to,the Hospital is necessary, and the distance beyond that to the town boundary is about two chains. I am perfectly willing to pay the first cost myself, so that the cost of proclaiming the road may not fall on the town. I do not intend to follow that up by asking this Board to do anything towards making that road. I think you will admit the necessity for the road, and the justice of the request. Ido not wish to derive any personal benefit at the expense of the Board ; but as it will be a benefit to my property, and as the Board is the only constituted authority that can deal with it, I will pay the necessary cost of this action being taken ; but the action must be taken by the Board., It will not l e necessary to move the fence from the centre of the line for years to come. I believe the lease of the Education paddock will shortly fall in, and the question of making the road may come up then. This extension would be a continuation of the street you have resolved to make. Mr Adams : I second this motion. That must eventually be a road right through to the Cemetery. Mr Aitchison ; I have experienced the terrible horrors of the want of a road to the neighborhood, and am able to speak as a disinterested party, now that I have got all my material in there. I can see dearly that the public are determined to use that as a road, whether the Town Board arc willing or not. In fact it is already a public road. A groat number of railway employees use it regularly ; and even people are beginning to drive cattle, horses, and everything else along there. It would require a man with a drawn sword to stop them from getting through now, and I think the best thing we can do is to have the road proclaimed, especially as Mr Sherwood is willing to bear the preliminary cost. It will open up some fine blocks of land for building purposes,. some of the finest in the neighborhood ; and although most of that land is just outside the present town boundar}*, still we must hope that in a short time we shall be able to include the whole of that district within the township. Mr Sherwood : In a municipality.

Mr Aitchison : Yes, in a municipality

Chairman : There is nothing in the resolution as to any part of the expenditure being borne by any person.- You can’t tell me that by declaring this road a public road the matter ceases, because if the parties concerned did not proceed for compensation within a certain time they become debarred. So soon as it is a public Toad it is open to the public, and you can ho longer close it. Lessees would claim compensation as having their paddocks opened up. Are we to let the improvements of the town remain another year and open this road, or are we to go on with the improvements and leave the road to stand another year ? It is just the one or the other. It don’t stop with the gazet ting of the road. Mr Taplin : It seems to be the opinion

of most members, and no doubt the public generally, especially within the last few months, that a road is required for traffic ; and if we know and admit it, then it is our duty to try and open that road, without any reference to the cost of a private individual. I should certainly set my face against that principle That road is coming into use very much. Several people have taken up sections along there, and they intend to build, and no doubt they would build much sooner if they had a road. It would be a bad precedent to require the mover to pay for proclaiming that road, because the road would really benefit the Board, for people are building along there, and in a little time we should get rates from them. We have no record of any case where an individual has been required to pay the cost in this manner. We have all had a little privately done about our own doors, and I don’t think we have contributed specially towards the work.

Mr Sherwood : I do feel personally interested, and have to thank members for the spirit in which they have received this application. I know pretty well what the cost, will be. If the Chairman is good enough to consider something more substantial is required, aud if the other members wish it, I am prepared to put substantial security in the hands of the Board. The objections raised by the Chairman could have been more fully explained. The Chairman knows perfectly well there is only one lessee to deal with. The County Council have the Hospital .paddock, and do you think they arc going to ask for compensation ? The other paddock is held by the Education Committee, and the lease will run out within three years. The Chairman knows there are numbers of roads in the town closed up, but have the public ever endeavoured to trespass through enclosed premises to their damage ? Chairman ; Yes.

Mr Sherwood : The first time I brought this matter before the Board, the first difficulty was raised by the Chairman as to the cost. He does the same now. Taking this road is merely a nominal cost, and that the Chairman understands perfectly. The objections he has raised don’t exist. The motion was put to the vote. The Chairman was the only member who voted against it. He called for a division, which resulted in his being the only opponent of the resolution. TRANSFERS. The Board consented to the transfer of lease from Mr Tregear to Mr Dale, of section 10, block 40 ; also sub-lease from Mr Howett to Mr Houguez, of section 6i block 40. ACCOUNTS. Accounts passed for payment: E. Tregear, taking levels of Dorset-street, £4 4s ; Kenworthy, £1 2s ; Hamerton £1 16s 9d ; Mail, £3 ; total £lO 2a 9d. The Board adjourned.