Normanby Town Board.

Patea Mail, 3 May 1882, Page 3

Normanby Town Board.

(from our correspondent.) A meeting of Town Commissioners was held, in the Town Hall on Friday evening. Present : Messrs Gibson (chairman), Quin, Treeweek, Rowe, and Millar. On the Rate Roll.

A lengthy argumentative'letter was received froin Mr Stewart. He questioned the legality of • their proceedings in not striking his name off the roll, as requested. Resolved, That Mr Stewart be informed that, after carefully studying the various sections of the Act referring to Ins case, the Board regrets it cannot alter its previous opinion. Who Claims the Licenses ? The following telegram from Major Atkinson, in answer to one from the Chairman, was read “ Town districts arc entitled to licenses, in my opinion. Particulars by post.” The. Licensing Act was again elaborately discussed. Mr Quin. regretted the nonarrival of Major Atkinson’s letter. He curious to learn by what arguments the Major supported his telegraphic statement.

The Chairman must confess he had some doubt on the matter at last meeting, but since then he had studiously investigated the Acts, and. he was now positively convinced that these licenses belonged to the Board. They could be claimed by any subivided district having 100. ratepayers. • Sections 60 and 109 of the Licensing Act. showed that boroughs had not only the management of licenses, but could claim the fees. Subsection No. 5 (which was read) still more conclusively corroborated this view. Mr Rowe had not the remotest doubt about it. He too had gone exhaustively into the Acts. Messrs Treeweek and Millar agreed with Mr Rowe. The' Chairman did not think the County Council, were disposed to quarrel about it. Mr Quin was still of opinion that a lawyer’s version should be obtained. He should be only too happy if he were wrong. The other Commissioners generally could not see but that they were perfectly capable of reading and correctly construeing the Act for themselves. Map of Town. The Board, in committee, accepted a tender from Mr John B. Lee, surveyor, Mangwhero, to prepare a: town map for £5. Clerk Appointed. An amended tender from the Mr Wanklyn for the office of clerk, at £25 per annum, was accepted. The Chairman and Mr Quin, proposer and seconder, spoke in terms of high commendation of Mr Wanklyn’s technical ability. , , Estimate of Works.

The Chairman stated that the Works Committee had met during the week. The Foreman had been shown the works

more immediately required,, and he had since put in the following estimate, vim.: Formation of Keternarae road £3O 0 0 Stafford street, including foot-paths..-60• 0 0 Fitzroy street, 13 chairis, including footpaths 36 10 0 Grey street, 18 chains (formation) 27 0 0 Wynyard street, 18 chains...... 30 0 0 Atkinson street, from junction : of Wynyard street, 20 chains 30 0 0 Blake street, frpm opposite McGregor’s, culvert and earthw0rk............ 20 0 0 Egraont street.... ........ 13 0 0 £356 0 0 Power to Borrow. The Ghairman was unable to find that the Board ;had : any authority to borrow ; nor did it appear on the other hand that there was anything to prevent them from borrowing if they so wished, i Mr Quim would .himself.'be. wilting to Jenfi the Board the money at reasonable interest if it could be fpund they could legally borrow. • , ,■-

County Council’s Policy.

The Chairman expressed his belief that if the County Council did not keep the main road in repair, they -would Lave to hand over a fair amount to the Board to do so.

Mr Quin had been informed privately by a member of the : Council .that main roads bad not been as it was the intention of the Council to apportion money- to road boards, and he bad no doubt the Normanby Board would receive a fair share;

Board’s Office. Mr Rowe proposed that the Chairman be authorised to procure necessary furniture for the use of the Board. Carried. The Chairman stated that he had interviewed the manager of the library, and he was willing to allow the Board the use of two rooms in the Town Hall for the first year, the Board to make such donation to the library as its circumstances would allow. Town Seal. Mr Millar proposed that the Chairman be authorised to procure a seal. : . The father of Normanby was a Vulcan, and he thought the central figure should be a “Vulcan.” (Laughter.) Mr Millar (.with great earnestness, and gravity) : “ I think a Vulcan would be a most appropriate motto.” (Renewed laughter.) The Chairman suggested whether it might not be better to send for so many devices and make a selection. Mr Quin would offer as an amendment that the words “ Normanby Town Board ” be placed on the margin, and that the emblem be a “ star,” Mr Rowe would prefer having a representation of MountEgrnont substituted.: Mr Quin remarked that it was only a version of Vulcan versus star. (Laughter.) The Chairman doubted whether the. insertion of . Mount Egraont would not make a mess of it. ; Any device of that description would probably be as unlike the mountain itself as it was possible to be. (Continued merriment.) Mr, Treeweek was in favor of a seal of the simplest kind. Eventually, on the motion of the Chairman, it was agreed that the motto adopted be “Normanby” on the upper margin, “ Board ” on the lower margin, and “Town ” in the centre. Lyon and Blair are to be communicated with, to ascertain the price. The meeting then adjourned.