PUKEKOHE WEST.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 20, 24 July 1912, Page 1

PUKEKOHE WEST.

At the last meeting there were present :— Messrs J. W. Johns (chairman), Dunn, Woods, West, and Finlay. Mr W. Dunn reported having waited upon the Franklin county council, explaining that the Board was prepared to hand over its balance money and merge if the Council would spend the funds according to the allocations. From the reply received it appeared to him that the Board had no option but to strike a rate of some kind and go on for the year. The chairman said he had seen Mr Motion (chairman of the county) who had said the council had thought of striking {\ rate. The speaker had suggested that the Board should strike a rate and hand half of it to the county. Mr Woods said it would be better for the Board to give a fair thing to the county, than that the county also should strike a rate. Mr Dunn favored striking a rate of Id and relieve the county. Chairman: That would be better than the county striking a rate. Mr Dunn said be gathered the impression at the last county meeting that the council did not want to do anything for the year. Mr Dunn said it would be better if all Road Boards contributed pro rata than if the county were to strike a separate rate. Mr Woods: But whatever rate we strike we should collect. Mr West: Supposing the other boards don't fall in with our suggestion in striking Id, and that the county still strike id? Mr Dunn: This Board could still pay id on behalf of our ratepayers and thereby save two collections. Decided to strike a rate of Id. Clerk of the county council wrote asking if the Board had decided to merge with the county. Chairman : I think it is the intention of the Board to recommend the ratepayers to merge. Messrs Johns and Dunn were appointed to wait upon the county council at its next meeting and state the Board's position. Mr Dunn said there was another matter arising out of the question of merging, namely, that neither Mr West nor himself were now property owners in the district and if the Board was to carry on for another year he and Mr West should not remain as members. Mr West: Under the circumstances I would not like to sit for that length of time. Chairman: lam sure the people would be pleased to have you both continue. Mr Woods: Yes, they have the business at their fingers' ends and I could get the approval of the people at my end in writing. Mr West said that for a month or so it was all right to hold office, but for a year— Chairman: lam sure the ratepayers would bo better served with you than with new members now. Mr Dunn, in explaining his position, said they did not want to put the people to the expense of another election. What do you think we had better do, Mr West ? Mr West: Wo had better throw in our marble. Mr Dunn: Of course there is auothor aspect of the question. If we go out now people may say : " You havo had our confidence all along, and as soon as you have nothing to gain you leave us." It was decided to lot the matter stand over until next meeting. J. EUings resigned bis position as foreman. —♦