MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 125, 5 September 1913, Page 3

MERCER.

ROAD BOARD MEETING. The Mercer Road Board met on Saturday evening to peruae and sign the agreement with P. Butler for the lease of quarry. It appeared that seme outside "talk" about the punt repairs had caused a good deal of heart-burning. a r .d some seven outsiders were in attendance to hear the "clearingup." The chairman (Mr Martin) made a lengthy sptech, clearing himselt of a charge that had been made against himself in that it was alleged that he had endeavoured to place the blama of orderirg the punt to be lepaired upon the shoulders ot the late Mr Scott Hunter. .He had not, and would r.ot think of doing euch a thing, mere especially as Mr Hunter had been a personal and esteemed frierd of his for (he pa3i 25 years. Some members of the late Mr Scott Hunter's famlv then offered Eome remarks. Mr Pickett, a member of the Board, drew at'enticn to the irregularity of the meeting. He had bten invited as a member of the Board to attend a special meeting to deal with the qaarry, ard n: w found it was a meeting to wash up eome soiled linen; he did rot feel inclined to waste his tima in listermg to such matters and asked leave to retire. Mr Pickett was prevailed upon to remain. He then proposed that the chairman have the chair and that they resolve themselvea'into a public meetirg. This was seconded by Mr Lincola and carried. Mr Pickett was elected to the chair, and invited Mr Hunter to reply to what Mr Alartiii had said. After explanations the representatives of the Hunter family expressed themselves quite satisfied that nothing had been said or done that coald in any way cant a reflection on tbe character or integrity ot the late Mr Scott Hunter.

This terminated what at one time looked as though it were going to be a stormy meeting. The chairman resumed the chair and the business of the meeting was gone oa with, which was tha granting of the leasa to Mr Butler for a term of 21 years of the quarry reserve. Mr Butler agreed to pay to the Board 6d per cubic yard royally for all metal sold by him, except for metal supplied to the,' Board, which is to be supplied at 5s per cubic yard at the quarry, and to pay tbe Board £2OO royalty in advance. Mr Butler's cheque for £2OO has Eince been paid ar.d the agreement Bigned.