WAIUKU TOWN BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 37, 14 May 1915, Page 1

WAIUKU TOWN BOARD.

Monthly Meeting. The monthly matting of tha Tcwn Board took place on Moiday. Present —Messrs F. T. Keid (chairman), James Walters, J. Gribble, A. M. Barriball, H. 0. Mellsop and the clerk, Mr W. J. King. Arising cut of the minutes the chairman said Messrs Barnaby and Barriball had decided to install a septic tank at their business premises as the result ot the Health Department's recommendations for efficient sanitation. He also stated that the pound had been properly fixed up -and the poundkeeper duly appointed. The Boards solicitor, Mr A. Hanns, asked for a copy of Te Awamutu by-laws and other information to enable him to proceed with preparation of by-laws for the Board.-The clerk explained that the particulars had been forwarded. CONTKOL OF WHARF. The Auckland Harbour Board advised that a decision had now been arrived at, subject to the Town Board executing a conveyance of the wharf and landings in accordance with the letter of IBth November last, to excavate the basin, etc., at a cost of not more than £3OO. The Harbour Board would be glad to know if the Town Board was prepared to make the necessary conveyance. The chairman moved a resolution to the effect that the Harbour Board be informed that the Town Board was still of the opinion that the Harbour Board should be given control of the wharf. He said the Board had recently been asking the Harbour Board to spend money on effecting improvement, and it had been decided to spend a Bum of £3OO. Mr Gnbble seconded the motion, which was carried. "IN COMMITTEE" BUSINESS. Be Mr Henna's account-legal expenses in connection with the formation ot the Town Board—the chairman moved that the same be deferred to a later meeting. Mr Barriball seconded.

In reply to Mr Walters, the chairman said he had the account. The matter was left in Mr Gribble's hands to tee the solicitor and was not yet completed. Mr Mellsop wished to know the reason for postponing consideration. The motion was then put and carried on the casting vote, of the chairman, Mr Gribble refraining from voting either way. The chairman, in declaring the motion carried, said this would give more time in which to get up "a little Bgitation." Proceeding, he said this account was common talk all over the district, and as the matter had been dealt with by the Board only "in committee" it was time something was done. Messrs Walters and Mellsop both differed from the chairman's view the latter contending that the last meeting was not "in committee."

Tbe chairman asserted that the question had been "in committee" all along. Mr Walters contended that the Board's accounts were open to ratepayers for examination. The chairman replied that the matter was in the hands of Mr Gribole at the present time and was not fixed up. He again referred to the Board's business taken "in committee," which should be treated as such. Mr Mellsop said the chairman was casting a reflection upon members of the Board about this account, and he had heard the whole tiling from a Board member (Mr Gribble) before it came to the meeting at all. The chairman expressed grave doubts as to the manner in which this business had been made public. TENDERS. Tenders for the erection of pitched wall and widening embankment at the post office culvert were received as follows:-Trayes Bros. £217 2s (accepted), Powell and Gleeson £229 18s 6d, Michie 2nd McFadyn £243 17s 6d, A. Higgios £250, Elderton and others £260 9s. Another tender of £220 was ruled informpl. Engineer's estimate, £220. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Mellsop raised the question of road repairs wanted near the oost office and also in front of the club buildings.—lt was agreed to show the engineer the places mentioned and see if repairs could be worked in with the proposed new scheme of levels, etc. The engineer, Mr Lockie Gannon, who was present, promised to have the plans and specifications of proposed road works ready in a fortnight's time, and it was decided to have a meeting ot the Board on the 24th inst. FINANCE. The clerk's salary was fixed at the rate of £3O for the first six months and £4O per annum afterwards. The financial statement showed receipts totalli.iß £59 10s and expenditure £ll3 17s lOd, leaviDg a bank overdraft of £53 17s l()d. In the course of a further report the clerk said he expected a cheque along shortly from the Waipipi ridiiiK of the County, and theru was also a credit balance due from the Waiuku riding. The special

I order which thy (Joir.cil had , I to put thiough to allow the Board ! full co::trrl of local affairs h d been overlouksd, but this whb no* to be gazettei as 9oon as possible. I When Mr Mellsop introdu eJ the question of striking a rate for tre year, Mr Barriball cntended thst this should bs left in abeyance until it wes seen whether the Bca'd could raise a loan, as if a loan did r.ot meet with support th«y would be able to strike a higher rate. It was pointed out by the clerk that the Board could only strike a rate up to l£d. A rate of a Id would produce £455. • - The rate question was deferred until the Order-in-Counci), giving the Boaid rating authority, was published. A number of accounts were passed for payment, which concluded the business.