PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 103, 3 November 1915, Page 3

PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD.

Monthly Meeting. The Pupakura Town Board held their usual monthly meeting en Monday last, the members treient being Messrs A. Wilils, chairman, D. W. Jones, K. W. Mia'e. U. H. _ Bates, D. Stewart, T. D. Campbell ind H. W. GeistNr, clerk. McLENNAN'S HILL. The Franklin Coumy Council asked that the plana and specifications for the proposed work un McLennan's Hill, for which the Council had authority to expend a grant of £IOO, £ for £, ihould be lorwarded to them, so that th« woik might be proceeded wi h durirg the tummer. It was stated that the request had been acieded to and the matter WBB now out of the Board's hands. ROAD DEDICATION. Messrs Harrison and Uricrson, road engineers, wrote asking- tbe Board to accept dedication ot the new .read through the Anglican Church property.—The request was acceded to. • VALUATION. , A letter was received from a business man rehtive to the vnluatiun of a certain property in Papakura, which the writer claimed was I underrated, and "yet a rebate of rent had been granted by the Board." It was stated that the Board had no power to object in between the periodical re-valuations made by tbe Department, but tbe matter i was being enquired into. A GRIEVANCE. Mr J. Carr enquired of the Council if permission had been given a resident to remove the fence 'from a portion of the Valley road adjoining Mr n. McLennan's property. He stated that be did not think the

Board would grant the permission without Hart acquainting him of the fact, teeing he wes paying rates oa the portion. The Chairman: No permission has been asked for and none given. A reply had already been sent. THE CEMETERY PADDOCK. "Disgusted" wrote as follows:-I am in receipt of yonr clerk's .letter ' dated Ist October, saying that from now the Board will resume pos - session of the Cemetery paddock. As I told you before, my time does not expire until November 30th, and I hold a receipt paid in advance until that time. I also have • type-written agreement, stamped i and signed by the chairman, and Mr 8. Evans s« witness. I defy the Board to n ter or take possession until my time expires. That I am being treated by some mem-' bera of the Board shamefully I am quite sure of. \ The letter was received. The writer waited upon the Board later in the evening and was informed that it was thought probable that the sections would have been put up for auction before now. That was the reason the notice was given, although the *• leaie was for only two years, and It had been occupied for five. Rent had been paid yearly in advance. TBE BOROUGH PROJECT.

The clerk reported upon the census recently taken by him which showed that there was a population of 580 in the town district as against 650 two years ago. Mr Jones said he was sfraid that it would mean taking in too much land to bring the population up to the desired number for the forma-

tion of a borough, but it would be . worth while making investigations at to what property would have to be brought in. The chairman said he could see bo rearon why people should oppose the formation of a borough, but people did object, especially those on the outskirts. The interest! of bu'gtsaea in the centre of a borough wen certainly not the same aa those.on the outskirts, as in the latter case very often the land was used for farming. But the holders of those properties had all the advantages that a ', borough could offer, although generally they lost sight of the fact. The formation cf a borough did not necessarily mean an increaie in rates, and be could see no sound reason why the matter should not be gone on with. It was ultimately decided that the matter bu further dealt with by the chairman and Mr Jones. (I — GENERAL. The 'chairman stated that he had arranged for the clearance and burning of gorse on the Board's fc sections. W It was decided to charire the Carniva} Committee £2 2s for the use of the Recreation Ground on Fete Day, and to make a donation | to the Carnival Fund. The Clerk was lostiucted to wri'c to the Franklin County Council asking whether a regular supply of metal would be available for the Heard in the coming yttar. It was drcided that the clerk write to the Wairoa Koad Board drawing attention to certain bad places on the Dominion road and that the bridge on the road was minus a har.dr»il. The matter of founaiion work on Hum and HaH'urly roads was discusstd, and it was decided t) get tho work done.

FINANCE. Accounts totalling £4 5s !)d were patted for payment. The clerk reported that the debit balance at the bunk amounted to £163 Hi Id, but a lame amount of rates were outstanding which would be subject to the 10 per vent, penalty next month. CHAIKMAN S RESIGNATION. At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman, Mr A. Willis, in. formed the members that it was the last occasion on which he would preside at the Board's meetings. Stress of business prevented him from giving ths time to tne position that he would like, and what it required, and he very reluctantly was compelled to retire. He thanked the members for the • .f.urtfsy i-hown him as chairman, ami also tor the assistance given him during the many years he had served on the board. The following resolution was moved by Mr Stewart, the senior member of the Hoard, and seconded hy Mr I). W. Jones: "That this Board places on record its very great regret thut the chairman, Mr A. Willi*, fln'ls it rccessary to retire from tie rosition he has oecupu-d for so many yean with

! such success. His untiring energy, ken interest in the progress of the district, and bis unceasing care in the adminittration of the business it the Board hsve materially contri iited to the advancement of the Qistict, and his retirement will be a distinct loss to the ratepayers." Both mover and seconder and Mr Meats supported tne motion with references to the sacrifice of time made by Mr Willis. Mr Willis fetlmply responded. On the motion of Mr Campbell it via decided that Mr Stewart be appointed depoty-cbairmar.