MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 213, 29 September 1916, Page 3

MERCER.

MERCER TOWN BOARD. The first meeting of the Town Board since the recent election was held on Tuesday evening last when all the members were present, viz : Messrs G. Morgon, M. Gallery, A. 0. Tribe, A. Smith and J. T Gillibrand, with the clerk Mr T Wright. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN.

Mr Tribe proposed and Mr Morgon seconded that Mr Gallery should be appointei to the chair. Mr Gallery, however, declined and pioposed the election of Mr Morgon, Mr Smith seconding. As there were no further nominations Mr Morgon was declared duly elected. OLD BOARD THANKED, A vote of thanks to the old Board was proposed by Mr Tribe and seconded by Mr Gillibrand, and carried unanimously.

NO TOWN CLOCK. The Chief Postmaster advised that the Department could not see its way clear to provide a clock for the post office at the present juncture, but" would re-consider the decision when conditions were more settled.

FINANCE. When the accounts came up for consideration no action could be taken through lack of sufficient data, to show the Board's financial position. On the motion of Mr Gillibrand, seconded by Mr Tribe, it was resolved to hold a further meeting on Tuesday of next week in order to give the clerk sufficient time in which to prepare a statement of accounts.

CARETAKER OF HALL. As the caretaker of the King Edward Memorial Hall had resigned his position consideration had to be given to the appointment of a successor, and Mr Tribe was deputed to approach several local citizens with a view to securing their services.

ENFORCING THE BY-LAWS. A suggestion eminating from Mr Tribe to the effect that the by-laws should be enforced met with the approval of members. Mr Morgon expressed the view that a sub-committee of three members should be appointed to modify or amend them, if necessary, so that they could be acted on. He was in favour of the suggestion being given effect to, if for one thing only, viz., of overcoming the evil of straying horses and cattle, which did considerable damage to the drains on roads by trampling them in At the request of members Mr Tribe agreed to again bring the matter forward at next week's meeting. * ,

PKBMAKBirr LJSVKLS. Another suggestion of Mr Tribe's was that instead of proceeding in the present haphazard way, that the levels of the township should be taken. Mr Morgan remarked that it was a big matter for the Board to deal with. Mr Gillibrand: We could do a lot if we had the money, but it appears that we have not. The matter dropped, no action being taken.

WATER SUPPLY. The question of arranging; a supply of water for the township came, under discussion following on a question asked by Mr Tribe as to whether any representations had been made to the Bailway Department, to secure a supply from the railway reservoir at Mercer. Mr Morgon mentioned that he was moving in the matter of securing a supply from that source for his own private use and would put Mr Tribe's suggestion forward when he next interviewed the representative of the Department. The matter was consequently deferred for further consideration at the next meeting.

BEAUTIFYING THE TOWNSHIP. With a desire to improve the appearance of the township Mr Tribe asked what decision the old Board came to in connection with an offer he had made to supply trees for a town improvement scheme. Mr Morgon said that the matter was well discussed and the general feeling at the time was that it'would be to the interest of the district for the matter to be acted on but through certain matters which would have to be overcome to allow for the scheme to be carried out being so complicated, no action was taken. He was, however, of the opinion that it would not entail heavy expenditure. Mr Gillibrand advocated steps being taken, when conditions were normal, to try and secure rates from the Bailway Department, which at present did not pay. j

THE CLEEKSHIP. Mr Wright tendered his resignation as clerk, explaining that he expected to bo called up for active service. Messrs Morgon* and Gallery both eulogised Mr Wright for the efficient mannor in which he had carried out his duties since he was recently appointed and at the request of the whole Board Mr Wright withdrew his resignation until he receives more definite instructions from the Defence Department as to when he is likely to bo required to go into camp.