MANUREWA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 245, 26 January 1917, Page 2

MANUREWA.

MANUREWA TOWN BOARD. The monthly meeting of the Manurewa Town Board was held yesterday (Thursday), when there were present: Messrs T. J. Corin (chairman), C. H, Lupton, H. V. Burton, G. and C. Coxheid, E. Pegler, with the acting-clerk, Mr T. W. 8011. ratepayers' league protest. A letter, signed by Messrs L. Qeraghty, F. Wood and J. Thomas Aspden, was read, purporting to be from a meeting of ratepayers of the Town District. The letter set forth: (1) A protest against the Town Board in giving their clerk three months' leave of absence on full pay; (2) as to the notice convening the special meeting of the Board being illegal by reason of failure to give seven days' notice as required by the Act; (3) and called upon the Board to resign, the letter alleging a lack of confidence on the part of the ratepayers in the Board. Mr C. Coxhead proposed, and the chairman seconded, that the letter be laid on the table. Mr Lupton: I will move an amendment. The chairman: That ie a direct negative. Mr Lupton: We can do nothing, then. We are simply dummies. The motion was then carried, Messrs Lupton and Pegler dissenting. A CULVERT WANTED. A letter was received from the clerk to the Manukau County Council in reply to the Board's complaint relative to the unsatisfactory condition of the culvert in the centre of the town, stating that the Council would place another culvert across the Great South road to take away the water from Hill road, provided that the Board would put in a pipe culvert across the road near Mr Bodle's new house on Hill road Referred to the Works Committee. RATE EXEMPTION ASKED. Application for exemption of rates was made by Messrs Henry Bond, B. Johnson, E. Dalton and John Rich in respect of the hall to be used by the Plymouth Brethren for religious services—lt was resolved that the owners of the hall should be asked what rent was being received in respect of the lease of the hall. JELUCOE ESTATE. The chairman reported that the Works Committee recommended that three posts to a chain and five wires should be a sufficient fence for erection on Jellicoe Estate, and this was agreed to. SANITARY SERVICE. The chairman reported that the delegates appointed had interviewed delegates of the Papakura Town Board in regard to a suggested joint system of night-soil removal, but as there were only 17 occupiers of houses in Manurewa with less than an acre of land they did not recommend that the project should be proceeded with. He added that houses standing on more than an acre of land would be outside the scope of a by-law providing for compulsory night-soil removal. Mr Burton regarded the sanitary service as a vitil necessity in the township. After discussion, on the motion of Mr Burton, seconded by Mr G. Coxhead, it was resolved to write Mr H. J. Hawkins, night-sod contractor at Pukekohe, suggesting that he interview the 17 occupiers who might desire to take advantage of the sanitary service if satisfactory arrangements could be made with him. It was also thought that possibly others owing larger areas might be inclined to take advantage of the sanitary service. a member's resignation. A letter was read from Mr F. E. White resigning his position as a member of the Board by reason of his ill health. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Lupton, the resignation was accepted with regret, the same to take effect at ~ the end of February.

The clerk was instructed to writs to Mr White expressing the regret of the Board that he was compelled to resign. UNPAID KATES. Mr Lupton questioned the procedure adopted as to the charging of a ten per cent penalty for non-pay-ment of rates.

The chairman stated that he had owing to exigencies of time caused the usual notice to ratepayers to be advertised.

Mr Lupton claimed that such notice was illegal unless authorised at a meeting of the Board.

After discussion it was resolved that the notice should be again ad* vertised, the ten per cent penalty to be enforced after the end of February on such rates that were then unpaid. RETCRXLVG OFFICER. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr G. Coxhead, it was decided to notify Mr Oram that his services as returning officer were dispensed with, and that the acting* clerk (Mr Bell) was appointed to the position. DOG REGIsTRAIIOJf. The acting-clerk (Mr Bell) was appointed dog registrar and fees were tixed as follows : Cattle dogs ss, sporting dogs 10s, bitches £l. The latter fee in respect to bitches caused much amusing discussion. RUSSELL ROAD BRIDOL. A letter was read from Messrs Russell, Campbell and McVeagh (.solicitors to the Board) relative to the dedication of a road leading to the high level bridge. It was stated that Messrs Phillips and Gilbert were prepared to form the road and contribute the sum of £3OO in accordance with minimum requirements. The letter further explained that it was understood that the Board would undertake the construction of the approaches to the bridge and that it would be necessary to have the proposed line of road and the terminal points of the approach to the bridge precisely hxed before the agreement was prepared so as to obviate any

dispute. They suggested that a surveyor should be appointed to carry out the necessary survey. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Pegler, it was resolved that Messrs Phillipps and Gilbert should haud over to the Board the strip of land, 66 feet wide, from the railway boundary to Russell Road, together with the sum of £3OO, as stated, for the formation and metalling of such road. It was further resolved that Mr Harrison, of Messrs Harrison and Grierson, be appointed as surveyor. DANGEROUS TELEPHONE POSTS. Mr Pegler drew attention to the danger brought about by the telephone posts on the South Road being in the middle of the footpath He contended they were a danger to the public. It was resolved that the postal authorities be written to on the subject and asked to remove the posts. STREET LAMPS. Mr Lupton enquired as to when the street lamps would be erected. The chairman stated that he had he had given instructions for their erection but the work had not been carried out. It was resolved that this work should be done by the acting-clerk (Mr Bell). NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Lupton gave notice to move at the next meeting that the Board take into consideration the formation of the footpaths throughout the township. FUTURE MEETINGS It was resolved that future meetings should be held in the Public Hall.