PAPAKURA

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 401, 16 August 1918, Page 4

PAPAKURA

PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD MONTHLY MEETING At the usual monthly meeting of the Papakura Town Board held last Monday there were present Messrs R. M. Gillespie, (Chairman) P. Holt, T. D. Campbell, W. Richardson, W. B. Linstrom, and T. H. Markwick, with the clerk (Mr Harold Wilson). THE CHAIRMAN AND MR CAMPBELL A " breezy " incident characterised the opening of proceedings. Addressing the Chairman, Mr Campbell somewhat defiantly said " I want to know your true position on the Board. Can you turn up the rate book so that we can see your name in it ? The Chairman: It is not necessary for a person to be a ratepayer to be a member of the Board. Mr Campbell: You are not now a resident of Papakura. The Chairman : I rule the question out of order. The only business office I have is in Papakura. Mr Campbell contended that where the Chairman lived was his domicile and he claimed that as Mr. Gillespie's family were not now living at Papakura Mr Gillespie only had a temporary residence there. He also again asserted that Mr Gillespie had no property in the township. Mr Holt: How do you know ? Mr Campbell: He has no property I know. The Chairman: As I told you before I rule the matter out of order. Mr Campbell: Anything of a critical nature of course comes up again. The usual business was then proceeded with. BOUNDARIES COMMISSION Notification was given by the Department of Internal Affairs that Messrs H. M. Skeet (Commissioner of Crown Lands) and E. Morgan (District Valuer) had been appointed as members of the Commission to enquire into and report upon the proposed alteration of the boundaries of the Town Board district and to hear objections thereto. The Chairman, referring to the statement he made at the last meeting that when in Wellington he had explained to the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell M.P.) reasons why the Board objected to Mr Morgan's selection as a member of the Commission and had been assured by the Minister that someone else would be appointed, said that on receipt of the foregoing •ommunication he wired to the Min ister reminding him of his promise but Mr Russell had replied that he did not recollect having given a promise to that effect. Mr Gillespie then explained that he did not propose to attend the Commission if Mr Morgan acted on it.

Mr Holt hardly thought that the course that the Chairman proposed to take was diplomatic and he hoped nothing would be done to cause any further delay. Mr Campbell wanted to know why certain portions of land on the late Wairoa Road Board's district were not included in the proposed extension of boundaries. Although he had, he said, endeavoured to ascertain the reason for the same not being included no one could give him any explanation. The Chairman: I thought you had sufficient intelligence to be able to get the information yourself, Mr Holt trusted that the proceedings of the Commission would not be upset by any objections on the part of the Board. The Board, he said, were unanimous with one exception and he was hopeful that the matter would go through. Mr Campbell, he added, had throughout been entirely at variance with them and although Mr Campbell believed in the democratic principle of a majority ruling he had sought to defeat the object of the Board. Mr Linstrom supported Mr Holt's views and thought it would have been more prudent on Mr Campbell's part to have abided by the Board's decision and then to have allowed tho nest Board to have dealt with the question of including the extra portion desired by him. Mr Campbell's actions, he considered, had hindered the progress of the district. Mr Markwick endorsed the opinions of the last two speakers and asserted that Mr Campbell did his best by appealing to every influence outside to thwart progress. The Chairman again announced that he would not bo inclined to attend the proposed Commission unless a motion was passed that the Board had no confidence in Mr Morgan as a member of the Commission and he proposed a resolution to that effect. This, being seconded by Mr Markwick and being supported by Mr Richardson, was carried. Messrs. Holt and Linstrom not voting and Mr Campbell dissenting. The Clerk was directed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Chairman of tho Commistion(Mr. Skeet). I'AI'AIU'KA CARNIVAL A donation was sought by Mr J. E. Elliott on behalf of the Papakura Carnival fund and on the motion of the Chairman the sum of £lO was voted towards that object. HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION A petition bearing G8 names was presented asking that a poll should be taken conjointly with the next Town Board election to determine the day of the statutory weekly halfholiday and the Clerk was instructed to take the necessary steps for such a poll. CHAIRMAN'S EXPENSES Included in the accounts for payment was one for £ll Bs, the amount of the Chairman's expenses incurred in his recent visit to Wellington in connection with the Town Board's boundary scheme. Mr Holt moved that the sum mentioned should be paid and this was agreed to, Mr Campbell opposing. uriLD.'NO I'KHUITS It was agreed on the suggestion of Mr Markwick that all permits to build should bear the official .stamp of the Hoard

WATER SCHEME Mr Holt reported that the Board's Engineer (Mr Lockie Gannon) had recently inspected the proposed dam and site for the water works and had expressed himself in every way satisfied with the water supply scheme as previously explained in these columns, Mr Holt added that he expected the Board would receive Mr Lockie Gannon's report at an early date. TURNSTILE WANTED The provision of a turnstile from Averill street to the Railway for the use of passengers was urged by Mr Markwick who agreed to interview the Railway District Engineer (Mr Mcintosh) to ask for permission to erect the same. NEW 9ALE YARDS Mr Holt reported that he expected the new sale yards would be opened in October next. ACCOUNTS Accounts totalling £l6B 8s 6d was passed for payment.