PROPOSED EASY METHOD OF EARNING &1O. MILLS ASSUMES THE ROLE OF INFORMER

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 299, 15 September 1888, Page 2

PROPOSED EASY METHOD OF EARNING &10. MILLS ASSUMES THE ROLE OF INFORMER

The following is an exact copy of a letter read from James Mills to the Chairman of the Town Board at the meeting of the Board on Thursday last. We observed Messrs, C, Ahier, A. H. Whitehouse, an.l other friends of Mr Mills arrived eaily in order to secure good seats, having no doubt been in Formed of the great event to come off, and probably anticipating a scene ; in which they were, however, disappointed, as no one seemed very much affected.

[Cory.] Te A rob a, 12/9/88. To the Chairman Te Arolm Town Board. SlR,— I wish to draw your attention fo Section 3 of tho" Local Doilies Cnnlr.iotois Act ; which states that "' Any member oC »ny Local Body who on tern into any contract for the supply of nn\ thing,' or th'o perl'oiinanco of any work with the Lockl Bodyoii which he 'is a member, or who knowingly Btipplien anything: whatever (o such Locul Body ; shall not" bo entitled to payment for the miw, and any «mn paid in respect oi" any biKh eontiuctj or supply shall be rot-oveieil ti;<» ether with tun pounds in addition thereto, whh full costs

or suit by any person who shall sue for the • same in n Court of Competent Juiisdiction a subsequent says " The amount recovered as having been improperly paid shall be handed over to the Local Body from whose funds il was '^paid, and the peison suing shall be entitled to the ten pounds with the full costs of B Buif.' r The Act also provides that in oases where the members" of any such Local ' Body knowingly allows any of its members to act contrary to the section referred to, shall in like manner be liable to a fine of not less than five, nor more than Thirty Pound 3 with full coats of suit, etc, I? draw your . attention to the above fully believing that none of your body excepting the offender (Mr John Ilott) were aware that the law was being broken in the • mutter. I should have drawn your attention 1 to_ this matter earlier, but in consequence » of the owners of the Te Arolm News, I not having registered themselves as such as required by Jaw, (for which act of ( omission they are also liable to prosecution and fine), I have been put to considerable troublo and expense, in ascertaining who are the owners ; my Lawyer now advises me that I have ample proof ; and if the money so illegally paid by your body to the member mentioned be not refunded within fourteen days from this date, I intend to take immediate action. My object in wiiting is to prevent the other members of your body from making them selves liable by paying any further Bums to the party mentioned. And to make it clear that I have no desire to benefit by his misdeeds as in no case would I appropriate tho fine to my own use. I remain, Yours truly, Jam as Mills. Mr Mills having so many bosom friends present, modestly remained away from the meeting himself. Poor old chap ! How often we wonder has he laid awake in the still hours of the night, planning how to expend that LlO reward to be granted the informer, on conviction. But then he states he has no desire to benefit by the misdeeds of Mr Ilott, and would in no case appropriate the money (when he gets it). That sounds well, does it not, especially if there is a possibility of the LlO never corning to hand. And if he should get it, what will he do with it? Perhaps give a champagne supper ; or better still, forward it to the Hospital with a request that it be placed out at interest to form the nucleus of a fund to establish a new ward, to be called " Mills' ward ;" or to establish on a permanent basis a secret service corps, for prying into other peoples business ; o>- to erect n platform on some corner allotment, from whence to « spout.' Seriously though, we were informed sev ral months ago of the striking of this rich patch by those so anxious to get hold of something tint they think would injure Mr Ilott's character. We are well aware of the little ring of avowed enemies he has, and whose deeply laid schemes have so frequently been upset, and the real object in view exposed. The delay in bringing the matter forward has no doubt been in order that the suppose 1 offender againsthis country's laws might put his foot (we don't mean Mills' foot, the patch struck is far too small for th«t) into it a little further. Somebody hns undoubtpdly put their foot in it, who, will be seen by-and-bye. We quite bolieve Mr James Mills for years past has been fossicking and prospecting about trying to discover some point at which to attack Mr Ilott's character, finding all the personal abuse and slander hitherto heaped on him was taken so little notice of, neither Mr Ilott nor the proprietors of the News deeming him worth going for 1 Well, Mr Mills having at lastpegged off his claim ; we advise him to proceed with as little delay as possible to open up the Supposed reef, and sec how it pans off. In his eagerness to secure that LlO, he may possibly have forgotten the old proverb still holds true " Don't count your chickens, etc." He will no doubt learn who the proprietors of the News are soon enough. One thing is certain, they have nothing to fear from a man of Mills' stamp. Having stuck to Te Aroha through thick and thin for over five years, expending in the place during that time a large sum of money in wages, etc., and having done their utmost to promote the best interests of the gold Geld and districfcgenerally, it will take a better man than James Mills, (ays were he even Mayor of Te Aroha and' Waiorongomai at a salary of LIOO ayoar) to shift them. Good-bye Mr Mills for the present, perhaps you will hear from us again by and bye, and possibly learn the wisdom of minding your own business, j even though you may hare only intended j your letter as an electioneering dodge, desiring to injure Mr Ilott's prospects of being again returned for the Town Board.

PIAKO COUNTY COUNCIL. + . The ordinary monthly meeting of above Council was helii at Morrinsville on Thursday last. Present : Crs Chepmell (chairman), Williams, Heany, Brunskill, Browning, Hunt, Murphy, and Mills. Before proceeding with the business Mr Williams, as senior member of the Council, introduced Mr JST, I. Hunt, the newly elected member for Mata Mata, vice Mr F. Dibble resigned. Congratulations : Cr Williams also, in a few appropriate words on behalf of himself and fellow Councillors, expressed congratulations, best wishes, etc., to the chairman, Cr Chepmell, on the occasion of his maniagc ; which ovent took place on tho 30fch ult., as already reported in these columns. Ordinary Business : "'Minutes of the previous monthly meeting were read and I con finned. Punt* at ' Murphy's Landing: The Clerk laid on the (able the agreement of lenso For the light <o run a punt at Murphy's Landing, between Council and James Stewart, which document had, in

accordance with instructions given at last meeting, been forwarded to Jamos Stewart, and by him was duly signed and returned. ' - "- In repl/to the Chairman, Cr Murphy stated that Stewart was sixteen years of age ; and went on to state that the "punt was put there as a public convenience and perhaps a source of profit to himself! He would be quite satisfied Avith any action the Council might decide upon in the matter ; but did not know anyone else that would take it, Cr Brunskill thought Council had been rather hasty in deciding to accept a fresh tender (that of Stewarts) without having made fuller enquiry first, if, as had since been stated, it was not their (Lloyd and Irwin's) fault that they had not taken over the running of the punt on August Ist, but on account of an omission in the agreement sent thorn for signature. The Chairman said it was not because Messrs Lloyd and Irwin had not started on August Ist the tender of Stewart was accepted, but because Lloyd and Irwin agkod for several fresh concessions in the agreement, which Council could not see their way to grant. Cr Murphy here made a long rigmarole statement, and referred to a written statement ho had made and caused a copy thereof to be sent to each of the Councillors, (in which he attempted to justify the part he bad played in this punt business which has been so prominently before our readers of late). Cr Brunskill said he came in late at last meeting, just as the punt business had been settled ; but to him it did not appear to be the right thing to decline one party's (Lloyd and Irwinf tender and immediately accept another tender which had been sent in a private sort of way, because the boy (Stewart) haprened to know what was being done in the matter, etc. The Chairman : It is quite clear the contract signed by Stewart is void, he being Under age. Cr Murphy : I will see that the punt is worked by my son, C. Murphy, the former lesseo,and who is over 21 years of age, until the Council make fresh arrangements. Resolved on the motion of Cr Brunskill, seconded by Cr Heanv, That the present contract be terminated, and fresh tenders be invited for the right to run a pnnt at Murphy's Landing. The Chairman : This lacl Stewart being a nephew of Cr Murphy's, and living with him', and as Cr Murphy is, I understand, the boy's guardian, I don't know but what we should render ourselves liable to an action if wo paid him any money ; as practically it is Cr Murphy to whom the money would be j paid. Cr Murphy : I would suggest that the advertisement, inviting tenders for leasing the pnnt, be inserted in the Waikato Times, in preference to the Aroha and Ohinemuri News. No Cr supporting Cr Murphy's suggestion, it went for nothing. Or Brunskill sugges ed that in inviting fresh tenders, no sum be specified as subsidy, leaving it to the tenderers to name what, if any, subsidy they require, Tt was resolved this course be adopted. Cr Murphy said he believed there would soon be a large population -at Waiorongomai, nivl that the punt was likely to pay very well in future. Correspondence : From Mr D, Scelly, Returning Officer for Mata Mata Riding, reporting the election of Mr N. I. Hunt as member for that Riding, and stating Mr James Bayley had also come forward ns a candidate for the position, but his nomination paper, signed by Messrs J. and G. Given was informal. From Mr A. Isaacs, stating that he had lodged to Councils credit as requested the sum of £15, for the purpose of paying the necessary expenses for taking [ a road to the Hot Springs at Okoroire, to connect with the Lichfield-Te Aroha road. Further correspondence was also read re this matter showing that Mr T. G. Sandes had been authorised by the Survey Department to lay off the road asked for. Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board : — From the Secretary of the Board requesting payment of the balance of contribution due by Piako County, £337. Resolred that the amount be paid. Waiorongomai Postmaster : From j Mark Lovell, postmaster at Waiorongomai, stating that he is now owner of ! section No £4, township Waiorongomai; requesting that his name be placed on the 801 l of Piako County, and that an early reply be sent. Also, from W. Fielder, Waiorongomai, requesting his name to be placed on the Ratepayeis' Roll for Te Aroha Riding, as lessee of allotment 138, Graham street, Waiorongomai. The Clerk stated he could not find any record of either of the sections referred to. Rosolved that the Clerk write asking further information from these applicants. From Jas. Collins and John Finnity, of Whaharoa, requesting to be placed on the Ratepayers' Roll. The Clerk was instructed to take the usual steps with regard to both these applications. From E. M. Thompson, Shaftesbury, stating that soon after Macky's sale at Waiorongomai lie purchased sections 9, 18, 20, .and 21, Block 1, Waiorongomai ; but had never boon charged any rates thereon, nn-l asking if any were owing, as, if so, he wish'e 1 to pay the amount. Resolved that the Clork write asking fnrlher pailicnlars with respect to these sections, and if any ! uil lings thereon. No oljoctions having been received

with respectio applications made by tho following-, it was resolved that their 1 names be placed on the valuation roll, viz.: R. .N, Larney, John McNichol, W. "HoltbV, Thos. .Bellamy, Biding 1 ; Annie BeeSonj Waiorongoni'aij" W, Berresford, te Aroha. To the^ Chairnian from Wi J. England, signing himself as manager of a paper called the Gazette, asking for 1 the Piako County, and Waitoa Towii Board advertising j also dskirig if he might enrol the chairman as a subscriber. Resolved that the letter be received. River Reserve: The Chairman stated that since last meeting correspondence with respect to the chain reserve along the western bank of Waihou river had boon looked up, as lar back as 1880 between the Waitoa Raad Board and the Survey Department. This correspondence wa3 read by the Clerk, and clearly showed the Council were light in the view they expressed at last meeting as to the position of the reserve. Resignation : During the progress of the meeting a telegram was received by the Chairman dated Auckland from Cr Gould tendering his resignation as one of the members for Waitoa Riding. In reply to one of the Councillors the Chairman said Cr Gould had not told him he intended to resign his seat. Cr Murphy said with respect to the vacancy thus occasioned a large number of the voters lived in the Te Aroha side of the Riding, and he hoped that there would be a polling booth at Waitoa for their convenience. Notice of Motion :-— Cr Williams moved, in accordance with notice given at the previous meeting That the sum of £30 be voted towards the cost of repairs j (carried out to the extentof £66) on roads in Patetere Riding by the Patetere Land Co } which were greatly needed. r J he motion was seconded by Cr Heany, who whilst stating he would second it, knowing the work greatly needed to be carried out, said he could not approve of money being granted by the Council for work done without having been clearly authorised by the Council. Cr Williams said when he applied for £30 some months back for the work, the Council expressed a willingness to do the work were it not they had no fundsat the time to do so ; he had also given notice of motion that he would ask for this money, which notice unfortunately lapsed through his unavoidable absence* from the following meeting. Some of the other Crs supported this statement <~>f Cr Williams', although disapproving of the precedent that would be laid down [ were the money voted at this date. The motion was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman. £1500 loan Road : Mr Sandes, ! Engineer, reported as to the progress j made with respect to the formation of the new Lichfiehi-Te Aroha Road, and said he thought it would be advisable for Council to make application to Government for ten per cent extra on amount of loan ; and this additional £150 would he thought complete a first classroad. He further stated that the maories had made application to be allowed to make that portion of the road which zan through their property. Resolved, That the Engineer be instructed to call for tenders for tho completion of this road, and also that he accept tenders from the maories (if willing to carry out the work at contract price) for the portions of the road running through their land, in small contracts not exceeding L2O each. Resolved on tho motion of Cr Williams, seconded by Cr Heany, That the offer of Mr Rose, of tho Oxford Hotel, to repair, and keep in repair for twelve months, bridge approaches on tho Mata Mata-Oxford road, bo accepted. Resolved on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr Heany, That application be made to the Colonial Treasurer for £150, being ton ppr cent on £1500 loan for road works in the Patetere Riding. Report of Finance Committee of the Piako County Council appointed on Friday, 10th August, 1883 :

Gentlemen — I have to report that your Committee, consisting of Messrs Gould, Bi owning, and myself, met at the County Office, Cambridge, at 2 p.m. on Saturday the 18th ult., and, in accordance with the resolution adopted by the Council went fully into the present financial position of the County. We find that the existing liabilities are as under : — Liabilities. £ c. a. Balance due Bank 1386 3 4 Interest „ .. ..say 60 0 0 Salaries „ .. .. 56 0 0 Travelling Expenses 75 0 0 Kent 7 10 0 Office Expenses , 25 0 0 Charitable Aid, Waikato . . 387 0 0 „ Thames .. 1000 0 0 Debentures, Te Aroha Loan . . 41 5 0 „ Converted ... 28 7 6 Ferries 23 0 0 Balance due Waiharakeke Road 18 0 0 „ Te Aroha- Waio- 30 0 0 rongomai, etc „ Shines Contract . . 50 0 0 Lower Hill Track . . . 4 4 0 Engineer's Commission „ 5 0 0 Commission on Kates Collected 10 0 0 Total £3,196 9 10 And the assets available for meeting the forogoing are :—: — Assets. £ 8. d. Eat es Collectable, .. ..say 450 0 0 Subsidies under " The Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act." . . . . 245 10 0 Advanced to Patetore Loan account ... . . • 7 4-" 9 G-oldHeveim<>andGoldDufy..'say 100 0 0 Tramway Haulage due .. 520 0 Q Rent of Tramway .. ... 100 0 0 £1413- 15 6