SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 17 April 1907, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.

The School Commissioners met on Tuesday morning. Present: Messrs Jus. Wade (chairman), 11. Faull, W. T. Jennings. M.H.H., ami F. Simpson.. Commissioner of Crown Lauds. Mr Jennings noted from the return that 30 of the Hoard's reserves were unlet, and 20 occupied. The chairman said that many of the.-e reserves were, unlettable, either owing to the remoteness of situation, or from the fact that the npsi-r rentals were too high. Mr Jennings said Ihal his idea'in gelling this return was to see how the Board stood in regard to its reserves and endowments, as there was a lot of talk now about unused reserves ill different parts of the colony. The Board went into committee to deal with a return of arrears of rent, and it, was decided, on the motion oi Messrs Jennings and Simpson, to deal at next meeling with all lessees in arrears with vent. Mr Qiiilliain, solicitor to the Board.

advi-ed on the iruesliiin of a refund of illil 10s rent paid by Mr <!. W. Browne in respect of sections now included in Western Park. As he had surrendered his lease any such payment would lie illegal. It could nave been done whilst he held the lease. Mr Jennings recollected positively Hint Mr Samuel, (hen legal adviser to the Board, had advised them that by followimr a certain course no dilliculty could arise. i The chairman said Mr Browne had approached him on this matter, and ac (Mr Wade) had told him there was no chance of the refund being made. Mr Browne had then asked if the Board could make a grant (or the improvement and raising of Uownc street. This he thought would meet the case. The solcitor advised that, of course, the Board could expend funds on the improvement of its own sections. Mr Faull said he had no objection lo the refund asked for. Mr Qiiilliam said that was probably so. and no objection would have been raised, had Mr Browne held the lease instead of surrendering it. The chairman said Che troitblo arose from the neglect in d-elaying Hie application for a refund.

Mr Jennings: Pardon me. Mr Browne acted according to the advice of our solicitor. Mr Wade: Mr Samuel swer said there, would be a refund. Mr Jennings reilorau'd that he distinctly remembered Mr Samuel mentioning tile mailer in his own office. Eventually, it was decided to inform the Western Bark Board that, acting on the advice of' the solicitor, the Commissioners were unable to make the refund asked. The Board's solicitor advised that Mr 0. T. Bundle's interest in improvements on section 2.">. Una and Waiwnkaiho district, had lapsed, ami it was decided that Urn valuation of improvements should now he offered at C10I), reduced from £2(10. flic secretary mentioning tic probability of the section lieing let under such conditions.

A letter from Mr A. 11. Moore. Opunake, in reference to an old debt due to the Commissioners by Mi G. Mitchell will he considered at next meeting. The ranger's report concerning Mr M. O'Connor's lease, and a letter from (he lessee, were read, and it was decided dial the chairman and Mr Faull inspect die land and report at next meeting. Mr J. T. Walsh, of Stratford, whose lease of section 5, block 7, Ngaire, expires on September 30th.next, applied fov a n-w lease, "and it was decided to Comply with the request sujijecf to the payment by Walsh of all costs. It was also decided to grant to Mrs •lane Andrews a new lease of section 4!) S. Mew Plymouth, with perpetual rights of renewal. The transfer of a section on the Town Belt. Mokoin, from O. T. Bavlv to Alt'. Bayly and Cecil llawken was'approved. Clher applications were deferred until the applicant have complied with conditions. :

The trea-urer reported a bank balance of £835 14s sd. The next meeting will be held on .Mav 17th. a week later than usual, to meet the convenience of the secretary.'Mr I''. P. Corkill, who proccdsVulv in .May to Inveivargill on matters "Masonic.