AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1762, 12 July 1888, Page 2

AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Arowhenua Town Board was held last night. Present—Messrs Lee (Chairman), Austin, Story, Edgeler, and Proudlock\ •• The minutes of the previous meet* ing were read and confirmed. DEPUTATION. < Messrs G. Washing'tony Daily, and Burton waited upon the Board in reference to the accumulated water at the east end of Alexander street. Mr Washington, who acted as spokesman, applied to have the balance of the road formed, at> in its present condition the neighboring sections were being flooded. The Overseer, being asked to report, said that he had already, considered the matter, and an estimate of the cost of forming the portion of road asked for would be submitted for the Board's consideration that evening, together with a plan for drainage through John street. j , »j The Chairmai said that in that case he had no doubt but that the Board would favorably consider the request of the deputation. For his own part he was anxious to get all necessary roads completed during his term of office. Mr "Washington further asked if it was the intention of the Board to have all the fences removed. He noticed some still 8 tan ding, and he, for his part, would re-erect the fence

.?, he had removed, unless everybody was .•'■■'- placed upon an equal footing. If the fenee at Spillane's were removed, there would be a good deal of traffic f hat way, and he had understood that • the fence in question would be re- . moved at the same time as the others. Mr Brown also had kept his fence up, ; and it seemed that favoritism was being shown. The Chairman said that no favoritism whatever would be shown. The Board' had every intention to establish its right to the roads. Mr Edgeler thought that all the fences ought to have been removed at Once by the Board, otherwise they • would simply be a laughing stock. The Overseer said that Mr Brown had expressed his willingness to remove his fence. He had, however, asked that he might be allowed an opportunity of seeing the Board in reference to the matter. Under the circumstances he (the Overseer) thought that it would only be fair to give Mr Brown the opportunity he desired. "With regard to Mr Spillane's fence, the portion still remaining would be removed. He had not desired to put settlers to expense. It was preferable that they should remove the fences themselves when willing to do so. Mr Burton asked if the Board could let a portion of the land adjoining his the Chairman said that the land in question was Crown property. They could not, therefore, deal with it. Mr Edward Carr also waited upon the Board, and drew attention to the flood,water on his sections. He asked that something might be done in the matter.—The Overseer said , that he had received a similar application from Mr Douglas, who owned the adjoining sections. —He was instructed to report on the matter at the next meeting of the Board. COBBESPONDENCK. Correspondence was received— From the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, enclosing list of names of recipients of charitable aid, and requesting its return with any iemarkß or suggestions thereon. —The Clerk was requested to write to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, asking for information as to the amount paid to the recipients of chari table aid in Arowhenua, and also as to whether there are persons resident in the Board's district who have received medical attendance at the hospital and have not paid the customary fees. From Mr W. Gh Aspinall, the Board's solicitor, relative to the legality of the Board's action in assessing properties for rating pur* poses at a higher value than that put upon them under the property tax . valuation, such properties having in ; the meantime been improved. He was clearly of opinion that the Board had the necessary power. From J, Ashwell, applying for a few loads of shingle, and expressing ' his willingness to have same removed under the supervision of the Over■eer.—The Overseer was authorised to grant the application, provided the shingle be taken from the Hamilton Street Reserve.

THE FENCES. The Commissioner of Grown Lands wrote as follows : Crown Lands Office, Ohrißtcburcb, June 22,1888. To the Cbairman ArowbenuaTown Board, Arowhenua. Id reply to your letter of the sth inst., In which you draw my "attention to the fact that certain settlers have erecte4 fences outside thoir boundaries, aod claim that they do so by virtue of permission granted by yon at the time the recent survey of the Arowhenua township extension was made, and that such permission has not formally been withdrawn," I most distinctly deny that I gave any of the settlers leave to erect fencing outside the land tbey bad a license to occupy. At the rreeting in November, 1886, I took the names of persons wishing to occupy land down to the creek, and told then that if the proposal to allow the settlers to have this land was approvod of by the Minister of Lands a surveyor would b« sent down to survey the sections; and that when this had been done they could make the usual application to the Land Board to occupy the land ; bat that no formal application could be received until the land had been surveyed, and the urea of each allotment was accurate'y known. My reason for takiDg I he names of those who wanted land on the creek was that I might be able to instruct ibe surveyor so to lay off the sections as to meet the wishes of these interested, in the event of the Minister of Lands sanctioning the proposal. I would also point out that nearly all the lands on the creek, viz., that in tho occupation of Edward and Owen Oarr, Murtin Duon, Patrick Manning, James C»rr, James F. Douglas, Robert and Geo. Washington, J. Cunuard, Wm. and David Bryan, and Mrs Millichamp, or ber representative, was all fenced and occupied before the date of the meeting referred to without permission from anyone, und •acb, or ail, of tho above settlers were Jl'ble to be prosecuted for illegally occupying OroWn lands, if I had chosen to take that course. Tbey huve occupied the land, and some of them have cropped it, without being charged any rent, and I do not think that tbey will buffer any hardship in now being called on to remove their fences; besides, eight of the persons named have already exercised their right of increasing their holdings, and have selected another section elsewhere in the township. The only settlers who, as far as 1 am aware, have erected fences since the meeting referred to, are Messrs C. McAuliffe, jj, Spillane, and Richard Williams. The two former have both of them selected, and been grunted, suother section in the township, and 1 do not see what claim they can now lay to the land along the creek, even if they did misunderstand my statement at the meeting, Mr Richard Williams's name was taken as one of those who wished for a section down to

I the creek, but he has never sent in a formal application for one, nor has he any [ leave from me to occupy the land, and he must be quite aware that he cannot take possession of Crown land without having paid anything on it or received a license from the Land Board to occupy it. As some misunderstanding appears to have arisen as to lands along the creek, 1 may point out that, in accordance with my original proposal made at the meeting called by me, and to whioh proposal there was no dissent, 1 sent down a surveyor to peg off the sections to the creek, but before his work was completed the i Minister of loads, passing through the, districr, was interviewed by someone representing the Arowhenua settlers, and I was afterwards instructed by the Ministnr not to go on with the proposed allotment of the creek sections.

After this the Town Board was elected, and in September, 1887, 1 interviewed the said Board, informing them of what hau been done in the matter, and asking that a resolution might be passed stating what the Board now wished to have done as to the creek lands. On the 6th August, 1887, your Board accordingly passed the following resolution :—" That the land adjoining the creek running through the township and village settlement of Arowhenua be lett as originally survey d. and bo made a reserve for public gardens." This resolution your Clerk communic «ted to me on August 15th. Taking this as representing the views of the inhabitants of Arowhenua, as expressed by their representatives, the members of the Town Board, I took no further action as to the allotment of the creek sections, which I had previously been in favor of. I informed the Land Board of your decision, aud most of the settlers must have been aware of the proposal to form the creek lands into a reserve, as they have taken up the additional section, which the Government allowed them to have, elsewhere. 1 think that the best course will be for you to bring this letter before the next meeting of your Bo:ird, and then hand it on to the local newspaper for publication if they wish to do bo, in order that the utmost publicity may be given to the matter, so that any settler who has e grievance may bring it before the Land Board or the Government if he wishes to do so. I will then after a reasonable time has e'apsed, recommend the Government to permanently reserve the land along the creek for a public garden, as mentioned in the resolution of your Board, and in due course you can apply to have the reserve vested in the Arowhenua Town Board for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of Arowhenua Town District. John H. Baker, CommUsioner Otown Lands. P.S.—lf you send me the names of persons occupying Crown lands on the creek I will give them notice to remove their fences.

Mr E Brown wrote asking leave t° erect gates on the road which he ha" fenced in place of removing the fences* He pointed out that the road led to no other property, and if opened would probably only be used by himself. Mr Proudlock said that Mr Brown had' epokefe to him on th» subject, and he was then in fuvor of the application being granted. In face, however, of the deputation he thought it wonld be better to put everybody on the same footing, other* wise it might lead to unpleasantness. Mr Story thought that the gates might be erected without injury to anyone. People would be at liberty to open the gutss and utilise the road if they wanted to.

Mr Edgeler said that the Board had no rigbt to obstruot the roads. If the application were granted there would be gates all over the place. A public road bad been fenced in aod it ought to be opened. Mr Story said that if the ro.d led to any place, or was a convenience to the public generally, he would certainly advocate its being kept open. As it was, however, the public would receiya no benefit, and Mr Brown would be put to inconvenience. The Board had power to open the roads, and he thought they could allow gates to be erected if they chose. Mr Edgeler objected to tho road being closed by gates. It seemed as though the Board only intended to consider the convenience of the rich.

The Chairman thought the case might be met by allowing Mr Brown to erect gates, upon the understanding that he remove the same when called upon. Mr Proudlock thought it a good suggestion, but be should certainly advocate a similar privilege being extended to other settlers. He regretted the complication that had arisen over the matter. It seemed that there was a good deal of petty jealousy at the bottom' of the matter.

Mr Austin was of opinion that if Mr Brown's fence were allowed to stand, or if a compromise were made, that it would lead to further trouble. He considered all shculd be dealt with alike. He would move —" That the Overseer be instructed to have the remaining fences removed." This was seconded by Mr Edgeler, and carried.

The question of tho occupation by Mr Hooper of a portion of the Town Bait then crapped up. The Overseer said that Mr Hooper had removed a portion of fence erected on Gamack Street, promptly, when notified. It appeared that part of Mr Hooper's house stood upon the Belt, and he (Mr Hooper) considered that he was entitled to 6 months' notice to remove same. It was resolved that the clerk give Mr Hooper 6 months' notice to remove bis fence and house from the Town Belt, OVERSEER'S REPORT. The Overseer's report was read and considered as follows: — The Chairaaan and Commissioners Arowhenua Town Board.

Gentlemen,—l hive the honor to submit the following report :-—The Fences : Acting under your instruction?, given at the last meetiDg of the Board, I waited upon several settlers, and requeaUd them to remove the fences illegally erected by them upon roads, at the same time infoimiug thorn that should they fail to comply with the notification the fences would be removed at their cost. In several cases the not cu ir. 8 complied with. I had however to make a subsequent visit before the remainder of the fences were either removed or arrangements made for their removal. Several fences are still standing, the persona who have erected same being willing to remove them, but dtsirirg to interview the Board befoie

doing so.—Roads, etc. : One man has been engaged upon repairs upon the North Town Beit. The ruts have been filled in, and (he road shouH not requite further labor upended upon it for some time.-—The fencing of gravel reserve 756 i- being proceeded with.— Hamilton S*re t : The cutting required in Studholme street has not yet been made, To m~ke a satisfactory job of it would require an expenditure of—. 1 wonld recommend that tenders be called for the same—Denmark Street : I have inspected this street as requested, and submit an estimate of the cost of completing same. I would recommend that Ihe remainder of Alexander street be formed, and a water-tab'e opened upon the west side of John street, to connect with the continuation of Denmark street. This would allow the accumulated water by Mrs Polaßcheks to get away.—Surf see water : Mr Doughs has drawn my attention to damage done to his property from surface water which drains from the road. To remove this a drain to the creek would hare to be cut.—Rents : Since last meeting the sum of £1 17s 64 has been received for rents. -I am, etc., Alfd. W. Gazb, Overseer. The Overseer submitted estimates of suggested works. He was instructed to invite tenders for formation in Denmark <md Alexander streets, tenders to be in by the 25th July, and to be opened by three members of the Board and himself, fle was also authorised to call for tenders for work required in Hamilton street. The shingling of Denmark street was ordered to stand over for the present. KBNTB. The Clerk was instructed not to allow rente of cottages to fall into arrears for more than one month. Should such be the case, the tenant to receive notice to quit. BATES. The Oletk submitted a list of unpaid rae«.—lt was resolved that he notify all defaulters that, failing payment of amounts due by next Boaid day, legal proceedings to recover some would be taken without further notice. ! Mr Edgeler moved—•• That this Boird, at its next meeting, strike a rate of one halfpenny in the £ upon all rateable property in the Arowhenue Town District." —Seconded by Mr Proudlock and curried. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £6 12s were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.