AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1816, 15 November 1888, Page 3

AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Arowhenua Town Board was held last evening. Present—Messrs E. Lee (Chairman), E. Yallender, A. Erew, J, T. M. Hayhurut, and J. Ashwell. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received—- , From the Public Works Office, enclosing copy of a Bill to amend the Public Works Act which it is proposed to introduce into Parliament next FGssion, and requesting the Board if they saw any objections to same to commuuicate with the Minister of Public Works. From the Invercargill Municipal Corporation, offering steam fire engine for sale.—Not required. Erom the Crown Lands Department, advising that the Receiver of Land Revenue had in hand a voucher for the payment of £8 2s lOd, amount due on deferred-payment lands, and asking the Board to advise when the amount should be duly received. —The amount not having been received the Clerk was requested to make further communication on the subject.

overseer’s report. The overseer reported that he had visited reserve 1701 during the recent rains to ascertain what could be done in connection with Dr Hayes’s application. He found a certain amount of water overflowed from the ditch of a neighboring reserve. The best way to remedy the evil would be to take the water across High Street and into the park drain. The following resolutions were passed dealing with the matter: — “ That from this date no drains be cut upon footpaths ”; “ That the overseer be instructed to report on the best method of taking water off sections in John Street, and that he be asked to make an offer to take the levels of the township, and report at the next meeting.” The overseer was instructed to get a hollow place at the junction of Denmark and Rayner streets filled up.

ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £29 15s 9d were passed for payment.

At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Hayhurst said that he desired to say a few words in connection with his presence there that evening. In the first place he expressed surprise at seeing a full meeting of the Board. He was given to understand that the only persons present would be Mr Ashwell, himself, and the Clerk. The other members, it was currently reported, intended to absent themselves. With regard to his action in connection with the recent petition, he said that he considered it every man’s duty to see the law carried out. The remark had been made that he should have informed the Keturning Officer that Messrs Bdgeler and Bryan were ineligible for election. In the first place, he was unaware of the fact, and, secondly, it was the Returning Officer’s duty to ascertain the eligibility of candidates. At all events, he conceived it to be so, With regard to the steps that he had taken, he was quite prepared to accept the responsibility of what had been done. If action had not been taken at the time, then the election would not have been legal. The members would have taken their seats, but every action of the Board would have been ultra vires, and complications of a serious character might have arisen. He believed his contention was correct. During the election, rumors were current that he intended to move in the direction of forming Arowhenua and Temuka into a Borough. He certainly desired it, and believed it would be to the advantage of Arowhenua, for some of the revenue raised in Temuka ought to be spent in the former township. Again, he believed by-laws should be framed, but thought they might exempt certain portions of the district. With regard to cattle at large, people had no right to run cows to the annoyance of their neighbors. There were only about 45 acres unoccupied out of 640. He had no objection to pigs being kept if they were kept in a cleanly fashion. Fowls badly kept were quite as offensive. Another rumor persistently spread was that he intended to have a concrete bridge built at the end of Denmark Street so as to give access to his property. These reports were exceedingly annoying and did a vast amount of harm, and had they not been spread about by members of the Board he would not have taken the action that he did. He absolutely denied that he had any intention of bringing a by-law into force to do away with cows and pigs. He had told Mr Lee that he should resign. Since then he had been advised both for and against. He had not yet decided, although he thought that he should have made up his mind before the close of the present meeting. As to the Board he considered it a mistake, He had nothing to gain by it. If anybody reaped any benefit by his presence it was the board and not himself.

Ivlr Lee said that he could not vouch for other members. He had never expressed any intention of resigning. Mr Hayhurst said that if it had not been said he would not have been there. Ho might say he found it legally necessary to take his seat before he could resign. There was no option in the matte?.

Mr Lee said it was impossible to keep people from talking. He never took any notice of what might be said outside.

Mr J. Ash well said that he did not wish to shelter himself behind M r Hayhurst. The petition had been beard. He had rather enjoyed the scrimmage, and the result was that he was there, With regard to the rumors about cows and pigs, he did not object to them, if properly looked after, He lad taken his seat that evening because it was said that obstructions would be put in his way. He felt that he was not there by the wishes of the ratepayers, and, having vindicated his right to sit, it was his intention to resign, and give them a chance to elect a man of their choice.

Mr Lee thought it would be a pity to put the township to the expense of another election. He thought it better to build up than destroy. Mr Hayhurst objected to the use of the word “ destroy.” He defied anyone to say that he sat upon a public body to its injury. Mr Frew was of opinion that it had been a benefit to the ratepayers when the Town District had been constituted. He might change his mind in that respect if he saw sufficient reasons, bat hitherto undoubtedly more work had been done than would have been the case otherwise. He would be sorry to see the new members retire now they had been legally elected. They were possessed of energy and ability, and could be of good service. No thought of resigning on account of their return had entered his head.

Mr Yallender also denied that he had intended to resign. He had expressed his willingness to do so in conjunction with the other members if requested by the ratepayers as a body. Otherwise be had no idea of it. Mr Ashwell said that in seeking to become a member of the Board he had only desired to benefit the town. It was his interest to do so, but he did not desire to sit with the feeling of the people against him. Had he been elected in the first instance he would have felt proud of the position, and have done his best in the interest of the township. Some desultory conversation followed, which was terminated by Mr Hayhurst moving a vote of thanks to the chair.