AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1853, 14 February 1889, Page 3

AROWHENUA TOWN BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the Arowhenuo Town Board wbb held last evening. Present—Messrs E. Lee (chairman), J. T. M. Hayhurst, E. TalleEder, A. Frew, and J. Ashwell. meetptes, The minutes of the previous meeting and of a special .TieetiDg were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was receivedProm tbe Hospital and Charitable Aid Department, showing amount owing by a local patient treated inTimaru Hospital..— The chairman drew attention to the return presented, and instanced a resolution passed by the Geraldine Road Board on a Bimilor subject to the effect that it was impossible for n. laboring man earning 6s a day to pay 5s for hospital attendance. V—Mr Hayhurst said thut the position was / Bimply that the hospital board had made a careful calculation and found that tbe cost of a patient per diem was about 4s lid. If the patient was in a position to pay he bad to do 80. If tlw patient was in destitute circumstances he was not pressed for it. Thp information furnished to boards sometimes acted as a check and prevented fraud. A circular was received from the Public Works Office, stating that arrangements had been made for all the departmental adcoiuistrative work in connection with road undertakings, etc., to be performed by the Crown Lands Department in future, and requesting that all communications on the subject be addressed to the Hon. tbe Minister of Lands. From the Secretary Jubilee Exhibition Committee, enclosing subscription list and urging tbe board to assist in making a Bpecial representation of Canterbury.— Laid on the table. OYERSEER's REJOM. The overseer's report was read as follows ; "To the chairman and commissioners, Arowhenua Town Board. " Gentlemen,--I have the honor to report that in accordance with yoar instructions tenders were called for shingling in Denmark street, and that of P. O'Mara accepted at a spscial meeting of tbe board. The contractor has made very unsatisfactory progress, and the surface man has not been kept fully employed. The contractor alleges that he has had a difficulty in obtaining the necessary labor to forward the work, owing to the harvest. Previous to the starting of the contract the sides of the metalled road were trimmed, and the crown widened. The footpath leading to - Mr Newbury's was also filled up. Several applications have been made to me in reference to the leasing of land around the creek. Two definite offers have been made, and the persons interested request that you will give them consideration this evening. An application has also been made for timber for a footbridge near Eoberts s. Some of tbe old bridge limber might be utilised for such purposes, and the applicants are willing to find the necessary labor. Two men have been employed 8 and 6 days respectively.—l have, etc., "A. W. Gaze.' The overseer read over the clauses of the shingling contract. He stated that the contractor had left the work to harvest gome crop.—Considerable discussion ensued. The board were desirous of dealing as fairly as possible with contractors, but could not allow specifications to be nullified. —The overseer was instructed to give the contractor notice to complete th 9 contract at once; failing that, it would be re-let. In regard to the lease of land around the creek the clerk was instructed to inform applicants that the question could not be dealt with at present, such land not beiag vested in the board. JR« application for timber, Mr Ash well moved, Mr Vallender seconded, and it was carried—" That if any of tbe old timber in hand is suitable for footbridge it be given to the applicant; the bridge to be fixed to the satisfaction of the overseer. . ' THE PJttOPOBBD SRIDOB. ' The overseer submitted alternative esti- % mates for a bridge asked for at the previous meeting. He explained that the formation of the land about the oreek r eguired a substantial bridge, with piles, and an earthwork approach. Such a structure would cost about £lO. A lighter bridge, to carry about a ton

could be erected for about £l2.—The Board considered the expenditure quite out of the question. Mr Hayhurst said that a footbridge would answer almost an veil. It was certainly unwise to erect a bridge wide enough to carry a cart without miking it of sufficient strength—lt was resolved to invite tenders for the ersction of a bridge, the tame to be considered at next meeting. OOTTAOHS. Tho Clerk was instructed to take steps for resuming possession of ootta »es of defaulting tenant l ). BANITARY. The Overseer stated that he bad been requested by three residents to bring before the Board the question of a night-soil contractor. Several residents suffered considerable inconvenience, aa no pressure could be brought to bear upon the present oontraotor. Members generally agreed that it was an important question. It was, however, full of difficulty. Ultimately it was igrced that tho chairman should wail upon the Temuka Board and discuss the question, any suggestion by them to be laid before the board. OMSK'S DUTIBB. The olerk was instructed to be in attendat tho offio in future upon oaoh Tuesday from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 and from 1.30 to 5.30 p.m. He was aluo instructed to notify that all rates muit be paid within 14 days, and that owners of unregißtored dogs would bo sued. AOOOtTBTS. Acoounts amounting to £l2 9s 9d were pasßed for payment. The meeting then terminated.