TIMUKA TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2028, 3 April 1890, Page 3

TIMUKA TOWN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Temuka Town Boird whs he'd !a-t evening. PresPDt —Messrs Ja*. Blylh, P. Coira, and G. J. M»Hon. In the absence of Mr K F. Gray, Mr B yth was voted to the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was re»d From the Treasury, Wellington, forwarding 9j lid for rateß on Crown Lands. Fiom E. Reece and Co., Ohristchurch, forwarding quotations for drain p p<-a. From the Clerk Arowhenu* Town Bmrd, forwarding £1 7s 61, refund of fets for dog lax received by Mr Gaze, less cost of collars. From Mr A. W. aekiDg for information as to cost of asphalting in front of his office, and the d i!e the work was done. —Tbe clerk stated the information had been sitpp'ied.

From Messrs Woollcorub-3 and (Jlulee (2 letters) —in reply to a letter from the hoard stating that town section, Lot 38, part of U.S. 2630, would be sold to recover the rates —forwarding rateß due, as agents of mortgagor of section, the amount being £1 2s lid. Fiom the Secretary Timaru Harbor Board, forwarding a lengthy circu'ar, to the effect that the Timaru Harbor Board have under consideration the present aiethod of levyiag and collecting the Harbor rate, and find that it is expensive to the Board, and consequently to the ratepayers, and decided that in the interests of the ratepayers a simpler method is desirable. The Board was now empnwered to delegate the making aivt levying of rates to local bodies siluaied wiihiu the Harbor district and to pay as remuneration £2 10s per cent on the amount of moneys collected. Tbe Bjard recognising ih it the percentage allowed the local bodies would not cover the expenses did part of the work and allowed (he Board the full percentage. The circular also referred to the fact that iu the case ot a special rate the Act provided thai it should be paid half-yearly, In the district there were 6000 ratepayers, 200<"> of whom under a rate of J 1 pay a sum under one shilling. There weie three other rates collected in the same district. It was therefore thought by the board that much trouble and expense to the ratepayers by the striking of a separate rate might be ohviated if the board were empowered to make n direct levy annually on the local bodies for the amount required to meet defic : encies in piyment from ordinary revenue of interest iu each year, giving the local bodies power to raise the funds in the way most convenient to them, with increased ratiog power conferred on them. The proposed alteracion in the Act would not increase the liability of the ratepayers, but would substitute the mode at prefe.nl practiced bj the Hospital and Ckiatitable Aid Board for that now ex'sting. The Harbor Board intended to introduce a Bill into Par'iament to give effect to the proposals, and the Town Board were asked to express its assent to it.

chairman's kesignation. The following letter was received from Mr K. F. Gray, chairman of the board : " To the members of tl.e Temuka Town Boaid, " Gentlemen,—l beg to tender my resignation as a member of your board, as I am about to leave New Zealand shortly, and permit me to convey my thauks to tho members for their kind and courteous respect always accorded to rue as chairman.— Vouib f aithfully " K. F. Gray." On the motion of Mr Mason seconded by Mr Coira it was resolved, "That this board accept Mr Gray's resignation with regret, and we hereby accord our high appreciation of the ability and courteuy with which he has filled the position of chairman of the Board from its inception, It was decided to icstruct the returning officer to proceeeii with ihe election of a member to fill the seat rendered vacant by Mr Gray's resignation. OVEESEES'S EEPOET.

Ihe overseer reported that he had taken steps to prepare the annual balance required by the Act to be completed by the 7th, and also taken steps for the atrik- ' ing of the annual rale. He hud had the gratings to culverts authorised at last meeting piuced in position, and they answered well ; others were needed. Many of the old wooden culverts were quite uuequal to the flush of water on the 15th ult Mr Job Brown had replaced the culvert reported ns broken down at last meeting, but it was unsatisfactory as to levels and room avowed for flow of water in heavy rsins. Many of the culverts in the Maiu street and those near Nicholas' and Storey's stables would haye to be improved. He smggested that a pile, with about 8 inches left above the surface, would be a better protection at the end of culverts than transverse • timber. Re rates, nearly all were now paid with the exception of those owing by absentees, Several summonses were issued, but only one came before tr-e Court j one party owing rates and rent to the board was now in Utago, A demand had been made on the Arowhenua Town Board for dog-tax fees illegally receiyed, and the amount had been refunded. Since lust rneetiog several dogs had been registered, and he had issued summonses against several owners. He concluded by drawing attention to the unsati&fcictory state of the covers to fire brigade wells. APCOTJNTS. After passing accounts the Board ad-journed. | LOCAL BOARD HEALTH. At the conclusion of the meeting of the ' TowJ Board a meeting of the Board of Health was held. The Inspector reported that general y the town was in a clean state, but his attention had been drawn to a nuisance caused by a calf having been buried too near the surface, and he had had to have it covered over with a quantity of quick lime and some soil. One or two complaints had also been received regarding the work done by the nightman, and he would draw his attention to them. So far only £34 10s 7d of the special rate struck for the purpose of removig night soil had been paid, leaving £4B 13s 6d due. The meeting then terminated.