TEMUKA TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2399, 25 August 1892, Page 3

TEMUKA TOWN BOARD.

A special meeting of the above board was held last evening. Present —Messrs Blyth (chairman), Storey, Clinch and Mason. RETURNING OFFICER. The resignation of Mr Wills, as returning officer was read, and Mr Pilbrow was appointed in bis stead. THE PARK AND CEMETERY BOARDS. The following letter from Mr Rhodes was read : Wellington, August 19,1892. Bdw. Pilbrow, Esq., Temuka Town Board. Dear Sir, —As the Arowhenua Cemetery Board and the Temuka Town Board asked for a copy of your petition, and requested me to do nothing till they had expressed an opinion thereon, I have delayed answering your letter until I could hear what views they held on the subject. 1. —As far as the Temuka Park is concerned, it was absolutely necessary to know whether they are willing to retire, or not, as in case they were willing to resign matters would be very much simplified. Members of Local Bodies have been appointed in several instances on similar boards where the former trustees have been willing to resign. I don’t think it would be possible to remove the present board under the present law, without fresh legislation, except for some serious complaint. It would require a Local Bill which would have to be advertised, and it would be foolish to take this step until the various local bodies could come to some agreement among themselves as to whom the park should be vested in. Thg Arowhenua Town Board request that the park should be vested in them. I presume your board would not agree to this. In your correspondence yon have not suggested any scheme of election which you think would meet the requirements of , the whole district. Unless the residents come to some agreement as to what they consider the best scheme, I could not undertake to introduce legislation without having time to make the fullest enquiries as to what would be the most suitable for the district. I might also add that it would be almost impossible to get a Bill thi’ough so late in the session, if there was any chance of its being opposed. 2. —As to cemeteries, there is power under the present Act (Cemeteries Act of 1 882) for the Governor to remove the present trustees, though 1 don’t think that the Government would consent to remove the present trustees, and appoint other private individuals, without cause shown on the fullest enquiry. The Governor has power under the Cemeteries Act of 1885 to appoint the Council of the County or Borough, instead of the present trustees. I don’t think there is any power under the Act to appoint a Town Board, and I presume that the residents would not wish the County Council to interfere with their cemetery. I should like further information on the subject, and an expression of opinion as to what form of government the residents really wish for each board. —I have, etc., Arthur E. G. Rhodes.

It was proposed by Mr Storey, seconded by Mr Clinch, and carried —“ That notice be given to the promoters of the petition to meet this board on Wednesday, the 31st inst., in the board room, to consider the correspondence in connection with the Park and Cemetery Boards; and see what further steps they may desire to i ake in the matter.” The meeting then adjourned.