THE PARK BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2398, 13 September 1892, Page 3

THE PARK BOARD.

At the Temuka Town Board office last night the rateyayers who signed a petition to the board asking it to take such steps as it deemed best to have the Domain and Cemetery Boards made elective, met the Temuka and Arowhenua Town Boards to discuss the matter. There were present—Messrs Jas. Blyth, G. Mason, W. Storey (members of TeTown Board), J. Ashwell, A. Frew, E. Brown, B. Carr, A. Russell (members of Arowhenua Town Board), Henry, McS. Gentleman, J. W. Miles, and R. B. Comer (the petitioners). Mr James Blyth was voted to the chair, and made a few explanatory re- . marks, and read a letter from Mr Clark apologising for absence upon the plea of pressing business engagements. Mr Henry said that on behalf of the petitioners all that was desired was that the public should know what was being done. They desired that there should be some reports of proceedings, a statement of accounts, and so forth. The public did not like to be in the dark. Mr Russell supposed that the commissioners were only responsible to the Governor. The chairman said that was correct, the commissioners distinctly followed the Act. Mr Brown said that in that case he presumed there was no charge against the commissioners. The chairman said none whatever, there was not the slightest imputation of the kind. Mr Ashwell asked what steps it was proposed to take to further the object,

The chairman said the Temuka Board had handed over the matter to the original petitioners. He should suggest himself that the present members be asked to resign. Mr Ashwell said they might reasonably ask why they were to resign. He further said that there did not appear to bo reasonable grounds for asking the park commissioners to resign. A long conversational discussion took place as to what should constitute a governing body, the way in which the other local bodies had acted, and other issues.

Mr Brown was in favour of meeting the commissioners. Mr Ashwell did not wish to act in any way that could cast a reflection upon public men against whom no charge was made. Could not the vacancies on the board be filled up by persons nominated from elective bodies I They were, as members of the Arowhenua Town Board, of course interested. They represented a Government township, the domain nd cemetery were contiguous to the townsqip, and they had to maintain the adjacent x’oads. Mr Henry asked if the Arowhenua Town Board iutended to sit “ nxum ” and let the Commissioners go on as heretofore. He was in favour of Mr Ashwell’s suggestion. Mr Miles said that it would be necessaxy that those interested should be prepared to affirm that the mode of appointment shoxxld be be elective. He thought Mr Ashwell’s suggestion leasable. Mr Frew considered the making the the body elective a step in the right direction. He considered also that as the domains were for the benefit of the townspeople the appointnxents should be by nominations from the local town boards.

Mr Russell said he should be in favor, if the boards were elective, that the control should be in one board or the other. A few members from each would really constitxxte another board and lead to a lot of trouble.

Replying to Mr lieaxy, Mr Ashwell said the Arowhenua Town Board were as a body in favor of such bodies being elective, but would not lend itself to anything that savoured of the expulsion from office of persons against whom there was no charge. The chairman thought it better left to a committee who could carry it oxxt on their own lines.

Mr Russell thought the committee should be the petitioners. The boards would soon be out of office axxd could not assist.

Mr Henry nxoved —“ That two members from the Ai'owhonua Town Board, two from the Temuka Town Board, and two from the petitioners, be appointed a committee to wait upon tlxe Pai’k and Domain Boards, aud ask them to resign.” In explanation he said he meant the members of the boards to join the committee as citizens onty. It might bo a hold step, because as the doings of the Park and Cemetery Boards were not known, there could be no charge against them.

Mr Ashwell enquired if everyone had understood the petition. He was told not. The chairman xxrged the appointment ( f a committee,"who could frame a fresh petition. Mr Miles sixggested that the meeting should be prepared with the various alternatives. Some discussion ensxxed as to whether in the event of the Domain Board being nominated from the two town boards what members should be nominated from each. The Arowhenua members urged the claims of their district to a larger representation. Mr Ashwell said the committee in their petition would have to state very cleaxdy what their objections to the present manrgement are, otherwise people would stigmatise it as a fad. Mr Henry then moved—“ That Messrs Ashwell, Brown, Frew, Blyth, Mason, Storey, Clark, Miles, Scannell, and the mover act as a committee to carry out the wishes of the petitioners.”—Seconded by Mr Comer.

Mr Brown, for his own part, objected. The Arowhenua Town Board had not been consulted, and lie would rather not see it dragged into it at a late stage to assist. He would rather not act on the committee.

Mr Ashwell was prepared to move an amendment to the effect that the committee be appointed solely from the petitioners. Such a committee would work with a free hand. When the wish of the public was ascertained, then the town boards could come in. If the bodies were brought in at an early stage people would think there was a little axe to grind. Mr Henry . said he nominated the different persons mentioned in their private capacity. Mr Ashwell said it was difficult for people to dissociate a man from his public position. He thanked them for nominating him, but preferred not to act.

Mr Mason concurred with Mr AshwelTs remarks.

Mr Henry again urged that the gentlemen were only there as private citizens. Mr Ashwell again pointed out that he declined to act because he felt that a commitee solely appointed from the petitioners would do much better. He would willingly assist when he was assured that it was the wish of the public. He again thanked them for nominating him to the committee, but must decline to act.

Mr Brown would also have to decline. He was prepared to affirm the principle of an elective board, and would sign a petition to that effect. Mr Frew also could not act. He thought the Arowhenua Town Board had expressed its opinions individually and collectively, and believed later on they might assist the petitioners. The movement was a progressive one and had his sympathy. Mr Ashwell said that he must ask leave to withdraw. He had been pleased to attend, and had derived much information upon the subject. His mind had also been disabused of several impressions which it had received. The members of the Arowhenua Town Board then retired, the chairman thanking them for their attendance. Mr Brewer then moved that the names of Messrs P. McCaskill, J. Sim, and W. Fletcher be substituted for those of of Messrs Ashwell, Brown, and Frew. Messrs Henry and Comer consented, and the motion as amended was put and carried.

Mr Henry moved, and it was carried — “ That the committee meet on Friday next, the I.oth, at 7.00 p.piM The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.