WAIOTAHI DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 29, 9 November 1871, Page 3

WAIOTAHI DISTRICT BOARD.

A meeting of the Waiotahi District Board was held yesterday afternoon at the Governor Bowen Hotel. Present : Mr Davies in the chair, Mr Anthony, Mr Dowden, Air Simpson, Engineer, and Mr Dean, Secretary. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Before the ordinary business was proceeded with, the Chairman said that Major Dooper was in attendance at the request of the Board, and the Board would be glad to hear from him what arrangements could be made for having the assistance of the Volunteers in case of fire. Major Cooper said that lie proposed that two companies should be told off as fire companies for the month, and they would wear their military caps and side arms, so that they would be known to the police, and would act with them in case of fire. The other companies would no doubt be glad to render their assistance as citizens. The alarm posts had been already arranged, and he would issue a fresli order on the subject. Mr Dowden pointed out that the services of the Volunteers would be rerequired principally for the protection of property. The Board agreed to leave the matter in the hands of Major Cooper. Mr. Dowden asked whether the alarm bell was to he rung in case of practice and received an answer in the negative. Major CoorEß observed that it was of great importance to have apiece of ground reserved for a place of public recreation, and if the Boards would join together and look sharp about the matter, they might secure an eligible site, otherwise all the ground except on the other side of the creek would be taken up. It was also desirable that the Cricket ground should be purchased as soon as possible. The Board thanked Major Cooper for his courtesy in waiting upon them, and for the suggestions he had thrown out. Rates. Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Lcydon attended relative to the rating of a house which had been ofiginally rated to the latter,and subsequently altered by the written consent of the former. Each party denied the liability, and the Board said if they could not arrange the matter it would have to be decided in the Resident Magistrate’s Court. Repairs, Etc. The Engineer stated that the repairs in Camphell-street were standing for want of funds. £SO would be sufficient to make the road up to Mr. Read’s. Mr. Graham had promised £2O, and Mr. Hogan would also assist. After some discussion it was resolved that the Engineer should sec Mr. Ball in on the matter, and proceed with the work when the funds were collected. The Engineer said he and Mr. Cameron had been in consultation relative to cutting a channel from the Baraka Creek near the bridge to the sea, hut there were some difficulties in the'way as regarded boundaries. He had seen Mr. Sheehan in the matter, and would sec him again shortly.

—lt was resolved to invite a conference with the Ivauwaeranga Board on the subject, and to discuss the matter at the next meeting. The necessity of dedicating to the public Pollen, Albert, Brown, Owen, and other streets belonging to the natives, was brought under discussion. —It was resolved that a deed should be prepared for signature, and that Mr. It. Graham be requested to get it signed by the natives, and that instructions be furnished to Mr. Beveridge on the subject. In reference to the closing of upper Brown-street, and the opening of Coro-mandel-street, the Chairman said he had received the following letter : “ Superintendent’s Office, “ Auckland, Nov. 7, 1871. “Sir, —In reply to your letter of the 2nd inst., urging upon Government the necessity for the immediate dedication of Coromandcl-street, I have the honour to inform you that the Government is doing everything in its power to get this matter satisfactorily arranged.—l am, &c., “H. H. Lusk, “ For the Goldfields Secretary “To the Chairman of the Waiotahi Dis- “ trict Board, Grahamstown.” It was agreed that the water pipes along Pollen-street should be laid four feet from the kerbing. Permission was granted to Mr. Hart and Mr. Turner for kerosine stores. The Engineer brought under the notice of the Board the bad practice adopted by many parties of not filling up excavations underneath their houses. The Chairman said this and several other matters, such as the danger of wooden chimneys, &c., should be brought under the notice of the Provincial Council, which was now about to sit, and lie should be glad if any members of the Board would make suggestions of such wants and requirements as came under their notice, with a view to having a bill brought in. Mr. Anthony said if anything could be done to remedy the smoke nuisance, so as to compel certain parties to consume their own smoke, as in England, it would be very desirable to have it done, otherwise it would soon be impossible to live at all in Grahamstown. WATERING TnE STREETS. The following letter was read from Mr. Bonfield, relative to the watering the streets i “ Shorthand, Bth November, 1871. “To the Chairman of the Waiotahi “ Highway Board. “ Sir, —I beg most respectfully to request the permission of your Board to allow me to water, during the ensuing summer, the principal streets of Grahamstown, and further respectfully request that your Board will, in furtherance of the public good, grant me, out of the funds at your disposal, some assistance towards the working expenses of the same. —I am, &c., “P. Bonfield.” It was stated that Mr. Bonfield had been canvassing the inhabitants for subscriptions, and had received promises of support to the extent of £5 6s per week, but this, Mr. Bonfield thought, would hardly PAY- . . The Board granted the permission sought, but doubted whether they had power to divert the rates to the purpose, and the matter stood over. KEROSINE STORES, &C. Permission to Mr. W. Rowe and to Mr. Hart to erect verandahs in front of their premises was granted. A petition from certain inhabitants of Haven street, calling attention to the impassable state of that thoroughfare, was brought under the notice of the Board, and the Engineer was instructed to proceed with the formation of the street. The Chairman pointed out that something would have to be done to stop the accumulation of water in Pollen-street, near the Smiling Beauty shaft, where the water tables were overflowed, and complaints had been made by the residents. The Board said they were desirous to give every assistance to the Smiling Beauty men, but at the same time that it was necessary that the tables should be kept clear of sand, &c. The Engineer was instructed to see to the matter, and to report to the next meeting. The Engineer was also instructed to get the holes in Pollen street filled up and also in Williamson street. The Secretary stated that two fire ladders and the requisite hooks, &c., were ready. Mr. Anthony said he thought some one ought to be appointed to pull down buildings when necessary in ease of fire, &c., and suggested that Mr. James Mackie and D. Bull be recommended to the Superintendent as proper officers for the purpose. A motion to this effect was put and carried. Fire Brigade. Mr. Bull, Mr. Mackie, Mr. Iloniss, and several other members of the Fire Brigade attended upon the Board, and laid before them a list of articles required, hose reel, helmets, hatchets, &c. The following letter w r as also read from Mr. Millett: — “ Engineer’s Office, “ Grahamstown, Nov. 8, 1871. “To the Superintendent Grahamstown Fire Brigade, “Sir, —I have the honour to request permission to pass through the well at the junction of Albert-street and Brown-street as I want to put in a stop valve and 5 plugs in the well.—l am, &c., “R. Millett, “ Assistant Engineer. The permission was granted. The inconvenience likely to arise from the bell being rung for practice without warning was pointed out. Mr. Samuel Alexander was recommended as a fit and proper person to have charge of the engine.