KAUERANGA DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 33, 14 November 1871, Page 3

KAUERANGA DISTRICT BOARD.

A meeting of the Kaucranga District Board was held yesterday evening, at the office of the Secretary. Present: —Messrs. Burgess (in the chair), Scott, Mill, Wallnutt, and Perston (Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. GRANT IN AID. The Boord agreed that it was desirable to have an interview with the goldfield members (Messrs. Mackay, jun., Mitchell, Beveridge, and Cadman), so as to get them to support in the Council a grant in aid of the Road Board. Messrs. Burgess, Scott, and Wallnutt were appointed a

deputation to wait upon the members upon this subject, and to request them to endeavour to get a subsidy of £I,OOO. FINANCE. The Secretary stated that the present amount of over-draft at the hank was £193 28 6d, but this would be reduced to about £IBO. Accounts to the amount of £6l 18s 9d were ordered to be paid. It was resolved that tenders be called for printing and advertising required by the Board. secretary’s expenses. Some discussion took place as to the charge made by the Secretary for going to Auckland, in the matter of Burgess v. Workman, for which £6 6s was charged. This was reduced to £4, on motion of Mr Scott. the tramway question. An opinion was read from Mr. McCormick on the right of the District Board to authorise the use of the roads under their control for tramways. The opinion is, as was expected, corroborative of that of Mr. Tyler, that the Board has not the power, and the same authorities are quoted in support of this opinion. Mr. McCormick adds : “At the same time I beg to suggest to the Board the advisability, if they deem it expedient, of examining the Crown grants of the parcels of land through which the roads pass where it is proposed to lay the tramway, for I think it will be found that these grants confer extraordinaiy powers on public bodies having the care and management of such roads.” CORRESPONDENCE, etc. From the Sub-Inspector of Police forwarding report as to dead dogs being left unburied on the beach, it was resolved that a labourer should attend three times a week for the purpose. Letter from the Chairman of the Waiotahi District Board, requesting the assistance of this Board in getting the Karaka Creek carried in a straight line from Pol-len-street to the sea, instead of its pursuing the present circuitous route, and suggesting that the two engineers should confer on the subject, and that the result of their deliberation should be forwarded to the Provincial authorities for their sanction to carry out any alterations suggested. The Board agreed that the matter was an important one, but at the same time any alteration would interfere with vested rights as to property, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Waiotahi Board, declining to interfere in the matter. engineer’s report. The following report of the Engineer was read :—• : “To the Chairman and Members of the Kaueranga District Board. “ Gentlemen, —In accordance with instructions from the Board, I have had West removed from Eyre street, after calling on him on two different days, and at last had to instruct the laborers to take down his hut. “ Relative to footpath in Pollen-street, and water-tables in Mackay-street, immediately that Mr Best, the the harbourmaster, saw the report of the Board’s meeling in the newspapers, lie said that he would not allow any material to be taken from the beach, at the entrance of the water-tables, nnd that if we are required to keep the water-tables clear, the Board would have to erect culverts, to conduct the water into the sea. I therefore thought it desirable to let the footpaths and water-tables stand over until a meeting of the Board. “ I may also inform you that the contractors for Willoughby-street and the Karaka Road, and Alary-street, are progressing favorably, &c., “ I have, &c„ * “ T. B. Cameron, “ Engineer.” EMPLOYMENT OF HOARD LABOURERS ON FRIVATE WORKS

Mr. Mill said he had found out that several falsehoods had been stated in reference to the employment of the Board labourers on private works on the Hape Creek. It was stated by Mr Cameron that two men had been employed for three hours, but that the time had been made up It now appeared by the correspondence that had taken place that the men were away for two afternoons. The men said Mr Cameron knew nothing about it, but they wrote to the papers contradicting themselves, and Mr Cameron wrote to the papers also, contradicting himself, and convicting himself, and it was only right that the matter should be cleared up, as it was one of importance to the ratepayers. The conduct of the men deserved punishment, and he would move that they be dismissed from the works. He also much regretted that Mr Cameron had so contradicted himself.

Mr Scott said he thought it would be well to hear the statements of the parties themselves. Mr Cameron stated that there was a day’s pay to be deducted from the paysheet (which was certified as full time). When he was employed some three years ago, he made a mistake as to a man’s time, and, under instructions from Captain Butt, then certified the mistake by deduction, from the pay-sheet. On this occasion, the man said he would deduct the half day. He then went to Auckland, on the Board’s business, and was unaware that another half day had been taken. This was a particular occasion. Mr Greenway was here, and most anxious to get the work attended to immediately, to prevent Mr Vernon from destroying the work by pulling up the timbers. There was no intention to defraud the ratepayers, nor to do anything wrong whatever ; but there had been a mistake made as to the certificate for full time. There were few men who had looked out for the interests of the ratepayers more than himself. . Mr. Scott thought too much had been made in the matter, and he moved that Mr. Cameron’s explanation, so far as he himself was concerned, was satisfactory. Mr. Mill thought Mr. Cameron owed an apology to the public. Mr. Scott thought the explanation made and the publicity which would be given to it, would be sufficient. Mr. Wai.lnutt seconded the motion, which was carried. &J. Shea, one of the labourers, here came in, and said he was away one half day by Mr. Cameron’s orders, and another without his knowledge. Mr. Mill : Did you not tell mo only three hours ? J. Shea : Not exactly. I explained that I was only there one half day without Mr. Cameron’s instructions. I said there was about 10 hours extra work due by the Board. Don’t know that Mr. Cameron is aware of the fact. J. McMullen, the other labourer, gave a similar statement, but positively denied that he told Mr. Mill he had only been away three hours. Mr. Mill moved that the two men, Shea and McMullen, he dismissed from the employment of the Board. Mr. Scott seconded the motion, which was carried.