WAIOTAHI DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 47, 30 November 1871, Page 3

WAIOTAHI DISTRICT BOARD.

There was a meeting of the Waiotahi District Board, yesterday afternoon. Present : —Mr. Davies, in the chair, and Messrs. Warmoll, Anthony, Dowderi, Simpson (engineer), and Dean (secretary). WATER SUPPLY. Before the minutes were read, Mr. Anthony said he begged to call the attention of the Board to the fact that there was no water to be got in Grahainstown, and he begged to move that a telegraphic message be at once sent to the Superintendent, requesting his immediate attenpance to the subject, and requesting him to order that a few temporary stand-pipes be immediately erected. Mr. Warmoll seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously, and a telegram was at once dispatched to the above effect, an immediate answer requested. The message was as follows : “ To the Superintendent or Auckland. “ The Waiotahi District Board would call to the notice of the Superintendent the immediate necessity that exists for erecting temporary stand-pipes, to supply water to the inhabitants of the district, who arc literally famishing for want of it. The Board is sitting awaiting your reply. _ “W. Davies, Chairman.” The following reply was received: — “ Instructions sent to Mr. Millett. Telegrams unnecessary on such matters.”— Signed by the Superintendent. The following expression of opinion was passed by the Board : —“ The Board desires to record its opinion that on such an important subject as this telegrams are not unnecessary.” Mr. Simpson said the engineer here was afraid to stir without instructions, although he was quite willing to do what he could. He (Mr. Simpson) knew that the water now being used by many of the inhabitants was such as to breed a pestilence.

The Chairman said Mr. Millett had not acknowledged the receipt of the last letter of the Board on this subject. If water could be got for money, it would be different, but it could not be got; at all events any fit for use. Mr. Anthony said, a short time ago, lie had 4,000 gallons of water in tanks, &c., which were now emptj', and with what he had used and given away, there was now very little left. It was quite distressing to see the people bogging water. Mr. Dowden said if something were not done within 24 hours, he should feel inclined to go in for getting at the pipes without leave. They could not be hanged for so doing; and it was a matter of absolute necessity for some immediate action to be taken in the matter. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. recreation ground. Letters were read stating that Messrs Allom and Spencer had been appointed by the Parawai Board, and Scott and Lipsey by the Kauwaeranga Board, to confer with Messrs Warmoll and Dowden, from this Board, on the subject of a recreation ground. It was stated that an eligible site near Shortland of about 50 acres could most likely be procured. TARARU TRAMWAY. Mr Simpson said arrangements had been made to make the road wider in places where the tramway encroached too much on the Tararu Beach Road. The locomotive engine had arrived. The following letter was read on the subject, from the Managing Director of the Grahainstown and Tararu Tramway. “ Grahainstown and Tararu Office, “ November 29, 1871. “ The trustees of the Waiotahi District Board. “Gentlemen, —In the official notice to you of our intention to construct a tramway along the beach, we did not think it necessary to state specially what motive power Ave proposed to use, but seeing by the public prints that some parties were not aware that the line is constructed for locomotive power, we beg officially to state that it was always our intention to use an engine, and we lay this before you for vonr approbation. The safety of the general public using the beach road shall always have our best attention. “ I remain, gentlemen, “ Your obedient servant, “ William Souter.” “ Managing Director Grahainstown and Tararu Tramway.” By reference to previous minutes it appeared that it had been resolved that no locomotive should be used without special permission. Mr Warmoll said he should object to the sanction of such a thing, unless there were a clean space of 20 feet, and also that the line was fenced. He would move that the trustees of this Board will not give permission to the Tararu Tramway Company to run a locomotive on that line, believing that if it were allowed, it would cause great inconvenience and danger to the inhabitants of the district, and seriously impede the traffic, the road being far too narrow, and unfeiiced. Mr Dowden seconded the motion. The Chairman said it was doubtful what powers the hoard had in the matter, aud he thought it would he sufficient to say in the resolution that the Board disapproved of the running of a locomotive engine at all. The resolution was then put and passed. Mr SlMrsoN said the engine would not be used until after the visit of the Superintendent. Mr Anthony said the road’was far too narrow as it was. without any tramway at all. MR. BULLEX AND MR. MITCHELL. A letter was read from Mr Bullen, asking if the Board through Mr Mitchell, M.P.C., was justified in certain statements he made, relative to Mr Bullen having said it was no part of his duty to carry out the Dog Act. ft was stated that a letter had been sent to Mr Bullen to the effect that the Board had no fault whatever to find with him in this or any other matter, and that his conduct had been always most satisfactory to the Board. Mr Anthony said he thought it was a very cowardly and unjustifiable attack

which Mr Mitchell had made upon Mr Bullen, in that gentleman’s absence. The Chairman and others concurred, and the matter dropped. FIRE RATE BUSINESS. A tender, by telegTam, from Messrs. Ireland Bros., Auckland, was read, stating that they would supply hose “ at 3s Gd per foot net cash, and cost of this telegram.” No other tender had been sent in. The Chairman said he thought the hose could be got cheaper in Melbourne, but this would, of course, cause delay. I It was resolved to accept Messrs. Irelauds’ tender, conditionally that it be delivered within a certain time satisfactory to the Board, and that the Secretary be instructed to write to Messrs. Ireland on the subject ; also, that instructions be given to Messrs. Frice to make couplings. 'l’lie Engineer was instructed to prepare plans, etc., for stand for fire bell, preparatory to calling for tenders ; stand to be erected near engine-house ; committee to wait upon Mr. R. Graham, asking for a suitable piece of ground, such committee to consist of the Chairman and Mr. Anthony. The Engineer said lie thought there would be sufficient pressure of water in case of fire. The requisite warrants appointing Mr. Daniel Bull and Mr. James Mackie Fire Inspectors, were received from the Provincial Secretary, and ordered to be forwarded to those gentlemen. The following letter was read : Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, Auckland, Nov. 27, 1871. To the Secretary of the Waiotahi District Board. Sir, —I would respectfully direct the attention of j-our Board to the number of wooden chimneys attached to timber buildings (in some instances in massive parts) of Grahainstown and Shortland. It is an evil fraught with danger, not merely as regards property but also human life. Being interested as regard fires in these townships, I trust the Board will not deem it presumption on my part in soliciting their consideration of the matter, should it be in their power to order the removal and interdiction of such inflammable erections. —I have, &c., G. Graham, Inspector. The Secretary was instructed to reply to the letter, stating that it had been determined to seek a remedy by Act of Provincial Council. The meeting then adjourned.