WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 60, 15 December 1871, Page 3

WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY BOARD.

A meeting of the above Board was held yesterdays ’.at Mr D. Simpson’s i office. Present —Messrs Davies (chairman) Dowden, and Warmoll. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. •i: RATES. Mr Masters attended the meeting of (he Board to ask for a reduction in his rates: this year, stating that £ls 4s 7d was charged him as rates tliis year, when he had to pay only £3 7s 6d last year. He also stated that £5 7s Gd had been charged him as fire-rates, which could not in any way benefit him in case of fire, as there was no available water near his property. The Board stated that the day of appeal had gone past, and it did not lay in their power to alter the rate, although it appeared in excess. stand-pite. Mr Warmoll proposed that application should be made to have a stand-pipe and trough erected in the vicinity of the Pacific Hotel. The motion was seconded and carried. The Chairman brought under the notice of the Board the manner in which the road was being cut up to lay the water from the main water-pipe into houses, and thought it should be known who would bo tlie responsible party in case the road should meet with any damage. He did not wish to throw any obstacle in the way of laying on the water. It was agreed to write to Mr Millett. Assistant Government Engineer, to ask whether ho had given permission to various persons for opening up the road in certain places. tenders for breaking metal. A large number of tenders for breaking metal for the roads were opened. There was a wide difference in the figures of the tendeis. The following were accepted : J. O'Connor ... 4s Gel per yard H. Evans ... „ „ J. Smith ... „ „ Bruce and Party ... „ „ Smart ... „ „ McNelly (Karaka) ... 3s 9d per yard Murray ... 4s Gd per yard Collins and White (Tararu) ’ ... 4s Gd per yard FIRE RATE BUSINESS. The following tenders for the erection of fire-bell stand : £ s. d. J. West 37 18 0 D. Anderson 40 0 0 J. Whitlock 22 0 0 The matter was ordered to stand over for a special meeting. It was stated that four couplings would be sent to Messrs Ireland Brothers immediately to couple the first 120 feet of fire hose.

The Secretary was instructed to write to the engineer to see about the nuts being sunk into the ladders. It was decided to request Mr Warmoll to order 25 leather helmets from Melbourne. MUNICIPALITY AND WATERWORKS.

On motion of Ml’ Warmoll, the motion in reference to the establishment of a municipality, was postponed for a fortnight. Mr Warmoll said there was a movement on foot to establish the three highway districts (Waiotahi, Kamvaeranga and Parawai) into one municipality, and he should like to have the matter discussed at a full meeting. Mr Dean said he understood from Mr Beveridge that the Superintendent was of opinion that it would be competent to get the streets dedicated from tlie natives without going through the Native Lands Court. A letter was read from Mr Beveridge stating that, in regard to the Municipal Act Amendments, he did not think a bill introduced by a private member would pass, but that he would have a bill prepared on the subject, and endeavour to secure the support of the Government upon it. In respect of the dedication of the streets by the natives, he required further information, but would shortly come to the Thames and wait upon the Secretary in reference to the matter. Another letter (dated the 13th inst.) was also read from the same gentleman, saying he had seen tne Goldfields Secretary, who had undertaken to prepare a Municipal Bill for the Thames, and that he had sent a telegram-to the Secretary in reference to a notice which he had seen in the newspapers relative to the formation of Shorthand and Grahamstown into a municipality. The Secretary was instructed to reply, stating that no such telegram had been received, and that the Board desired to obtain the powers as asked for until such time as a municipality is established. Mr Beveridge asked -whether the Board was favorable to the resolution in reference to the water works, as follows : « That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him, should an eligible opportunity offer, to enter into an agreement with a private company by the taking over and completion of the water-works at the Thames.” Tlie Chairman said the water-works ought to be in the bands of the local authorities, and objected to their bciag handed over to a private company. Mr Warmoll and Mr Dow den concurred. The following resolution was passed : “ That this Board requests Mr Beveridge to ascertain through the Provincial Council, whether the Government -will be willing, and on what terms, to hand over the water-works to the Highway Board, and further that this Board is decidedly of opinion that the local authorities should have the control of the water supply of the town, and most thoroughly protests against it being handed over to any private company.”