WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 242, 18 July 1872, Page 2

WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

A meeting of the Waiotahi Highway District Board was held yesterday afternoon, at the Governor Bowen Hotel. Present : Mr Davies (in the chair), Messrs Anthony’ and Gudgeon, Sitnpsou (Engineer), Dean (Secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. STONE CROSSING. Air Martin Whelan waited upon the Board, stating that he was getting stone out of the quarry for street crossings for Air Alaconoehie, the contractor, and as lie understood the work had been taken out of that gentleman’s hands, Air Whelan did not known how lie stood in regard to payment. The Chairman said (he work had not been taken out of tho contractor’s hands, but if applicant desired, arrangements could be made for him to bo paid direct from the Board. REMOVAL OF REFUSE, ETC. The Secretary' was requested to call upon Mr Waite, the contractor for the removal'of refuse, etc., ami to ascertain if he were willing and able to go on with bis contract satisfactorily'. The Chairman observed that the sanitory condition of some of tho backyards was really dreadful, and that the appointment of an Inspector of Nuisances was very' necessary, and ought to be done if the funds would at all allow it. Tho present Inspector (Constable Brennan), it was stated had been ill in the hospital for many weeks, and was still there. Air Anthony said it was necessary to compel all persons to fill up their backyards. it was resolved that the next meeting, Air Anthony should give notice that the sanitary conditions of the town he taken into consideration with especial reference to the state of the back yards.

BULK KEROSENE LICENCES. * The Chairman said it was desirable to take into consideration whether bulk kerosene licences should he granted. The Secretary said there were two applications, one by .Messrs T. and S. Alurrin, the other by Osborne Bros. It was resolved to visit the premises, and take the matter into consideration at the next meeting. carters’ licenses. It was resolved to advertise notice that carters must take out licenses, £3 for four wheels, £2 for two wheels (omuibusses), and £1 for drays. URINALS. The Engineer was instructed to ascertain tee cost of two urinals, and to report to the Board at next meeting. rubric clock and time-ball. A letter was read from Air Severne, suggesting that if the Board could not afford to purchase a real good clock from England, the Board could move the Government to erect a time-ball, which, by* means of magnetism, could be dropped from Wellington at any fixed hour, and that the consent and co-operation of the Government ho requested in the matter. THE ALLEGED ENCROACHMENT OF THE CALEDONIAN G.M.C. A plan, showing the alleged encroachments in Pollen-street, near the Caledonian Battery 7 , prepared by' Air Macfarwas produced. The matter was ordered to stand over for the present, awaiting the receipt of the report from Air Wright. BELLA-STREET TRAMWAY. A letter was read from the Goldfields Secretary assenting to an extension of time from two to three months to Mr W. Thomas, the contractor, for the removal of the tramway if required. FIRE-RATE BUSINESS.

The Chairman said with regard to the late disastrous fire at Shortland he had seen some remarks in a local paper reflecting on the Grahamstown Eire Brigade, which remarks he thought were uncalled for, and made without due inquiry. Qnt of twelve men, which was all they had, eight turned out and hurried off, carrying the hose ou their shoulders. When they 7 got there a delay occurred in obtaining water, in consequence of the two sets of hose not being of the same size, which was not their fault. He thought the thanks of this Board should bn voted to the men, who had done what they could. He would also suggest that tenders be called for the supply 7 of a horse, or two horses and a spring cart, to bo reapy at all times 'o carry firehose, buckets, axes, &c., in case of an alarm of fire. Mr Anthony-thought it was absolutely necessary to have a hose reel, which would cost hut little and be very useful. The Chairman said they had the authority of Mr Asher for saying that a hose-reel required experienced men to work it, not that he meant to say 7 that a hose-reel might not be very serviceable. Mr Gudgeon moved a vote of thanks to the Fire Brigade for their services. Mr Anthony seconded the motion, which was carried, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the Superintendent of the Brigade, communicating the fact to the men.

It was resolved to request Mr Bull (who was going to Melbourne) to purchase a hose-reel, the cost of which would bo I about £4O. The Chairman and Mr Gudgeon were requested to wait upon Mr McMillan, relative to the supply of horses, &e., in case of fires. The Secretary stated that the fireengine required new wheels. Mr Anthony 7 proposed that the ringing J of tiie fire-bells, except in ease of fire," should be slopped. It was stated that Mr Bull, Captain of the Fire Brigade, was about to leave, and that a successor would have to be elected, and that the attention of the Board be called to one of the men who was said to have been drunk instead of attending to his duty at the late fire. TENDERS. It was resolved that tenders should l:o called tor up to Friday 7 , for the removal of mud from the streets to be deposited at such places as the Engineer should point out. THE ENCROACHMENT BY THE CALEDONIAN G 0 L D MINININ G COMP AN Y. Captain Richards waited upon the Board asking if the matter of the alleged encroachment had been settled. TYe Board informed Captain Richards that they were awaiting the receipt of Mr Wright’s report upon the subject.