PUKEKURA ROAD BOARD.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 63, 1 December 1896, Page 4

PUKEKURA ROAD BOARD.

Tiif. above Board met in the Oddfellow's Lodge Room ainbridge, on Saturday, at ;> p.m. There were present : Mcs3rs K. Alien (chairman), D. Caley and W. Scott A Leoal Opinion Wasted. The Clerk suid he had n little matter in con ncction with the " Rating Act Amer.dment Act " of last yca'% wliich he wished settled. Subsection (! of Section -1 of that Act, said : " Where the total amount of rates due ly anyone ratepayer would, according to the valuation en which he is assessed, be less than otic shilling, he slia'l be rated tit that amount."—He (the G.'eik) interpreted that clause in a iliffcront manner to what some of the ratepayers did. -The Chairman said he thought it perfectly clear. If a man's lotal rates came to only, say, (id or 7'd, tlipn, by the section quoted, he would have to'pay a shilling.—Tho Clerk said In put a dilierent interpretation upon it. There were a number of people who took up absentees' acres, squatted upon them and paid tlie rates. If the owners of the acres paid the rates, in many cases they would oath have to pay one shilling, as they probably only poses?cd one acre, so he contended the occupier should piy the extra amount. One ratepayer had disputed the matter with him, and he should be glad if the Board would take, a legal op'nion on the matter and settle it finally. He had written to the Audit Inspector about it, and that gentleman thought the total rates payable by any individual must not be less than a shilling, but he advised taking a legal opinion. The members all thought the Clerk's interpretation was wrong, as the section was very explicit in mentioning " the total amount due by any one ratepayer,'' and the Chairman said it was a matter that would be best left alone.—The subject then dropped. Cammudok West Reserves. The Chairman had received a letter from Mr Mueller, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, saying the reserves in Cambridge West would be offered by lease in Auckland, the upset price being ."is per acre. The sale could not be held in Cambridge, the expense being too great, and besides, when a sale was tried in Cambridge not a single section was sold, which put the (ioveinmciit to unnecessary expense.— The Chairman said Mr Mueller had agreed to let the Hoard have a section near Tucker's Hill, for gravel, also a portion of a section further along the road in the direction of Mr Tuck's residence. The occupiers of reserves would be liberally dealt with, those who had oats planted could keep possession till Ist February, and potatoes would have to be removed before Ist April. The Chairman said Mr Lake had settled for them what looked like growing into a very troublesome matter, and had done so in ii way that would prove satisfactory to all concerned. —Mr .Scott moved "That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr K. Lake, for the great trouble he has taken in arranging for the leasing of the Cambridge West Reserves." Seconded by the Chairman and unanimously cgrccd to. The Secretary was instructed to write Mr Lake, conveying the resolution to him. Mystery Creek Road.—Mr Caley said repairs on this road had been authorised for some time but had not been done. The sides of it; would now require to be cleared of fern before the reform ing took place. It was resolved to get the work done at an early date. It will extend from Putney to Mr A. Wallace's. Camhrjdcsk West. The Chairman said about 18 chains of Raleigh-street, near Mr Ceo. Bailey's required gravelling at the rate of five or six yards to the chain. —The Clerk said it had been pioinised for about 10 years.—lt was ordered to be done.—The Chairman also drew attention to Campbell-street, between Messrs Tike and Dillon's residences, where gravel was required.—lt was resolved to do the work. Hell's Hill. —Mr Scott said the road from the bottom of Bell's hill to the bottom of Tucker's hill needed reforinillC, and a culvert required attending to. —lt had not been touched for about !,"> years.--The work is to be done forthwith, ami Mr Jarrctt will rcpaii the culvert. Qji.jurt>.—On the motion of Mr Caley, seconded by Mr .Scott, it was resolved to order six truck loads of gravel from Otorohanga to he put on the Station Road at Ohaupo. Pukekura. —The Chairman and Mr iScott were deputed to inspect the Redoubt Road at Pukekura ami report upon it at next n ecting, The Statutes!—The Clerk asked to be supplied with a copy of last years' statutes. He said he believed he was the only Road Board Clerk who was not supplied with them.—The Board thought a copy of Batger's Local Bodies Statutes would meet every requirement. Next Mketixc.—lt was resolve! to hold the next meeting tint day three weeks, on 10th Ueccmbur. Accovnts.— The following accounts wore-passed for payment :—S. Cowley, A'ji Us 3d; J. S. Bond, IDs; clerk's salary, i'o; rent of rooms in which th-j Board met, •_'< lid.