HAUTAPU DRAINAGE BOARD.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 346, 27 September 1898, Page 2

HAUTAPU DRAINAGE BOARD.

The first meeting of the members of the newly • constituted Hautapu Drainage Board was held in Cambridge, on Saturday. Piesent : Messrs W. 11. Thomas, G. Watt, W. (i. McCann, C. Lake and John Browne, the who'e of the membeis. The Returning Oiliccr (Mr T. Hardy) occupied the chair, and produced the Gazettes containing the boundaries, together with the election return of members, he called upon those present to olect a chairman. Mr Thomas was elected chairman, and the Returning Officer duly installed him in the chair. Mr Thomas, after returning thanks to the members for the.compliment they had paid him, reminded them that they would have but a small income to work upon, and therefore they must observe the strictest economy. They should also recollect that although the majority of the ratepayers were iu favour of the Hoard there were some who viewed it with disfavour, and it would be for them, as a body, to conduct their business in such a manner as would meet with the approval of the minority as well as the majority. The meetings are to be held iu the Borough Chambers, at Cambridge, at 3 p.m., on the last Saturday in each month. Mr Thomas ITartly was appointed clerk, treasurer and collector to the Board at the salary of £3 per annum. The members said they were aware the remuneration was not nearly commensurate with the amount of woik that would have to be done ; but they must keep down the expenses. The Board's account is to be kept at tiie Cambridge branch of the Bank of New Zealand, and Mr Thomas was authorised to sign cheques, in conjunction with the treasurer, operating on the Board's funds. Mr W. F. Buckland was appointed solicitor to the Board. The Chairman said they had now come to what he considered the most important work of the day, viz., the deciding how they should raise the necessary funds for carrying on the work. Of course, there was a certain number of preliminary expenses that would have to be met, .Mich as the payment of the Assessors and Returning Officer, but there was not any method, of raising money that he knew of, except by striking a rate. If the Board was to do any good they must have a loan, but before that could bo raised they must know what their rates would amount to. The Act Baid the rale could be struck (1) on a uniform scale ; or (2) on a graduated scale accordina to the classification of lauds in the district, but all lands m any district or sub-division which, by their configuration or other physical causes, tire excluded from deriving any possible benefit from the drainage works, shall be exempted from all rates levied. Personally, he should like to see a uniform rate struck for the first year, as that would put ihein in a sound financial positiou, but to do so .would be hard upon some, such as Mr Watt, whose land did not suffer to the extent others did. .Mr Watt said he should be willing for a uniform rate to be struck for the first year, but he knew there were others who'would be bitterly opposed to it. They must try and conciliate their opponents and, as the classification had to be clone, it was just as well to take the bull by the horns and set it done at once. Jt was finally resolved to hold a special meeting of the Board on Monday, October 3rd, at 7 p.m., for the purpose of appointing some fit pes son to examine and "report upon the lands to bo classified, and complete the classification. That concluded the limbless.