UNITED DISTRICT CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2205, 28 January 1886, Page 2

UNITED DISTRICT CHARITABLE AID BOARD.

(Evening Press.)

An ordinary meeting of the abovo was held on Tuesday afternoon, there present.—Messrs 11. Bunny in the chair, Dankß, Speedy, Taylor, and KebbelL A communication was received from the Masterton Benevolent institution with regard to funds for continuing the operations, and enclosing a statement ot liabilities amounting to £11415s 9d. It was Btated that out of the sum advanced by the Government to the Board for distribution, £3!) had been sent to the Wairarapa Institution. A sum of £76 had been refused payment by the Government, and it was resolved to forward to the Colonial Secretary certain correspondence relating to this amount, and request its payment. Draft regulations for_ the smoother working of the United Hoards wero received from the Government, with a request that any further suggestions might be made for consideration. The Education Board wroto reminding the United Board that henceforth would devolve on them the support of the indigent non-committed children in St Joseph's Provident Orphanago. Other similar claims were proffered, amounting iii all to £42 2s b"d. The Chairman remarked that all claims would have to wait until the Board was in funds. The secretary, at tho Chairman's request, proceeded to calculate the amount of a two months' call on tho various contributing bodies. The result of this was to show that the Board could by this moans raise £70(1, less £250 already advanced by Government. Some discussion ensued, and tho Chairman remarked that it was quite poßsiblo somo of these bodies might contest the question of their rating. Members of tho Board might have noticed a recent opinion by Messrs Heßkoth and Richmond, solicitors, of Auckland, to the effect that tho United Boards had no power to rate. Having this in mind, he had obtained the opinion of the Crown Law Officer, which was to the effect that the United Boards had that powor, and on this opinion thoy would take action, and loayo tho contributing bodies to fight it out if they thought fit. He was averse to litigation, but their position must be defined. The Chairman then read tho legal opinion, and said that as for the present necessities, the Government having introduced the legislation, roust see that the gentlemen appointed to carry it into effect were placeu in a proper position as regards finances. His suggestion was to apply to the Government for the money now urgently needod-somo £'4oo—and obtain further information as to ways and moans. Several members here commented strongly on tho assessment mado, Mr Taylor claiming that tho Hutt County could much better and more economically manage their own business, as they had done heretofore, Finally, it was decided that Messrs H. Bunny, Kobboll, and Danks should interview the Government and ask for tho amount required, or, in default of obtainiug it, for instructions as to how tho Board was to set about getting it. The meeting was adjourned to next Thursday week, all business in connection with the Board to remain in abeyance until then.