ALEXANDRA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] Native Matters. CAMBRIDGEE TOWN BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1437, 17 September 1881, Page 3

ALEXANDRA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] Native Matters.

CAMBRIDGEE TOWN BOARD.

Thk township has been unusually dull since the return of Tawhiao and his i followeis to their own country, very few natives visiting the settlement since their return to Hikuvangi ; talk amongst themselves has been thwir only employment. A large number of the Ngatituwharetoa from Taupo have been visiting there, bringing an immense quantity of preserved pigeons with them as a present to Tawhiao. Rewi accompanied the visitors, and is now staying there with the king and Wahanui; while a large proportion of the Hikurangi people are <iway holding a meeting at Kawhia. On their, return I hear it is Tawhiao's intention to come down and plant crops in the immediate vicinity of the towmhip, and that a large meeting will be called by him in March next, when he will make known his intentions for the future. A Case of Distress. I am sorry to inform you that the death of her husband, who was killed by falling from a waggon a short time since, is not the only affliction his wife, Mrs McKeon has to contend with. Her eldest daughter who has been,foi' a considerable time in the- service of'Capt. Capel, was unfortunately abruptly informed of the death of her father, of whom, she was extremely fond, and the shock was 60 great that she fell into a fit of hysterics, with which sheisstill afflicted, and has had to be constantly watched. Mrs Capel did all in her power for the poor, girl, bat as in her calm moments she 'continually expressed a wish to go home,' she was taken by Mr tfinch in his conveyance to her home, with w prpßer,> a t|endance for her safety, when ajl hope! here to shortly hear of her recovery, aa /she is greatly respected and liked by all who 1 know her. Mrs McKeon'scaseis'a very deplorable One, left as rihe is with'a large'family of young children. It is to bs hoped that her case will not be overloo&HVianjd $hat .something will be done to assist her m her great trouble.— tSepterabqr 10th.]

TiiE usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held at tho Criterion Hotel, on Wednesday night last. There were present :- -Messrs Johnson (in tho chair), Nixon, and Hewitt. The minutes of the previous meeting wore read and confirmed. On tho motion of Mr Nixon the Secretary's salary was raised to J625 per, annum. Town Board Rooms. Mr Johnson explained the nature of his interview with Mr Wright regarding the renting and repairing of the large room adjoining the Board office. Mr Wright was willing to take the room at £13 a year, and if the Board had no objection he would effect improvements to that extent, the sanro to be sanctioned by the Board. Mr Wright had also undertaken to say that the room would be used exclusively by sooial institutions, for email parties, aud such like purpoaos. Mr Nixon proposed and Mr Hewitt seconded " That the offer of Mr Wright, re the renting of the room be accepted, but that the matter concerning the improvements be left in abeyance for further consideration, and that an agreement be drawn up and signed." Carried. Gravelling Contract. Messrs Ferguson and Crickett wrote declining to reduce their price for gravel from lsGdpor yard to Is 3d. A letter was read from Mr Graham, offering to cart gravel to any part of the town for Is 4d per yard, and it was decided to pay Messrs Ferguson and Crickett at this rate. Queen-street West. Mr Johnson referred at some length to the state of this thoroughfare. He thought the people should be permitted to gravel tho footpaths, these being at present in a most undesirable condition. It was resolved that tho footpaths be gravelled as soon us the street is finished. A Series of Requisitions. I A letter was read from Mr R. McVeagh, drawing the attention of the Board to the great injustice suffered by people who were about to build and who had already built, by their having no definite frontage line to go by, the one at present in existence being unreliable. — A letter was read, signed by several gentlemen possessing property in Chapel-street, complaining of tho bad condition of that street, two of the signatures being those of the chairman of the Catholic Church Committee and the Minister of the Wesleyau Church respectively. They complained of the bad and unsafe state of the approaches to the churches, and asked that the same might be remedied,— A letter was received from Mr John Houghton calling attention to tho state of Alpha-street, through Mr Wells having been permitted to deposit supeifluoua earth nfc the crossing of Brewery-street, thereby raising the level of the road and causing the surface water to be turned into his property. — A letter was read from the ratepayers of Queenstreet East suggesting the advisability of forming and making this street^ at the earliest possible opportunity, it being one of tho principle thoroughfares in the town. Mr Johnson thought there had been some agent at work of late urging people on to agitation. Were it not that he lired in Grey-stiect himself he would urge on the Board the immediate consideration of that street, as it was without exception the worit in the town, being equally as bad in summer a<? in winter. He would suggest that the Board, in company with their engineer, make examination of the various sheets complained of, and do what they could towards repairing them. Mr Hewitt thought Chapel-street an excellent thoroughfare as it stood. Mr Nixon moved, "That the Board, in company with the engineer, go over Chapel-street, Biewery-street, Kirkwoodbtreet, Alpha-stieet, Grey-street, Brycebtrcct, and Queen-street East, aud confer as to tho best means of eifectiug the necessary repairs in as economical a manner as possible." Mr Johnson thought the Board had made a mistake in permitting Mr Wells to deposit the earth from the Farmers' Club grounds on the crossing of Brewery and Alpha-stieeta, as it had blocked up the dram. Mr Hewitt seconded Mr Nixon's proposition, which was carried. Gorae. A letter was received from Mr Peek, calling attention to the disgraceful state of Bryce-street, the lower end being covered with gorae almost impenetrable. The writer expressed a willingness to contnbute his share of the necessary clearing expenses. Mr Hewitt proposed " That all owners of property be requested to clear away gor->e from the front of their property, and it they do not do so, the work to be done by the Board at their expense." Seconded by Mr Nixon and carried.