CAMBRIDGE TO WNDISTRICT BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1552, 15 June 1882, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE TO WN DISTRICT BOARD.

Tjrii first monthly meeting of the boaid of commissioners elected under the Town Districts Act was held in the Town Board office on Monday evening last. Present : — Messrs T. Wells (chairman), E. Hewitt, Jas. Johnson. R. Kirkwood, and Nixon. — Some preliminary business having been disposed of, A letter was received from MrHosking agreeing to accept the office of engineer to the board on the old terms, viz. , two guineas per day for repotting on all works, surveying and levelling : for preparing plans and specifications, and superintending the carrying out of works, 5 per cent, on the outlay. — On the motion of Cr. Hewitt Mr Hoskiug's ofl'er was accepted in terms of his letter. Mr R Wright applied for a lease of the large room adjoining the board office at the rate of £13 a year for seven years, impiovements to be effected during the term. —On the motion of Mr Johnson the offer was refused, Mr Wright to have the use of the room at the present rental until further notice. Mr 3). (Janidchan wrote a long letter complaining of the board's apathy as regards the unseemly state of Chapelstreet. Through some incomprehensible idea of the engineer's, which intended that the water should run up the hill, the residents were flooded during the rainy weather, and were completely isolated from the outer world. A petition was also received from the various householders and property-owners in Chapel-street, complaining of the delay in the formation of the street, its unsafe condition, particularly after dark, and the fact that notwithstanding there are two churches in it, no provision whatever has been made for the safety and comfort of the congregations. Cr. Kirkwood proposed ' ' That the engineer be instructed to proceed with this street at once, as it had been left in abeyance long enough. — Cr. Hewitt did not think there should be any hurry to form Chapel-street. It was useless proceeding with it in the winter. He would, however, advocate the cutting away of the hill.— Cr Johnsou coincided. It was not wise to do it now. — The Chairman said there was no money available for the work. — Cr. Nixon thought it was the wrong time of the year to form the street, but would propose that a culvert be constructed to run off the water. — Cr. Kirkwood amended His proposition. He would propose " That the engineer be instructed to draw up plans and specifications treating with the formation of. Chapel-street, the cost, considering the low finances of the board, not to exceed £30 ; and also that the plans be submitted to the board at a future meeting." — Cr. Hewitt seconded. — The Chairman would oppose the work to the utmost. He did not think it was a fair thing to make Chapel-street when there were so many unformed and impassable streets on the northern side of the Lake. If there was money, most certainly the work would be done. —Mr Kirkwood spoke strongly in support of his proposition, and insisted upon something being done, and done at once. What were the streets on the other side of the Lake, when compared with such a central thoroughfare as Chapel-street ? , It was a long time now since any money, was spent in the vicinity of which he spoke. Certainly he would admit that a few shillings were spent in paring off the hill, but that was merely done to save the board from .damages. He thought it was a great pity that people going to a place of worship, could not have a fairlyt passable road. He had all along, even during the summer months advocated' something being done to this street, but, it was always put off with an occasional barrow load thrown here and there. — The r Chairman remarked that the people in the part of the town he referred were not only without footpaths, but wthont streets or drainage. Chapelstreet was a dry and -well gravelled road in the centre. Those other streets were only a ,sea of mud from fence, to fenced and why, therefore, should they - hypothecate all their 'money for Chapel-street— Or., Hewitt thought 5 tl&tfa very good road "cSul&'tfe made J Kirkwood consenting to reduce, the 'amount to x2O/\, thy proposition^ was,!, "adopted.— --It /was" alsoi resolved to^ormr' a' culvert" W/tfie* : MhW&^oit&el-®rtd -in'

ted between Brewery and Chapel-street, along Alpha-street, for the convenience of church-goers. The application was subsequently withdrawn, there being no funds at present. The Chairman asked the board to instruct the secretary (Mr Thomson) to prepare a statement of the old board's accounts, and have them audited. Also a statement of the assests and liabilities including the rates owing : to the board with the names of the ' de- | faulters. He had a double purpose in making this suggestion, as it had occurred | to him that their new position, the powers conferred by the new act, would give them power to sue for these old ratest They had hitherto been unable to bring these cases into court, having no gazette to prove the town boundaries. The new act describes the boundaries of the town. All rates owing were now payable to them, and these documents, (those above referred to) properly testified to, would, he believed, be sufficient. There were about £17 owing, and they could only get the money this way. — The clerk was instructed accordingly. Mr J. P. Thomson was unanimously appointed treasurer, collector and secretary for the ensuing year. Mr F. A Whitaker solicitor, and the Bank of New Zealand the bank of the board, the chahman and treasurer to sign cheques ; the overdraft to be applied foi not to exceed £300. It was agreed to ask the local constable to discharge the duties of inspector of nuisances. The second Monday in each month was named for the ordinary meeting af the board. The Chairman said he had discovered that by the new act, publican's licenses, dog taxes, slaughterhouse fees, auctioneer's fees, and other local revenues were payable to the local board and not to the county council, and that their trea&uier's receipt was the ouly valid re- # ceipt for the payment of such revenues. He had taken legal advice on the matter, and his opinion was confirmed.— Cr. Kirkwood in accordance with the chairman's remarks, proposed that the treasurer serve all the publicans in the town with a notice to the effect that his receipt is the only valid one for the payment of their licenses, and also that the clerk of the county council be informed of the same. — Carried. A rate of one shilling in the £ was struck on all rateable property for the year ending 31st March, 18S3. The Government plans of the Karapho bridge were submitted. — Cr. Hewitt proposed that the engineer be requested to furnish the board with fresh plans and speciheations for the bridge and ap- j proaches, the Government plans to be used if necessary. The cost of the work not to exceed i'6oo.— Carried. This was all the business.