THE ALEXANDRA TOWN BOARD AND THE NATIVE MINISTER.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1963, 5 February 1885, Page 2

THE ALEXANDRA TOWN BOARD AND THE NATIVE MINISTER.

A deputation consisting of the members of the Alexandra Town Board waited on Mr Ballancu on Tuesday morning in reference to several matters of local public interest. Mr J. D. Hill, who ncted as spokesman, asked that the Government should givo a contribution of Bay £100 towards lepairing the Alexandra bridge This bridge woh the only means of communication with the other side of the river, and it was tlie only way they had of getting their tiniiter and firewood out of the bush. The bridge was now absolutely dangerous, and if not re» paired at once it would be lost altogether, and a new bridge at the cost of many hundreds! of jMtunds would bo required. Though the bridge was in the town, it was nevertheless within the jurisdiction of the county council, but that body had absolutely refused to do anything in the matter. The bridge was on the road leading to a conniderable area of Crown land*. Mr Balhnco replied that under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act the County Council had the power to do the work by contributing one-fourth of the coat, and making the Government contribute the other three- fourths How much would the town be willing to contribute ? Mr Hill snid if the Government gave £100 doubtless the town board could raise another £100, and that would make a good job of the work. Mr Ballance thought it was very strange that the council should thus repudiate their liability in this witter. However, ho would liavo an estimate of the work prepared, and tho Government would contribute one-half tho cost, the local body tho other. Mr Hill <<aid there was another matter to which he would like to draw attention. Could the Government assist them in any way to get a bridge over tho l'uniu near Alexandra ? The natives as well as tho Europeans were all very anxious for this woik. Bridging tho Puniu at tho place suggested would give them a good road tho whole way up to Hikuraugi. Tho present track on tho other side of the liver was always under water, and was perfectly ukolo'sh. Tho bridgo would cost about £300, and would ho \vo!l «pont money, giving a permanent and good i-oad 25 mi lon into the j King country. | Mr Bttllanco remarked that Wahnmu i felt anxious about this ; in fact he had signed i a protest against it. Mr Hill replied that Wahanui had since ohanffod Ills mind, and was agreeable tiiat the work should bo done at opco, Mr Ballauco said ho cotwidtirud tho matter very important, and would take a noto of it. Mr HiJl »nid Ihey had got no J.P. in Alexandra, and when they wanted to get a summons signed or anything in that way thoy had to go elsewhere to procure one. Thu way ft great inconvenience to tho people of the place. Mr Aubin *aid they would ba hippy to suggest tho names of a few suitable gunllo' men. Mr Ballance declined tho offer. Tho matter would receive the attention of the Uorapninont immediately. Mr Aunt)) Irt'ovifjht forward tho subject of municipal roftarve.fi. Thorn Wft» *V large acreage of reserves in the town that was now Tying useless, and which, weio they vested in a board of trustees, would bo of great advantage to tho town, not only as recreation sites, but as sources of puyujiug, The military reserve in the Guiifcro of tb.6 town consisted of iiliout 40 oorcH, and at ppusmjt it j* l)oii}g used for no purpose whatever, TUam jwsoryoH, together with ft reserve at K'hjWii of , ! 10 acres had boon gazetted to AloijaiKjrn, ii) J 18(i8. Mr Ballance thought that the giving to Alexandra a ten aero endowment at Kihikihi was ft mistake evidently. To hitt mind, Alexandra had now no claim to pjts rCKUf-'y*' afc Kihikihi, and tho sooner tiiorofoju flfjey f<HW?t it the better. As to the local lesorvoN, io far /is lie could possibly assist them in getting thum vi^ti-^ in tho local body he would do ho. Ho would attend to the matter at onco. Some of this reserves might bo vented in ft /loijjajn l)oard for recreation purpnwH. He W«a in fniirfjj. of (jtrnngthonmg tho hands of local fiodfoi at, njutha(;nof.oiblp. The dpjiiitatinn, haying QWikni} t?/" Minister for his courtesy and attontion, withdrew.

Mr George Cutler, Remuera, challenges A. Mrparland or D. Craig for a " spin" from tulf-a n»U$ to » fljlp, for any sum from #20 to £14,