KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2960, 4 July 1891, Page 2

KIHIKIHI.

Tows Hoard. — A short time ago the Town Board received a communication from the Cambridge Borough Council, asking for its co-operation in endeavouring to cause the law to be so amended as to enable local bodies to lease for a term of years (instead of for one year as at present) all Crown lands withiii their jurisdiction, and thus cause the gorso nuisance thereon to ba removed. To this request the Board at once assented, and the chairman immediately put himself in communication .with the Hon. John Bryce thereon. The following reply has just been received .—Wellington, June 17th, 1891.—Dear Sir,—l have duly received your letter of the ()th inst. with respect to the disposal, on a proper lease, of Crown sections of land now an injury to the neighbourhood. I entirely sympathise with the objoct of your letter, and shall communicate with Ministers with the view of attempting to bring about a chango.— Yours faithfully. (Signed) John Bhyce. James Farrell, Esq., Chairman Town Board, Kihikihi. Licensing Fees and Railway Freight. —For a long time past a general feeling has existed that tho fees payable ill respect of publicans' licenses in all small country townships are unduly high, and out of all proportion to the business returns. The railway freight is also considered too high. Acting under the advice of the Town Board, the chairman has boon communicating with tho Hon. John Bryce thereon an under, viz., firstly, as to leaving tho fixing of tho license fees in the discretion of the Licensing Committees, or the local bodies entitled to the benefit thereof ; and, secondly, as to reducing railway freight to and from Auckland to Te Awamutu on potatoes by ;*is per ton ; on all artificial manures by ."is per ton ; on wheat by 2d per bushel; and on oats by l£d per bushel. The fallowing letter has just been received in reply :—Wellington, June2oth, 1891.— James Farrell, K*q., Chairman Town Board, Kihikihi.—Sir,—l am duly in receipt of your letter dated 10th June inst. in reference, first, to the question of placing the licensing of public-houses, or rather the amount »f the fees thereof, in the control of local authorities ; and, secondly, in reference to tho reduction of railway freights, If the occasion arises, I shall give the first subject due weight and consideration ; but it would involve a considerable chango in our present law, and I do not suppose the matter will bo dealt with during the present session. I may say, however, that the general direction indicated by your suggestion has my sympathy. In reference to the reduction of railway freights, I intend to interview the Commissioners next Monday or Tuesday, aud will take occasion to press the matter on their attention.—l am, Sir, yours faithfully, (Signed) John Bkyce.