BOARD DISAPPEARS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20508, 26 May 1938, Page 13

BOARD DISAPPEARS

CONTROL BY COUNTY RAGLAN MERGER COMPLETED (Times Special Reporter) NGARUAWAHIA, Wednesday After functioning since 1906 the Raglan Town Board ceased to exist to-day when a special order merging the board with the Raglan County Council was approved at a meeting of the council. The board was incorporated by a Gazette notice on October 18, 1906, and the first meeting was held on November 21 of that year, Mr G. Blackett, acting as returning officer. The first members were Messrs W. J. Smith (chairman), C. Gilmour, F. H. Green, G. Rutherfurd and Dr. Sanders. Mr Green acted as clerk until a salaried official xvas appointed. Among early undertakings were street lighting “(kerosene), a request to the Government to erect a courthouse and police station, and the carrying out of street and footpath formation. Later Improvements included the building of the Kopua bridge, and the Town Hall and the laying out of flower plots in the main street. It was found in recent years that, though the rateable area had not altered (as the rates are on the unimproved value), the population had greatly Increased, with the result that the expenditure necessary was more than could be managed. The Raglan County Council, on the other hand, were in possession of sufficient plant to do the required work with the money from rates and when a petition was signed by the majority of the ratepayers in favour of the amalgamation of the town board with the county council the necessary steps were taken’ and the final stage was reached to-day.