MEETINGS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8742, 16 December 1913, Page 3

MEETINGS.

HAMPSTEAD TOWN BOARD.

■ The monthly meeting, of the Hampstead Town Board was held last 'evening. Present: Messrs W. Thompson (chairman), W. J- Cunningham, W. 11. Robinson, and S. Wilson. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs H. A. Lloyd and P. Baker. The chairman reported a debit bank balance of £53 15s lOd, and stated that in December last year the overdraft had been £244 6s 53.

A letter was received from Mr M. Williams, of Gisborne, regarding rates on the Princes: Street house and section owned by him. He pointed out that the capital value of his property was only about £700, and, being allowed a 10 per cent, reduction, this would mean a rateable value of about £600: He also stated that he was prepared to accept the Board's capjtal value (£710) for tho property, and he asked the Board to purchase the same. The writer trusted that the Board would see its way to purchase the propei'ty, or reduce the rateable value to a reasonable amount. —The Board went into committee to enable the clerk to make an explanation in. regard to the last valuation made on the property.—On resuming in open Board, £he chairman reported -that it: had been resolved to reduce the valuation by £110? and that the extra amount of rate (8s Id) collected for the last period be refunded.!

Mr W. H. Alen (secretary of the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church) wrote asking for Mr j. B. Borthwick's name to be inserted on the rate roll in place of. the Rev. G. B/ Inglis for thernianse property on Beach Road.—Granted. The Works Committee', reported on works completed and in progress' The report was considered satisfactory, and adopted.

The Sanitary Committee recommended that the questions of increasing the -sanitary area and of revising the j sanitary rate be considered when the striking of the general rate for the year 1914 was dealt with.—Adopted. The Inspector reported that several ratepayers had, in response to notice, cut gorse and trimmed fences. There was a satisfactory state of cleanliness in the district. During the month several straying cattle had been pounded.—The report was adopted. The clerk reported on his success in' collecting outstanding rates. Some ratepayers had objected to paying their rates for cleaning water-races, on the ground that the amounts were excessive.—After going into the various sums, the.Board, by resolutions, agreed to accept what it considered fair and equitable.

On 'the motion of Messrs Wilson and Cunningham, it was agreed that several amounts owing for soil delivered be placed in the hands'of a solicitor to recover.

It .was resolved, on the motion of, Messrs^ Cunningham and Wilson,'that the price for. soil be Is per load, a'rebate of 50 per cent, to be made if the. soil is paid for within 30 days. It was decided to purchase the eggs and heads of small birds on similar lines to the Ashburton "County Council, and the Inspector was appointed to collect the eggs and heads two hours every fortnight. It was agreed that a 10 per cent, penalty be added to all.-iates-.'.outstand-. ing after January 31, 19r4. Mr Cunningham called the Board's attention to the footpath in Wakanui Road between the East Belt and Cambridge Street. The grass on -the outside edge formed a bank, and a hollow was formed in the centre of the path, in which the water laid after a rain.— The matter was referred to the Works Committee.

Accounts amounting to £89 14s 3d were passed for payment.