LEESTON TOWN BOARD

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 3262, 12 October 1928, Page 5

LEESTON TOWN BOARD

w NEW BOARD'S FIRST MEETING.

CMR. McCONNELL RE-ELECTED

CHAIRMAN

The first meeting of the newly elected Leeston Town Board, held on Tuesday evening, was attended by Cmrs. R. J. McConneli, E. Bohan, F. B. Clausen, W. Johnston, J. H. Jones and S. Johntson. An apology for absence was received from Cmr. D. Millar, who had not recovered sufficiently from his recent accident to be able to attend.

The clerk (Mr C. G. Fisher) took the chair at the opening of the meeting and asked for nominations for the office of chairman. In nominating Cmr. McConneli for re-election, Cmr. Clausen commented upon the conscientious manner in which Cmr. McConneli had discharged the duties for several years. He had given a great deal of time to the work and enjoyed the full confidence of his fellow members and the ratepayers and residents generally. Cmr. Bohan seconded the nomination and Cmr. McConneli was declared elected by a unanimous vote.

"We have been a happy family, and if I have given satisfaction in the past it is largely beeause I have received the loyal and hearty support of all the members of the Board," said Cmr. McConneli, in returning thanks for the confidence reposed in him. He knew he could count upon their continued support and as in the past he would do his best to advance the interests of the town. Cmr. W. Johnston was re-elected deputy chairman. Cmrs. W. . Johnston (chairman), -^-Clausen and Bohan were re-elected a works committee, and Cmrs. S. Johnston (chairman), Millar and Jones a finaneo committee. Cmr. W. Johnston praised the good work performed by Cmr. Bohan as a member of the works committee, and j nominated him as chairman. "He has done most of the work; I have been merely a figurehead," said Cmr. Johnston. Cmr. Bohan, however, declined the office.

Referring to the great loss the whole, county had sustained by the death of Mr J. Cunningham, the chairman said that the late county chairman had maintained a friendly attitude toward the Town Board from the time the town district was constituted . He was ever willing to give the benefit of his ripe judgment and wide experience and gladly gave any assistance iit his power. The Town Board had lost a very good friend by the passing of Mr Cunningham.

On the chairman's motion a resolution of sympathy with Mrs Cunningham and family was carried. Sympathy was also extended to Cmr. Millar and the hope was expressed ed that he would soon be quite well again. The chairman welcomed Cmr. Jones, a new member of the Board, and wished him a happy and useful term of office.

Gmr. S. Johnston reported that after Superintendent Warner, of the Christehurch Fire Brigade, had been consulted, an order had been placed for a syren for the fire engine. This was insisted upon under the new re-

gulations. The elerk (Mr C. G. Fisher) submitted the balance-sheets for the last two years, which had just been returned by the Government Audit Office Both statements were considered and finally settled, and it was agreed that they should be published in the Guardian as usual.

The elerk was congratulated upon the able manner in which he had kept the accounts, and upon the lucid way in which the statement had been presented to the members. The chairman said that the Board was very fortunate in having an officer of his ability.

The chairman mentioned that the concrete sumps constructed in High street for fire flighting purposes had been cleaned out lately. It had been found that they became partly filled with mud and other material in a very short time, even though gratings were provided. Steel coverings were need- - ed, as the ones used in the past did not last long. .

Replying to a letter from the Board asking his assistance in securing lonn money under the Local Bodies Housing Loan Scheme, Mr D. Jones, M.P., stated that he had interviewed the head of the Advances Department in Wellington, but in view of the large number ©f applications from settler workers the Department was not at pressnt lending to local bodies. He had subsequently interviewed the Public Trustee, who was communicating with the I'-oard direct.

The Public Trustee wrote enclosing a form of application for loans by a local authority. On receipt of the completed form the application would be submitted to the Office Investment Board for decision as to whether the loan could be granted. k -£he Board decided to take no fur-