UPPER HUTT TOWN BOARD.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 87, 14 April 1910, Page 2

UPPER HUTT TOWN BOARD.

THE FINANCES. ▲ COMMISSIONER'S RESIGNATION. Last evening's meeting pf the Upper. Hutt Town Board wan attended by the ohairman (Mr. G. BengeJ, and Commissioners Craig, Keys, Harrison,' and Williams. A petition was received from Mra. M. A. J. M'Curdy, owner of sections ati Akatarawa, couched in the following term* : — "Having been served with the. attached notice not to reek access to the main road by means used for some time pa*t with the permission of the) owner signing tho notice, I have to> call upon your board to have the obstructions removed from the* Wakatikeroad, which have for some 20 years past prevented my utilising the legal roadi to my property. Your board has powef under section 191 to order the immediate removal of the obstructing fences' under a penalty of £10 per day unlit the fences are removed. (Municipal Corporations Act, 1908.) Failing action om your board's part, there is power under section 129 and 130 of the PubJitf Works Aot, 1908, to compel th* removal of the obstructions by order of the court — wliich instructs tho board to remove tho obstructions in terms of that Act. I trust the matter will receive your immediate consideration, as I do not wish to continue trespassing on other people's property to reach the main road when there is a legal road available, which should have been thrown open years ago by the Hutt County Council." The matter was referred to the members of tli© Works Committee, who aro to inspect the locality in question. A loUer was received from four resident*, drawing attention "to the frightful stale of the road hero" (Sedaonstreei). "In the winter or after it ban been raining," ran a section of the communication, "it is almost impassable ; In fact, tho women arc practically prisoners." — The /Works Committee 'is to visit the locality, and from remarks mad* by member* of the board it is highly probable that the rotd will bo metalled. Upon ibe chairman's initiative, the clerk was instruct^ to prepare esii-' male* for the kerbitig, channelling, and asphalting of the footpath on the main road from Commissioner Wilkie-'s residence to Pine-avenue, to be submitted at the. next meeting of the board. The matter of fencing all unienced sections at owners' expense was held over till th© first meeting in May. It was revolved to levy 10 per cent, additional on all rates outstanding after 30th April. In regard to tiie liability on the sanitary depot rite, the board decided to instruct itn solicitors to pay off the balance of money owing to Mr. Keys, and finally obtain a title to the land. The question of considering applications for the position of clerk was, on the motion of Commissioner Craig, firrthrr postponed until two weeks hence. "Owing to the manner In which the business of this board is conducted," wrote Commissioner Martin, "I beg to resign as a member of the board." No comment was made by members on Mr. Martin's action and, on the clerk suggesting that it was the customary thing, the chairman proposed that regret be expressed by 4he board in ite motion accepting the rewgnition. Tho motion wa* seconded and carried. Nominations to fill ithe vacancy dose on Saturday next, and the poll is being held a week later. Two candidates— Mr. Wm. Burrell and another ratepayer who has not yet finally announced himself— will, it' is understood, contest the seat. FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The Town Clerk (Mr. A. J. M'Curdy) submitted the following financial statement for the year ending 31nt March :—: — Receipt*— Balance from 190809 (outstanding liabilities £111), £179 11« lOd ; general rate, £856 ; sanitary rate «ml fees, £198; Government subsidy, £136; licemts, £116; building fees, £20; various fees and recoveries, £40 : total, £1647. Expenditure— Administration, £187 (Town Clerk* salary £70) ; fees, £164 (hospital andcharitable aid. £114) : non-rccurrinfr expenditure-, £145 (land purchase, £75); payment*, etc. (part recoverable). £25: dog rcc;L<>t ration, £X 19» ; charitable disbursements (recoverable). £25 ; public services — Ktreet lighting £22, sanitary wvices £165, riveT protection £131, rond work £672 ; srand total : £1542 9« lid. The credit bslanee of £5 7s 8d wan renresented by a cash balance in (the bajok. In addition to tiro runn ni*iition*d, there were outstanding amount* due totalling £369 5s lOd, comprising Hutt County adjustment (pat minted amount only) £150; chpritibl* aid refund, 525 I*. 6d. Tho statement of nurtu and linbilitim read as follow* :—A««i»l*.: — A««i»1*. outstanding accounts as above. £369 6* lOd ; furniture, etc. . £54:. luncl nnd building, £444 : rash nt bank. £5 7.» 8d : total, £872 13« 6rl. Liabilities nrcotnits, nil ; lsnd purchase (sanitary depot), £250. This left a surplui of* assets over liabilities of £622 13s 6d. The board bs« already arranged an' overdrnft. Jf required, amount not to exceed £400