COBDEN TOWN DISTRICT

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1926, Page 3

COBDEN TOWN DISTRICT

NEW BOARD MEETS. The first meeting of the new Board took place last night, when lhe following Commissioners were sworn in:— Crs 11. R. Barrett; AV. T. Ciarke, S. C. Martin, C. K. Miller, C. E. i ddsLrom, J. Walker, ami Al . ’Minehan. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Town Clerk pointed out that it was the usual custom to Have the new Board meet on the first Wednesday after the elections, and, in calling the meeting, lie was following that precedent. Nominations for Chairman wore then taken. Cr Barrett. nominate<r z vr Walker, who refused to accept nomination. Cr Martin proposed and Cr Minehan seconded the nomination of Cr Kddstroni. Cr Walker nominated Cr Barrett, this being seconded by Cr -Miller. On a vote, being taken, Cr Uddstrom was elected Chairman of the new Beard. The Chairman, in returning thanks for his election, said he hoped the members would give him every assistance It would be necessary to give a lot of tinu> to the Board’s works, and the roads would have to be looked into at once. Cr Walker stated that ly was definitely opposed to the County idea, and he quoted the i lection figures to show that the electors were opposed to it also. Cr Barrett, as an (dd member of the Board, welcomed the new members, and sani ‘he. hoped they would all pull together in the interests of the district. The main trouble with the Board was tne 'extra cost of the hospital levy. Cr | Ciarke, thanked the speakers for their | welcome, and stated ttiat he had been elected on the County ticket, and was going to do all in his power to havt a vote taken as soon as possible on .three issues, namely, County Council, Borough Council, or remaining as a Town Board; and he would accept the verdict of the electors. Cr Minehan stated that lie was elected on the County ticket, ami ho would do all in his power to give the ratepayers a vote on that issue as soon as possi bio. Cr Martin endorsed what Cr .Minehan said, and pointed out that, in his opinion, people were now building *>■ Greymouth in preference to Coinien on account of the roads. Cr Aliller thanked Crs Barrett ami Walker for their words of welcome, isaving he would do the best lie coulu, do for the electors. It was' de<-i<led that Hie meetings be hob! on ihe first Monday of the month. Crs Walker. Barrett ami Clarl/' were elected as the Finance Committee, with the Chairman an exollicio. ami Cr Walker as Chairman of the Committee. The following Works Committee was appointed: Crs Minehan (Chairman), I Crs Martin and Miller, and the Chair- [ man. The • following were elected as lhe I Eire Equipment Committee: Crs Walker. Martin and < 'larke. A general discussion took place re I the proposed ballot, < r Walker stalling that two ballots would be neeesI sary. Cr (’larke suggested it could he done by preferential voting. lie also stated that people changed somewhat, as one of those who signed the petition in favour of the County was now on Cr "Walker’s side of the table. Cr [Barrett pointed out that they would be in a bad position if the people de- | ci-led for the County, as GOO electors in Cobden would have one representative against 26 electors in the Marsden Biding with one representative. another ridings of equally moderate populations. An alteration of the rating system iof tho district to tlmt of unimproved value was suggested by Crs ißarrett and Clarke.