TOWN BOARD MEETING.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 179, 6 May 1896, Page 2

TOWN BOARD MEETING.

A special meeting of the Town Board was held on Monday afternoon when Messrs Malfroy, (chair), Brent, Dansey and Dr Ginders attonded. The Cemetery Keserve, The Chairman stated that tho meeting had been called for the purpose of dealing with the tenders which had been handed in for certain works. One of these related to the cemetery and before opening them he would like to have the opinion of the meeting as to whether it would be judicious to go on with the work proposed there in its entirety. Members were fiw.a-o that an application had been made for an addition to the o~ acres now held and the new area included some good pumice land, 15 feet higher than the present ground. They had Mr Mueller's promise that this land would be granted and though Mr Dansey's idea to utilise the present area was a good one he thought they should see what they had actually got before binding themselves to any particular spot. It would be a source of groat vexation if they afterwards found they had not chosen tho best position. They should remember that the place now proposed to be fenced was very near the road and close to the sulphur deposit. They might go on with the clearing of the ground but its regards the fencing he thought they should delay till they saw what they had actually got. The fencing round the graves should also be postponed for the same reason. Mr Dansey could see no reason for delay. He had visited tho ground on several occasions and found there was ample ground for three blocks containing 792 graves each. He had a strong objection to see a repetition of what was witnessed at the last interment. The Chairman stated that the fault on that occasion lay with the undertaker. He could have got dry ground if ho had chosen. Ho was anxious to see the place fenced in as soon as possible and would take care there was no delay after the ground applied for had been granted. In a fortnight's time the ground wotdd be cleared and then they could arrange iibout the fencing. He moved that the fencing bo postponed till the clearing was done. Mr Dansey admitted that the fencing was not an important item as it had been unfenced for so long a time. The clearing and marking off the graves were however of importance. Mr Brent seconded the Chairman's motion which was carried. Tenders. Tenders were opened as follows: Clearing, burning and ploughing the Town Belt from the Sanatorium to the Sulphur Baths:—R. and C. Griffiths, 24s 6d per acre; Kokeri, 2s (id per chain ; Pui"uru 40s per acre ; Kiwi Amohau 4Gs per acre. The tender of the first named was accepted. For clearing and burning off on both sides of the old Taupo road; about 70 chains: —R. and C. Griffiths Is yd per chain; Wiremu Matini, Is 4.U1; R. J. Shield, Is 9d ; Orr and Gallon" 2s ; Rawere, 2s ; Kokeri, 2s 4d ; A. Tait, 3s 6d ; Pururu, os. The tender of the first named was accepted. For clearing and burning off at the cemetery the tender of Orr and Gallon at 10s per acre was accepted. The only other tender was that of Kokeri at 2s 3d per chain. The Town Board Paddock. The manager of the Grand Hotel wrote stating that he understood that Mr Reid, who occupied the section adjoining that recently leased to him, intended to object to his using the same for the disposal of sewage matter from the Grand and Palace Hotels. He wished the Board to understand the use to which ho intended to put the ground so that if complications arose his position would be unassailable. His primary idea was to provide for the disposal of sewage matter which at present did not leave the precincts of the house. For this purpose a specially constructed vehicle was being made and the matter would be removed at an early hour in the morning when it would cause no inconvenience to anyone. It would be deposited in trenches several chains distant from Mr Reid's house and covered safely over and would therefore be neither obnoxious or offensive to him. Instead of the present limited area for the disposal of sewage they would have ten acres to work upon. The question of drainage, more especially in regard to tho larger houses, was becoming a serious one and he thought that the project he was entering upon would put the matter to rest for some time to come. The Chairman said that Mr Reid called upon him in regard to this matter but he failed to see how they could take cognizance of it. Dr Ginders said that no one could complain of a nuisance till it actually existed. In this case it would probably be shown that it was no nuisance. The Chairman said that the lessee of the ground would have to submit to the

Board of Health bye-laws. He did )if ♦ see how they could discuss the math either with the lessee or Mr Eeid in ft' meantime. If they did not complete their contract with the lessee they could be sued for damages. The lessee would undoubtedly have to abide by the reerda tions of the Board of Health. These regulations would settle the matter irrespective of the lease. Mr Brent said he bad inspected the ground and found that there was a surface drain which carried the water from the paddock down to the creek. The Chairman : But we can't anticipate a nuisance. Mr Dansey_ considered that no one could bo more interested in the sanitary condition of the place than the proprietors of the Grand Hotel and it was foolish to suppose that they would cany out any project which would tend to insanitary [ conditions. The Chairman: As long as they comply with the conditions of the Board of Health there will be no ground for complaint. Mr Dansoy considered that there should be no more objection to the proposed scheme than to a Chinaman's garden. Mr Brent: There are many objections to these. Dr Ginders said that the objection was in regard to the vegetables grown there. One acre of land properly used was quite sufficient to deal with the sewage of 120 people. He thought that it was purely a sentimental objection on the part of lf r Reid and that he would eventually admit that there was no nuisance. Mr Brent, stated that he sympathised with Mr Reid but he did not see how in the meantime they could do anything in the matter. The Chairman said he could at present extend no sympathy. Were these sections to be kept locked up because of the objection of one individual ? If any nuisance were created then he would rriy u his sympathy, but it was the interest of the lessees to see that nothing of that sort took place. It was resolved that the letter bo received and filed. The Branch Bakk. The Chairman referring to the letter received from the Bank of New Zealand in regard to the establishment of a branch bank stated that lie had seen Mr Watson and urged that the large increase in the population authorised the step. Mr Witson did not make any promise in the matter but he (the Chairman) thought there would be no harm in again writing to the directors asking them to reconsider their decision. A "Weekly Express. It was resolved to write to the Railway Department urging the advisability of running one express train per week for the benefit of invalids who, under the present arrangements, arrive hero late in the evening after a twelve hours' ride. The meeting then closed.