TOWN BOARD MEETING.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 215, 16 January 1897, Page 2

TOWN BOARD MEETING.

A special mooting of tlio Town Board was held in the resident engineer's office' last Saturday afternoon. Present Messrs Brent (chair), Mueller, Dansey and Dr Ganders. Mr R. Eeaney, acting resident engineer, was also present. CoIttIESrOXPfcXCR. Amongst the outward correspondence was a letter addressed to the firm of Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co. in regard to certain matters connected with the drainage of the Lake House and Pal-ace Hotels, which had so fur not been attended to. The clerk stated that the letter had been written under instructions from the late Mr Malfroy and not in conformity with any resolution passed by the Board. The letter was approved. The inward correspondence included a letter from the Surveyor>General, in reply to the Board's request that the charges for supplying water to the township should be further regulated, stating that this was a matter which would be better undertaken by the Board, but that if a recommendation were made it would receive favorable consideration.

Mr Mueller thought it was a mistake to have written to Wellington on the subject at all as it was a matter for the Board to deal with.

The clerk explained that the letter was written with a view of obtaining authority to levy a higher rate from such houses as the Grand and Bathgate House. It was necessary that some rate should be fixed. Mr Mueller remarked that the Board could only decide on increasing the rate in the future. The rate for largo hotels was fixed at £5 per annum and at that rate they must be charged tuitil notice was given that the fee would be increased. Theyjcould not make any charge imposed ret7 - ospectivc. It was resolved that Mr Boulton be informed that the charge for water for the Grand Hotel was £5 per annum, but that the Board was about to re-adjust the .scale of charges. From the Lands and Survey Office, Eotorua, asking the Board to point out where stone can bo obtained to be used in the construction of the wharf and also asking wlint restrictions are placed on excavations so as to affect the levels as little as possible.—Resolved that Mr Bouncy be informed that the Board consents to stone being taken from Rangiuru Street, on the understanding that no excavations below the mean level bo made.

The Late Chairman. Mr Dansey moved that a record bo made expressing the Board's regret at the death of the late-chairman, Mr J. C M. Malfroy, r»nd its high appreciation of his services, and that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mrs Malfroy. Mr Dai - sey eulogised the character of the late chairman whoso every action Was meant for the good of the town. Dr Grinders seconded, also paying his tribute to the memory of deceased. Mr Mueller, in speaking to the motion, said that Mr Malfroy's name was so closely associated with the" rise and progress of Rotorua that it. would be inseparable from it for all time. He quite agreed witli the writer in the Chronicle that the gentleman whoso death they all deplored was a martyr to bis duty. The community at large were indebted to Mr Malfroy for the exertions made for the advancement of the town. The Chairman endorsed the. remarks of the other members of the Board and declared the resolution carried. Election of Chairman.

A conversational discussion took place in which the probable intentions of the GfoTcrnmeht were speculated on in regard to the constitution of the Board. _ 1!> ference was made to the Hon. J. McKenzic's statement in the House that the Board would shortly be reconstituted and it was thought likely that action would bo no longer delayed* Mr Mueller said that whatever the intentions of the Government might licit was necessary to elect an acting chairman now, so that the business of the Board • would not suffer a dead-lock. He had in company with Mr Reaney had a look round and it was very plain that a great deal of work would require to be done immediately. Mr Mali'ruy's long illness had of course prevented him from exercising that personal supervision over many matters which was necessary ami bis subordinates had apparently allowed tilings to drift along as best they might. All this would require to be altered. Mr Beaney would have his hands full for some time to come and it was necessary that a chairman should bo elected who would be accessible at all times during the next few months, at the expiry of which time they would be in a position to choose a permanent chief. He propose'! Mr It. D. Dansey as chairman. Dr. Cinders seconded and the motion was unanimously carried.

Mr Brent, with a few pleasant -words complimented the Board on the choice made nnd yielded up the cnairto its new occupant. Mr Dansey briefly thanked his fellow members for tli*.- confidence reposed in him. Geserai Business. Dr- Ganders stated that ho had much pleasure in announcing that the Bath fees for the month of December greatly exceeded the receipts for corresponding months of previous years. The sum paid in amounted £76 10s Cd. Resolved that the Clerk of Works be instructed to take Mr Reaney over the works in progress in order to receive his instructions. Accounts amounting to about £3O were passed for payment and the meeting adjourned.