Hutt River Board

Hutt News, Volume 10, Issue 7, 15 July 1936, Page 5

Hutt River Board

— 40P ■ MONTHLY MEETING-. The regular monthly meeting of the Hutt River Board was held on Wednesday afternoon. There were present Messsrs. J. Mitchell (chairman), M. J. Hodgins, J. Brasell, F. J. Jones, Dr. B. J. Dudley. The offer of the Government to subsidise the labour on the proposed cut at Melling did not meet with the approval of the board. Mr. Mitchell said that if the application was made before the end of the year, the Unemployment Board' would grant a subsidy of 28 per cent, with a maximum of £1400. Mr. Jones, "Where has this offer come from! We have not made any representations to the board." The chairman explained that he had waited on the board in reference to the matter in company with tho Mayor. Mr' Jones said that as the matter had not been fully considered by the Eiver Board members he objected to the chairman acting on his own initiative and' moved a resolution, which was carried that the offer be not accepted. He was of the opnion that the subsidy was not attractive and the board would get better service by employing its awn labour. Mr. Mitchell apologised for having acted without the consent of his colleagues.

A letter was read from Mr. J. Bentley expressing apreeiation and thanks for the protection work done by the board. The chairman was appointed to be the board's representative at a meeting of delegates from the Wellington province on the New Zealand Centinnial Committee. Mr. J. C. Hcggie was granted the lease of seven acres of land at Melling, on which he proposed to form a golf course, at a rental of £12 per annum. The years balance sheet was received from the Audit Department, without "tag." The chairman and members commented on the satisfactory state of the board's finance and complimented the clerk, Mr. A. J. Gearing on the prompt and efficient manner in which it was drawn up. It was stated that this is one of the first local bodies' balance sheets to be completed.

The Finance Committee submitted its report on the financial position and estimates for the current year and recommended that the main rates as last year be struck, except that a slight reduction be given to classes 1 and 2 of 3/200ths of a penny in £ and 2/200ths of a Id respectively in respect of special rates only.