HAWEEA TOWN BOAED.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 15, 2 June 1880, Page 3

HAWEEA TOWN BOAED.

Monday, May 31. A special meeting of the Board was held on Monday night. Present — Messrs. Winks (chairman), Dingle, StevensoD, King, Duffill, and Cockbum. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mrs Carson, drawing attention to a drain leading from the boundary past her house, and stating that if not seen to, " You will have all Hawera laid up. The stench is something, abominable." — The clerk was instructed to inform Mrs Carson that steps would be taken to abate the nuisance. From Arthur Owen, Egmont Hotel, applying for permission to erect two crossings. — The request was granted, subject to the approval of the Board, Mr. Duffill to draw up a plan of what was required. From Messrs. G. V. Bate and J. McCutchan, stating that they had examiued the accounts of the Board, and found them to be correct ; but suggesting some alterations in the mode of keeping the books. — The auditors' report was adopted, and the clerk was authorised to procure the books advised by the auditors. It was decided to advertise the balancesheet in the Star. From G> S. Cooper, Colonial Undersecretary, stating that the Taranaki Town Board Provincial Ordinance of 1847 had been repealed, and that, therefore, there was no power of protecting the footpaths in the manner proposed by the Board — namely, to have them gazetted, so as to be able to prosecute trespassers. — Left in the hads of Mr. Barleyman. From Major Atkinson, M.H.E., stating that instructions had been issued early in March for the preparation of a Crown grant for the Hawera Town Board™ of Town Reserve, Block XIX. He. was, however, unable to comply with the wishes of the Board in all respects, as it was necessary to insert in the Crown grant the purposes for which the reserve was granted — namely, for offices ; but he thought the Board had ample power to lease the land for a period of 21 years, under the Public Eeserves Act, 1877, section 7. — It was decided that Mr. Baiieyman should look into the matter. From-F. McGuire, drawing-attention- to a resolution passed by the County Council in reference to the earth formation, which, if done by the Board, the metalling would be done by the County Council. — The clerk was instructed to reply, stating that the County Council had no funds available for the purpose,, ' From the gu .rantors of Mr. G. D. Hamerton, stating that if £5 13s. 4d., which appeared in Mr. Hamerton's books against the Board, was not paid, legal proceedings would be taken. — The.clerk' was instructed to write for particulars. .FronxG. Hellier, askiug for an old culvert which was opposite the Egmont Hotel. — The clerk was instructed to reply, stating that the Board required all the culverts. From J. Black, clerk to County Council, asking for the total amount of rates collected by the Board for the year ending 31st March, 1880.— The clerk stated that the rates collected amounted to i>l4o 195., and the value of the rateable property was Bs. From C. D. Whitcombe, Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth, asking for a list of the endowments of the Board. — The clerk stated that the necessary information had been furnished. From T. Ecclesfield, applying for permission to make a crossing for spring carts from High-street into sections 1 to 4, Block XV., adjoining his shop in Highstreet, the crossing to be made subject to the approval of the Board. — Left over till next meeting, in order that inquiries might be made. SOLICITOR TO THE BOARD. Mr. Barleyman attended, and made some explanations to the Board in reference to his scale of fees. RESERVES. It was resolved that the seal of the Board should be affixed to the leases of the various reserves. FINANCE. The Secretary stated that there was a balance in the 'bank of .£4O 9s 3d ; £25 rent was due by Mr. Can-oil ; unpaid rates amounted to £13 ; the new rate would amount to about ; and the rents due in September would realise £'80. There was, however, a number of accounts yet unpaid. bamford's paddock. Mr. Duffill thought something out to be done towards making an entrance to Bamford's paddock. There was a large number of houses, and a good deal of rates came from there. Ho proposed, — " That Mr. John Twigg be employed to open up the street leading into Bamford's paddock, using up the old culverts, and gravelling the crossing. Mr. King seconded the resolution. The Chairman said that, considering the present state of the finances of the Board, the matter ought to be allowed to stand over for the present, and he moved an amendment to that effect. Mr. Stevenson seconded the motion. Mr. Duffill said one of the residents (Mr. Power) was willing to do the work, and wait for the money for three months. The emendment, on being put, was carried by four to two. MAKING HAWERA A BOROUGH. Mr. King moved, — " That a committee be appointed to inquire whether the town of Hawera can be incorporated into a

borough. The committee to consist of the chairman, Messrs. Cockbum, Duffill, and the mover." They could do it at once by joining Normanby, but he thought it better to wait a year or two, as he considered that Normanby would not be satisfied to work in harmony with them. It would, however, be an easy matter for the two places to join together if the residents were disposed to do so. They could be divided into three wards, and the revenues to be derived from each could be spent within the respective boundaries. They would have hotel licenses, dog licenses, poundage fees, and they would be entitled to a reserve of 2000 acres of land. If Normanby voluntarily joined them, well and good ; but he would just as soon wait a year or two. Normanby could not get along by itself; its rates would be swallowed up in advertising and clerk's salary, and it would decidedly gain more by the incorporation than Hawera. All that would be required would be 100 signatures to a petition, and the thing could be easily done provided there were 250 houses within the boundaries. Mr. Dingle seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. CONTINUATION OF HIGH STREET. It was resolved that Mr. Twigg should report by next meeting bb to the best means of continuing High-street. ALBION STREET. Mr. Cockbum proposed, and Mr. Duffill seconded, that notice should be given to the Postal authorities to remove the fence across Albion-street, as it was necessary to have it opened up. accounts. / Accounts, amounting to' £45 95., were passed for payment. The Board adjourned till Monday, the 7th June, at 7 p.m.