HAWERA TOWN BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 43, 8 September 1880, Page 3

HAWERA TOWN BOARD.

Monday, September- 6.

Present — Messrs. Winks (chairman), tevenson, Coekburn, Dingle, and King.

MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting aving been read, ' The Chairman pointed out that the re)lution passed at the previous meeting, [r changing the night of meeting, was legal. Under the Taranald Provincial

rdnances, it was provided that they lould meet the . first Monday hi the onth. The Board had no power whater to alter the night of meeting. Mr. King argued that they had the wer, and he intended moving, a resolun that night, asking the Governor to er the night of meeting. The resolun was passed unanimously at the last leting. Che Chairman said that a working nmittee had also been elected at the ivious meeting. The old committee 1 not sent in their resignation. Ir. King stated that the working comitee were elected annually, fessrs. Dingle and Stevenson said they c not aware it would be necessary to ly to the Goveenor to change the night meeting. So far as they were conled, they did not care which night the nrd met. fter some further discpssion, the Chairl proposed that the clause altering the it of meeting 1 be expunged from the

rates. fr. Stevenson secondod the motion. [r. King said that notice of motion

aid be given before any alteration Id be made. le Chairman replied that Mr. King did idhere to that course, when he appointed self, and Messrs. Cockbum and Duffill, >rking committee. - r. King said that committee was apted to do special work, which the ious committee should have done, fter some further discussion, Mr. King osed— "That the minutes, as read, Dnfirmed." ie amendment was not seconded, but eing put to the voices, the resolution' declared loet. ■ The minutes were confirmed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

FromE. B. Eastwood, to the following effect: — "I beg to call the Board's attention to a .drain stagnating at the bottom of my garden ; said drain, I think, has been made to carry away the refuse from Burton's brewery, but it failed to do this, as there is not sufficient fall, resulting in the accumulation of drainage for months past, giving off in hot weather a most horrible stench. No wonder there is so much sickness in the town, when such abominable nuisances, are allowed in our midst. Such a dram as the_ above one should be covered in, and not left to poison the surrounding atmosphere. Having had one severe attack of gastric fever, I am not desirous of a repetition ; so I hope the Board will take the matter under their serious consideration." — Mr. Stevenson proposed, " That a committee — consisting of Messrs. Cockbum, Dingle, and the mover — be appointed to inspect the nuisance complained of." — The Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried.

From W. G. White, as follows;— "I am informed that by leading a horse across the footpath, in order to reach my stable, I should be committing a breach of your by-laws, and render myself liable to be summoned for so doing. I shall be glad to learn whether such is the case, and if so, what steps are necessary for me to take, in order to have-access to my premises." — There was a general expression of opinion that people should not be prevented from leading then* horses over the footpaths, when they had no other means of reaching then* premises, and it was resolved that the chairman should see Sergeant Cahill, and give him instructions to that effect.- ■

From A. Domingo, applying for permission to make a crossing to his premises in High-street. — Mr. King proposed — " That persons be reminded that their crossings will be completed by the end of September, if not properly completed; and recommend that the parties employ Mr. Twigg to do the work." Mr. Cockbum secqnded the motion, which • was carried.

From E. Pulford, calling attention to the state of the gutter opposite his store. " There is a constant stagnant pool, preventing people from getting on to the footpath from the road, likewise making it unhealthy for those living near. I think the Board could, at a very little expense, remedy this nuisance." — Left to the working committee to deal with.

TENDERS.

The following tenders were received for a ditch and bank fence on the recreation reserve, to be planted with quicks : — John "Whitmore, 10s. per chain ; Patrick Murphy, 12s. per chain ; Daniel Balneaves,'l2s. 6d. per chain.

It was decided to defer the matter till next autumn, as it was considered too late to plant trees or quicks this season.

THE CEMETERY.

Mr. King brought the state of the cemetery under the notics of the Board ; and suggested that the Native Minister should be interviewed with reference to making a direct track to Matangarara.

After some discuss' on, Mr. King proposed, and Mr. Coekburn seconded — "That the members of the Board wait upon the Hon. Mr. Bryce with reference to the continuation of High -street, so as to give a track to the Matangarara natives. ' ' — Carried.

PRINCES STREET RESERVE.

Mr. King proposed that the leases of the sections on block XIX. be sold by auction about the end of October.

Mr. Coekburn seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr. King proposed that Mr. Thomson should be appointed auctioneer.

Mr. Cockbnrn proposed, and the Chairman seconded, thai the secretary should write to the auctioneers in Hawera and Carlyle to ascertain their terms.

The amendment was carried, and the matter was left in the hands of the chairman.

ACCOUNTS.

The following accounts were passed for payment : — Galvin and Co., S& 175. ; J. B. Roy, £1 9s. 6d.;* Ferguson and Mitchell, £2 4s.

GRAVELLING CONTRACT.

.' The Secretary stated that he received a summons from Mr. McDevitt for £1S 10s.

The Chairman said the working committee had exceeded then: powers, as there was a resolution on the books to the effect that only 6s. per yard should be paid for the gravel, but still the Board were willing to pay Cs. Od. per yard. If that was not satisfactory, then the committee should settle the matter with Mr. McDevitt.

Mr. Coekburn said he told Mr.McDevitt that the Board were not particular to .a shilling or two', as they badly want.cd the work done.

Mr. Dingle was of opinion that if the committee made a mistake, the Board were bound by what had been done.

The Chairman replied that it that were the case, the committee might make any arrangements they chose, and saddle the Board with them.

Mr. McDevitt, who was in attendance, stated that Mr. King came to him and asked him to do the work, and he said he could not, as he had to go on to the Waiinat3 Plains, Mr. Coekburn then came to him, and asked him to do the work, saying that the Board were not particular to a shilling or two. Mr. Campbell was with Mr. Coekburn at the time, and he also strongly urged him to do the work for the Board. At last he consented to do it, more to oblige the Board than anything else. He had summoned Mr. Campbell as a witness, and he would be able to prove the truth of what was stated. Mr. Dingle considered they were bound by the agreement. The Board should adhere to what had been done.

The Chairman said that was just what he wanted to do. There was a resolution passed on the subject, and the committee had exceeded their powers, and set aside the resolution. The old committee were too slow for' Mr. King, and he had appointed a committee of- his own. If the money was paid, he would resign his seat.

Mr. King said he would not be deterred by the threat of the chairman resigning from doing what he believed to be right. There was no resolution on the books to the effect stated by the chairman, and it was his duty to see- that it was entered on the minutes, as chairman of the Board, if it had been passed. He would move — 11 That the extra amount of £4 4s, 9d. be paid to Mr. McDevitt on account of his contract.'' The first loss was oftentimes the smallest.

Mr. Cockburn seconded the motion, which was carried.

TENDEES.

Mr. Stevenson proposed, and Mr. King seconclel, — " That any amount over £2 be advertised by tender." Mr. Coekburn proposed, and Mr. Dingle seconded, — " That the aiiiount should be £5."

The motion, fixing the amount at £2, was cairied.

RESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN.

The chairman then wrote out his resignation as a member of the Board, and handed it to the secretary.

Mr. King was very sorry that Mr. Winks had taken such a step. He was the most attentive member of the Board. Mistakes were always liable to occur. Whoever was on the Board, there would be differences of opinion, and it was only by having those differences that they were likely to arrive at right conclusions. The whole thing was a" misunderstanding, and was not Ukely to occur again, after the resolution that had just been passed.

Mr. Cockbrnn hoped Mr. Winks would reconsider his resignation.

The Chairman said he hni »o intention of reconsidering the matter. TLei-e appeared 'to be no system in what the Board aid, and he thought his place could easily be filled by some one else.

At the request of the members, Mr. Winks consented to remain in office till the next meeting of the Board.

For remainder of Reading Matter,

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