HAWERA TOWN BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 136, 3 August 1881, Page 3

HAWERA TOWN BOARD.

The Board met at 7.40 p.m. on Tuesday. Present — Messrs. Furlong, (chairman), Eastwood, McCutchan, Bate, and Pulford.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A letter was read from Dr. Bichards, dealing with sanitary matters of the town, to the following effect : — " Sir, — I have been requested by a member of the Hawera Town Board to draw your attention to the prevalence of sickness generally, but more especially to fever of a low type, several cases of which exist at the present time, in order to enable you to take some steps towards improving the sanitary condition of the town. This may be done (if I may be permitted to offer an opinion) by making an efficient system of drainage, and causing the back premises of all the houses in the town to be subjected to a monthly inspection by an officer appointed by your Board for the purpose. Some stringent regulation should be enforced to prevent any person from placing a cesspool within a certain distance of the well. It is a common practice in Hawera to have the well and cesspool in such close proximity to each other, that with the porous soil we have here, percolation must ensue, thereby rendering the well water wholly unfit for drinking purposes, and highly deleterious to health. All wells should be cleaned out at stated intervals, and each should be provided with a cover, which would prevent vegetable and other substances from accumulating thereiu. Water impregnated with decomposed vegetable matter is, without doubt, a very fertile source of disease, and to this cause may be traced the prevalence of diarrhoea in Hawera during the summer months. One important fact is that the cesspools should not be deep, that they should be covered in at the back, and ashes and clay thrown down daily. If the bottom of the cesspools could be made with brick and lime, no percolation could take place. In conclusion, I may presume that there is no scheme or system of drainage at present, and of course your consulting engineer will naturally advise as to this matter. It would, therefore, be presumption on my part to offer my opinion unasked. I have been district medical officer of health in Hampshire for some years, under the control of the local government board, and this enables me to form some opinion as to the effects of sanitary improvements in the dwellings of the working classes as regards cleanliness, thereby inducing them to consider 1 dirt as matter out of place.' Trusting that these few remarks will be accepted in the same spirit as they are given, I have, &c, G. Pickering Bichards." — Mr. Pulford proposed that the letter be acknowledged, the Board undertaking to give the matter their best consideration. — Mr. Bate opposed this course, and suggested that a system of earth closets be introduced. It wonld be more conducive to health than any other course which he could suggest. — Mr. Pulford thought this was a matter which ought to be dealt with by the Municipality as soon as it came into existence. — The Chairman thought that many of the backyards needed inspection. — After discussion, it was resolved to send Dr. Eichard's letter to the Inspector of Nuisances, and that he be instructed to make an inspection of premises and report to the Board at their next meeting. Also, a letter from George Helyer asking that the terni of his lease might be extended so as to enable him to plant his leasehold with trees. On the motion of Mr. Bate it was resolved that Mr. Helyer be required to state definitely what improvements he proposed to make which would warrant the Board to extend his lease.

A letter was read from Mr. Claridge asking where refuse might be deposited, and pointing out that more places should be reserved for rubbish ; at present he could indicate a number of accumulations highly detrimental to health. It, was resolved to acknowledge the letter, and to state that at present the Board were unable to deal with the subject. # THE NEW BOROUGH.

The Borough Committee reported that they bad met and Mr. Bate had been appointed chairman. Mr. Bate explained what had been done. The committee, through the kindnesß of Mr. Milroy, had been able to procure all the necessary forms, and a petition had been drawn up in the proper fojm. He had already obtained ovar 50 signatures of householders, aud had no doubt whatever that a sufficient number of signatures of householders would be obtained.

WORKS COMMITTEE.

The Chairman, as a member of the committee, reported that the "Works committee had. not met since their appointment. The financial position of the Board was somewhat doubtful. They had done nothing, but the scarcity of money had been the main drawback to undertaking any new works. Two culverts had been finished, which had both been ordered by the old Board. So far as he knew that had been almost the only expenditure during the month.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

Mr. McCutchan proposed to explain what had been done by the Finance Committee. Owing to certain abstracts of accounts which had not been laid before the committee, and a balance sheet, which had been prepared but had not been audited up to the present, the Finance Committee had not been able to do much. He had interviewed Mr. Barleyman, who hadrefused to abate his account, but waß not prepared to go to law to recover it. Mr. McCutchan also complained of the delay in preparing the balance sheet. He thought the way in which the business was conducted was a solemn farce. The Chairman considered that the Finance Committee were as much to blame as the clerk, as the latter required definite instructions, which were not given him.

Mr. Bate understood that the Finance Committee would go over a rough balance sheet, which was to be prepared within a few hours, and afterwards suggest amendments, if such were requited.

It was resolved that the Finance Committee should meet at an early date, and prepare a' report in time for next meeting.

ARREARS.

Mr. McCutcban asked would the Board take the necessary steps to collect outstanding debts due to the Board.

Mr. Bate thought it would not be worth while to attempt to collect a number o

the smaller sums, shillings ninepences, and the like.

Mr. Fuiiong stated that in connection with Finance, he heard of a payment of i-36 or £88 which had been paid to a former Board, but which, he understood, did not appear upon the Board book. Mi 1 . McCutchan stated that Mr. J. McCutchan had tendered his bill as audiditorfor£l Is.

The question of the vacancy of Mr. Cockburn's seat was then debated, but was left open till next meeting The Chairman thought the Board was more ornamental than useful at the present time. They had no money to spend and could do very little good and scarcely any work. He mentioned the solicitor's account, which ought to be dealt with without further delay. After discussion it was referred to the Finance Committee.

A schedule of the proceeds of the auction 6ales of leases in September 1876 were procured by the Chairman, and was laid before the Board. In a discussion as to the drawing up of leases, Mr. McCutchan said that as to the old Board, if a cock only crew outside, the late Board run Jto their lawyer to consult him, because they thought they got the advice gratis. Further discussion was postponed until the report of the Finance Committee were laid on the table.

PUBLIC MEETING.

The Chairman drew attention to the cost of the/^pubh'c meeting the other day in the (Town Hall. The Board was of opinion that it was a fair charge for the ratepayers to meet. The rent of the hall would be £1 Is., and to this there would be added the cost of advertising. He personally was in favor of the parties signing the requisition paying all costs, but he understood that this was not the 'usual course. Mr. Livingston, on behalf County Separation movement, had offered to pay half of the cost of the hall if called upon to do so. The Board, however, agreed that as the meeting had been called by the Chairman of the Board at the request of the ratepayers, it would not be fair to expect any body of private individuals to share the cost.

Several small accounts Were passed for payment. The name of Mr. Bate was added to the Works Committee. The Board adjourned at 9.30.

For remainder of Reading Matter,

see Fourth Page.