Kawhia Town Board

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume XXIII, Issue 1237, 10 October 1924, Page 3

Kawhia Town Board

MONTHLY MEETING The first meeting of the recent-ly-elected Kawhia Town Board was held last Wednesday evening, when there were present : Messrs G. G. Jonathan, M. W. Oldbury and R. Ward. Election of Chairman The Returning Officer (Mr J K. Newton) took the chair and invited nominations for the position of chairman. In proposing that Mr Jonathan be appointed to the position, Mr Oldbury referred to the former’s long association with public affairs, and was confident that he would again occupy the position with credit and ability at. a time when he felt sure Ka.vhia was entering upon a distinct progressive movement. The motion was seconded byMr R. Ward, and the new chairman expressed his appreciation of the honour conferred upon him. Although he had not been directly connected with local bodies during recent years, he had always taken the liveliest interest in the welfare of Kawhia, and he relied upon the sym ■> by and co-operation of the o'her members in endeavouring to further the interests of the town. He suggested that only matters of immediate urgency be dealt with, pending a full attendance of members. Finance The Clerk reported that the Bank overdraft, which had reached a total of £BO owing to street improvements, bad now been reduced to £3 14s 4d. A number of accounts were passed for payment. Correspondence

From Mr E. W. Biickeridge, asking the Board to take into early consideration the qiesti n of a water-supply and improved sewerage. It was unnecessary to stress the value of these accessories from a public point of view, and h£ was directly interested, as they affected his house-property in Kawhia.—The chairman admitted the importance of both matters, but suggested that con sideration should be deferred until the full Board was present. —This was agreed to.

From the publishers of Ba d and Council, suggesting that the Board become subscribers to tba' journal.—Received. From the Normanby To

Board proposing the formation of a Town Boards’ Association for the mutual protection of Boards against possible encroachments on their rights. A conference would be held at Hawera to which the Kawhia Town Board was invited to appoint a delegate. —As an illustration of the manner in which Town Boards might suffer at the hands of rapacious neighbours, a circular was enclosed setting forth details of attempts made bv a contiguous County Council to absorb half the Town District, which would have deprived the Board of half its revenue. — Members commented sympathetically, but deferred consideration. From the Valuation Department, suggesting that the Board forward details of new buildings erected prior to March 15th of each year in the Town District, in order that inspection might be made and valuation readjustments effected before March 31st. —The chairman thought that such information might be supplied, although it did not affect a district where rating on unimproved values was the system of taxation.

From the Waikato - Maniapoto Land Board intimating that certain municipal reserves in Karewa Township had been vested in the control of the Board. —The Clerk stated that the letter was in reply to his application.—The Clerk’s action was confirmed. Street Kerbing At the instance of Mr Oldbury, the Clerk was instructed to 'urnish a return of the cost of kerbing and channelling Jervois St. The Pound Consequent upon the recommendations passed by the outgoing Board, Mr Oldbury introduced the matter of improving stock accommodation at the local pound. He declared that the present structure was quite unfit to hold stock, and sugges ted that four sections, now undei the control of the Board, should be securely fenced. These would provide food and water for a limited time and allow the Board to carry out its obligations. The chairman supported this view. In fairness to those hold ing grazing permits, it was essential to keep all stray stock off the streets. After discussion, it was resolved tp pbtain estimates for erecting a strong permanent fence, en closing the four sections in question. Town Board Office In accordance with a resolution passed at last meeting, the Clerk reported that he had made arrangements for an office of a satisfactory nature. The Clerk’s action was confirmed. By-laws 'i'he necessity for framing by-

laws was the next matter discussed, but owing to two members being absent, consideration was deferred until next meeting, Mr Oldbury giving notice of motion to the effect that by-laws be framed. Blocking a Culvert

Referring to a discussion which bad taken place at a recent meeting of the Kawhia Schoo] Committee, and accounts pre seated at the Board’s meeting for payment, Mr Oldbury said it was high time some action was taken to prevent school-children from blocking culverts in the water-course running through the town. Mr Ward stated that it was not the first time the children had been guilty of such practices and he agreed that it was unfair to expend rates in rectifying the trouble they caused: He understood that the headmaster had warned the pupils that the offenders would be expected to pay for the damage. At the suggestion of the chairman, it was decided to send a formal demand through the headmaster, to the parents of the culprits, requesting reimbursement of the outlay which the Board had incurred. Plans for the Future The chairman outlined a number of matters which had to be taken in hand at an early date. There included a number of necessary improvements in tie way of sanitation, and a systematic scheme of beautifying the town.