FOXTON LOCAL BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 71, 30 April 1880, Page 2

FOXTON LOCAL BOARD

♦ Wednesday, Aran. 28, 1880. A meeting of the Hoard was held at the Aihemeum on Wednesday la^t, at 7 p m. Commissioners Easton and Coley were present, and amongst other ratepayers in the room were Messrs Whyte (tht- retired Commissioner), and MrPureell.thenewly elected one. On the Chairman (Mr A. Gray) takiug his seat, he said — Mr Purcell, before the meeting opens, I ask, whether you ara here as a ratepayer or Commissioner ? Mr Purcell— Yes, Sir. Unless yon can show me a Gazette dated to-day in which I am not gazetted, I shall take my seat as a Commissioner. The Chairman — I have no official knowledge of your eleotion. Mr Purcell— Has not the Returning Officer informed youP The Chairman— No. Mr Purcell — Are you not aware of your own knowledge. The Chairman— l have no official knowledge. At this stage, Mr Whyte stepped forward, and said — As retiring Commissioner, can' I cake the seat, as you have no knowledge of Mr Purcell's election ? The Chairmaa — No, you cannot. Mr Whyte— Pretty warm, that. However (stepping to lhe table), l take my seat as a Commissioner. The Chairman informed Mr Whyte that anyone disputing the Chairman's ruling was liable to a fine of £50. Mr Whyte then left the table. Mr Purcell then advanced and said— Mr Gray— l style you as Mr Gray— l deny your authority to sit there as Chairman. ■ The Chairman — Bear in mind what you are doing. Mr Gray then raad a letter from the Colonial (secretary's office, dated 26th April, in reply to one from the Returning Officer of the 10th innt., informing the Colonial Secretary of Mr Purcell's election. The lotter stated that the notice of the eleotion would appear in the next Gazette. Mr Purcell, to the Chairman— l Rive you you notice, then, as a ratepayer, that any monies voted whilst you are Chairman, I shall sue you at my own expense for the return of such monies. There was a slight pause, and The Ohairman proceeded to read the MINUTES of the former meeting, whioh were confirmed. ,THE BATE. The Chairman said that the business for which the Board had been called was to strike a rate for the year 1880-81. Mr Easton supposed all they could do was to propose a resolution that the rate be struct, in accordance with the former resolution. Mr Coley remarked that only two Commissioners were present besides the Chairman, and he would sooner see the rate struck by the full Board. The Chairman pointed out that notice had been given by the Board of its intention to strike a rate on a certain day, and thoy were bound by the Act to do so. If tho absent members had other business to attend to, it was their own look-out. He (the Chairman) might remark that, now the Governmeut had withdrawn subsidies from local bodies, he could not sco thu necessity for striking- a shilling rate. Before, if aJs rate was struck, the Board gained another ls from the Government as subsidy, which was a strong inducement to strike a high rate. He believed now a 6d rate would suit the ratepayers better, and he offered the suggestion to the Board. It was most unfortunate that all the Commissioners of the Board were not present. Air tiaaton said that aGd rate in these haid times would suit him much better. .Mr Coley said several ratepayers had spok.ni to him on the matter, and he believed the ratepayers as a body wonld appreciate the reduction. At the same time they could not have improvements Mr Easton inquired whether it would make any difference to strike a 6d rate now, as it had been advertised that a shilling rate would bo struck. The Chairman replied it would make no difference. No rale had been struck, and any resolution in regard to a rate would have to be confirmed. Mr Easton then proposed " That a rate of 6d in the £ be struck on the annual rateable value of all properties in the "Foxton .Local Board District, for the year commencing April 1, 1880, and ending March 31st, 1881. Such rate to become due and payable on the 29 th April, at the office of the Local Board." Seconded by Mr Coley and carried. 11REACK OF PEIVILEGE. The Chairman said as the business of the Board was over, he would refer to a matter which had come under his notice the day before. He saw a letter, from Messrs. Conolly and Pitt, addressed to the clerk of the Board, published in the local paper. He said if he had done his duty be would have suspended the officer in question at once. He had never heard of such a thing. If such a practice was allowed, the Board would be a non-entity. Such documents belonged eutirely to the Board until they were done with, when they became tlie property of the public. If the Board could not have confidence in it 3 officer, it would be better without bim. Hd was perfectly astonished atthe affair. Mr Coley thought the Clerk must have allowed the document to be seen without giving it a thought. The Chairman— l hopo such a thing won't occur agiin whether I am in tho Board or not. The Clerk stated it was not given for publication, and he had no 'dea when Mr Russell read the letter that it would be published. Mr Coley thought that exonerated Mr Palmer. The Board then adjourned, and will meet again on the oth May.

Bishop Wilson, of Calcutta, was travelling not long ago to his diocese, when a breeze sprang up, then a squall, and at last matters got so bad that the skipper wont below with a sad countenance. " My lord," said he, " in a very few minutes you will be in heaven." "Dear me!" ejaculated the Bishop, " how very, very horrible." "When the French people are not sure whether a young lady i 3 English or Americau they look at her feet. That's where the Amerioan girl can cuddle ciose up to the old bird of liberty every timo. Scene : iiecitation room in natural history. Instructor : "Mr X, have you ever put your head down on any one's breast and listened to the heart beats, as Huxley describes them?" Mr K. (blushing): Yes, sir."