DEVONPORT DISTRICT BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5434, 17 April 1879, Page 6

DEVONPORT DISTRICT BOARD.

The ordinary meeting was held on Tuesday evening, when Messrs. Brown (chairman), Mays, Phiioox, Dnder, and Alison were present. Ferry Compant.—The Board had applied for a half-hourly boat from 6 a.m. till 10 a.m., and from 4 p.m. till p.m., and an extra trip from Devonport at 9 p.m. No reply had yet been received from the company.

Lighting Victoria. Wharf.—The Harbour Board had, on the motion of the chairman, agreed to erect a suitable lamp on this wharf if the Ferry Compauy or those interested would maintain and keep it in order. No reply had been received from the Ferry Comp any.

Stopping a Road. — Captain Burgess wrote, protesting against the stopping of a public road between his property and the Education Reserve.—The Chairman said the road had been partly fenced across by Mr. Duder, and partly by Mr. Alison, for their own convenience. Bath were members of the Board, but the obstruction was only temporary.—Mr. Alison Baid, as soon as fencing could be lad, the road would be thrown open.—Mr. Mays said the Board had dealt very sharply with Mr. Bond, in a similar case, two years »go. He had erected a slippanel, by permission of the Board, and was paying at the time heavy depasturing fees, yet, on the complaint of a ratepayer of the obstruction of the thoroughfare, it had been at once removed. Here was a deliberate obstruction by two members of the Board, without any authority. It certainly shonld be cleared a way within a given time.—On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Duder, thirty days were allowed for removing the fence.

Board or Health.—Several reports from the Sanitary Inspector were read. Complaints had been made of nuisances on the premises of Mr. James MeEwen and Mr. T. .Nicholson. The former had disregarded the notice served npon him under the Public Health Act. The Inspector requested that the Medical Officer o£ the district (Dr. Golds boro') should also be requested to report upon the cases.—Mr. Mays thought the Inspector's suggestion should be adopted. A visit once a year from their Medical Officer would do no harm, even without reference to any cases brought by the Inspector.—Mr. Philcox objected, on the score of cost.—Mr. Duder thought the Inspector should carry out the Health Act in the same way as he did other Acts. He did not seem to have any doubt about his powers under the Impounding Act when there were any stray horses or cattle. He moved, " That in respect to the cases referred to by the Inspector in his report, he be requested to carry out the provisions of the Act."—Mr. Alison seconded, and the motion was carried.

Slaughter-house.—The committee appointed to report upon the drainage from the Slaughter-house stated that Messrß. Alison had removed all cause of complaint by extending the drainage into the tide-way. It was also in contemplation to remove the building to a more distant site. North Head .Reserve.—Constable Moar declined to act as collector of the grazing fees, and Mr. Tanner was appointed.—Mr. Alison thought that some guarantee should be given by the County Council that the reserve should be handed over to the Board when the fencing was paid for, otherwise they were merely acting as collectors for the Council.—Mr. Mays said he had no doubt this would be done at the right time. It was certainly better to keep faith with the Council, and trust to their representatives to see justice done to the district. As lload Boards could not hold property, the Council would, no doubt, become trustees for many other reserves for local bodies, but yield them up when they could be legally taken charge of. He regretted that the Chair man of the Council, when replying to Mr. E. Bond's question the other day, had not at the same time read the correspondence relating to the reserve. It was resolved to carry out the agreement with the Council.

Flagstaxf Hill Reserve.—The only tender received for leasing this reserve was from Messrs. Alison, who offered £7 as rent tor the period from Ist June to Ist December next, which was accepted. District Works.—The Chairman moved, " That the proposed improvements in Church-street be deterred, owing to the lateness of the season."—Mr. Alison seconded, and it was carried.—Mr. Philcox stated that many complaints had been made to him as to the large amount of money being expended on the upper part of the same road, as it was comparatively little used.— Mr. Alison said it was the best job ever done in the district: it would last for twenty years.—Mr. Mays said they had either done too little or too much. He did not think such an extensive cutting necessary, but it had been terminated very abruptly, and he would like to see it better finished.—lt was resolved to finish the work on its present gradient. Finance.—The balance to the credit of the Board was stated at £399 93. The works under contract and accounts due would reduce this to about £45.—1t was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Mays, to call for tenders for clearing the Flagstaff Road, from McSparran's to Shoal Bay.

Excavating.—Mr. J. B. Russell and Mr. Geo. Mbbin applied for permission to remove soil from the roads.—This was granted, on condition that it be done under the supervision of the Foreman of Works.

FocvrrATiis.—lt was resolved to call for tenders for carting shells to bo spread over all the footpaths in the district.

The monthly accounts were passed, and the meeting terminated.