THAMES DRAIN BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9726, 23 January 1895, Page 6

THAMES DRAIN BOARD.

The first meeting of the newly-elected [ Thames Drainage Board was held yesterday at the office of Mr. D. G. MacDonnell, when there were present: Messrs. Kissling, W. S. Wilson, S. Pratt, Friar Clarke, F. A. White, J. Dickey, T. Radford, and R. Comer. '.. „ The Chairmanship.—On the motion of Mr. Clarke, seconded by Mr. Comer, Mr. Kissling was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. This was carried unanimously. Mr. Kissling briefly returned thanks for his re-election. The Elections.—Mr. MacDonnell read j

letters from the returning officer, and from the Thames County Council, giving the reburns for the recent election. Assessments. — The meeting then proceeded to fix the assessments for the year 1895. ♦The following was the estimate of the amount required to defray all cost and chargbs for drainage purposes during the current) year, including the necessary expenses of the Board for same time :—Coal and cartage. £2,300; wages and salaries, ! £1300; foundry work, £350; pnmping requisites, £250; Board fees and travelling expenses, £200; water supply and gaslight, £130; miscellaneous and incidental expenses, £50 : Total, £4580. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the estimate, said the item for coal was £500 less than last year. The expenses had been taken as the guide, and then of course coal could not be got cheaper. Wages and salaries were the same, but there was a reduction of £100 in foundry work. The item for gas and water was also £10 less, the total reduction being £200. Mr. Wilson asked if it was certain sufficient had been allowed for coal.

The Chairman said last year £2200 had been actually expended for coal and cartage. This year £2300 had been estimated. Mr. Wilson then seconded the adoption of the estimate.

This was unanimously agreed to. The Chairman, speaking as to the assessment, said the gold got last year was : Cambria, £2150; Hazelbank, £2700: New Moanataiari, £6700; Waiotahi, £6600 ; and May Queen, £7000.

Mr. Wilson thought the May Queen was paying too much at £160 per month. The Chairman agreed, though he thought the May Queen was the only alteration that should be made.

Mr. Comer said, with the rebate, the May Queen was actually paying £140 a month. " The Secretary said the May Queen was working to 500 feet, and the extentof ground was 76 acres.

Mr. Spratt thought this company were paying very heavily. It was thereupon agreed to reduce the May Queen from £160 to £135.

On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Radford, the assessment was agreed to as follows : —

On the motion of Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Comer, it was agreed that the amended rate mentioned in the assessment list be now struck for the year 1595 upon all lands mentioned in such list, in the . Thames drainage area ; and that such rate be paid at the office of the Board, Queen-street, Auckland, by twelve calendar monthly instalments, on the last day of each calendar month during the said year, the first payment to be made on the 31st January instant.

Mr. Comer proposed, and Mr. Clarke seconded, " That the clerk give the necessary notices, and that the Board 3it to hear appeals on the 31st January, at 11 a.m." This was agreed to, and. On the motion of the Chairman', it was decided to allow the usual rebate of 12* per cent, on all contributions paid before the end of the mouth.

occupier or Area Monthly Hated. Bate. M. 0' 8 0 Co. Victoria 0 2 G.M. 49 2 Comer.. 2 18 . C. 3 8 Of Monnatalari Co. 8 53 if, Co. 0 Co 140 19 3 G.M. 0 0 0 0 Thames 0.