OTAKI AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10634, 6 July 1920, Page 7

OTAKI AFFAIRS

MEETING OF TOWN BOARD MATTERS OP INTEREST DISCUSSED. Special to the "Times." 4t the monthly meeting of the Otaki Town Board there were present: —Commissioners J. E. Brandon (chairman), W. Noble. J. Meads. P. Rikihana, H. Nicolson, E. M. D’Ath. The Department of Industries wrote, m reply to a letter from the board regarding the supply of milk at Otaki. stating the department would make ininquirios into the position and report later. A further letter stated that owing to tho smalt supply now being obtained from Otaki it would bo impossible to allocate any for the use of the residents of Otaki. However, the City Council would bo again interviewed on tho matter with a view to ascertaining whether tho relief asked for could be afforded. - Received.

A letter was received from the Treasury stating the inscribed debt of the borough was £658 3s Id, this being a portion, of a loan raised by the late Eoad Board, and later transferred to the Town Board. —Received. Mr W. H. Field, M.P., wrote statingthe Government would help the board to secure a Man of the district, provided the hoard assisted. Tho Government was aware that the matter.was less straightforward than usual owing to the irregular and haphazard manner m which some subdivisions had been made. —It was decided to render all possible assistance to the department. The Minister of Justice wrote_ acknowledging the board's letter urging that the charge of £25 per annum levied against the board as salary for the clerk of the licensing committee was excessive and should be reduced to £lO. Thu matter would receive attention. —Received. Tho Public Health Department reported that a building on Convent road was unfit for occupation. Various improvements were suggested, and it was agreed to serve the necessary notice. The Minister for Labour wrote acknowledging tho petition signed by various shop-keepers respecting the hours ot closing their business premises, and stating tho same would receive attention —Referred, to the Shopkeeper’s . Association. BOROUGH RATES. The chairman reported that on June 30th, 1920, the position, of rate* was: - Generals Outstanding, on March. 31st, 1920, £1214 14s sd, collected £247 8s 3d, still outstanding £937 6s 2d. Special •• Outstanding March 31st, 1920, £BS 6s 9d. collected £33 Is 6d. still outstanding £52 5s Sd. Totals: Outstanding March 31st, 1920. £I3OO Is 2d; collected, £303 9s 9d; still outstanding, £990 lbs 6d. Of the general rates (£590 12s 2dj outstanding at March 31st, 1919, only £5 16s 3d had been collected. No amount was received on account of general rates outstanding from 1914 to 1918. Of the special rates (£27,6s 10d). outstanding at March 81st, 1919, only IBs 2d had been collected, and nothing on account of amounts outstanding from 1914 to 1918. . J v It was fully recognised by members that the position was a serious ono, and tho proposal to sue for all outstanding rates and to push the matter to the furthest limit was agreed to. HORSES IN THE POUND. It was decided to write to Mr W. H. Field,. M.P., relative to a number of his horses which... Jiad beeu lirtpounaeci and released' without' 'trespass' ie ® having been paid. Tho pouhdkeeper Stated that ho was in "Wanganui at the time of the release, and had left his boy in charge, hence the mistake of , underThe poundkeopor raised objection to the ranger returning stock to owners instead erf impounding them, and thus doing him out of his fees. —The. matter is to be inquired into. ROADS AND FOOTPATHS. . . A ishort discussion relative "to the Work being done by the roadmen on Mill road took place, some considering the channelling was unnecessary, while others thought a good job was being made/ It was stated that tho work would soon be out ot hand, and therefore no action was taken. Mr Smith asked that the roadman give attention to the footpatn between Cockrell’s and the courthouse.— Agreed. to The matter of reducing the. road stall and the office staff w«6 mentioned, but for the time being it was thought advisable to take. no action, . . It was agreed that the mam street should be cleared oftoner and. made more presentable for week-end visitors. It was reported that some £27 15s had been collected as dog tax.