Town Board.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 186, 14 April 1896, Page 2

Town Board.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Monday, April 13th. Present: Messrs D. McGregor (chairman), O'Brien, Stewart, Knowles, and later, J. O. Hiokey. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and- confirmed. Mr Stewart drew attention to the refusal of the clerk to register a horse for Mr Markham.

After discussion it was admitted that the clerk was acting within the rules laid down for grazing.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From W. J. Wells, re claim for ball hire for West Coast League meetings. Resolved, That the rent for use of hall be foregone. (McGregor-Stewart.) From Taranaki County Counoil, asking for information re improvements since valuation was made.

Information to be supplied. From Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, re James Weir, stating that he had left the Old Men's Home on his own account.

• From Postmaster, conveying authority for his Worship the Mayor to frank all telegrams and letters in connection with the Brunner Relief Fund uatil May 81st. From Hawera Brunner Relief Fund, forwarding lists. Resolved, That fresh lists be sent round and the money remitted direct. (McGregor-Knowles.) From Opunake Football Club, applying for use of hall on May 25th. First consideration would be granted. From H. J. Newman, requesting that footpath be made from Po3t-office creek to western corner of Section 7, Block XXX.

Resolved, That work be done. (Mc-Gregor-Stewart.) Tenders for cattle badges were received from A. Elgar, I|l each (accepted), and Hodgson, 15s per 100. The Chairman said" several had spoken to him about the great need there was for a supper-room at the hall. There was a sum of £l2 10s now coming from the Justice Department, and he would move that that sum be set aside for the purpose of erecting a supper-room, and that the Board supplement it with £ for £. Seconded by Mr O'Brien and carried.

The tender of Mr J. S. Knobbs for custodian of hall at £8 per annum was accepted. MAIN ROAD. Resolved, That the necessary steps be taken to take over the main road running through the township, from the County Council. (Stewart-Hickey.) Rssolved, That tenders be called for carting shingle for repairs to Layard Street. (Stewart-Knowles ) It was reported that W. McLeod had registered a horse aud a cow which did not belong to him. Resolved, That the registration fee be returned to him. (Stewart-Mc-Gregor.)

Mr Stewart referred to tha matter of having the town levels fixed, but the matter was allowed to drop as funds were getting rather low.

Mr Stewart wished to know in what position the baud instruments were, as there was a probability of the baud starting again—very likely before the next meeting of the Board. As far as an agreement was concerned the instruments aud funds handed over were at once available for the purposes of a brass band whenever it might start. The following accounts were passed for payment:—A. Clough, £lB os ; Opunake Times, £llßs ; A. Elgar, 12-! 6d; Palmer and Co., £2 sd; R. E. Mather, 16s ; W. Pettigrew, £1 12s; J. Martin, £1 49 6d ; Returning Officer, £1 18s 6d; C. F. McGregor, 93 6d; Dudley and Mitchell, 17s 6d ; H. Hodgson, 17s 6d ; Knobbs, £2.

DOMAIN BOARD.

Same members, Mr J. Stewart chairman. Minutes read and confirmed.

Resolved, That tenders be called for lease of lot 2, for three years, at an upset rental of 10s per acre per annum. (McGregor-Knowles.) The Opunake Football Club wrote asking that the Board would level the ground. Resolved, That request be complied with. (McGregor-Kuowles.) Resolved, That draining be done on reserve.

Mr J. C. Hickey said he wished to say a few words about the system of employing day labor. He thought some means should be devised for distributing the work amongst the working men of the town, as at present it was all confined to three or four. Tenders he thought for all works over one pound should be posted up so that the old and feeble should get a chance of employment, He might mention G. Jones, McSweeney and Martin as men who could not get employment from the Board.

The Chairman pointed out now that the Board called for tenders for all work over £2 and it was generally found whenever any of these mentioned went in they put such a value on their work that thoy had no show of getting it, but it was their own fault.