Waverley News.

Patea Mail, Volume XXXII, 2 December 1910, Page 3

Waverley News.

! By Our Resident /tepresentative. \ WAVERLEY, THIS DAY WAVERLEY TOWN BOARD, Monthly Meeting. The usual monthly meeting of the Waverley Town Board was held last evening, there being present Commissioners Dalton (in the chnir), Emiuerson, Merriman, Palmer and Howie. Before the business was gone on witb, Cr Emmerson asked the Chairman who was going to officiate as cleric for the meeting and was informed that Mr Gray, Mr Wilson's clerk, was going to officiate. Mr Emmerson; On whose authority ? - The Chairman said Mr Wilson had written to the Board asking for authority for Mr Gray to act in his stead while, he wns away to Australia. Mr Emmerson. He did'nt have the Board's sanction. It is an unusual thing for a new clerk to have another man in his place before attending a singlo meeting, ;> The Chairman explained that. Mr Wilson was away on buEiness. Mr Emmerson again commented on the absence of Mr Wilson before attending a meeting. The Chairman here said that Mr Wilson had been appointed clerk to the Board. Mr Emmerson : When was this sir ? Chairman : At the special meeting. MrEuimerson: Not by our Board. He then asked on whose authority Mr Wilson was away, The Chairman said that Mr Wilson had wiitten to the Board, asking for permission, but there had not sines been a meeting at which to formally grant permission.

Mr Emmerson here explained that he had no desire to upset things. Mr Howie thought that the meeting bad not yrt commenced and that tbe discussion was out of order. Mr Emmerson remarked that as the clerk was absent ho eonsided it the duty of the Chairman to take the minutes. Mr JL J almer here came 'in at.d the Chairman explained the positiou to him, iu which he said that Mr Wilson had interviewed the individual Members of the Board before leaving. - Mr Emmerson said they were getting back to the old style. The Chairman said that when the Board selected a clerk they did not want to hold him hard and fast. This was not done in more important positions than this. After a few more thrusts and parries the Chairman said " This has gone a bit beyond a joke, Mr Emmerson,—over this appointment." Mr Emmerson said he was not criticising the appointment, and that he had nmdeithis business to'congratulate Mr Wilson on his appointment. With that the matter was dropped for the time being. Dog Tax. Mr Emmerson raised tho question of dog tax, and askeS if taxes should bo paid for dogs six months old. He asked for a ruling on the point. ! Mr Howie then proposed and Mr Emmerson seconded that taxes should not be collectable on dogs under 12 months old. Mr Dalton proposed as an amendment and Mr Merriman seconded that dogs should be taxablo' after the age of six months. The amendment was carried. It was decirled'tkat summonses should be issued against several persons whoso day taxes were unpaid, It had been discovered that tho Patoa County Council had collected taxes in the Wavorloy Town Board district to the amount of 10s, It was decided to write to the Council asking for a refund, It was decided to allow tho collector 20 per cent commission on tho actual amount of taxer collected,

Correspondence. The first letter read was one from Mr T. Wilson, town cleric, formally asking for permission for his assistant to act during tho writer's absence: The chairman explained that Mr Wilson had interviewed him on tho Saturday following his appointment as ho wished to leave for Australia on tho following Monday He told him ho did not think thero would bo any bother oyor tho matter, but advised him to seo tho other members of the board, which ho did and Mr Wilson informed him that tho other membors seemed quito agreoablo. Ho (Mr Dalton ) did not ace why there should be such a " rumpus " over the matter. Mr Enmierson ' You make use of tho word "rumpus". Chairman: Thoro has been a rumpus. Mr Enmierson said it was a matter of the board's ettiquette, Mr Howie thought that it would have been moro satisfactory if Mr Wilson had been granted leave at tho board's table. Mr Eiumerson said that was his con--tention. Mr Wilson could hare got tho chairman to call a special rneoting for the purpose Mr Palmer said that Mr Wilson had interviewed him and ho had no objections. On a future occassion, rt would bo better to call a meeting to formally grant permission. Mr Merriman said Mr Wilson had also spoken to him. MrEmmorson said Mr Wilson had interviewed him and ho said ho would object if leavo was not granted at tho board table. Tho matter thon dropped and Mr Howio proposed and Mr Palmer seconded that Mr Gray bo appointed acting clerk to the end of tho year.—Carried Tho Chairman thought that a minuto, formally apnointing Mr Wilson as clerk, should appear on tho mimitos and Mr Merrimen proposed and- Mr Howie seconds that the board confirm their delegate's action in the appointment of Mr Wilson as clerk.—Carried. Mr Eminerson said he could not let tho clerk's appointment pass without a few remarks. Me did not wish to compbiin, but ho could not compliment the Board on the way tho appointment had been madp. Tho Board called for applications for the position of clerk. That was tho proper course, but tho Board at tho following meeting made certain restrictions in connection with tho upkeep of the town hull nnd its revenue. That went to .show that there was something behind I he scones ho was not uw&re of. I At tho subsequent meeting, tho Board was nfluid to carry out its duties, »i d asked the county boards to meet it, iu connection with tho appointment. The outcome was that outsido boards in rule nominations and helped to decide the nppoint:nr-nt. Tho rntopaycis should know of this matter. 110 was sorry to have to mention individuals, but Mr Mo.irimau was voiy much interested in the building ami made a grave mistake in saying that lie would give his support to the man who could bring tho most revenue. This was unfair to applicants. Another gentleman hud said that tho other boards must help iu the matter of tho appointment, and another said ho " wished Mr Eminerson had not applied." Ho could not compliment tho Board on tho appointment audit went to show Unit the members had shirked their duty, He was not speaking personally only, but also on behalf uf the other applicants. When Mr Wilson applied for the position,

he also applied for certain offices in the building and this strengthened bi<J position. The Board, Mr Emmerson affirmed, had been prevented from giving its straight cut opinion. Mr Mt rriman said that Mr Emmerson had usi'd two words,—-"' not fair," and "afraid." Did he not state fairly and clearly "t the Board meeting, that all things being pqinl he would support the man who could bring the most revenue to the Board ? There were two ways of looking at the' matter. The Board had to study the applicants and also the ratepayers and who hud the most at stake ? The Board had told the public that if they voted for the new building, it would bo self supporting and it was a pledge they were in honour bound to carry out. Mr Emmerson made a great mistake in saying he was afraid. Mr Emmerson sr>il he s'.ill maintainod that the Board had been afraid. Mr Merriman said they had made the best conditions, in the interests of tho ratepayers. ' Mr Emmerson asked why the Board did no| tell the ratepayers that th<y were going to give the position to the man who could bring the most revenue. Mr Knmierson affirmpd that ho had not been given British f-ir.play. Mr Palmer said tho appointment had been made for tho bfst and there had been no ulterior motive - He had no idea (here would be such feeling over the mutter. The disenssion continued, and the same ground was again gone Mr Dalton suggested changing tho subject. ■ ' ' Mr Howie heartily agreed, and suggested that they should talk about the horses which continued to wander on the streets at night. With that the matter dropped. The Board decided to t.ike steps to get rid of the wandering horse nuisance. The Board rose at 11. 45 p.m. [The remainder of our report is unavoidably hold over].