RIWAKA.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8261, 30 May 1895, Page 2

RIWAKA.

[FBOSI OTJB OWH COBBEBPONDBNT.] We have just been engaged in establishing a record for ourselves in local government matters by Bending up twelve candidates for the Eoad Board to the poll with a following of retweea seventy and eighty of the free and independent. To What to attribute tbe superabundance of Riohm nJs, I am at a loss to know. It is, however, confidently asserted that there was quite a large pile of old axes heaped up at the Eoad Board's office, presumably und r the impression that they were there to ba ground, and the publio allege that it was an event indubitably connected with the election. A strange phenomenon in onneotion with ie was also observed : how that eaoh competitor, as be examined tbe pile, could only count eleven, oleariy tbe propeity of the other competitors. A cynio, however, declaras to me th-vt there were twelve fine old specimens, but some were rustier and more gapped than the others. Soon after the numbers were np a wellaitended meeting of the ratepayers of the Brooklyn Creek rating district wai held in the School, adjoining tbe Board's office, to discuss certain matters in connection with the loan proposals, but I am anticipating ! Lst us have a li tls law first in order to understand the dilemma in which we find ourselves. Some time back, tbe Board being new to the work, and being desirous of making a Special Order in connection with certain loan proposals was referred by, presumably, competent authorities to sections 75 and 76 of the R.ai Boards' Act, 1882, which set forth the modus operandi. I will quote just so much as is immediately relevent, " When anything is by this Act required to b 8 done by special order, it shall only be done by the passing of a resolution, which shall be publicly notified once during each of the four weeks immediately preceding the meeting at which sucu resolution is to be proposed," &c. All this (he Board has done, and yet the special order is invalid, because 23 ole-ir days did not elapse between proposing and adopting the resolution. In the Counties Aot, 1386. it is clearly put as to time ; all the Road Boards' Aot says is ' once during each of the four weeks." The Board thereupon convened a meeting of those interested, in the Oddfellows' Hall, last Monday, Mr Bate being in the chair, when the case was fairly put, how that through being one day out in the special order constituting the special rating district the whole matter had fallen through, and if they fctill persisted in their desire to raise a loan, all tiie proceedings would have to be gone over de novo. Some little sparring — not, however, in exposition of the noble art— took place between ihe Chairman and our Council memter, the which being but short, though certainly not very sweet, did not long detain the meeting. It was nnanimoualy agreed to request tbe Board to again take the matter up, oertain gentlemen agreeing to pay all costs incurred !if the proposal was not carried. Certain sug- [ gestions being thrown out in tbe course of the conversation, another meeting was held at the termination of the first to consider the praoicability of taking the work in connection with the creek in hand at onoe. A suggestion meeting with much favor was that the work be proceeded with by day labor, pay*ment to ba made when loan money is available. By thi3 time, however, it was necessary on account of the lateness of tbe hear to clo?e the m eting, it being, however, agreed to hold one in the school on the evening of election day — the meeting to whioh I first adverted. At this me- ting it was resolved to requst the Board to have tbe work d.ne by day labor, and all ratepayers in the special lating district be at liberty to work thereoo, provided they are approved by an inspector to be appointed ; it being considered that the majority of tnose interested would put in a. considerable amount of time at the work, rendering therefore the carrying of the loan almost a certainty from the faot that tbeir payment would be made consequent thereon. A Cooamittte was also appointed to draw up a plan of campaign embodying the vaiious suggestions accepted by the meetii g, and to inspect the creek, tbe Biard promising to attend, with a view to the oommencemeat of operations at an early d*te. It was also resdved to reg- eat the Road Board to obtain advice t s to tbe legality of the proposedjatep, and other matters pertinent thereto.