TEMUKA TOWN BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1490, 8 April 1886, Page 3

TEMUKA TOWN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Temuka Town Board was held last evening in the Board’s Office. Present— Messrs Gray (Chairman), Mason, Blyth, Brown, and Quinn. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read as follows Prom the Property Tax Commissioner, acknowledging the receipt of the Board’s voucher for £47 19s 9J, being an advance of 75 percent, on account of subsidy under The Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act 1883. From the Colonial Secretary, stating that the Central Board of Health would agree to the amalgamation of the Town and Road Boards as a Local Body of Health for dealing with epidemic diseases, and enclosing a draft of a special order which would require to be made.—The Chairman said thal the Temuka Road Board had decided to defer the question until they saw what was done with regard to having the Arowhenua district being declared a town district, lb was decided to defer the matter accordingly. From the Captain of the Fire Brigade, stating that ho bad tried all the wells and found them in good order.—This was considered satisfactory. From the Postmaster, calling the Board’s attention to the state of the footpath in front of the Post-office.—Mr Mason thought it was partly the fault of the Post-office authori, lies who put the asphalt round the Post-office. Alter several members had exp an opinion on the matter, it was decided to refer the matter to the Overseer to see about \ an-, report to the Board at next meeting. SALVATION ARMY BABBAGES. A letter was from Mr D. Oharleris, Treasurer of the Salvation Army, Temuka, bringing before the notice of the Board the fact that places for religious worship were exempt from taxes, and asking that the rates on their hall be remitted. Mr M. Quinn supposed the Snlvatisn Army would be reckoned a religious body ? The Chairman thought that, as their hab was used for purely religious purposes, they would bo exempt. Mr Brown said they were icknowledged as a religious body, but whe.her they would come under the saßie head as the other chinches h.g did not know, After consulting the Act as to what places were exempt, after a desultory confer-

nation, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Quinn, seconded by Mr Blyth—“That the matter be referred to the Property Tax Commissioner.? EIRE BEIL. Tenders for supplying a fire bell to the Board were received as follows ! From Mr J, Hatton, Timaru, offering to construct a bell eighteen inches or more in diameter for 2s per lb. From Mr J. Anderson, Christchurch, offering the Board a bell which he had, of about 2cwt, with fittings and all complete for £2O. Prom Messrs A. and T. Burt, Dunedin, offering to supply a fire bell, any size, for Is 8d per lb delivered at the Temuka railway elation, and offering to buy the Board’s old bell for 6d per lb delivered at their works. From Messrs Briscoe and Sons, Dunedin, offering a turret bell of sixteen inches diameter, being the largest they had, for £B. Mr Quinn proposed—“ That the Chairman and Messrs Blyth and Mason be appointed a committee to arrange for the purchase of a bell.” Mr Brow* seconded the motion and it was agreed to. TUB WELLS. The Captain of the Fire Brigade haying written saying that all the wells were in good order, the application for two new wells which was made at 1 ast meeting was discussed. The Chairman said that one was asked to be sunk near the English Church, and another near the Bank of New Zealand. An experiment had been tried some year* ago with large iron pipes, nearly opposite the Bank, bat it was found it would not answer. Ur Blyth thought there was hardly a well in the town would stand half an hour’s pumping, Mr Mason said that unless the wells were pumped oat clean they soon get choked up with silt.

Mr Blyth did not believe the wells had ever been tested at a fire. He would move—- “ That the question of wells stand in abeyance until it be seen whether the Board can bring the water into the town or not.” It was bis opinion there would be very little difficulty in the way of it. These wells wore a continual expense, and there were so many of them required.

Mr Brown wished to know the cost of the wells, and they were stated to be about five or six pounds each. At a later stage the question of a watersupply again cropped up, and it was decided to inform the Fire Brigade that the Board wou'd defer the matter of putting the wells down for the present, but if urgently needed the Board would have them put down.

overseer’s report.

The Overseer reported that he had one man 21£ days employed in cleaning out the water channels ; and some of the back streets were still unfinished ; also Cass Street and Main South Road, the water tables of which wanted looking after. Some gorse wanted clearing off near Comer and Larcombe’s. —According to the Act it was necessary the Treasurer should prepare a balance sheet and a statement of assets and liabilities, reserves, real properly, and the conditions under which reserves arelet. A special meeting would have to be held in the month of May to consider suoh balance-sheet, The balance in bank last Board day was £lO3 0i Id, and after paying accounts, and counting the subsidy, rates, and rents, there would be a total balance of £l7O 8s 2d‘ LAMPS. On the motion of Mr Quinn, seconded by Mr Mason, it was decided to erect four new lamps—one near the Star Hotel, one at the Railway Crossing, Milford Road, one at Tavender’s Crossing, and one at the Railway Crossing opposite Mr B. Brown’s house. ADVERTISING. Mr Quinn proposed—“ That all advertising for the three months after the Ist of May next be given to the Timaru Herald.” They ought to go in for supporting local industry. The Timaru Herald was a very important local industry, and they would be doing a fair and just thing to give it support. Mr Mason seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. After the motion was carried, Mr Blyth asked whether the. Timaru Herald would put in their advertisements and allow a discount of 50 per cent., the same as the Temuka Leader had allowed on advertising the bylaws.

Mr Quinn said that was a special thing. The proprietor of the Temuka Leader had offered to advertise the by-laws for half price on account of himself having upset them.

Mr Blyth said the by-laws had to be advertised yet. Would the Herald advertise them at half price ?

Mr Mason slid he did not intend that advertisement should be taken away from the Temuka Leader. Mr Quinn said he did not intend it either. The Chairman said there were many advertisements required by the Act which should be advertised in the local paper. Mr Quinn said it would do in a paper circulating in the district. The Chairman said so long as there was a paper in the town some of the advertisements would appear in it.

The matter then dropped, and the meeting adjourned.