MEETING OF THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

West Coast Times, Issue 100, 12 January 1866, Page 2

MEETING OF THE IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.

Thooloaingni jotingof tho Improvement Committoo olectod last Juno, whoao tonn of 011100 has now expired, was hold last ovoning, at Brackon's Quoonstown Ilotol, for tho purposo of winding up accounts, and rosigning olliao. For some timo past, tho meetings, havo boon very poorly attondod, but last night a bottor mustor showod up. The inombora of Cominittco prosont woro Mosars Andorson (chairman), Palmor, Urackon,' Jfuuro, Ecolosfiold, and Olark. During tho day the Committee had boon round to collect anothor small rato of sixponco por foot, in ordor to oloar off liabilities, ''"hud allow tho now Committee, if oleutotl, to tako oflico with a clean balanco shcofc, Mossrs Andorson nnd Urackon had boon down Rovoll street, and Messrs Clark and Palmor round Gibson's Quay and Wharf street. Tlio collectors reported that all whom they had called on and found at homo had paid cheerfully, with tho oxcoption of Messrs ifao, M'Quilk'iu, Bohan, Hudson, M'Mahon and Co. in Eovcll streot, and Messrs Chiflinga and Wlntton, Modard and Co. on Gibson's Quay. Thoro was also a sum to coino from tho G-ovornmont for tho Camp frontage, and altogother thoro was ovory reason to bnliovo that all liabilities would bo mot. Messrs Eeovo3 aud Bouur had boon also nominated ns collectors, but did not givo iv any report. In tlio oourso of tho discussion that took placo nftor hearing those roports, it was statod that tho Oommittoo proposod to employ tho surpluofuiuls iv their hands, if nny there should bo, in sovoral small works that wero now noccssary. Some conversation in reference to the Camp RVsorvo sales took plaoo, in tho cmrse of which it was stated that tho wholo reserve was to bo sold shortly. An account for advertising tho Fire Biigado was sont in by the proprietor* of the Hokitika Advertiser. Other itoms wore also charged, but as tho committco did nob umlorstand thorn, tho accounts wero referred back for explanation. ♦

Mr Palmor suggodted that a meeting should bo called, in order to resign their trust, to elect another ooininittco, if tho public cho.se, and to produce ti b.ilancc-shoct. Mr Muuro thought that with reference to tho election of a now cominittcp, iho present committee should not express an. opinion, bub leave it entirely in the hands of tho. publio. Mr Bracken thought I hat thoro should bo another oommittoo appointedj'for it would bo throe or four mouths before a municipal council could bo olected.

Somo other convocation took placo on this subjcot In tho course of it, Mr Palmer said he bad made iuciuiiies that day of Mr Roolifoid, tho surveyor, who had told him that tho plans for forming Woldstreot had not yet been prepared. Mr Palmer moved that a publio meeting should bo called for on Wednesday evening next, tOronder a statement of tho proceedings of tho committee during tho past six months, for laying boforo tho public a detailed balance-sheet, and to take tho opinion of the residents in Hokl'ika as to tho advisability of electing a new committee.' Mr Braokcn seconded this motion, and it was ouried unanimously. Mr Munro earnestly advooated that every exertion should be mado to establish a municipality as soon as tho land was sold. Ho referred to the diltioulties tho committee had met with during tho lust six months, and tho unsatisfactory manuer iv whioh tho public cuno forward to p:iy the amounts that had • been expendod for thoir own direct benefit.

Mr Palmer suggestud that in future no work should be undertaken till the cash was actually in hand.

Sevora) members hove testimony to tho difficulties of collection and the ingratitude the publio generally showed in appreciating tha oxertions of the connnittco. Tlio committee had contributed both time and money ; they had been their own collectors at groat ' persoual expense, and it was questionable whether any persons would bo found willing to uccept such a thankless oflico any longer.

Mr Munro drew attention to the fact that some L7or LS was still duo by the inhabitants of ltovell-street north for improvements effeoted there, and ho wished to know what was to be done about it. Tho contractor had threatened to summon him personally*, as he (tbe speaker) had given tho ordor for it.

It was resolved that this should bo includod iv tho liability, and paid out of tho goneral funds as soon as all the collections were in ; and, also, that every exertion should be made to get them in.

Iv rofcrouca to outstanding accounts, Mr Braokon moved a roxolution, which was carried, that iv % order to allow tho oomuiittee to prepare tho balanco sheot, a notice should be advertised that all accounts not sent iv on or boforo Monday noxt would not bo recoguised. In order to mako full prepartions for tho public meeting, it wa.s arranged that a connnittco meeting should bo held on Tuesday next. A votoofthauks to tho Ohairnian concluded tho proceedings-.