SOUTH BAKAIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1244, 3 May 1884, Page 2

SOUTH BAKAIA.

The annual meeting of ratepayers was held on Thursday. Mr 0. N. Mackie took the chair. A large number of ratepayers attended. ' The Chairm'an said T congratulated tl>e tatepayors on the satisfactory balanceraheet before them. A large number of works had been completed during the year—he would like contractors to be more particular in tendering for works, as in many cases the contracts had to be thrown up before comp etion on account of the low prices. In last year’s report the attention of ratepayers was called to the storm-water question, which has not received the same amount of attention as it should have done owing to the difficulty in providing fun’s The excessive rating of the district at the present time almost precludes the possibility of a special rate\for any works, however important they may bo. As for the storm water there is no doubt something will have to bt» done very shortly. I would remind you that we are heavily rated by the County Council, and receive no corresponding benefit. It will be for you to consider w'bether’yov. are not entitled to a fair share of th : » rate in ail of a water scheme, or any other important work in

the district. ' The village settlers are an* titled to a refund of L 564 3s 41 on the amount already paid by them for ttheil sections. A meeting had been held to coneider what work* were required, and plans could now be seen in the office, and it would be well if the settlers satisfied themselves that the works was all that they required before submittiog plans to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. If this was now done the works could be carried out dor-

ing the winter. 1 have again to congratu* late yon upon the absence of road, rates in this district, and I venture to think that irou will endorse the policy of the Board : n the conservation of its funds, consistently of coarse with the wanteof the distriotr The Board has always endeavored to act fairly and impartially to every put of the district and to favorably consider any application for necessary works. I would now draw 1 your attention to a matter of considerable interest in thia district, and that is the proposed division of it into two road districts. I last year suggested the advisability of dividing the district into wards, thereby securing fair representation throughout. I still think this would be better and less expensive than working two Bead Districts. ; If we once begin multiplying our local governing bodies we shall never know when to stop. In my opinion we should rather seek to enlarge our Road Districts end dispense with our county system, or ss some think merge the Hoad Districts into the counties and abolish one rating power altogether. In any esse before long s change will have to bo made, for when Road Board funds are exhausted rates will have to be struck for necessary works, and the doable rating power will prose heavily on the ratepay-rs In conclusion, I have to thank ym fir the confidence yon have always reposed in the members of the Beard, and to con*ratdlater you J upon the very satisfactory balance lying to the credit of the Board in the Bank.— Receipts: April 1, 1883—To balance in Bank of Hew Zealand, L 8,199 11s 2d; in- I cidental receipts, L 27 Its ; interest from fixed deposits, L4lO. Total, L8j637 7s2d. —Expenditure : March 31, 1884: By new roads and works, L 1,434 16s 6d; maintenance of roads, L 586 12s fid ; expenses, L 63 3s; Bakaia township, hew works, Llls 6s fid ; plant, LIOO 13s 3d ; plantations, L6los; clerk’s srlary for 13 months, L 216 13s 4d; advertising, L 65 10s Id. Total, L 2.679 3a 2d. Lem out standing cheque, L 4. L 2,676 3s 2d; balance in B*nk at closing of business,' L 6,062 4s. Total, L 8.637 7s 2d. On the motion of Mr Oxley, ascended by Mr Allan, the balance-sheet as read was adapted. f : Mr Allan said that it was the-wish,of a Urge number of ratepayers ' present to have the district divided into wards.

The Chairman stated that if a petition was sent in to the Board, he had no doubt the request would be attended to at once. Mr Holmes thought that as there ware so many present it would be a goodopportunity of considering the question of ' haring two rating bodies, and to'eZpteaft ’ an opinion as to the advisability of either doing away with the Oounty Ooupoil or the Road Boards. The Cornual were heavily rating the district, and, as a mem* her of that body was present, perhaps he. * would explain to the meeting what the rate was raised for. Mr Lambic said he was of opinion that the Road'Board should have the rpting ... powers and that the Oonnty Councils should be done away with. The Council had done good work, and certainly had i made some blunders. The Road Board, * if conducted properly, would be the beat local body, and the cheapest. _ The importance of the subject renders it necessary { t tvory ratepayer to seriously consider It, for sooner or later one body or the other must be abolished.

Mr Lyttelton proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr 'J.. Mann and carried unanimously :—“ That in the opinion of this meeting, the Road Bused is the proper body to have the : rating powers, and that the power of the ; ounty Qounoil to raise rates be abolished; . that a copy of this resolution should beforwarded to our member in the House of v* > Representatives, asking him to use his ntmost endeavors to carry the same into effect.” • Mr Lyttelton proposed a vote of thanks- - to the Chairman ant members of the Board for their services. Mr Latnbie in seconding this said he thought it should be a very hearty vote of 1 thanks to the Chairman at least, who was; •• * now about to leave us for a tnp Home. : . He had rendered very valuable services to ' all in the district. Mr Mackie thanked all present for the vote of. thanks passed to himself - and - other. members of the Board, and ex* pressed regret<%t learing the district where. he had been for so many years. The meeting was then closed.