WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1530, 2 May 1885, Page 2

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Ordinary Meeting. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Wiikanui Road Board was held at the Board’s office, Moore street, to-day. Present—Messrs Mayo (Chairman), Walsh, Cole and Megson. defaulting ratepayers. The Surveyor reported that after consultation with the Chairman and Mr Walsh, he had acceded to a request made by a number of ratepayers to aDstain from suing for rates until after the present meeting. Many of the defaulters were engaged delivering their grain, and until they received payment would not be in a position to pay the amounts owing. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read: —(1) From Mr D. H. Brown, on behalf on Mr C. W. Turner, enclosing cheque for L3O contribution towards the bridge on Smith’s road. —(2) From Messrs Duncan, Ootterell and Martin, (acknowledging receipt of the Board's April 13, in respect to Mr Smith’s claim upon the Board.—(3) From the Ashburton County Council, stating that it had incurred no responsibility in reference to the River road.—Mr Megson announced that the County Council had resolved to apply for a grant under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act for repairs to the road. This action would render the Coun oil liable for the maintenance of the road. surveyor’s report, j he Surveyor’s report was read as fol-

l. Wakanui Road : The large culvert 1 on this road a short distance below the junction with the Milton road having broken down at the side we have had it repaired temporarily, but as it is becoming unsound in other places we should recommend a concrete culvert replacing the old one..— 2. Jones’s road : A culvert on this road having given way, we have had it taken up, and the place filled in, a culvert not now being required there. — 3. Wilson’s road :We are having th : s road repaired between the School road and the Beach road as recommended at last meeting ; we have also had a dangerous hole just below Mr David Wilson’s fenced off. 4, River road ; A passable track has been made for the benefit of ratepayers at the protective works on this road where the breach occur-. It requites blinding with clay in order to. make a good track, but as it is not exactly on the line jot road, and a doubt existing it this is within the Board’s province, we have refrained from doing this.— s. Tenders have been called for reforming Cochrane’s road as authorised, and also for erection of con ere’e bridge on Smith’s

road.—6.- Wakanui School road: With reference to the complaint made by Mr Smith of the insufficiency of pipes across the road to carry away water from the gully on his land, we have since learnt from him that the river when in fresh comes down this gully from places other than reported by us last month, such being the case probably the Board would re-consider the decision arrived at by them at last meeting. WAKANUI ROAD. It was resolved to call for tenders for a concrete culvert on the Wakanui road, as recommended by the Purveyor. WAKANUf SCHOOL ROAD A letter was read from Mr J. Smith, complaining of the insufficiency of pipies across the Wakanui road to convey the water from his laud.—The matter was referred to Mr Cola and the Surveyor with power to act. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted:— Bridge, Smith’s road, J. Crum, L 67 ; Cochrane’s road, H. Harper, 3s lid per chain. PAYMENTS.

Accounts amounting to L 32 16s 2d were passed for payment. rule’s road. Mr Silcock waited upon the Board with reference to the completion of work commenced on Rule’s r iad.—lc was resolved that the Board would pay for the work at contract price on the satisfactory completion of the same. ADJOURNMENT. The Board then adjourned to Saturday, June 6. Annual Meeting, The annual meeting of the Wakanui Road „Board was held at noon to-day. Present —Messrs Mayo (chairman), Megson, Walsh, and Cole. chairman's report.

!■ The Chairman said:—ln laying before [ you our statement for the last financial ' year, no special comment is required on my part with reference to the expenditure, the system of wards is a sufficient > check against extravagance, and I believe your representatives on the Board are ! fully alive to the necessity of economy now that the ratepayers are taxed In almost every conceivable form. But in keeping the rates down we must not loose * sight of the fact that traffic is increasing, ■ and that roads are constantly requiring re-metalling, bridges and culverts repair- [ ing, and though the work done may ssem insignificant compared to the first outlay 1 of forming a road or building a bridge, * yet the constant attention and patching 1 soon runs into a considerable sum, and we would wish ratpayers to bear this in mind The Board have as much desire as they have for a small rate, but having a duty to perform they desire to carry it out in the best possible manner combined with economy. In alluding to our working expenses, these havegbeen reduced to the lowest scale commensurate with efficiency, a reduction of L§o less than last year having been effected. We trust therefore that the ratepayers will be satisfied by the manner in which conducted their affairs during the last twelve months, BALANCE-SHEET. The Surveyor read the annual balancesheet as follows : No. i WARD. P pPE'Tn'rc

£47 to o I'have audited this acconnt and have compared the items with the vouchers and with the rate accounts: and find it correct. J. OLLIYIER, Provincial District Auditor. On the motion of Mr Megaon, seconded by Mr Cole, the report and balance-sheet were adopted for submission to the annual meeting of ratepayers. Mr Megson said he could not let the opportunity pass without expressing his sincere thanks to the Chairman for tho courteous consideration he had at all times extended to the members of the Board,' and to himself (Mr Megson) in particular.' He (Mr Megaon) had taken part in public matters for upwards of 40 years, and without desiring to' flatter their Chairman, he mast say that he had never been associated with a more pleasant colleague or more impartial Chairman than Mr Mayo. It was impossible, and perhaps undesirable; for public men to be unanimous on alt points, bat they should always respect the opinion of others and give one another credit for honesty of purpose. With the exception of one, the Chairman’s rulings had always met with his (Mr Megson’s) cordial approval. He was about to retire from public life, as he felt that advancing years and the infirmities of old ago compelled him to make room for.younger men, and he thought this a moat fitting occassion to move a hearty vote of thanks to their Chairman. The vote was carried by acoiamatidn. The Chairman briefly thanked, the Board for the kindly manner in which they had referred to him. He had made some blunders, but they , were, ho could assure them, the blunders of inadvertence He had always desired to do hia duty to wards the Board and the ratepayers. ■ Mr Megson also acknowledged the indulgence he had received from the other, members of the Board with whom.be bad always worked with the greatest pleasure and harmony. Mr Walsh said he-was sorry to lose the services of Messrs. Mayo and Megson on the Board. They had both shown them* selves to be energetic and intelligent public men. He urged the Chairman to re-consider his determination to retire from the Board. The Chairman said he had quite made up his mind to retire.

Ratepayers Annual Sleeting.

The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Wakanui Road Board district was held at 1 p.m. to day. There was a fair attendance, and Mr Mayo, the Chairman of the Road Board, presided. - The annual Report and Balance Sheet having been read, were, on the motion of Mr Allen seconded by Mr Meg«on, adopted. On the motion of Mr Lill, seconded by Mr Allen, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Board for the opposition they bad offered to the special rate in connection with the Ashburton road bridge. Several questions, in re?pect to the business of the Board, having been asked and satisfactorily answered by the Chairman, the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the members of the Board. ‘ ' ’

KECI April I, 1884. :ipts. £ s. d. Rates ... 98 14 3 Rents 3 19 O County Council refund 9 3 O Sports Association IS 0 O Timber told 0 3 4 Soil sold (Hampstead) 4 12 0 Balance 120 18 8 £252 10 3 EXPENDITURE. April 1, 1884. £ s. d. Balance T . 61 0 I Wakanui Road 1 ... • 7 ii 6 Mill and Seafield Road 4 S 0 Smith’s Road . 8 7 6 Trevor’s Road . r 16 O Great South Road ... ... 4 10 0 Innes’s Road 3 S O Smithfjeld Road ... 34 1 0 Prince’s Road ... 0 5 0 Hampstead Road ... 45 15 7 Trevorton Road ... 10 17 i Beach Road 3 10 0 Roads, R.S. 4904 ... 4 13 0 Inspector Nuisances 2 IS 7 Salary 28 4 O Advertising, printing, stationery, postages, insurance, legal, repairs to cottages and offices, stamp and sundries ... 14 0 7 Interest S 11 O Bird Nuisance ... n 13 4

Assets. £252 10 Rates ... 89 16 4 Rents ... 8 0 0 Soil (Ifaiqpstead) ... 4 12 0 County Council ... 2 10 4 ,£104 18 8 Liaeilities. Overdraft ... ... 120 18 8 Bridge, Smith’s road limes’ road ... ... 15 0 O 3 0 0 Sundries ... ... 5 0 0 £i43 18 s No 2 WARD. Receipts'.' Rites ... i.. ... ... 312 3 9 Rents ... 9 3 0 t imber sold 0 3 4 Council refund - 9 3 £330 <2 iI

Expenditure, April i, 1884. , Bal'nce ... 38 13 6 Milton read ... Corbett’s road 5 14 0 4 15 0 Wakanui Town road 6113 Wakanui road 19 12 6 Wakanui School road Christy’s road 18 12 9 3 19 9 Wilson’s road 13 16 9 Butterick’s road ... 2 10 0 Beach road... 28 11 8 Stanley road 3 12 0 Fitzgerald’s road ... ... I lo 0 River road 5 IS 0 Gibson’s road ... 639 Trevor’s road 1 11 0 Cochrane’s road ... ... 13 19.0 Elgin road Walsh’s road ... ... 3 9 0 6 6 O' Leadley’s road ... ... • 3 6 Southfield road ... ... .. 4 16 S Shipka Pass road ... ... 300 Salary 65 5 0 Advertising, printing, stationery. insurance, etc. ... 32 10 0 Interest .. ... . 9116 Bird nuisance ... . 11 13 4 Babnce ,. IS 4 1 Z330 12 I Assets. Rates outstanding ... • 124 IS 7 Rents ... ... ... . »• 20 O O Council, refund ... ... . , 2 10 4' £147 s ** Liabilities. Beach road ... .. 27 0 0 Wilson’s road .. 900 Repairs in hand ... ... . .. 15 0 0 Bridge, Smith’s road 710 0 Sundries 506 £6% 10 0 No, 3 WARD. Receipts. Rates .. 348 irit Rents 7 18 0 Timber sold .. 030 Council refund •• 9 3 0 Balance • 9 9 S £375 6 8 Expenditure. April 1, 1884. Balance ... 84 ir S . Corbett’s road ... IO IO O Seafield road ... 29 9 0 a ( hertsey road s Buttcrick’s road ... • ... 37 17 6 ... 2 10 0 j Stanley’s road I 1 0 f Rule’s toad ... 15 0 0 e Cochrane’s road ... ... 29 17 8 a Boundary road ... 30 16 6 Station road 1 IS 0 Fairfield road ... 419 0 Lead ley’s road ... 3 18 0 Hampton road ... 7 16 9 l. Salary .. • ... 56 11 0 „ Advertising, printing, stationery. insurance, etc. ... 28 2 6 ’ Interest 9 11 6 Bird nuisance 11 13 4 1, A £375 6 8 . Assets. Rates ... 96 18 11 Rents ... ... 20 0 0 Council, refund r . 2 10 4 £119 9 3 Liabilities. Repairs ordered ... S 0 0 1, Bridge, Smith’s road ... 7 10 0 s Rule’s road ... ... 30 0 0 e Sundries ... 5 0 0