WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1411, 4 May 1886, Page 3

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The following is the Chairman’s statement, read at the annual meeting of ratepayers at the Wakanni Road Board District on Saturday In laying before youpur balance sheet for the year ending March 31st, it is needless for one to make any comment on the expenditure, as the system we now work under is a sure safeguard against extravagance. The Board, having in view the large amount expended annually in maintenance and the difficulty experienced of getting work of this nature satisfactorily performed, went carefully into the matter of purchasing plant, and having a man of their own to do this and other email works in the district, which was accordingly done, and I am glad to say that the action of the Board has been fully justified in not only having the work done more thoroughly but more economically, for after writing off 20 per cent, for depreciation of plant, a saving as compared with last year has been made of £32 16s 2d, and in this manner including depreciation of plants the work costs ns as near as possible 20s per dry. The Wairarapa County Council brought before your Board a proposed system of Local Government finance, but as it was considered unsuitable, especially for this Island, the Board rejected it. The Board desire to bring before you the question of the small birds nuisance. This Board expended a large sum last year on this account, but though a large quantity of-eggs and birds were destroyed, j it is doubtful if much benefit will result, as other local bodies seem very apathetic in thP matter, and unless it is taken up generally it ia of little use ; it is the Board’! opinion that energetic measures should be taken throughout the country in exterminating what at present bids fair to be one of the greatest tronbl s to the farmer. In conclusion, the Board trust that what they have done will meet with your approval, and hope when they meet JOu again next year the cloud o f depression that now bangs over colony will have been cleared awav, and with the advent of such important works as the West Coast Bail way and others a new era of prosperity will dawn oa those who by thrift a”.d energy have deserved it.