LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1411, 8 May 1886, Page 2

LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Longbeach Road Board wan held at the Board’s office yesterday. Present Messrs Grigg (chairman), Chapman, Williams, and Bishop. CHAIRMAN. Mr J. Qrigg was elected chairman for the ensuing year. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read (1) from Mr W. Wilson.—Received (2) from the Ashburton Electors’ Protection Association inviting the Board to forward the objects of the Association. Tbemembers promised their individual support to the Association, but were of opinion that they could take no official action.

SURVEYORS’ REPORT The Purveyors reported upon various works in the district. TENDERS, Tenders were opened for the removal of bridges from the Beach Road, and that of K. Luscombe at L2 each bridge, with right to retain timber, was accepted. FORD AT SARGISSONS It was resolved to diupeuae with ford at Sargissons and make a drain from the site to the creek paddock. SURVEYOR’S ROAD. The Surveyors were directed to have a concrete culvert erreoted over creek on Surveyor’s Road.

SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Chairman reported that the Coldstream Road Board had threatened to take iegil proceedings to recover the amount of the award made by the County Council. He had referred the Coldstream Board to Messrs Wynn-Williams and Deacon. mclennan’s road. The Surveyor was directed to take steps to prevent obstructions being placed in the drain upon McLennan’s road.

PAYMENTS. The usnal monthly accounts were passed for payment. okaham’s road. The Surveyors were directed to report upon the stank upon Graham’s Road. MAINTENANCE. The Surveyors were directed to Invite applications for the work of maintenance. ADJOURNMENT. The Board then adjourned until Friday, June 11.

ANNUAL MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Longbeach Road Board was held at the Board's office yesterday. There was a tjood attendance, and Mr John Grigg. Chairman of the Board, presided. chairman’s report.

The Chairman said :—ln presenting the annual statement, which has just been read, you will observe that it has been made out according to the previous wards. This has been done to simplify accounts, as daring portions of the year the wards were not altered, and for the remainder there were Ho wards, consequent on the severance of the Coldstream district fr< m the district, which, as you are doubtless aware, took p’aoa last August. Thus the expenditure has been allocated to its portion of the district. As, however,owing to the petition of ratepayers, the district has been gazetted into five wards, I have caused a statement to be made out allocating, as near as possible, the receipts and expenditure, so as to show you the financial position of the new wards on the Ist April, 1886, which will be duly read. Attached to this statement is one showing the liabilities of the wards at that date, and also proposed expenditure, which will be submitted for your consideration. The Board have thought it advisable, havingTiad numerous petitions for works to be executed, to present this to you, ia order that such an expenditure, necessitating the striking of an adequate me, shall have your sanction or otherwise. This Board having in view the large amonnt that ia annually expended in maintenance and small works would ask your approval of permanently employing a man with the necessary plant to do such work, being confident from the experience of other Boards that it would be performed better and more economically. Since our last annual meeting that portion of the district lying to the west of the Hinds, being Nos 4 and 5 Wards and also part of No 1 Ward, has bean constituted a separate Road District, and a settlement of general and rate accounts waa mutually agreed to. With regard to the award made by the County Council, having reference to such assets as offices and cottages which this Board is asked to buy without alternative, the Board have distinctly decided not to do so for various reasons; principally that the property is not a saleable asset, having no title vested in the old Board, and such a system of cutting up portions of the district into small Boards with the right of getting cash for their interest in the properties is* manifestly unfair, and if pursued might eventually leave a small area with the burden of coat of elaborate offices and buildings. I have also to inform yon that during the year considerable redaction has been made in the working expenses, the staid having been reduced LSO. In conclusion, the Board trust that their actions will meet