RATEPAYERS' MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1835, 8 May 1888, Page 2

RATEPAYERS' MEETING.

WAKANUI. The annual meeting of ratepayers was held on Saturday. There were about twenty -five ratepayers present, and Mr Bruce, Chairman of the Board, presided. ' The balance-sheet shewing the receipts and expenditure for the past year, end which has been already published, was read over. The Chairman's report was read- as follows : — ln presenting you with the balancesheet for the past year, which was duly publisked, it is unnecessary for me to dwell at any length on matters that have occupied the Board during that period, as it has been principally the ordinary work of a Road Board; but I may state in passing that the Cherfcaey Boundary road has been placed under the control of the South Rakaia Board, the oost of maintenance to be apportioned equally. This Board endeavored to have its proportion of such cost reduced, as it thought, to an equitable division, but was unsuccessful. As you are aware steps were taken to open up a new road to oonneot the river road with Wilson's road, but as there was considerable diversity of opinion among the ratepayers in that Ward as to its desirability, the Government appointed a Commissioner to enquire into the matter, and his verdict was that the works should be suspended, his reason being that the unprotected state of the river would render such a work useless ; thus you will see that the Board cannot at present take any steps in this direction to restore communication, and must perforce wait until the River Board, whioh has been newly formed, oarries out the needed protection for this part of the district, and then probably something may be done with the River road. A. petition was laid before the Board asking for the creation of a now Ward on each side of the Wakanui oreek, but as certain formalities had not been observed it could not be put in hand. The Board went into the question at considerable length, and after pointing out certain desirable alterations in the boundaries, informed the applicants that if a petition was presented they would assist in having the same given effect to. At the request of the County Oounoil the Board have taken over the maintenance of the Water raoe fords at the Counoil's expense. The Board in its working have had a due regard to economy. In oonoluaion I would point out the satisfactory state that the finances are in, showing that they have kept within their income while at the same time they have endeavored to meet the wishes of ratepayers in works asked for. The Chairman stated that the aocounts had not been audited yet;, but it was in the power of the meeting to discuss them and approve them if they thought fit. Of course if it was found that any unlawful expenditure had been made it would be brought before them. After a number of questions had been put and answered, it was proposed by Mr Megaon that the report and balance-sheet as read be adopted. —Carried unanimously. Mr David Wilson asked if the annual meeting could not take place before the eleotion of members. - - The Chairman said that by Aot they were required to hold the eleotion and annual meeting in the first week of May, the eleotion was made for the 7th and the meeting for the sth, but as the. eleotion was not contested, of course the persons nominated were duly eleoted. Mr D. Wilson asked whether the maintentenanoe man's work could not be done cheaper by contraot. The Chairman said that the Board con r fiidered that the work was done "both cheaper and better than by contracts. Mr t oonsidered that for maintenance it waß best to hays a day man.. He was not so certain about small contract, Mr Mogson was sure that work was better and cheaper done by the present system. The Chairman said that with regard to small oomr&ots, before the present system was in force, it cost considerably more as they had to engage persons specially to do the work, and as muoh time was occupied in going to and fro as the work required. Now these works were done as the man went about the district. Mr D. Wilson oombatted the idea, and said the man was not constantly employed and time was wasted. Mr D. Fitzgerald doubted if the man worked four days in the week. - Mr D. Wilson then moved and Mr T>) Fitzgerald seconded " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the works oonrfeoted with the Road Board could be done cheaper than by the present man." Mr Jan. Brown moved as an amendment .'.' That it be a recommendation to the Board to take 'into consideration jf jt would' be to jhe interest of ratepayers to dispense with the day man." Mr Qeo. ijjamb sebtinded. Mr Wilson withdrew his motion. Mr Brown's motion was then put and oarried unanimously. Mr p. Fitzgerald asked if tho contractor for Wilson's road had put in the required quantity of metal. The Chairman : Yes. Mr D. Wilson asked whether the Engineer had authority to take up the old bridge and make a ford in plaoe thereof. He considered that it should not have been done, and was not to the ratepayers' advantage. The Ohairmau said the Engineer was authorised to take up culverts and bridges When worn out, and if found suitable make fords in plaoe ipoioot. Mr James Brown said this bridge was found to be unsafe, and instead of Having another bridge erected a good ford had been made at about a fifth of' the cost. Thia was to thto interest of the ratepayers. Mr D. Wilson asked if the Board, by resolution, had authorised fho outting of a grip aoroEjs the rpai}. The Chairman said no : but the \vojfk was done by the Board. • Mr Fitzgerald considered this the best bit pf engineering work the Board had dons as it relieved the county from overflow water. r Mr D. Wilson asked how muoh money had been spent on proposed road through Jamieson's up to the date. The Chairman said that he oould only give tho meeting the amount up to the end of Ma.rob ? which was £3 8a 3d. They oould not deal with any expenditure since then, but there were amounts due for e^penpeg of enquiry, etc Mr D. Wilson asked a number of further questions, which were duly answered. Mr Megaon moved •' That it be a reoomendation to the Board to make the neoessary arrangements to have another member for No. 8 Ward." Ho Baid he had moved thia because the rateable value of property was considerably more in this ward than in No. 2. Mr Loadloy seoonded the motion whioh was carried unanimously. . Mr Jno. Coobranc desired to know the expenditure on works in No. 2 Ward shewing the amount spent N.E.of the Beach road and on the Bouth side. The Surveyor stated that as near as possible it was £85 in the N.E. part of the Ward and £225 in the southern portion, Mr Megaon moved, and it waß carried, " That a hearty voto of thanks be given to the Board- fpr its servjoeq during the year." The meeting then ended. - • :