OKAIN'S BAY ROAD BOARD.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 52, 16 January 1877, Page 3

OKAIN'S BAY ROAD BOARD.

The annual meeting of the ratepayers of this district was held in the schoolroom, Okain's Bay, on Saturday, 6th inst. There was a large number present, and considerable interest seemed to be taken in the proceedings. Mr. Barker, Chairman of the Board, presided, and after reading the notice calling the meeting, he brought forward the various portions of the Act for the Regulation of Local Elections, 1876, in so far as re4ating to Eoad Boards, and then called on the meeting to say whether they wished to bring the new Act into operation or otherwise continue on as formerly. After some discussion, it was unanimously agreed that the clerk write to the Colonial Secretary, requesting that the district be proclaimed under the Local Elections Act, 1876. A detailed statement of accounts for the past year was read by the clerk, shewing the receipts from all sources to have been £ s d Receipts 2903 7 3 Expenditure 1453 5 8 Balance, £1450 1 7_ The accounts haying been declared satisfactory, the meeting proceeded to elect three members to Berve on the Board, when the following gentlemen were duly projjbsed and seconded :-rMessrs Boleyn, Sefton, Webb, and Pawebn. A show of hanus being called, was in favour ofthe first named three candidates, when a poll was demanded on behalf of Mr. Pawson,by Messrs Boleyn and Ashton, which resulted in the return of Messrs Sefton, y Webb, and Pawson, who were declared duly elected as members of the Board.

' A special meeting of the above Board was held at the Library, Okain's, on Saturday last. Present—Messrs Barker, F. Priest, Sef ton, Webb, and Pawson. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. On the motion of Mr. Priest, seconded by Mr. Webb, Mr. Barker was unanimously re-elected Chairman for the ensuing year. VALUATION ROLL. The Clebk submitted the valuation roll, which he stated would have to be on view at the Library up to the 15th February. He stated that Is rate last year returned the sum of £150. This year the total assesssment had been considerably increased, as he had in many instances doubled last year's assessment on many properties. Mr. Sefton.—ln that case many ratepayers will be compelled to go to Akaroa. The Chairman eaid although the assessment was larger than that of last year, there would be no necessity for the Board to strike a large rate. Id or 3d might suffice. The Clerk remarked that he was on oath to make a just assessment, which he contended he had done. Mr. Priest moved —" That the valuation list be adopted." The motion was seconded by Mr. Pawson and carried unanimously. TENDER. The Clerk intimated that since the consideration of the tenders for the construction of the Jetty >.oad, he had discovered a tender from Mr.. John Moore lying unopened on the table. The tender had been delivered within the time, but had been mislaid. Mr. Sefton was of opinion that there had been some " shuffling " about the matter. The tenderer had a right to place his tender in the hands of the Clerk or some person. Several members of tho Board contended that it would be dishonest to overthrow the tender which had been delivered in time, and it was £40 below the next lowest tender.

Mr. Priest moved—" That the tender of John Moore for the formation of the Jetty road be accepted." The motion was seconded by Mr. Webb, and carried. The Clerk said that he had noticed Mr. Barker's elbow lying on the envelope at the last meeting. Mr. Pawson remarked that he had hoard no argument in favour of discarding the tender. There were six tenders for the job, and as Moore's tender was £40 lower than any of them, he would support its acceptance. Mr. Priest said that there was a compact between the two next lowest tenderers, as they were in one gang. The motion was then put and carried, and the Board adjourned till the first Saturin February. '