EAST TAMAKI RATEPAYERS' MEET ING.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1693, 22 July 1875, Page 2

EAST TAMAKI RATEPAYERS' MEET ING.

The annual meeting of ratepayers of the East Tamaki District was held yesterday afternoon at the Otara School-room. Mr Albyn Martin was voted to the chair. -Considerable delay took place at the beginning of the meeting, and a variety of matters were freely discussed. It appeared that the accoudts had not been audited. It wag arranged that the auditors should retire to a back room and perform their task, accompanied by the secretary and Mr Smaile, one of the trustees. —A ratepayer rose to propose the rate for the ensuing; year.—Mr Wallace thought such a motion premature.— The Chairman stated that .no business could be transacted until the past year's business was ratified, but any ratepayer could make remarks on the action of the outgoing trustees, —Mr Wallace had a few remarks to make. He stated that the Board had employed men who set fire to his fence, and but for the gentle dew which fell from heaven and pufc out the fire, he would have had a stack of hay burnt, and have lost £200 by ifc. He thought they had wasted money and had neglected roads in the vicinity of the Flat Bush, and that they had mentioned his name at some of their Board meet' iugs in a disrespectful manner. He could say with emphasis that one trustee at any rate was guiity of the impeachment—(Cries of "Name") —Mr. Wallace: It was Mr. Woodward.—The trustees present wished to know how Mr. Wallace became possessed of such an idea.—Mr. Wallace stated he had it from the most reliable authority, namely: one of the Board. —In answer to cries of "Hame," Mr. Wallace stated his informant to be Mr. Similes. Mr. Wallace thought that anyone who did not allow public duty to rise above private animosity was not fit to be trustee of a highway board.—Mr Woodward indignantly repudiated the assertion. Ec should call upon Mr. Smailes and Mr. Wallace for an apology. Mr. Woodward asked Mr, Similes if he bad ever used the word spleen in connection with Mr Wallace's name, as Mr Wallace averred he had. —Mr Smailes: No.— Mr. Woodward : There, Mr. Wallace, your words are thrown back upon you.—Mr. Smsile would explain that his impressions were that Mr. Woodward had been rather hard on Mr. Wallace.— Mr. Woodward thought Mr. Smaile should not bring hia impressions to the meeting, but keep them for his own edification. —The Chairman ruled that remarks made or not made at Board meetings had nothing to do with the business before the meeting.—Mr. Murphy stated that no improper remarks had at any time been made at Board meetings with reference to Mr. Wallace. Respecting the subdivision of the district, he thought ifc was leading to disagreement in East Tamaki. He moved that in future such a system should not be carried out,—This was seconded, and an amendment, proposed and carried that the old system should be continued. The meeting then decided to levy the rate on the vaiue to sell. Bate, 2d in the pound.— Candidate for re-election to office were then proposed.—Mr Woodward thought it indelicate on Mr Wallace's part to stand, as the latter gentleman had preferred a monetary charge of some pounds against the Baard—if elected he would sit as adjudicator of hi 3 own payment.—Mr Wallace stated he had intended suing the old Board for loss sustained through their mismanagement but he had not had time, snl now he would waive hia claim, and stand as a candidate for the office of Trustee. The ballot was taken with the following result:—No. 1 division, Mr McGechie ; 2 do., Murphy; 3 do., Woodward ; 4 do , Harris ; 5 do., Long.