OPOTIKI HIGHWAY BOARD.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 199, 1 August 1874, Page 3

OPOTIKI HIGHWAY BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. (FROM 008 OWN CORKESP >N»KKNT.) L"‘ Oou own” informs us by last mail that he has been unavoidably absent From the district, or would hare sent us the fallowing report, before t’ i*. We gladly accede to his request, and pub* 1 »h the report o! the meeting—-although rery late in the day—for the benefit of our Oputiki s u bse ribers. —Kn. ]] The Hiitiual meeting of ratepayers was held at the Masouic Hotel, Opitiki, on the 18th July last, Mr Robert King in the chair. Mr D. Irwin, chairman of the outgoing Board, read the following report, : ” On miring from office your Board reports that during the last year it has been occupied in improving and forming the principal roads of the district, and, ns is shown by the annexed returns, Ims expended £172 16s 2d ; in metalling, £95 6s 6d ; and in the construe ion of culverts and bridges, £2B 7» 6d. The account of roo ipts and expenditure for the year is as follows: Receipts.

“In addition to the above your Board baa obtained judgment for the turn of £ls with costa. Your Board has also, by means of an agent in Auckland, obtained the names of several absentee landholders, which will enable the in-eoming Board to recover a great portion of the arrears now due Having also formed the road at the back of the 4 Three Pas, * it was found that when finished the road would not stand traffic without a dressing of earth ; the Board, therefore, considered it best to authorise the contractor for the sum of £42 10s to place earth upon it sufficient to make it a good and passable road, and which, when finished, will open up a valuable timber district. During their term of office your Board has completed to both wharfs the formation and metalling of the Main Road, and has likewise repeatedly urged upon the Government the necessity of metalling the Waioeka Road, but is sorry to report that the Government have not acceded to the request. It bes been reported to your Board by the Resident Magistrate that the new cemetery may now bo used for interment. Ratepayers are requested to consider the advisability of fencing in a portion of it, which might be done by the levying of a special rate. One hundred acres has also been granted for a race course, the propriety of turning which to some account ought likewise to be taken into the consideration of the ratepayers. In conclusion, your Board would like to bring to your notice the increased powers granted to District Boards by the Highways Act, 1874. Your Board’s term of office having expired, it now becomes your duly to levy a rate and elect Trustees and Auditors for the ensuing year. “ Daniel lewtn, “ Chairman.” Proposed by Mr S. Payton, seconded by Mr J. Hamilton, “ That the report as read be adopted.” Ayes, 12 ; noes, 6. Carried. Proposed by Mr Jno. Thompson, seconded by Mr C. Dette, “ That the rate for the current year be one penny in the pound on the value to sell.” Carried unanimously. The meeting then proceeded to elect Trustees, and the following gentlemen were proposed and seconded, and the votes taken accordingly:—Mr B. King, 40; Mr Thomas Dawson, 33 ; Mr J. A. Busat, 26 ; Mr S. Moody, 23 ; Mr J. Appleton, 19 ; Mr F. Croon, 19 ; Mr S. Bates, 17 ; Mr James Thompson, 16 ; Mr George Forbes, 13; Mr A. Mills, 10; Mr D. Addis, 9; Mr Jno. Thompson, 6 ; Hira Te Popo, 4 The Chairman then giving his casting vote in favour of Mr J. Appleton, the first five gentlemen were duly elected. Proposed by Mr Jno. Parkinson, seconded by Mr Joseph Thompson, that Messrs S. Bates and W. T. Mason be appointed Auditors for the current year.” Carried. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. At the conclusion of the meeting the new Board remained to initiate their duties and elect officers. Mr Thomas Dawson proposed, and Mr Jno. Appleton seconded, *• That Mr R. King be appointed chairman of the Board.” Carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr Dawson, seconded bv Mr Busst, “That Mr 8, Moody be appointed’ Treasurer,” Carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr Busst, seconded by Mr Appleton, “ That Mr L. Richards be retained as Secretary and Collector for the Board.” Carried unanimously.

£ e. d. To balance from previous year ... 35 14 6 To rates collected ... 64 15 10 To grant from Provincial Government 100 0 0 To amount of Road Board grant ... T*0 16 o Total ... £341 6 4 Expenditure. £ s. d By forming roads ... 172 16 3 By metalling roads ... 95 6 6 By bridges and culvert* ... 28 7 6 By commission on rates 3 4 9 By salaries, &c. ... 27 5 6 By advertising 0 13 6 By legal expenses 1 3 0 By sundries 3 8 11 By balance in bank 6 15 6 By balance in hand ... 3 6 0 Total ... £341 6 4