Meeting at Ashurst

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 131, 3 May 1892, Page 3

Meeting at Ashurst

(from our own correspondent.) There was a well-attended meeting in the Dramatic Hall, on Saturday eveniug to hear Warden Rave's review of his term of office. Mr Bumble in the chair. Mr Reeve said that although ho had represented Ashurst on the Manchester Road Board for four years, he had not had occasion to address his constituents before. Mr Keeve expressed his regret at the informality of Mr Sanders' nomination, it would have been much more satisfactory to both parties had there beeu an electiou. Reviewing the past, he showed tbat all just claims for roads, ditches, aud any other work a road warden is supposed to look after for his Ward had been carried through fbr No 6. He might say that ' the Manchester Road Board was the best roaded district in the neighbourhood. Tenders would probably be called next meeting for metalling Stanford and Bamfield streets. In answer to Mr Nelson's question re tollgate, Mr Eeeve said that as soon as it was known what action the Fitzherbert Road Board, and Pahiatua County Councd would take, the Board resolved to remoye the gate, but haying regard to any future complications kept it still on its own ground. The takings per month yaried from as high as £130 down to £30, No 6 Ward has £600 to its credit. The toll accounts are iept quite distinct from other Ward affairs. The Pahiatua County Council proposed to take over the tollgate and pay them, but they intended to keep the gate as long as it paid. The question of separation from the Manchester Road Board next came on. Mr Peterson asked if it was to take effect and No 6 Ward was joined to the new Pohangina Road Board, would the tolls and the accumulated fund go to help the Pohangina, because if so, he (the speaker) would rather see it remain m a road district that had all its roads made, than join a new one that had all its roads to make. Mr Reeve m reply said that No 6 Ward and the new Board, if joined, would certainly have the right to the bridge money and that No 6 Ward could make its own arrangements. It would be a good policy to bank the money to form a bridge building fund. MrF. W. Whibley drew the warden's attention to the want of a cross road between the Pohangina road and Stamford street. He admitted the want and promised to bring the question up ac the next meeting of the Board. Mr Saunders asked if the Board intended to reduce rates in proportion to the increased assessment this year, to which Mr Beeve replied that the roll only arrived last meeting, and has not yet been revised. It was estimated to produce about £ more than the old valuation. Mr Kelsall asked if the warden was in favor of purchasing seven acres of land of section 25, required for the extension of Watershed road to Henegan's line. Mr Keeve said that if a petition were prepared and a deputatian would wait on the Board, he would do his best to give effect to it. A vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr Reeve was carried unanimously, and the meeting adjourned.