KOWAI ROAD DISTRICT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2168, 5 February 1881, Page 3

KOWAI ROAD DISTRICT.

Tho adjourned general meeting of ratepayer* was held at tbe Board office, at Balcairn, on Friday afternoon. Mr Ensor (the chairman of the Board) presided. The Chairman explained that the present meeting was the result of a motion proposed by Mr A. McDonald at the regular annual meeting held last mon'h. Mr McDonald had then proposed that the meeting adjourn until the accounts were audited. He regretted that tho mover of that resolution was not present. Personally he thought Mr McDonald must have had some reason for the action he took. Mr Fendall was much surprised that Mr McDonald was not present. His resolution was a slur on the surveyor, and seemed now very unoalled for. The Chairman read a letter from the auditor, Mr John Olhvier, in which he gave Mr Maopherson great credit for the way the books were kept, and certifying to their accuraoy, nlao stilting that, in his opinion, in losing Mr Maopherson the Board were losing a very efficient officer. He (the chairman) would again lay tho accounts on the table. Iu reply to a question from Mr Bruere, the surveyor stated that the footbridge at Stony Creek was not let by contract; the labor would be about £11; cost altogether, including timber, say £2O. Mr Bruere advocated all work being let by tender. Several speakers pointed out that in some cases, such ■ms filling in ruts, &e., this could not be done. Mr D. Kobertßon thought the Board could hardly expect much work for the prioe they gave—ss per day—as good workmen were worth more. Mr Dalziel understood the mooting was adjourned to have the accounts audited. Ho asked if this was customary. It was stated that the auditor could not possibly examine all Road Board accounts before the annual meetings. Mr Fendall would move—" That, in the opinion of this meeting, the mover of the resolution adjourning the annual meeting until the accounts were audited was not justified in doing so without showing good reason for the tame, and his absence to-day makes it appear that he had so grounds for patting ratepayers to >0 much inconvenience

at a bu»y time." Personally he had expected great revelations to-day, ai Mr MoDonald s position as a recent member had led him and, doubtless, others to expeot that such a resolution would not have been moved without good reason. The resolution was seconded by Mr Little, put, and negatived by a majority of one. The adoption of the accounts as presented was duly proposed and carried. Mr Fendall trusted that the Board would strictly economise. He had, some time ago, advocated putting by a sum of money, but that opportunity was now gone. A vote of thanks to the Board and chairman terminated the proceedings.