WELLINGTON HIGHWAYS BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4824, 7 September 1876, Page 2

WELLINGTON HIGHWAYS BOARD.

The first meeting of the newly-elected Board was held yesterday at the offices of the Board, Lower Hutt, at noon. Present: Messrs. Speedy, Bayliss, Dick, Mason, Taylor, and Smith. On the motion of Mr. Speedy, seconded by Mr. BATLIS3, Mr. Mason was elected chairman. * . . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following accounts were passed and ordered to be paid. No. 1 Ward—John Wilhelmhurst, £9; Henry Lewer, £5 18s.; T. Morgan, £42 10s.; Henry Dauient, £l6 ss. 6d.; Thomas Witton, £ls; D. Dealy, £lO. No. 2 Ward—William Howell, £8; B. Draper, £4; A. Mackay, £3 lis.; T. Florence, £2 2a.; T. Smith, £3. No. 3 Ward—J. Stratford, £3 10s.; William Gosling, £6 10s. No. 4 Ward—Robert Hunter, £9; J. Mcllvride, £2 2s. No. 5 Ward—H. Ward, £5 6s. 9dl; H. Swain, £4 75.;J. Cudby, £7 16s. No. 6 Ward—A. Martin, £9 18s. 6d.

The sum of £ll 4s. was acknowledged as a. contribution from Mr. Sinclair for construction of road in No. 4 Ward. The amount received for rates for the past month was stated by the treasurer to be £lO 2a. 6d. A letter was read from Mr. C. C. Graham, of the Karori-Makara Board, asking information relative to certain sums of money in hand belonging to the new Board, and requesting that the existing contracts in the KaroriMakara district be handed over to the Board of that district. A slight discussion ensued, and a general opinion was expressed that the new Board waa asking too much—that it would take the Clerk a month fully employed to furnish the desired information. It was stated that Beveral

of - the contractors had refused-to have their contracts placed under the control of the new Board. .... Information -was also aaked as to the rate struck for the current year. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Clerk of Karori-Makara Highway Board, and inform him that at all reasonable hours ho can have access to the books of the Wellington Highways Board, and also to inform him that a rate of one penny in the £ had been made, and further that the Board decline to alter existing arrangements with the contractors in that district. ■ ' , A resident of Whiteman's Valley waited upon the Board, and complained of the Btate ofthe road in that locality. Ho was informed that a contract had already been let for its repair, but owing to the illness of the contractor the work had been delayed. However, the overseer would see that the work would be shortly attended to. ■ A deputation of residents from No. 6 Ward wanted to know how much the Board would contribute for roads in the ward. The Chairman stated that there was little money available at present, and advised the deputation to sea what they could collect among themselves, and then come to the Board, when doubtless something would be done for them. The deputation agreed to this, and withdrew. Mr. Wilson, of Waikanae, complained of being assessed, as he was not the owner of a stick or fern root in the district He had nme sheep running on Maori land, which he held on a very precarious tenure. It was true he paid rent, but had no lease, and if he died the Maoris would take possession of everything. It was'a "jobbledup arrangement; even the Maoris had not got a Crown gTant for the land. Mr Wilson wa3 informed that so long as ne occupied the land he was liable to be rated. Several others were exactly in the same position as Mr. Wilson. . , Mr. Wilson expressed a very strong opinion that he would not pay the rates, and would bring the matter into court. A letter wa3 read from Mr. Henry Ashton, clerk and collector of the Board, resigning the collectorship, but stating that he was willing to continue the duties of clerk. Mr. Smith moved that at the end of the month the offices of clerk, overseer, and treasurer be amalgamated. The expenses were gettin" enormous. During the first three years' existence of the Board the expenses were 7 per cent, on revenue ; last year they ■were 11 per cent.; and 'in the current year he believed they would be 20 per cent. The Education Board had £25,000 passing through its hands during the year, and the offices of treasurer and secretary were combined. Mr. Dick seconded the motion. He was of opinion that the expenses of collection and management could be greatly reduced. On the motion of Mr. Tatlor, seconded by Mr. Bayliss, the discussion of the motion was adjourned for a month. The resignation of Mr. Ashton a 3 collector was aceepted, but he was requested to continue the duties of clerk and overseer for the next two months. Tenders were ordered to be asked for the collection of rates in each ward. A letter was read from Mr. Samuel Woodward, Wadestown, stating that the repairs in that locality, ordered and passed by the Board, had been washed away with the first heavy rain, and complaining that the inconvenience and danger were more now than before the work vvas carried out. If the Board would grant considerable assistance, he would endeavor to raise the balance of the funds among the residents to perform the work in a substantial manner.

Mr. Taylob said that the locality was •within the limits of the city of Wellington, but the work, coating some £3B, had been authorised before the Board were aware of this. He strongly opposed the expenditure of any more money in the place. The CusRK stated that he had written to the Wellington City Council, asking for a contribution towards the work.

'The following reply was received from the Tewn Clerk :—ln answer to your claim for repairing a piece of road through the town belt leading to Wadestown, the Council are of opinion that as the right to make the road was orginally granted as a favor to the country settlers, and as it is entirely for their benefit, the Road Board are the proper parties to keep the road in repair. The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Woodward that the Board declined to allow any further appropriation of the fnnds of the Board for the repair of that .portion of Wadeatown-road which is within the limits of the city of Wellington beyond the aum already voted for the existing contract. The following motion was carried : —That no travelling expenses be allowed members attending meetings ; but that the allowance of 10a. a° day be continued, and that wardens residing at a distance of over fifteen miles be allowed 15s. a day.