ELECTION COMMISSIONERS PATEA WEST ROAD DISTRICT.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 31, 28 July 1875, Page 2

ELECTION COMMISSIONERS PATEA WEST ROAD DISTRICT.

The annua] meeting - of the ratepayers of the 25th (or Patea, West) Road District was held at the Court House, Carlyle, on Monday last, for the election of seven commissioners, to serve as members on the above board for the ensuing 12 months. On the motion of Mr R. E. Mcßae, Mr Sherwood was unanimonsly chosen chairman of the meeting. Sir E. 11. Morgan read the auditor’s report and balance sheet, which showed the receipts of the Board’s financial year to have been £270, and the disbursements £253 4s sd. He stated, in addition to these items, a sum of £B4O was in tho hands of the treasurer, hut would not be available until certain works now in progress by tho Board had been completed. The cost of these works would have to be paid out of that sum but would leave a balance. The only revenue the Board had direct control over was that accruing from rates. He stated that the balance sheet and vouchers were open for the inspection of any ratepayer. Mr F. J. Gane inquired if the balancesheet had been advertised in terms with the Act for the information of the ratepayers? Mr Morgan—'No. Sufficient time had not been given in the announcement to allow its being advertised. Mr R. E. Mcßae would like to know if there were any rates remaining unpaid. Mr Morgan replied that the sum of £27 5s lOd was due, and read out the list of defaulters. He was of opinion they ' were not entitled to vote. Mr F. J. Gane would like to know the voting qualification ? Mr Morgan said the holder of 50 acres was entitled to one vote, 100 1 acres two votes, and over 100 acres three votes. A Mr F. J. Gane was of opinion that there T was nothing in tho Act which prevented a ▼ defaulting ratepayer from voting. Sir llawken would like to hear from the late chairman the manner in which the rate had been expended, and why the balancesheet had not been advertised. Mr Morgan was quite agreeable to supply the information sought, and read a detailed statement of the Board’s expendi-

tore. The balance-sheet had mt been previously advertised, in liin - e wa* n> paper published in the ilGtrict Mr : Hawken quite bdievM that the balance-sheet could not have been alver tisod to ad van! age previously, but a p pr was how established in the d.strict, and it certainly should have been advertised in it for the information of the ratepayers. On the motion of Mr Morgan, seconded by M-y Honeyfiold, the balance-sheet and report were adopted. On the motion of Mr H. Williamson, seconded by Mr Robertson, a vote •or thaides' was passed to the retiring commissioners. Mr H. Williamson proposed that the minimum rate of 2d per acre be ail opted for'thc ensuing year. - ■ Mr Ball seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr T. j. Gano, although a stranger n the district, was not altogether without experience in Road Board matters, would like to know if all rates in arrear bad been sued for. If not, the non-payment of rates would have a tendency to make the proposed -rate insufficient, and increase taxation upon those who had paid their rates It would be an utter impossibility to carry on the business of the Board unless ratepayers paid their rates. If the Board had to" construct works upon credit, it meant paying higher prices, and this certainly was not a very desire able state of aifairs. He would like to learn if there were any obstructions in the way of the Board Mr*K. I>. Morgan said he had made an application to the Clerk of the Court a! Carlyle for summonses against defaulting ratepayers, but. was''informed that it would bo Accessary, for the Board to procure, ils own forms of complaint and summons He;had written to Mr Peacock in Timm requesting that gentleman to procure i'u: ni •. for .the Board’s use, but bo had not hoard from or seen,Mr Peacock since on the subject. liio Chairman explained that the Act did not give power to sue until after the rate had been two months in arrear. Mr E. J. Gane would like to know if there was any money accruing from •hj ; General Government in favour of the Board. If not, the rate of 2d per acre would be found to be of very little service. Mr E. R. Morgan stated'that the treasurer' held £340 which had been received from the General Government, and after certain works contracted for had been paid for out of this source, a balance of £lO5 would bo available for public works during the ensuing year. The motion for the 2d rate was then put and carried, only one hand being heni up against it. The following gentlemen wore then duly proposed and seconded to serve as G >mmiffeioners for the ensuing twelve months, and after a poll had been taken, the first seven gentlemen were declared did v elected. ,G. W. Gano - - - 68 R. E. Mcßae - - - 67 ■ P. Wilson - - - 59 ■E. R. Morgan - - - 58 " iA;’Hunter - - - 42 i E. MiTloneyiield - - 51 : J. Christie - - - 45 JyMorgan . - • - - 35 J. Southby - - - 25 TL S. Peacock - - - 10