PUBLIC MEETING AT WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 984, 15 January 1883, Page 3

PUBLIC MEETING AT WAVERLEY.

A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, for (he purpose of taking an opinion as to whether the present Board should hold office till May, or go out of office at once. The present Board having been elected in January, 1880, and their term being three years, it seems they were of opinion that the ratepayers should express their views on the subject, as the Act provides for a general election of Boards in May next. Mr G. 8. Bridge being called to the chair read the notice calling the meeting and explained tho reasons for calling same, and also read extracts from the Wellington Provincial Highways Act, under which the present Board were elected. He also read clauses from the new Road Boards Act re elections of Boards.

Mr Lupton then addressed tho meeting, saying that he would like to hear the ratepayers express their opinions as to their confidence in the present Board, staling also that he -had applied to the Board on several occasions re sundry work on the railway crossing near his property and got no satisfaction, and that what lie wanted was the gales removed and the grade improved. Cattle stops were put on the crossing, but nothing else was done. He had to employ men to remove posts. &c. on the road, whereas he was aware of there being at the present time all sorts of obstructions on different roads in the district, no notice of same being taken. The expenditure in the different wards was also not properly conducted. There appeared to be some £360 to the credit of his ward for which (here was no equivalent in the shape of roads. He would propose “ That the present Board go out of office at once, ns the ratepayers have no confidence in their stewardship.” Tins was seconded by Mr Dyke. Mr J. Riddell asked under what Act the new election would be held. The Chairman read certain clauses of the Road Boards Act, showing that it must be held under that Act, Mr J Johnstone then addressed the meeting, expressing confidence in the present Board, and moved as an amendment “ That the present Board keep in office till the general election in May.” This was seconded by Mr D. McLean. The amendment was put and carried, the numbers being 6 for, 5 against. Mr A. Aiken, Uie Warden of No. 1 Ward, then addressed the meeting, replying at length to Mr Lnpton’s charges, stating that as far as he knew, the cattle stops were all that Mr Lupton had applied for. Ho had always striven to do his duty as a Warden, not only for his particular ward, but for the district generally. Mr Lupton denied Mr Aiken’s statement, and stated that the road in question would have been stopped but for private work. Mr D. Fleming advocated separation for Nos. 1 and 2 Wards, as there seemed no chance of a fair expenditure in these wards. Mr Dyke asked him how it was that each ward did not spend its own money. The Chairman stated that a resolution was passed while he was in the Board that the money to credit of each ward should be spent in same as far as practicable. Mr J. McLean stated that Messrs Fleming and Lupton were, when members of the Board, the cause of certain expenditure. The amendment being now considered as the resolution, was then put and carried —0 voting for and 5 against. The Chairman said that the secretary of the Board had requested him to state that the petition re altering the boundaries of the" Road District to the Whenuakura River, was now on the table for signature. Mr P. Wilson asked how this alteration would affect the voting tones of certain ratepayers. The Chairman explained. Mr Lupton was of opinion that the boundaries should remain as at present. Mr J. Riddell addressed the meeting showing reasons why it would be advisable to alter the boundaries. The meeting then terminated with a vote of thanks to tiie chair.