MANGERE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 373, 7 May 1918, Page 1

MANGERE.

ANNUAL MEEUNG OF RATEPAYERS. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Mangere Road District was held on Friday evening last in the Mangere Public Hall. Mr M. B. Kirkbride (Chairman of the Road Board) presided, and in addition to the other members of the Board about a dozen ratepayers were present.

The Chairman submitted his annual report, which together with the balance sheet was adopted. Cr S. W. House, the County representative for the Mangere Riding, explained to those present the financial position of the Riding and also the works which had bean carried out since he had assumed office on the Council.

Mr Cox brought up the matter of making a permanent job of the roads in the district either by treating them with a special tar preparation to preserve the surface or by forming them with concrete and the Board was recommended to get an estimate for the purpose of completing a stretch of road in the district as a test for future guidance. At the conclusion of the meeting a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman, members of the Board and the County representative for their efforts on behalf of the district generally. The Chairman, in his annual report, stated (inter alia) that the Onehunga Borough Council had paid their share of the cost of the Mangere Bridge approach at Onehunga, thus reimbursing the Board's general fund of the amount expended on that particular project. With regard to the bridge itself the contractor had still to complete necessary works, which had been previously agreed to, and the sum of £343 Os 9d was baing withheld from the amount owing to him as his deposit, pending him giving the matters final attention. Acting on the result of the poll taken in the Mangere Bridge School, at which the ratepayers in that vicinity agreed to a special rating area being formed for the purpose of getting a permanent supply of water in that part of the district, the Board at once took the necessary steps to carry out the wishes of those ratepayers, but through the lengthy time the legal procedure required and the apparent slowness of the authorities in Wellington, that matter had been Je layed a great deal The war no doubt was partly responsible for that as there was great difficulty in raising money for those purposes at the present time. The Board had taken steps, however, through their Engineer (Mr F. E Powell) to effect an option over the quantity of pipes and meters required for the scheme, consequently rises in the prices of such would not effect the scheme. They anticipated, should nothing unforeseen occur, to have a start made with the laying of the pipes in about a month's time. The roads of the district had received the Board's careful attention during the past year, the sum of £520 approximately having been spent on their maintenance. The Board had endeavoured to place the finances on a sound basis, prior to commencing any large improvement or construction works, as it was recognised that it would be bad policy to allow of a heavy overdraft at the Bank. The balance sheet showed that the Board had succeeded in achieving their object far beyond expectations, the general account debit of £552 8s 9d last year having been transformed into a credit balance of £319 5s 2d. That sum would now enable them to start on a comprehensive scheme of improvement works without the slightest fear of having to bear overdraft interest and the only difficulty they would now have to combat with would be getting the necessary labour to carry out the works. By next year they hoped to see the roads of district, as tur as the Board was concerned, once more ranking among the best of the suburban districts ol Auckland. Out of the total revenue of £2815 13s Id, the sum of £llOl TslOdhadto be paid annually lor interest and sinking funds cn the four loans, the net amount of revenue available for expenditure in the district being raised by a rata of a little more than a farthing in the £ plus (iovernment subsidy and depasturing licenses, etc. For the year ending March 31st, 1917, £231 2s fid was received for those depasturing licenses and last jear £371 12s (id, an increase of £llO 10s. During the year the Board had received numerous complaints of inconvenience and damage caused by stock depasturing on the roads and suggestions iiad been made that the issuing of licenses should be discontinued. Taking into consideration the revenue derived therefrom and the assistance the grazing gave to unall land-holders he (the Chair man) thought it would be inadvisable to do away with any revenuo pioiucing source at the present time. The present rate of threefarthings in the £ would suffice to meet all requirements during the coming year and would I allow of a safe margin after carry-

ing out the proposed road works. The Ascot estate had recently changed hands, which would no doubt lead to the subdivision of this property in the near future. The Board had taken preliminary steps to provide the district with a suitable roll of honour, as it was desirous that a fitting monument be obtained showing the district's appreciation of the services given in the Empire's cause by all those who had left the district to join the Forces. After consideration it had been decided to with-hold for the present the erection of such a fcroll, so that one of a permanent and suitable nature could be procured when hostilities ceased. In conclusion he had pleasure in thanking the members of the Board and also the Clerk for the courteous assistance extended to him in his capacity as Chairman, winch not only facilitated the carrying out of all matters coming before the Board, but also helped tc make such work a pleasure instead of a task He regretted to say that in the list few days the district had suffered the loss of two old residents, Mrs F. E Andrews and Miss E, Griffiths, daughter of the late Mr John Griffiths, both of whom were connected with the Board and held positions thereunder.