KAUAERANGA HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1731, 21 July 1874, Page 2

KAUAERANGA HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

ANNUAL MEETINGS A meeting of the ratepayers in the above district was held last night in the Girls' Schoolroom, Sandes-street, Mr. L. J. Bagnall, M.P.C., in the chair. M*r. Macnab read an opinion from Mr. Tyler that the adjournment of the meeting from/Saturday last was illegal. , v The Chairman thought that the rate-; payers had a perfect right to adjourn, and had no doubt the Provincial authorities would, if applied to, confirm the proceedings of the present meeting. The Secretary, Mr. Mitchell, then read the annual report of the, Trustees leaving office. The report went to shew that on taking office the district was £1110 9s 6d in debt, the amount being due to contractors and other persons. This amount had been liquidated by a payment by the Trustees of £773 3s 6d—the remainder by arrangement by the Borough Council. Some necessary, important works had to be delayed till part of a Government grant of £388 8s could be made available. It was then thought most desirable to form and metal that'part of Richmondstreet between Pollen and Eollestonstreets, as it was so situate as to most benefit Block 27. The following arrangements were made with the Thames Borough Council:—£367 in unpaid rates were handed o?er; the balance of the Government grant (unpaid), £230; road metal, £103 18s fid, and the public pound, £20, Making mall £724, the Council undertaking to pay all outstanding debts (including £237 old debts) £492 18s, the Council refunding £76 9s 6d, rates collected outside the Borough boundary up to date.< The amount of Government money received during the year was £958, which includes £300 due for a previous year, £500 remaining still unpaid on the present year. The balance sheet shewed—by balance, £26 16s sd; rates collected, £48 3s 7d ; ditto, 1873-4,; £617 18s; General Government, £258;

Provincial, for 1872-3-4, £700; Dog Act, £27 7s ss; from, Gas Company, £13 2s i sd; kerosene licenses, £3; Pound fees, £3 ; sundries, 6s lid; from the Borough, £76 9s 6d ; Karaka culvert, £16 5» 6d ; total, £1789 13s 6d. The contra account I showed a balance in favor of thtf district , of £79 7s 9d. I Mr. Hume thought that the balance sheet should have been printed and distributed. Mr. Macnab; in reply, said it would have been, but from motives of economy it had not been done. Mr. Thomas asked if certain plans for work had been altered to suit the work; there was a great difference between the work specified »nd the work done. Mr. Macnab referred the matter to the Engineer. - Mr. Thackeray, in a long speech, asked if a certain letter of his had been read by the Board. Mr. Heron replied in the affirmalivr, and was not surprised that Mr. Thackeray should have a grievance, he being an unsuccessful tenderer for work under the Board, but unfortunately his tender was £100 higher in a small job that the price for which it was let, the relative sums being £75 (accepted), while . Mr. Thackeray's was £171. Mr. Cribb requested the Chairman io read certain clauses in the Act relative to the right to voter the Chairman did so, •rid showed clearly that any one voting or taking part in the proceedings, not j qualified, was liable to a penalty ot £20. (A voice—you are crowded out Cribb.) A long discussion ensued between Mr. Thomas and Mr. Heron, during which, one of the ratepayers - yelled. out a proposition that not more than two gentlemen be allowed to speak at once. Mr. Thomas also called attention to a part of Sealey-street, on which £400 had been spent, which was going to ruin for want of a little attention. The report as read was after considerable discussion adopted. The next business'was to strike a rate for the ensuing year. Mr. Hume proposed that a five per cent rate on annual value be struck. Mr. W. Wood seconded the motion, and that last year's valuation be taken. ■ Mr. Hart moved as an amendment that two and a half per cent be levied. Seconded by Mr. McTurk. Mr. Thomas and several other speakers thought that two and a half per cent would, after salaries and other charges were paid, leave the board with no money to work with. The Chairman reminded the meeting that the Government generally helped those districts |;most who tried to help themselves. i After much discussion the original motion was carried. Mr. Power proposed a vote of 'thanks to the outgoing Trustees, which was carried with cheers. Mr. Macnab' returned thanks for the compliment, and said it had been his and his colleagues' earnest wish to do all that could be done for the district. The meeting then proceeded to elsct Board members for the ensuing year, Messrs. Tole and McTurk being appointed Tellers. ■ It was decided that a show of hands should be taken. There were eleven gentlemen proposed and seconded. The shew of hands resulted as follows:— | Messrs. L. J. Bagnall, 52; W.Thomas, 49; T. Walker, 37; W. S. Greenville, 36; Wm. Chappell, 32; Charles Cox, 24 ; A. Hume, 21; H. White, 18; A Hart, 12; Kobt. Scott, 11; P. J. Warden, 9. The Chairman declared the first five elected., . A poll was demanded by Mr. Bobinson, but the meeting negatived the motion. Messrs. McTurk and Hume were elected auditors for the ensuing year. ■ A vote of thanks to the Chair terminated the proceedings. After the meeting the new members met and elected Mr. Bagnall as Chairman of the Board; next meeting to be held in the Pollen- street office, on Monday, Mr. Mitchell to retain office as Secretary.