WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY BOARD.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1739, 30 July 1874, Page 2

WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING.' OF BATEPAYEES.'

The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Waiotahi was held in "the_schoolroom on tho Waiotahi Creek. \; ■•": ■ ;

Mr. William Eowe was voted to the chair.

The Chairman read the advertisement convening the meeting, and' their called on the seretary, Mr. F. C. Dean to read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which (6n:being read) were confirmed, \ The Secretary then readi the following report:— .... .

Report of the Waiotahi Highway District Board for the year ending 30th June, 1874.-^ln presenting this report to the present ratepayers of the I Waiotahi District the District Board wouhi remind ratepayers that the formation of the Thames Municipality has very materially altered the remaining part of the district,for whereas hitherto all the rates collected from the residents' on the' gbldfields was spent on the township roads, now, hot only-all the rates collected will be spent on the roads in tho hills, but also all the monies obtained as grants from the General and Provincial Governments as well. Already a grant of £700 has been given by the present Provincial Executfrb towards the making of the first section of the .Waiotahi. andTPunga Flat road.. : The Borough Council have to form, and'metal that portion of it within their boundary, which will give a good metalled "'dray road 27 feet wide,from Pollen-street to

. „-. -..:.■■...:■■> -..on which, the District Board anticipate large quantities of quartz will be carried to the'crushing mills on the flat at so.small a charge for cartage that many of the mines, in; this district now idle will then jjbe constantly and profitably worked. The Board's engineer has been ordered to prepare'the plans and sections for the second portion of this road, which will take it lip as far as the hopper of the JNew Caledonia mine. It is purposed to continue this metalled road up to Punga Flat. The Moanatairi road i« also one that should be formed and metalled, both that portion within the' Borough boundary as well as that within this Highway District. • Large quantities of quartz would then be sent dovi n that road "for crushing .that- now will not pay. tramway charges! In the Karaka, the Shellback, and other portions of the district good dray roads should be formed where practicable, and special care should be given to the roads lending to the - various schools, so that little children can attend them at all leasohs. Such a short time (three months) having elapsed since the adjustment of the ac-

counts between the Borough and this Highway District tlio Trustees cannot lay before the ratepayers a long list of works done, but are able to &how a balance in. cash to their credit' at the bank, which will be available for works to be done under the superintendence of the new Board to be elected by you this day. The accounts audited by the auditors aro now laid before yoa. The following balance sheet was also read : —

Statement of accounts from Ist Jnlv 1873 to 30th June, 1874 :-l? e ceipts— Bates, 1872 and 1873, £420 2s 2*: rates 1873 and 1874, £1188 16s 10d ; separate rates, £86 5s Id ; fire rates, 6s 0d; subscription, £1. 5s ; dog collars, £26 0s [ Id ; kerosene licenses, £25 10s ; General Government, £520 15s; Provincial Gavernment, £900; ca?h iv Secretary's hands Ist July; 1873;' £10 7s sd; total, £3217 8s .4d. Expenditure-Bank of New Zealand overdraft Ist July. 1873 Hil \ 6 is 3oJ m°tiillin £ and channelling, bddd lls 8d ; formation of roads, £109 16s; bridges and culverts, &c, £337 0s *d '> other works, £741 7s Id ; > sundries (including bank interest), £59 18s lOd • ealane^and rent. £218 18s 4d;; .commit sion, £96 2s; printing, &c, £46 6s 6d; legal expenses, £198 Is 6d : Bank of NVw South TV ales, £67 10s 2d tary's Hands £6 12s 3d; Thames Borough" Cout>cit,.£s66 8s Id; total, £3217 8g 4# July 22nd 1874~W0 have examined the book s and vouchers in connection with this balance-sheet, and find them correct —J. Woodward, Saml. Stephenson, Auditors. « - ' The Chairman explained that it was necessary to .read the annual report of the district to the present meeting, consequent on its being severed from what is | now the-Bordugh of Thames. : Ontlirmotion; of Mr. Cootes thefreports as read were adopted. .• The Chairman then informed the meeting that the next -business before thr meeting was tofix the nature and amount of the rate for the ensuing year. He would advise the ratepayers to assess themselves fairly, by so doing they would give their trustees a better opportunity of going before the Provincial authorities tS? aS-s mg for monet«'rj assistance. Mr. ±srodie said that a statement had appeared m the-Evening Star reflecting on himself as a member of the Board. He was sorry such a statement had been made, and was prepared to vindicate iiinucli. The Chairman thought it-would be better to defer that" subject for the present, and proceed with the' legitimate business of the meeting. A ratepayer thought it was only right that Mr. Brodie should,have an opportunity for exculpation. • ■ Mr. Brodie' suggested to the meeting that a fair yet liberal rate should be struck. Considerable sums in aid of the district had been granted by the Government, and he would like to see the road continued to Punga Flat. Mr. Brown proposed that a rate of two */■ naI* Per cent, should be struck. Mr. McNiece moved as^an amendment that a rate of ono and a half per cent, be levied. ' Mr. Logan thought that a moderate rate should be imposed, as he considered it the province of tha Government to make roads into the hilly country. The tramway was sufficient- for their present requirements, and he moved as an amendment that a rate of one per cent, be levied. The Chairman, before putting the propositions; - advised the ratepayers not <o strike too low, a rate, as th« Borough would be entitled to a large portion of the Government grant for the district. He understood that, in the event of the Borough Council making the road to junction with that now being madd, that a second section of the road-towards the hills would be proceeded with shortly, and would, no doubt, be carried on to Punga Plat. Want of- self-reliance, and depending on Government, had beea tha curse of New' Zealand. The motion 1 that a rate of. one and a half per cent, be levied was carried by a show of hands. , ' ■ . * The election of five trustees was theij proceeded with. The gentlemen: elected by. a show of hands were, Messrs HV", <Rowc, (unanimously), Brodie;- 23, C. Hill 20, Cootes ]8, and A. Porter of 17 votes. A poll was declined on the part of the unsuccssful candidates, Messrs. Hopkins and Cooper. - .'Messrs. Hopkins and Smith were appointed auditors for the ensuing year. On a vote of thanks being carried for the trustees of the past year, Mr Howe said it gave him great pleasure at all times to assist those on the field. Mr'. rißrodio referred to what had appeared .in the Evening Star and said the statement-had been completely refuted by his re-election, and thanked the meeting for placing him again on the board. . , t ,. A ratepayer from the Zaraka, hoped . the present Board would, not ignore the district he lived in as the last had done. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings of a most orderly meeting. <. -