CAMBRIDGE HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 295, 31 May 1898, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

o MEETING OF RATEPAYERS. A MEETING of ratepayers of the above district was held in the large room at the Criterion Hotel, Cambridge, on Saturday, at 3 p.m. There were present : Messrs C. Day, W. H. Thomas, J. Taylor, W. Main (members of the Road Board), H. Ferguson, J. Arnold, J. Hully, G. Watt, W. Selby, B. B. Booth, E. Beere, C. Ewen, J. Dwyer, R. Cricket, Hall and Kite. Mr Day, who occupied the chair, stated the meeting had been called to obtain the opinion of the ratepayers as to whether or not the road through the Asset Board's Victoria Estate—a part of what was known as the Tramway Road —should be allowed to be closed, the Assets Board taking the land at a valua tion. He then read section 121 of " The Public Works Act, 1594," as follows : " No road shall be stopped unless and until a way to the lands in the vicinity as convenient as that theretofore afforded by the said road is left or provided, unless the owners of such lands gives consent in writing to such stoppage ; and no ro.id along the bank of a river shall be stopped either with or without consent." The Clerk (Capt. McPherson) said he understood there were two owners of laud that abutted upon portions of the road it was proposed to close who had not given their consent in writing. Mr Jas Hally said he and Mr Watt owned land that was bounded by the road at its eastern end for a distance of 7£ chains, and they had not consented to the closing of it ; and he had written Mr Hanna, the Assets Board's solicitor, stating he should not consent. The Chairman said that virtually settled the matter, but as the ratepayers had been called together they might as well take a vote upon it. The votes were then recorded, two only voting for the road beiDg closed, and nine against it. Several did not vote either way. Mr Main said he really could not see why the ratepayers should object to the road being closed. It was never used, and would cost hundreds of pounds to make in its present position ; whereas if it were closed, another and a much better one could be taken under the Public Works Act whenever it was required. He said Mr Hally's objection rendered the present proceedings mill, but he should like the opinion of the meeting as to the load bping c'osed through the Assets Board's lands only. The Chairman said uothing binding could be done at that meeting, but if it would be of any use in regard to future proceedings the Assets Board might contemplate taking, it would perhaps be as well to vote upon the matter. A-show of hands was then taken, the result being similar to the previous one, viz., only two voting for the closing, and a large majority against it. The meetiug then terminated. CAMBRIDGE ROAD BOARD. At the.conclusion of the above meeting, the Road Board met, the whole of the newly-elected members being present, witli Mr Day presiding. Chairman.—The Chairman thanked the members for the honour they had done him in re-electing him to the position, when he was unavoidably absent at the previous meeting. He trusted he would please them during his further term of office ; at all events he would try to do his duty. The Hautapu Drain-.—Mr W. Selby wrote stating the Board had not defined the public drain where it passed through his land. He stated he had fenced one side of it and he expected the Board to do its share of fencing to prevent the cattle from destroying the drain.—The Chairman said the letter should lie on the table, as the Drainage Board would shortly be gazetted ard then that body would doubtless attend to the matter. — Letter received. A Lively Five Minutes.—The Clerk explained that by an informality in the nomination of Mr Fergusou, he had not been included in the list of those elected members of the Board.—That announcement caused a lively passage at arms between Mr Thomas and the Clerk, and for a few minutes it seemed as if " war would be declared" ; however, the Chairman smoothed matters over, and pointed out that two errors had been unkuo'.viugly made, and. the best thing to do would be to now properly nominate Mr Ferguson to fill the extraordinary vacancy.--That was agreed to and peace reigned once more. Finance. —At date the Board was in debit at the Bank £l2 4s lOd ; £2 9s 7d has still to be collected for rate 3, and £l4 of subsidy is due from the Government. —Mr Thomas said the Riding account was in credit to the extent of £142 with the County Council, and he moved that the clerk write askiDg that body to pay £7O over to the Road Board. - Agreed to. Accounts.—The following accounts were passed for payment:—W. H. Hall, £3 ; G. B. Thorp, £1 10s ; T. Pennell, £5 18s ; the clerk, £5. The Rate.—lt waß resolved to give public notice that the Board will strike a rate of |d in the £ at its next meeting, to be held in July. Retiring Members.—A ballot was then taken for the two members who retire next year, and it fell to the lot of Messrs Day and Taylor. The meeting then terminated.