FEATHERSTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 351, 30 December 1879, Page 2

FEATHERSTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Peatherston Highway Board was held at the Wairarapa Institute, Greytown, on Saturday last, Present: Messrs J. Tully (chairman), J. P. Russell (treasurer), J. Donald, and A. Matthews.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr Russell presented the following re' port :

Greytown, Dec. 27,1879. To the Chairman and Members of the

Featherston Highway Board,

Gentlemen,—l have the honor to report that the present credit balance at the Bank of Kow' Zealand, Greytown, is £6 19s Gd; the sum of £BO lis 9d is in hand and will be deposited on next Monday, making the total balance available £93 lis 3d.

The receipts during the last month have been as follows : From rates £6ll 9 Special contributions 33 0 0 Rent of Waihenga Hotel and t0115... ... ... ...77 0 0 Total £ll6 11 9 It vfill be observed from the correspondence which will he laid before you that (ho East County Council disclaim any liability in respect of the balancej-of £250 expended (in the East Coast road via Awhea, and that therefore this item cann.it be considered as an available asset. It is evident that a misapprehension has existed regarding this amount, and it will now be necessary to provide for the expenditure in some other way. The cessation of Government subsidies to I'ical budies, as indicated in the proposals of the Colonial Treasurer, will have a very serious effect upon the revenue of the Board, and it is manifest that, should that proposition take effect, the cost of the permanent staff of the Board must be considerably reduced during the next fiscal year, having due 'regard, however, to the efficiency of the service, It is true that another bfst em of subsidising local bodies has been promised by the Government, but in the absence of anything like definite information on that head, I.think it my duty to call your attention to the necessity of curtailing all expenditure and of undertaking no' works?;for. which the funds are not itmiicdiately, available.

I have, tk; J. P. Russell, Treasurer

The roport was received, and accounts amounting in the aggregate to £12516s 9s passed fur payment The Engineer then read his usual monthly report on the progress of works, which, after discussion, was adopted., The following lenders fcr the supply and delivery of the planking for the Wailienmi Bridge were opened:—Coker, alternative at lis and l(h per 100 super. ; Terry & Baillie, 10s; Butana, 9a 6cV; Buckeridge, 9s 6d; W. W. Corpp, 9s;

Jones & Udy, 8s Gd ; Robinson & Lawrenco, Bs. The tender of Robinson & ',\fr Lawrence Was accepted. ■ Fur the bush felling and clearing at Ward's line, the following tenders were | opened :—Patrick Kain, 32s 6d per chain ; \ Petersen's party, 30s. Being considered too high, they were rejected, and fresh tenders ordered to be called for. CORRESPONDENCE. Prom the Minister of Crown Landsjf sending statement of; rents paid by tjffl;' lessee of Waiheriga l Hotel. JL From the Hon. J. Martin, an exchange of roads at M^artinborough. Prom Past County Council, sending copy of resolution, and declining to recognize the Board's claim for\a balance of £250 for the East Coast road. \ From Government Printer; sending form of valuation list. ; . \ The engineer was instructed tc\explam to Mr Murtia-the views of the Bo>if ; in \jßk reference to tW proposed exchaqn^ | roads m Maryborough. . v&fIHG Mr/i)onald gave notice meeting lie would move—take 7 into consideration the x v (Bsary alterations in regard to the offices v $ en- jH gineer and clerk and collector. \, ; / The meeting then terminated,