RAGLAN AND AO TEA. July 10th.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 647, 13 July 1876, Page 2

RAGLAN AND AO TEA. July 10th.

On Saturday, July Bth, w:u» the Annual' thy of Meeting of the liutepiiyere of thcae districts, - which -are held yearly, in the* Court House, Raglan, at 11 am. The first meeting commenced with

KAttlOf. Mr Pogler was r.oted to the Chair, whoi opened fche mooting with somQ suitablo retairka on the probability of the early' introduction of a new Local Gk)verunieuJ;< Bill that would give increased powers, advantagos and funds, and tlio necosHity ot doing our utmost to open up -the district' by better roads, so as to induce new sottlers^ to come amongst us. Tlie cleuk read the following '

REPORT. '. The period of officer of yonr Trnstees' having como to a close, in accordance with, the usual ousfcom, they submit to the rate" payers a report of the progress and state of the district, financially and otherwise at the present time. During the year, just ended, the receipts have beeu .£B3 10s o£d, and the disbursements tho same amount. Of that amount, £13 has been contributed by settlers, in works in improving portions of roads in their localities. On taking office, the Board fully o*. pooted to receive £2 for £1 collected daring the previous yoar, that being the amount promised by tlie General Government, but, were much disappointed in only getting at the rate of 13a 4d in the £,' tlrus, at the outset, so crippling the power of the Board that thoy were only able to' carry out the works required to oompleto the ■opening of a cart-road between the Kaurda and the Mata. The trustees regret that the funds at their disposal have been so small, the more especially as many new settlers have arrived in that district, making it imperative that better moans of assess to their Tespecfcivo homes should be afforded them with as little delay as. possible, and tlioy take cognisince of the fuel, although not of such a nature

us to be iul-nissiible in the Financial Stale meut, with other voluntary co.'itr b'Uio.iS, that a t»roafc de;l of labor has been perfonue.l by the new settlors, to enable th-jin to get to fchoir selections. In conclusion, the retiring trustees cannot but express the hope that the change of Government about to take place will provide the means to enable their successors to meet all the increasing requirements of the district." A rate of one penny in the pound on the value to sell wus passed. Most present were nominated as trustees. Mr T C Hill saul it would be as well before the election, if those nominated would express their -views, for his part he wished it clearly underdtaod that he should do his utmost to thoroaghly open up the district bo as .to increase the value of property and induce new settlers to come here and promote in every way tha advancement of the district, and as 4ihe proposed Local Government Bill alluded to by the Chairman, intended to localise the land funds, and they hud a large landed estate still remaining, he was for taking steps as soon as possible to nse it as a means to provide the roaUs reqairefl. Messrs Ellis, JBridgman, Pegler, and Dobson, each addressed the meeting ; the three first named gentlemen entirely agreeing- with Mr Hill's policy. - Me Pegler was of opinion that the distx'icb possessed advantages equal to any district in New Zealand and only required unity of action to become an important and thriving district. Mr Dobson, although wishing to see the district advance, was not in favour of anything like a borrowing scheme, and was afraid if they went in too largely for roadg they could not carry , them on for want of labour. The result of the poll was that Messrs Peglor, Ellis, Hill Bridgraan, and Dobaon were eloctcd. trustees; Messrs Burns and Ormsby, auditors ; and Messrs McCracken and Harsant fence viewers. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded, the meeting. A Board meeting was then held, when Mr T B Hill was elected Chairman. Mr J La Trobe, clerk, collector, Treasurer and valuer, and the next meeting fixed to hear objections to be hold 'at the Board room, Mata, ou Saturday, September 2nd.

WHAIXGA.UOA, Mr Gibbeson occupied the chair. The attendance waa small. TUo .report ' was vend but nob adopted. A rate of a penny in the pound vras passed, all lands to be vdlue.l at 10a per acre. Messrs Cogswell, Baffus, Haraanfc, J Moon, and Wai Us wore elected trustees ;. Mos3i*3 J C Johnson and Vtrnon, auditors. Messrs Gibbeson and Kesc^l, fence viewers. A vote of thanks to theehairman brought the business to a cbse.

ItVOLAN. Mu T Mitchell was moved to the chm'r. Th«i Financial Statement was read and adopted, and a rate of one ponuy in the pound was levied. Messrs Gal van, Mitchell, G Moon, Peglei* and Wai I is were elected as trustees ; Messrs T 1J Hill and Powell, au-litora; and Messrs Gibbeson and Harsant, feuue vieivew.

WAIPA ROAD. At the clo^o of this meetiug, the opening of the Waipa rosicl was agaia taken in-to consideration, whoa it was resolved for the trustees of the threo Highway Boards to form a standing committee, to take any steps connected with the carrying out ol this much desired and neeassavy work.

ST GAMES. A petition having been got up by the Maories, asking- the Government not to "continue the subsidy to the steamer, a counter petition wa<j got up by the Europeans, asking the Government to contimie»'the subsidy until the trade oT the d 'strict was suflijieutly developed to to ider it no 'longer npcewary. Some of the "speakers fl 110)10 "x>£ tho irregularity of tho steamer, and her abrupt leuvinr on the cessation of the subudy, leaving us. without any -menus of communication. Rlost of thoao present, however, warmly supported tl.o fsfcoamer as ono of the chef means of making our district approachable, -anil bunging new -additions to oursmall population. Sir John Cowoll, a, most infi.ieulial' representative of tho NgatihikuJro tribe, saUl he was about to bring a scho >ncr to KngLui, and would engage a 'fi.-wt clasa pnlceha cei'tificAted captain and mate, 'and thought, ho should have part of tho subsidy, in which sug--' goation most w<-re inuliued to ji»io, as Mr< Cowells kind disposition and obliging ways liave madeiiifn «, cfenaral favourite amongst Europeans. Ho said it would always b<3 his chief aim to please tho pikehas and give them general satisfaction. The time, we trust, wul arrive when there, will be plenty of room for both the now schooner 'as well as the steamer, without requiring any outside aid in tho shap&of a< Subsidy — O\VU OOHRESPONDEXT.