HAMILTON HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1221, 27 April 1880, Page 2

HAMILTON HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

A special meeting of the ratepayers of the Hamilton Highway District, called by proclamation in the Government Gazette, for the election of trustees for the new district, was held on Saturday afternoon last at the Frankton Hotel. Mr. John Atkinson occupied the chair and having formally opened the meeting by reading the proclamations called upon it to proceed to the business of electing trustees for the remainder cf the year, some four months only It was then proposed that the four members of the late board — Messrs Samuel Steele, Raynes, "William Hunt, and George Edgetumbe be re-elpcted and that Mr. GribMe be elected in the place of Mr. Thomas Jolly, who had lately resigned. This proposition was carried unanimously. Messrs. William Jones and John Atkinson were then re-elected auditors, and Messrs. Brown and Ridler fence viewers. Mr. Steele then spoke as to the rate to be struck for the ensuing year. The power of striking what rate they chose rested with the Board but the trustees were always glad to be guided by the opinion expressed by a general meeting of the ratepayers. Last year the rate was eightpence in tbe pound on the annual value. Most of the roads in the district were in good order though there were of course works on which a considerable amount of money could be expended with benefit to the district. It was not likely that the Government would give any more subsidies to local bodies, and one of the chief incentives to striking a heavy rate had been the fact that the district had hitherto got a pound for every pound of rates they raised. A considerable discussion ensued. Mr. Alexander spoke in favour of making as high a rate as last year. It was the best money a farmer could lay out and even if the roads in his part of the district get little or nothing expended on them he wonld Williiigly pay his share, as what benefitted any part of the district benefiitted all. Mr. Edgecumbe thought there was no necessity to strike a heavy rate. Mi*. Jolly did not object a high rate providing the valuation was not fixed *o exceedingly high. Mr. Knox defended the valuation and proposed that the rate be 6d in the pound seconded by T. Jolly. Mr. Alexander then proposed as an amendment that the rate be 8d in the pound, seconded by Mr. Manders but the original motion was carried by a large majority. This concluded the business. The newly-elected Board of Trustees then held its first meeting when Mr. Steele was elected permanent chairman, Mr. Edgecmnbe Secretary, and the first Saturday in every month appointed the regular day of meeting. It was stated by the chairman that when the Board retired at the annual meeting there would probably be a credit balance of £100 to its account.