HAMILTON HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1414, 26 July 1881, Page 3

HAMILTON HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

The anniuil meeting of the ratepayers of the abore district was held at the Railway Hotel, Frankton, on Saturday. There were about a dozen ratepayers present, and the chair was occupied by Mr John Atkinson, who read the notice in the Waikato Times calling the meeting. The Secretary read the ) j

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF HECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE. Receipts.—To rates collected for year ending June 30th, L 132 18s 9(1; arrears of rates collected, Lsr 12s zd; General Government subsidy, L 74 7s 8d; Waipa County fund, L 64 9S3d; Tuhikaramea Highway Board, LlO ; T. Williamson, advance ot Ll5O ; sale of bridge timber, L 2 4s; deposit (Lovells), L 5; cash in hand from last year, L 169 17s id • Total, L 660 8s ud. Expenditure.—By forming 1 roads, L 454 qs id; bridges and culverts, L3O 2s gd ; salaries and rent, Ll4; engmecr'b expenses, L3O 13s ; sundries, L 2 17s; valuation, Lv; commission collecting rates, L 6 16s; advertising, L 7 us 6d; Jas. Williamson, for current rate, L 45 17s ; deposit returned to Lovell, L 5 ; balance, £52 2s 6d • Total, L 660 8s 1 id.—Examined and iound correct. — John Atki.nsov, Wiliiam Jones, Auditors.

Assets anb liabilities. Assets available for the incoming Board —current rate, 1881 and 1882, Lug 18s ; arrears, L 143 17s 2d.—-Total, L 263 15s 2d. Liabilities — engineer's account, L 9 18s, Lovett's account, L2g 10s; Cooper's account, M>stery Creek Board, L4l os id; overdraft, Bank of New Zealand, Li os. 3d.—Total, LBl 17s 4 d. On the motion of Mr Jones, the balancesheet was adopted. The following ratepayers were then nominated, and unanimously elected as a Board for the ensuing year :—Messrs. Steele, George Edaecumbo, John Atkinson, Andrew Bell, and John llidler. Messrs. William Jones and James Gribble were appointed Auditors ; and Messrs. W. Alexander, and James Raynes Fence-viewers. During the proceedings, Mr Steele drew attention to some remarks which had appeared in the Entre Nous column of the Waikato Times, calling in question his fitness for any public office. He had fully made up his mind not to take office again, but owing to the solicitations of his colleagues and a great many ratepayers whom he had lately met, he had decided to overlook the matter. Mr John Knox said he could bear testimony to the very great services which Mr Steele had in the capacity of Chairman of the Hamilton Highway Board rendered that district. With regard to the action taken by him in the matter of freeing tho Hamilton Bridge, he was rather to be commended than blamed, because the information in possession of the Waipa Council was so meagre, that no one was able to tell Mr Steele upon whom the responsibility of keeping the bridge in repair would fall, and he was perfectly justified in guarding the interests of the country, which for all he knew might be charged with a portion of the expense. Several of the other ratepayers endorsed the remarks made by Mr Knox. The meeting closed with the customary votes of thanks. At a meeting of the Board subsequently, Mr Steele was re-elected chairman, Mr G. Edgecumbe, treasurer, and Mr J. Edgecumbe, secretary.