NEWCASTLE ROAD DISTRICT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2935, 7 May 1891, Page 2

NEWCASTLE ROAD DISTRICT.

AXNTJAL MEETING OF HATKrAYEUS. The annual meeting of ratepayers in the above district was held at the office of the Newcastle Board (Mr Corboy's residence) on Monday last. There was a good attendance, Mr Corboy, the chairman of the Board presiding. Before proceeding to the business of the day Mr A. Dawson brought a grievance before the meeting, relative to his nomination papal - at the recent election being declared informal, and also that the returning officer, Mr Jones, had declined to show him the other nomination papers. The Returning Officer explained that tho informality consisted in one of Mr Dawson's nominators not signing his natne in full as required, and owing to the regulations uuder which he, Mr Jones, served as Returning Officer, he was not allowed to give Mr Dawson, or anyone information as to the nomination papers received.—The chairman ruled that the Returning Officer had only dono his duty, and tho matter dropped. The clerk then laid the balance sheet before the meeting for the year ending 31st March 1891 Receipts: General rate, £50 4s 4d ; arrears, £75 19s Id ; rates Crown Lands £2 17s 3d ; rates, native lands, £10 18s 9d ; subsidies, £58 14s 7d ; total, £204 os. Expenditure: Balance over draft, £29 17s ; salaries, commission, etc., £17 18s 4d ; office expenses, £1 9s 7<l ; printing and advertising, £0 13s ; election expenses, £4 4s; roads and bridges, £70 13s 8d ; interest, 10s Id ; audit fees, cash book, £2 lis 8d ; balance in Bank, March illst 1891, £70 18s 8d ; total, £204 Gs.—Separate account: Contractors'deposits received £4; deposit returned, £1; balance in Bank, £3 ; total £4.—Assets: Balance in Bank, March 31st 1891, £70 18s 8d: arrears, ratos, £80 153 2d ; lands sold, collected, £112 lis lj'd ; total, £2(54 4s llijd. Liabilities: Due to owners of land, in hands of Board, £175 3s ditto, not collected. £10513s 3|d; contracts in hand, £54 15s; total £330 12s lOj'd, A prolonged discussion took placs upon various items in the balance sheet, Mr Di-vson contending that the amount set 11.nv.i for arrears was far too large. The Clerk stated that the arrears were beine got in fast, and that several defaulters wore in the hands of the Board's solicitor (this hint may bn useful). In reply to questions, tho clerk statod that the whole amount that could bo collected in tho Newcastle Road District, under a half-penny rate, was £111 "is Od. That the approximate amount of arrears at date was £05. That ho could not say write off, what amount of bad debts tho Board had every year. Mr Fox all suggested that a list of tho public works, carried out in tho district during the year, Bhould always be laid beforo the annual meoring. This was generally agreed to ; tho chairman remarking that it had been tho custom in the past, and would be so again. Mr Dawson proposed and Mr Grix seconded, that tho annual accounts be adopted. This was put to tho meeting and carried unanimonsly. Some discussion then took place as to the works to be carried out during the ensuing year. Messrs Blackett, Bycroft and Shepherd, drawing the attention of the board to necessary works in their localities. A vote of thanks I to tho chair terminated the proceedings. I