EDEN TERRACE RATEPAYERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 99, 27 April 1903, Page 6

EDEN TERRACE RATEPAYERS.

The annual meeting of ratepayers in the Eden Terrace Road District was held last evening in the Public Hall. There were about 50 ratepayers present, and the Chairman of the Board (Mr F. A. Cleveland) presided. The annual report, read by the Chairman, besides dealing with the ordinary work and administration of the Board, made particular reference to the constructive works for the running of electric trams through the district, and the Board's. ne«o tiations in connection therewith, the extension and completion of drainage .works, the proposed Infectious Diseases Hospital, and the imposing of a wheel tax on heavy traffic. Among the works carried out during the year was the reinstalling of Mount F.den road from the corner of New North-road to Shaddock-street, filling in, etc., of portions of Greenwood-st., Altken terrace, Haslettst, Exmouth-st., and Porter's avenue, tarring and sanding the worst places in the footpaths, and the cutting off of several angles from the footpath on the southern side of the main road. Special reference was made in the report to thr> rapidly increasing demands upon the funds of the local bodies by the Hospital and Charitable Aid authorities, the amount demanded this year being nearly double the amount levied In 1001 The tramway works carried out had not involved the dietrict in uny expense, a number of conditions laid down by the Board having been complied with by (he company. The report also stated: "Notwithstanding, the Increasing deraancw .upon the funds, the balance-sheet shows the iinanees to be in a satisfactory condition, both the general account and tie waterworks account having balances on the right side This result, however, has only been brought about by exercising strut economy, although some .small improvements in addition to re-metalling Alt lAlon road have been carried out. The Board have had iimlor consideration sever* necessary works, but want of funds has sojar prevented their being undertaken. When the necessary amounts for interest on waterworks, drainage and gas loans, hospital and charitable aid, material, maintenance, contribution to fire brigade, street cleaning, and cost of administration are deducted from the Board's revenue, there is very little left for making permanent improvements.' . Owing to the worn condition of the main road and the impossibility of maintaining this and other wads in good order out of the ordinary revenues, the Board had been compelled to follow the example of other local bodies by imposing a wheel tax on heavy traffic. This tax hud just been brought into force, and it was therefore impossible to say how far it would accomplish the desired object. The treasurer, Mr W. O. Poeklington, read the balance-sheet, which showed receipts on general account to have been £ir>s9 9/3, "and the expenditure loft a balance of £",3 11/3 (including balance of the additional loan of £300 for drainage Durnoses) The waterworks account showed total receipts £470 17/0 and the «ponrtitnre left a balance in hand of £bu «/. The statement of assets and liabilities Showed, the monetary assets ttncJtiaiTiß balance of drainage loan) to be £.I>l_ u/-y, and liabilities £341 8/G. The chairman referred to several matters dcaith with in the report, and explained some of the items in the balance-sheet. Mr H. Shepherd moved the adoption of ' the report and balance-sheet, -and Mr G. Patterson seconded. <■ Mr A. C. Atkin. a member of the Board, spoke on some of the questions raised in the report, .particularly the question o[ the infections diseases hospital, hospital ; and charitable aid, and remetalling the 1 main road. Messrs G. A. Coles and W. Rpedding : congratulated the Board and the ratepayers upon the state of the finances and the year's work In face of the difficulties? that Lid to be contended with. The speakers also spoke on some of the matters mentioned in the report. Mr H. Clayton and Mr W. Weir honed the Drainage Board eel up about a year

aj-'o, consisting of delegates of various local bodies and Dr. Makgill, would take some vigorous steps towards having the nuisance of the main gully abated.

A vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to the chairman and members of the Board for their services during the past year.