MANDEVILLE AND RANGIORA.

Press, Volume XXV, Issue 3228, 5 January 1876, Page 3

MANDEVILLE AND RANGIORA.

The election of two members to serve on this Board ia the place of Messrs J. C. Boys and W. Bramley, who retired by rotation, took place at the office of the Board yesterday. The candidates were Messrs John CBoys, W. Bromley, and M. Duncan. There was very little interest taken in the proceedings. Shortly after four o'clock the Returning Officer declared the result of the poll to be as follows :— Boys 202 Bramley 164 Duncan , ... 117 He therefore declared Messrs John C. Boys and W. Bramley duly elected. The candidates having briefly addresggi the meeting, tbe proceedings terminated. COST. The annnal mee/iog of ratepayers of tbe Oust district waa h e id at the Boad Board office on Mond ayi the 3rd instant, to elect two members ».q place of Messrs Dickinson and Early. Mr B. L. Biggins, chairman of the Board, 'jxplained the object of the meeting, and t'jen read the minutes of the previous ao'nual meeting, which were confirmed, then ceiled on the clerk to read the following report : _" During last year, 1875, the Board i heJ'j twelve meetings, and in all casea were

very wei. 1 attended, There has been a greater amount of work done than on any previous - year, and T»"ftn reference to bridges of a more permanent nature, and I am sureyoa will all see for yourselves that there never has been such gooof roads in the district as at present. Many of vhe bridges put in some years ago want renewing;- and several hare been renewed during la&'t year, and the Board are taking great care that nothing but the best of timber is being used for those bridges, so that they may last well; The bridges now being put in are—; One at Morrison's, one at M'Clinton's, one at Cumminge's, and one at Diginan's. Thie Board has agreed to put two bridges over the Cust on the Boundary road, leading to Dobbe's, bat we have not been able as yet toget the Manderilleand Baoglora Boad Board to agree to bear half the co9t. The last letter written to them on the mbfect has not been replied to, and it is nearly four months ago since the letter was sent. The Board notices, with regret, that many of tno faraers in tie district are allowing- gone and broom to spread over some of the roads*. The Sbard are taking what action they can to get Shem cleared. The money we received during the year from all sources- ie £1845 1 12 a lid. This includes £253 for drainage, £150 for planting reserves, and £46 for rent of cottagss, so that for road purposes* £1395' in round aumbers iias been received, 'the expenditure for the same period has been , £3276 6s 2dV This aibo includes the expenditure on dlrainage aad planting reserves; so that we are left this year with a balance of 5232 23 4d, against £662' 16s 7d last year. A N detailed account of all , receipts and expenditure is here should anyone wish to see it. It shows the separate amounts spent on" each road. With reference to the rates, they are sometimes ratber hard' to get in; but I arm glad to say tbat the whole of last year's and the year before has been collected, so that we have no outstanding assets-in this acc&unt. The work already voted to bar carried cut is the building of the bridges already mentioned, forming part of the boundary road between here and Oxford, through the swamp;- metalling part of the tratnroad ; metalling part of the terrace road; metallingTollatt's road ; levelling the grocad round ib*o office, and several other small jobs." The- meeting then proceeded to elect two members to serve on the Board. The retiring members, Messrs Early and Dickeneoir,'- were dtriy proposed and seconded. No other candidate being proposed, the chairman declared them , duly elected. The meeting then -adjourned.

A meeting of tbte Board -wae held immediately after the adjournment of the annual meeting. Present*-Messrs Biggins (chairman), Dickenson, Con way, and Early. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and' confirmed. Correspondence was read— From the Secretary ior Public Works, informing the Board that a voucher for the third 1 instalment of the Provincial Boad Board 1 grant had been forwarded to the Provincial Treaeury for payment. From the chairman of the West Eyreton Boad Board, stating? that that Board are willing to contribute half the cost of bridge aoroea the road'near Diginan's, and requesting tbat the work- may be put in hand at once. Tenders were opened for cutting drain near Page's. The tenders were declined as they were cjnsidered excessive, and She clerk-was directed to call for fresh tenders for the work. It was decided tbat the next meeting of the Board'be held on the 17th inst. The Board then adjourned.