WEST EYRETON.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4635, 9 June 1880, Page 3

WEST EYRETON.

A publio meeting of ratepayers was held at the Boai Board office on Tuesday at noon. Mr tfarmadnke Diron, chairmaN of the Road Board, who presided, read the petition {signed by eleven persons) and advertisement calling the ►meeting to discuss the conduct of the Board—(1) in appointing a. clerk without calling tenders for same; (2) giving preference to a contractor outside the district, when a ratepayer tendered for an equal sum; (3) for the Board neglecting to attend to certain roads after due notice, and other grievances. He stated that a previous petition had been sent in which, as it did not specify the grievances, was referred back, in order that the charges might be all stated. It would be the best way to proceed if each ratepayer who had charges to lay made them, and then he, as chairman, or the members of the Board, would reply to them. He called on Mr Simpson, whose name was first on the petition, to bring forward his grievance.

Mr Henry Simpson said he wanted to know what salary was being paid to the surveyor, what his duties were, the nature of his application and agreement, what amount it had cost the district for collecting rates and dog tax in the past six years, why the Board had appointed a surveyor who was not resident in the district ? He would leave the matter of giving preference to anouteidecontractortoanother speaker. A dangerous culvert on Tollstt's road had been brought under the notice of the Board, but not attended to for nine months. A concrete culvert on Dawson's road he complained was unprotected. Hβ wanted to know why the annual accounts had not been submitted to the rat payers. It appeared to him that Messrs Biron and Pester were the Board, and Mr Maindonald, another member, had told him so. (Laughter.)

Mr John Barton said his grievance was that notice had not bern given of the re-forming of Byre road south before it was metalled, also that preference had been given to an outside contractor. He also found fanlt with the Board allowing it to be published that he had not finished a conorete bridge at Dawson's.

Mr Dawson objected to spending so large a sum on Eyre road South when other roads were in a disgraceful state. It was also, ho said, useless to the district.

Mr J. Buddenklau objected to the employment of the surveyor, considering a local man ought to have been engaged, or an arrangement made with the Cust Board, which was nearer allied to them than Eyreton. He also agreed that when two tenders were equal the local tenderer should have the advantage.

Mr W. McKeown wanted to know bow it was he had not got a tender for re-forming a road. Mr Graham stated he agreed convening the meeting to sift the matters in dispute. While he had no fault to find with the choice of surveyor, aa the gentleman elaoted was one of the most efficient for the post who would be found within a large radius, he did think the manner in which it was done was open to question. He had the utmost confidence, for his part, in the members of the Board, who gave their time and energies in the publio interests. It was not an easy position to fill, and he was certainly thankful to those who did the work of the district.

The Chairman said as all the complaints now seemed to be in, he would reply to them seriatim on behalf of the Board, as the Board would concent to hie making the explanation. For his own part he was glad to see a little spirit infused into the affairs of the district. Hitherto there had been quite a state of lethargy, and the ratepayers appeared to be so well satisfied with the Board that probably it having fallen into a lax way it was necessary to awaken a fresh impetus. He had hoped that the questions to be brought forward would have bees of larger importance. At the last annual meeting he told the ratepayers that he could no longer spare the time to keep accounts, prepare contracts and inspect works, and it was agreed that the Board should employ seme one to assist him. On this understanding he accepted office, and finding that Mr Wright's time was not being fully taken up by the East Eyreton Board, he gob him to send in an offer to the West Eyreton Board. The Board learnt that the appointment would be a good one, and appointed Mr Wright at a salary of .£75, on condition that he would do all the work which was required of him. He was to prepare the rate roll and collect the rates and taxes. The Board knew no one within the district who was likely to fill the office so well, and all ne could aay was that it was competent for the district to elect another Board, and let that Board select a local man. It was stated that Mr Simpson had some difference about a contract, and hence these proceedings. [Laughter.] With regard to Tollett'a road, it was in good repair except certain pipes, which Mr Simpson was employed to put in order, and there was no danger whatever likely to arise. With respect to fences for culverts, he took credit for saying they had the beet concrete culverts to be found anywhere in the West Eyreton Eoad district, and they were made 30ft wide, which was sufficient for traffic. He explained at length that wooden fences would be very costly, and from their perishable, nature would never be safe. With respect to the annual accounts, he was greatly occupied about the time of the meeting,, but they had been audited and were open for inspectmn. In regard to the alleged favoritism to a tenderer, the tenders being' equal the Board gave the tender to a man who had taken two similar tenders at that meeting at a lower rate. Having charge of public money it was the duty of the Board to deal fairly with tenderers, whether they were outsiders or resided in the district.

Mr Euddenklau expressed hie satisfaction with the chairman's explanation: Mr W. Bennett expressed himself to the effect that he was pleased to see a clerk to the Board to assist the chairman.

Mr Simpson moved " That in the opinion of this public meeting it is desirable to dispense with Mr Wright (surveyor), and call tenders for a working foreman, who shall reside in the district, to keep books, with references as to his ability." Mr Button seconded. Mr B. L. Higgina pointed ont that ratepayers must have known that the surveyor was to be appointed from what transpired at the annual meeting, and went on to show that the appointment of a surveyor was a good one. The expressions of feeling on this matter ought correctly to come before that meeting. He considered that if ratepayers acted in this way in browbeating members that the best thing was for members to do as he did when they began to bully him in the Cust district—viz., retire. Mr J. McDowell moved an amendment— "That Mr Wright's services be retained." Mr J. Donovan seconded.

The amendment was then put and carried on division by fourteen votes against eight.

Mr Garland drew attention to the stoppage of some water which was prevented from finding drainage through the West Eyreton from the Cast district at Bennett's oroea fence. He pointed out that the Oxford main road was literally converted into a canal on one side, with' a railway on the other, and a towing path in the centre. He desired to know if the Board had erected an embankment which had dammed the water.

Mr Higgina made an explanation of the same matter.

The Chairman stated that the Eyreton Board had no objection to providing drainage for water which naturally ran into the district, but was determined not to have drainage brought upon them that onght to be provided with another outlet. The meeting passed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and then adjourned. ,