ROAD BOARDS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7356, 8 July 1889, Page 6

ROAD BOARDS.

HALSWELL.

The adjourned ordinary meeting of this Board was held at the office on Thursday, all members being present. Hon. E. Gray was elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Correspondence was read from Tai Tapu Road Board, re diversion of boundary road. Messrs Lee and Fergusson were instructed to inspect the above and report at next meeting. From Mr M. J. Burke, approving of the acceptance of the tender of H. Davis for bridge on Lower Lincoln road. From Mr F. Strouts, Hon. Sec. to the Convalescent Home, stating that they had agreed to pay £20 towards the improvement of the Dyer's Pass road, and requesting the Board's sanction to the work being done. Agreed to. From the Charitable Aid Board, forwarding corrections and alterations in list of cases of December Ist, 1888. From Selwyn County Council, and asking the Board to inform the Council what amount had been expended each year during the last three financial years by them in clearing the River Halswell. The Clerk stated that he had forwarded tbe information required. From same, stating that the Council would grant £1 for £1 expended by the Board in the destruction of small birds daring the months of June, July, August and September. It was resolved to obtain two sacks of poisoned wheat from Mr C. M. Brooke. From same, requesting the Board to forward returns in accordance with section 318 of the Counties Act, 1886. The Clerk was ordered to forward the above. From Controller and Auditor-General, forwarding the Board's balance sheet for the year ended 31st March last, certified correct. It was resolved to hold the annual meeting of ratepayers on Friday, the sth inst. From Lincoln Road Board, asking tbe Board to give the following resolution their careful attention and support, and if favorable to ask the representative for the district to support same when before Parliantent —" That the system of levying and dispensing the charitable aid rate be referred to the member for the district, with a view of amending the Charitable Aid Act so that each district shall have the power of levying its own rate and dispensing the same." It was resolved —That this Board thoroughly approve of the above resolution, and that the members for the district be asked to support the same. Mr Quick interviewed the Board re state of the Worsley track. It was resolved that the matter lie in abeyance for two months. Mr Pepper interviewed the Board, requesting them to widen the bridge by his holding, The Clerk was instructed to see to the matter. Mr Trott saw the Board re water flowing oft'the road on to his land. Messrs Lee and Fergusson were instructed to inspect and, if necessary, have pipes laid across the road to the river. Mr Beadel spoke of the necessity cf a footpath on Hoon Hay road. The Board resolved to favorably consider the matter in the spring. Resolved —That tenders be called, returnable next Board day, for cleaning and maintaining clean the Halswell and Heathcote rivers and the Halswell drains to the Ist July, 1830; and that the Clerk obtain 100 yds metal for the Lincoln road. Accounts amounting to £23J 3s 3d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned. The postponed annual meeting of the ratepayers of this district wa,s held at the office on Friday, three members of the Board and six other ratepayers being present ; Mr Gray in the chair. The Clerk read the advertisement calling the meeting, and the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were confirmed. The Chairman then submitted the accounts and balancesheet for the year ended 31st March, 18d9. duly audited, as follows, viz.:—l. General account—Receipts—Balance 31st March, 1888, £204 15s lOd; general rates, £943 17s 3d; Government subsidy, £156 16s 6d; rents, £10 10s; dog fees, £5 18s Od; miscellaneous, £813s; expenditure from other local bodies, £41 lis 3d; total, £1432 2s 7d. Expenditure — Salaries, £187 10s ; office, £10 2s 2d ; advertising aud printing, £14 7s 6d; law costs, £33 16s; miscellaneous, £0813s , Charitable Aid Board, £152 15s 3d; roads and bridges, £524 6s lOd ; drains, £194 0s 6d ; river cleaning. £24 17s 6d ; balance 3kt March, 1889, £246 13s lOd; total, £1132 2s 7d. 11. Separate account — (1) Waimakariri account — Balance 3lst March, 1883, £90 18s 2d ; outstanding rate, 1888, £1 18s lOd ; rate, 1889, £44 9s oil; total, £137 6s ss. It was moved by Mr Miln and seconded by Mr Bingham —"That this meeting disapprove of the action of the Board in not calling the annual meeting, and holding the same on a day in the first week in May, in accordance with clause 40 of the Road Boards Act. 1882." The Chairman explained that the balance-sheet was cent to the Auditor on the 7th April, in accordance with clause 103, and was not returned until the middle of June, consequently the accounts could not be submitted in the first week In May in accordance with clause 108, and in view of this the Board postponed the meeting to this day. The resolutioa was carried. It was proposed by MrNicholland seconded by Mr Bingham, " That this meeting is of opinion that all public roads in the district should be opened up foithwith, and t.iat the Board be requested to take the necessary steps to give effect to the foregoing resolution." Carried. Mr Miln complained of the heavy rate, $d in the £, levied by the Board last year, and asked tbe Chairman if he thought the district could do with a less rate this year. The Chairman explained that the amount of rate available for road purposes was very little more than _d in the £, the remainder being required to pay the sum levied by tbe Charitable Aid Board, and requested the sense. of the meeting as to whether fhey would prefer the Charitable Aid rate to be struck separately. The meeting decided the amount payable to Charitable Aid Board should be met by separate rate. It was moved by Mr Miln and seconded by Mr Nicholi, " That the balance-sheet and accounts as read be adopted." Carried. The meeting then terminated.