BOARD OF WORKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 175, 29 July 1867, Page 2

BOARD OF WORKS.

The annual meeting of ratepayers for the election of four members of the Board to fill vacancies created by the retirement by rotation of Messrs Rout, D. Burns, and Wright, aud by the resignation of Mr R. Aitken, and for the transaction of other busiuess, took place this day at noon at the Marketplace. A considerable number of ratepayers were present, and a more than ordinary amount of interest was evinced in the election. At the commencement of the proceedings, the Secretary, Mr Younger, read the Annual Report and Statement of lu- ' come and Expenditure of the Board for the present year, showing the income of the Board to be £5311 Is 7d, leaving a balance over expenditure on 22nd July, 1867, of £224 14s. The Chairman having enquired whethe any ratepayer had any remark to make with reference to the report. Mr Haddow asked whether Mr Stafford had, in accordance with his pledge to that effect, paid £50 as his contribution towards the cutting between Washington Valley and the port ? The Secretary stated that although, a latter had been addressed to Mr Stafford on the subject, no reply had been received. The Chairman believed that if Mr Stafford had made such a promise through Mr Watkins, there was little doubt that the money would be forthcoming, and thought the meeting should proceed to the consideration of more important sub jects. Mr Burns said that the Board had never required the payment of such contributions from private individuals until the work was completed, but that this was the only case in which such a promise of payment had not been fulfilled. Mr Bush having enquired whether Mr Stafford had given this promise in writing, and being answered in the negative. Mr Field declared that he would not take auy man's word, not even his own fathei*'s, except in writing (laughter). Mr Garrard then proposed and Mr Haddow seconded, that a deputation of the Board wait on Mr Watkins, and request him to communicate with Mr Stafford on the subject, with a view to the payment of the sum in question. Mr Dement inquired whether the Bridgestreet sewer was finished, and whether the contractor had been paid? The Secretary replied iu the affirmative, and added that the works had been finished in such a style as had never been seen in this city before. Some clauses in the copy of the specification were then read, at Mr Demeut's request, with a view to prove an infraction of the contract, and were satisfactorily explained, Mr R. Burn at the same time insisting that such complaints should be made whilst the work was in progress, and not months afterwards. Mr G. Richardson asked what was the amount collected for and expended on the road between the corner of the Postoffice and the tollgate, and the amount contributed by Government? The Secretary replied that £250 had

been. v granted by Government, and considerably above that sum had been already expended. The amount of rates contributed could only be furnished on reference to the block-book. Mr Webb asked why the office was closed against ratepayers having complaints to make ? The Secretary stated that a collector of rates having been appointed, aud he himself engaged in superintending the progress of important public works, it was not deemed requisite for him to remain in the office for two hours per diem for the purpose alluded to, Mr. Burn suggesting that any letters requiring replies if sent to the Board would have received immediate attention. Mr. Webb remarked that during the six years he was a member of the Board [Mr Carter : £3000 short !] the books had always been open to inspection. In reply to a question from Mr Garrard relative to the widening of the Beach road, Mr Burn said that the expense of such a work would swallow up the rates for two years. Mr Field enquired why twenty guineas had been presented by the Board lo the Secretary ? Mr Crisp said it could not be expected that a man should work day and night, as the Secretary had done, in order to facilitate the plans required for works in progress. Mr Potter was of opinion, with every wish to retain Mr Younger's services, that such tributes should come from the public, and that the Board, if Mr Younger's salary was not sufficient, should increase it. Mr James Hooper suggested that in future the balance-sheet should be published as passed by the Auditors. The Secretary explained that a Finance Committee had been appointed at the beginning of the year, who had exercised their functions left to the present time, and that some slight alterations had been made by the Auditors in their report of a merely verbal character. In reply to Mr Luckie's enquiry why the report sent in by the Auditors had not been published, the Secretary stated that it had never been the custom of the Board to do so. Mr J. Hooper proposed that the Auditors should in future be appointed before the annual meeting, and the accounts also be brought before the meeting. Mr Burn explained that such, an arrangement was impossible under the present provisions of the Act, which provides that the balance-sheet shall be produced at the annual meeting, and the auditors then appointed. The Act was very cumbersome, and emendations upon it would be welcomed. The report of the auditors was then produced and read, which recommended that an examination of the accounts should take place periodically, and suggested other improvements in the conduct of the business of the Board. Mr Hibble said that both the auditors, Mr Jackson and himself, were satisfied that these alterations were entirely unimportant. The adoption of the report and balance sheet was then put to the meeting and passed. The following gentlemen were then nominated to the office of auditors for the current year : — Messrs Hibble, Sadd, aud Percy, and a show of hands having been taken with the following result : — Hibble 60, Percy 37, aud Sadd 34, the two first-mentioned gentlemen were declared duly elected. The meeting then proceeded to the nomination of candidates for the vacancies in the Board, when the following nominations took place : — Mr Rout, proposed by Mr Crisp, seconded by Mr Grant.

Mr James Hooper, proposed by Mr Nation, seconded by Mr Savage. Mr D. Burns, proposed by Mr Garrard, seconded by Mr J. Black. Mr Field, proposed by Mr Askew, seconded by Mr J. Berry. Mr Barlow, proposed by Mr J. Webb, seconded by Mr Firth. Mr J. Webb, proposed by Mr Hibble, seconded by Mr Mills. Mr W. Osman, proposed by Mr Bush, seconded by Mr Field. Mr J. ThorntoD, proposed by Mr Percival, seconded by Mr Hale. Mr Wright (one of the retiring members) with Mr Gorrie and Mr Black, declined to stand, the latter expressing his regret that his engagements for the next ten months to come, and his probable absence for two years prevented his doing so ; another time, if elected, he would do his duty. A show of hands was then taken, which the Chairman declared to h..ve fallen on Messrs Hooper, Webb, D. Burns, and Barlow, the following numbers being shown : — Hooper 35, Webb 29, D. Burns 27, Barlow 25, Field 35, Osmau 20, Rout 19, and Thornton 6. A poll was then demanded on behalf of Messrs Rout and Field, which will take place to-morrow at noon; and after votes of thauks and confidence in the retiring members of the Board, and of thanks to the chairman, had been passed, the meeting separated.