POKENO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6145, 28 July 1881, Page 5

POKENO.

A special meeting of the ratepayers was called to consider the closing of several roads under "Tlie Public Works Act, ISSO," on Saturday last, at 2 p.m,, and the usual annual meeting at 3 p.m.—"a double event" which, together with the fine weather, resulted in the largest muster of ratepayers I have ever witnessed in the district. At the special meeting Mr. R. Hobbs (being chairman of the Highway Board) presided in accordance with the above Act, and read the various clauses relating to the business of the meeting. The several roads were then considered by the meeting in the same order as advertised, and after a few modifications the whole of the Board's proposals were agreed to. Great delay took place in commencing the subsequent annual meeting, as there was evidently going to be a trial of strength in the formation of the new Board, and neither side was willing to lose a vote by supplying a chairman. Eventually, Mr. W. H. P. Evans generously consented to occupy the uncoveted position, and callcd upon the secretary to read the advertisement convening the meeting. The balance-shcct was afterwards read and adopted. From this document it appeared that during the past year the Board had received from all sources £162 17s Id (including £27 4s from the Dog Tax), and had spent £148 2s Id, thus leaving a credit balance of £14 15s Sd. There being no "burning questions" to occupy the meeting, the following nine candidates were balloted for, with the results annexed :—A. R. Shackell, 47 ; R. T, Lyons, 33; W. H. P. Evans, 33; James Graham, 30 ; Robert Pendergrast, jun., 28; H. C. Powell, 28; P. Wright, 25 ; G. Perrihfc, 14 ; W. Dean, 13. The Chairman then declared the five gentlemen whose names head the list the Pokeno Highway Board for the coming year. The auditors (Messrs. J. T. Clark and J. McPherson) and fenceviewers (Messrs. C.' Schaman and Wm. Maber) for the past year were re-appointed, ani the meeting closed with votes of thanks to the outgoing Board, its chairman (Mr. R. Hobbs), and the chairman of the meeting— all of which votes were carried by acclamation. Immediately after the close of the above meeting, the newly-elacted Board met and elected Mr. Shackell chairman, and Mr. Lyons treasurer,—[Own Correspondent, July 25.]