HIGHWAY DISTRICT MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6145, 28 July 1881, Page 3

HIGHWAY DISTRICT MEETINGS.

. ;• . .EONSONBY. ...... ... The annual election of trustees for the Ponsonby-Highway took place yesterday; 1 at the Ponsonbyfliall. ■ Owing to the receiit feuds ' .between some; of; the members of the kte Board," "interest was felt'inthe affair," cabs Iwere brought into requisition, .and paid canvassers were stated to be huzzing. about in the interests of particular candidates,', so that the contest almost rose to the dignity of an election for the the General-Assembly. 'The hours of polling were from 9 fcm." to 6 p.m. : ; and the proceeding were supervised ; by . the Returning Officer,' Mr. McKinstry, who fulfilled his duties in an efficient and impartial manner. At the close of-the poll a crowd of anxious ratepayers, clustered around the hall, awaiting the examination of the ballot papers and totting up. of the numbers, occasionally quenching their thirst for information by an adjournment-to the adjacent hotel. About I 7.30 the numbers were made up, and the issue I mads ' kiio'vrii; - The ' result was' a surprise to many. It_will-be_seen-that' the Radical | element, as represented'in the person of Mr. -Field, .has been triumphant, that gentleman 'having been returned at the head of the poll by a large majority, while the ex-chairman, Mr. S: T; Evans, : representing what may be termed the ~Conservative~sectiOn, is at the bottom of the poll, escaping defeat by six votes only. The number of voters on the roll is a little over 1000,-and a greater number of ratepayers exercised- their privileges yesterday than at any previous election. 'Tho . following is "the'officiarreturn' of the votes recorded for the successful candidates : —J. H. Field, 325 ,- T. T. Masefield, 221 ; John, Swales, 203.7. F. Quick,' ISS ; T- S. Evans, 161. The unsuccessful candidates stood as under E.-Dutton, 15G ; Mr.W. J. Dalton, 111 J J. B. Morpeth, 93; Mr. J. Patteruon,-74 ; J. G-. Henderson, 56 ; R. J. Payne,'4B.' I -■

MOUNT EDEN.

The annual meeting of ratepayers in the Mount Eden Highway District was held at the public school-house, on Tuesday evening, at 7.301' There wasavery full meeting, not less than 150-ratepayers being present. Mr. T. Thompson, chairman of the outgoing Board, read the advertisement calling the meeting, and. asked' those present to elect a chairman.- Mr. F. G-.* Ewington having been called to the chair, the-hon. secretary, and treasurer, Mr. Udy; read the statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ending the 30th of June, 1881, and report of J trustees. The total receipts were £1003 4s- Id; expenditure, £875.1 is Id;; balance in bank, £127 13s; works in progress", £212 (which will be completed in about three months), and other repairs which are " now going on will probably bring the liabilities up to £250. To meet these there is a balance in bank of £127 13s. Three months' tolls, from July, at £30 per month, £90—making a total of £217 13s. In proposing'the adoption of the accounts and report, the late chairman read the following statement, showing the increase in the value of properties in the district Number of ratable properties in ISSO-81, 196 ;in ISSI-S2, 263; increase, 67. Total value of properties in ISBO-81, £5548; in 1881-82, £6808 ; increase, £1260. Amount of rate 3in 1880-81, £277 83; in 1881-82, £340 8s; increase, £63. Rates in arrear, £5 6s; J. Hedley (written off in accordance with vote of meeting) £2 15s; leaving a net balance of arrears of £2 lis. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wilson, and passed unanimously. ' The next business was the election of trustees. Mr. Wilson proposed that the old Board be re-elected, but they declined, having held office for several years. They thought that others should take a turn. Mr. Probert, one of the late trustees, was again requested to allow his name to go to the meeting, but declined. The following ratepayers were then duly proposed : — Messrs. Bailey, Barnes, Bell, Cole, Cranwell, Ewington, Morgan, Patterson, Potter, Reynolds, and Walters. Messrs. Champtaloup and J. C. Smith were appointed scrutineers, and declared the result of the poll to be as follows Christopher Bailey, 12S ; Joseph Potter, 124; Alfred Reynolds, 119; P. G-. Ewington, 71; Thomas Barnes, 55 : Wm. Cole, 48 ; J. Walters, 46 ; W. Patteson, 42 ;B. Cranwell, 33; E. Bell, 18. The first five were declared duly elected. On the motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Mitchell, the incoming trustees were instructed to write off the sum of £2 15s, being amount of rates due by the estate of the late James Hedley. Mr. Shaw proposed, and Mr. Udy seconded, that Messrs. Wm. Cole and Shirley W. Hill be the auditors, which was agreed to. The fence-viewers elected were Messrs. John Crawford and Thomas Mitcholl. The question of lighting a portion of the district with gas, deferred at last annual meeting, was then discussed. Mr. Waite proposed, and Mr. Otway seconded, " That the question be further postponed for another year." As an amendment, Mr. Wilson proposed, and Mr. Hill seconded, "That six gas-lamps be erected on Mount Eden road, and three on Mount Roskill road." The amendment was lost, and the original motion carried by a large majority. Mr. Waite proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing trustees, which, being duly seconded, was adopted unanimously. Mr. Cole proposed, and Mr. Mitchell seconded, "That the new trustees be requested to consider the question of introducing water into the district," which was carried. The very orderly meeting ended with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman, and also to Mr. S. W. Hill, who kindly acted as secretary. The new Board met immediately after, when Mr. Joseph Potter was chosen chairman, and Mr. Christopher Bailey hon. secretary and treasurer.