HIGHWAY DISTRICT MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6148, 1 August 1881, Page 5

HIGHWAY DISTRICT MEETINGS.

WHATAWHATA. The annual election of Newcastle highway trustees, under the Local Elections Act, took place on Saturday, July 23. There was the usual contest as to which end of the district should be the better represented in the Board. Considerable interest was taken in the election. The township was quite lively during the day. The candidates nominated were Messrs. Corboy, Fitzpatrick, Bailey, Washer, Day, Crawford, Johns, and Braithwaite. The first five named we're elected. At the annual meeting of ratepayers, held at the Whatawhata Hotel (Mr. Fitzpatrick in the chair), several important resolutions were brought forward. The first of these was, "That the County Council be done away with." This was carried unanimously, those present being strongly of opinion that the Highway Boards were quite capable of looking after tho affairs of their respective districts. Another resolution passed was, "That, in spending money during the ensuing year, the Board give more assistance to those districts which are at present completely isolated than, to others where there is already fair road communication." This expression of opinion on the part of the ratepayers will no doubt have considerable weight with the Board. Before leaving the subject it is only fair to the late Board te say that, although they have not opened up any new roads or done much in tho old highways, they have done what few of our Newcastle Boards have—they took office with the district heavily in debt, and the whole year has been spent in clewing off liabilities, both new and old. The new Board will feel the benefit of their economy. Mr. Day is the only one of the old Board who still keeps office. We are commencing to feel the advantage of the new road to Hamilton. Mr. Kennedy makes three trips a-week with his trap, and parcels of all kinds are taken to and from Hamilton for a trifle. .The road itself is just now very heavy indeed. The contractors : were working right into the wet weather, and it will be next summer before heavy traffic can pass over it. —[Own Correspondent, July 26.] .

MATJNU. The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Maunu Highway District was held on Wedday, the 27th inst., when a large number was present. The balance-sheet showed the receipts from all sources to have been £225 9s, 7d, and the expenditure £221 8s od, leaving a balance in hand of £4 Is 2d. Messrs. F. Tippett, C. Tothill, G. Colton, R. Roose, and J. Shaw were elected trustees; Messrs. J. Srneaton and J. Thornton auditors; and Messrs. J. Dwycr and G. Hawkins fence-, viewers. — [Own Correspondent, "Wliangarei, July 28.]