ROAD BOARD MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11056, 6 May 1899, Page 3

ROAD BOARD MEETINGS.

MOUNT EDEN RATEPAYERS. The annual meeting of tho ratepayers of Mount Eden was held last night in the hall, Bellevuo Road. Thero was a, largo attendance, and Mr. Henry Hirst presided. Before the minutes wero adopted, a discussion took place on the question of the removal of nightsoil, and considerable dissatisfaction was expressed at the Board not having a satisfactory contract for the removal of nightsoil, and not enforcing the by-law compelling householders to employ the contractor. Alter considerable discussion on the details of road work, the balance-sheet was adopted. It showed that- tho Board started the voar with a debit balance of £95 lis lOd. and as ™ expenditure for the year amounted to n.ni- Ithe income amounted only to £18» Ms 4d, tho year closed with a debit balance of £180 3s sd. The income from rates amounted to £1064 2s Sd. and arrears of previous rates brought in £159 18s 4d. Of the expenditure, the chief items were public \\ arks £1593 5s 7d, and charitable aid contributions £157 12s 7d. The interest and sinking fund account showed a balance of £694 and the waterworks account a balance of £850. Mr. Udy brought forward the question of public lighting, and moved, " That, in tho opinion of this meeting of ratepayers, the time has come for the public lighting of the district, and that tho Road Board be instructed to take this matter in hand with as little delay as possible." Personally he would not make two bites of a cherry; he would light the district throughout. The first cost of erecting the lamps and connecting with, tho mains would be about £4 each lamp, and afterwards there would be an annual cost of £4 pel lamp. It would bo absolutely necessary to striko a lighting rate, but they had about £900 at the credit of the waterworks account, and that being so the water rate might be dropped for two years, so that tho ratepayers would really have no more to pay than at present. He thought from 70 to 80 lamps would thoroughly light the whole water district, and out as far as tho Epsom-Mount Albert Road. Of course the lighting would have to be sanctioned by a poll of the ratepayers. Mr. P. McNab seconded, stating that ho believed Jd per £ on the rates would cover the cost of 70 or 80 lamps. Mr. Colo moved as an amendment, " That the Board shall institute inquiries as to the relative costs of lighting the district by gas and electricity, and report to the ratepayers as soon as such information can be obtained."

The amendment was carried by a large majority against Mr. Udy's motion. AVONDALE RATEPAYERS. Tho annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Avondale district was held in tlie Public Hall on Thursday evening. Thero was only a small attendance. Mr. T. B. Clay, chairman of the Road Board, presided. The Chairman, during his remarks, drew the attention of the ratepayers to the progress made in the district during the last 12 months, and urged the desirability of introducing rating on tho unimproved value, as there were several absentees who allow their land to get- overgrown with furze. Re Oakley Creek Bridge; The Board have already taken action in this matter, but tho other local bodies who should share in the cost have appealed against the allocation, with the exception of Point Chevalier. It was decided to take action against those ratepayers who had allowed gorse to grow in front of their property and would not remove it. The balance-sheet showed receipts, including the balance on April 1. 1898, to bo £653 17s 7d, and expenditure, including part of the engineer's expenses in connection with Oakley's Creek bridge, to bo £510 10s lOd, leaving a balance of £153 6s 9d. Tin balance-sheet was adopted, subject to audit, as follows:— Balance April 1, 1898, £176 14s; rates, 1898 and 1899. £99 9s 4d; arrears. £133 8s 9(1; additional 10 per cent, on rates. 15s sd; fees—pnhlican's license, £25: conditional license, £26 3s; dog tax. £33 ss; Government, subsidy—lß97-1898 balance. £39 0s 8d; 1898-1899, on account, £105; donations, £25 Is sd: total. £663 17s 7d. Expenditure; Salary of clerk. £12; salary of ranger, £4; collector of rates, £11 3s 3d; office expenses, £5 4s 2d; rent of hall, 6 years. £12.125; printing and advertising! £8 5s 8fl; licensing expenses, 4 years. £5 13s; election expenses, £8 Is 6d: dog registration. £9 2s 6d; legal expenses, £4 10s 8d: engineer's expenses, £25; medical reports. £3 3s; valuation expenses, first instalment. £12 13s 8(1 - audit fee, £2; Hospital and Charitable Aid, Aj6 7s; public works— £140 Is 6d' carting, £15 4s; labour, £66 19s; material £18 0s lid; contracts, £88 4s: brake hire £2-' 17 7d C 6 A " ril 1 "' £153 6 3 9d: tota! - £{6^