CAMBRIDGE ROAD BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12268, 12 May 1903, Page 3

CAMBRIDGE ROAD BOARD.

THE adjourned meeting of this Board was held at Cambridge on Saturday last. The returning officer reported that Messrs. S. Cowling and M. Butler had been re-elected members of the Board, and had been duly gazetted. There were present: Messrs. M. Butler (voted to the chair), C. Lake, and S. Cowling. An apology was received from Mr. James Taylor, who was absent through indisposition. It was unanimously resolved that Mr. Taylor be re-elected chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. The balance-sheet for the year ended March 31 last was read. It showed the receipts to have been as follows:—Rates, £324 lis 7d; subsidy, £79 lis Id; 10 per cent, on overdue rates, £4 8s 4d; balance, £101 10s 7d: total, £510 Is lid. Expenditure: Debit balance at commencement ol' year, £79 13s 8d; administration, £46 Os lOd; accident insurance, £2 2s 4d; Government land valuation, £7 13s 9d; roads and bridges, £335 7s 3d; interest on debt, £38 3s 8d: total, £510 Is lid. The assets of the Board were £170 15s 3d. and the liabilities £101 10s 7d. The amount of the public debt remaining is £434 18s Id. The clerk laid on the table a list of rates unpaid, amounting to £7 lis, and interest on same 17s lOd. There are only five ratepayers in arrears, and the collector was instructed to sue all who have not paid both rates and interest by the 30th inst. Mr. Neil Dougherty wrote stating the Board had decided to deepen the drain for a feW chains along his road and put in il culvert, about two years ago. and asked that it bo done forthwith. Mr. Butler said lie had always been against the culvert being, put in where Mr. Dougherty wanted it, as it was not the lowest place. The letter was received, and Mr. Cowling undertook to visit the place and report upon the matter at next meeting. Mr. W. L. C. Williams wrote complaining that the Board had fenced off some water on the Victoria Road, near the butter factory, and he was suffering great inconvenience through not being able to have access to it for his team. He further wrote that if the Board would consult their lawyer he thought they would find they had no right to deprive the public of rights it had enjoyed for so long a period. Letter received, and the clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Williams that the fence was erected to protect the public, but the Board had no objection to his erecting a properly constructed gate, at his own expense, to give him access to the water. A letter was received from Mr. T. Burd, district road engineer, asking what sum the Board would like placed on the estimates for road works. It was resolved to ask for £500 to be expended on the new roads through the Fencourt estate. Mr. Lake said the Maoris were making a great mess of the Fencourt roads by carting -flax. He thought some method should be devised to make them contribute something towards maintenance of the roads. It was resolved to look into the matter of framing by-laws to meet such cases. A rate of 3d in the £ was struck over all ratable properties within the district. Attention was drawn to the fact that Mr. Shaw had encroached on to the road at Fencourt when getting gravel to nut, on the road. it was decided to withhold money due on account °{ his contract until the pit on the road is filled in.