MEETINGS OF RATEPAYERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12855, 2 May 1905, Page 3

MEETINGS OF RATEPAYERS.

MOUNT ALBERT ROAD DISTRICT. The annual general meeting of the Mount Albert ratepayers was held in St. Luke's Parish Hall. Mount Albert, last evening. There were not 20 ratepayers present, owing no. doubt to the unfavourable weather. Mr. J. 11. Harrison occupied the chair. The balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed a credit balance of £311 155.7 d. The balance carried forward from last year was £7 12s sd. The general rates received for the year amounted to £1134 Is id. and the revenue from miscellaneous sources was £104 7s 4d. The 10 per cent, on overdue rates realised £11 14s 7d; Government subsidy balance, £62 10s, advance, IST 10s; and dog registration fees, £100 ss. The expenditure amounted to £1297 5s 4d, made up of administration expenses £278 6> lid, refund 'in rates £1 Is 9d, public works £993 19s sd, and miscellaneous £22 17s 3d.

Mr. Harrison, commenting upon the past year said there was an increase in general rates of £300, with an increase in expenditure on last year of £115. During the year a system of lighting had been installed throughout the district. There were at the beginning of the year 18 lamps, but an arrangement halt been made with the Gas Company fur a reduction of 5s on every lamp, on the understanding that tin*, money saved would be used for erecting more lamps, and they now, in consequence, had 21. 'There was a balance of £311 odd, which would, however, he exhausted on outstanding works. The Board had made largo improvements to the domain, 'the Board anticipated being able, to reduce the water supply sinking fund rate to |d. There were now 450 properties taking water, with an expenditure of £91 2s 10d, and an income of £233 Is 9d. The Board had appointed a Works Committee, which had proved a great benefit. The drainage rate would this year probably lie «d, and the main road loan rate 1-10*1. The hospital rate, however, would in all probability be raised to T6d.

Mrs. Taylor, a ratepayer, said sho had been informed that the recreation ground had been spoilt, as far as cricket and foothall were concerned, by erecting a grandstand in the wrong position. Mr. McLean, a member of the Board, said the building did not spoil the ground for cricket or football. The recreation ground, he said, was not only for sports, but as a resort for the residents. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman and retiring Board, and the seconder of this motion spoke highly of the business-like way in which the members of the Board bad carried out their work. He pointed out the large increase in the dog collar fees, which had this year amounted to £100, against £1 last year. MOUNT EDEN ROAD DISTRICT. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Mount, Eden Road Board district, held in St. Barnabas' Hall last evening, was well attended, Mr. <). Nicholson, a member of the Koaci Board, taking the chair. The annual report, which was read and adopted, showed that while the year began with a debit balance of £136 14s 9<l, it ended with a >redit balance of £215 15s—a. remit which had been achieved without .any appreciable diminution of public works expenditure. It-was to be regretted that a thorough system of drainage I'm the district had not yet been found practicable. This was due to the fact that the drainage, in order to be efficient, was dependent upon a .scheme including the city and adjacent districts. ,As far as was at present pro posed, the nutlet for the district would be the Auckland' Harbour in the vicinity of Gox'r (.'reek, and the Board were not willing to propose : .scheme which might ultimately be rendered abortive through a restriction being plated on drainage into the harbour. They had hoped to continue their policy O) temporarily draining certain spots iii the. district which required immediate attention, these being 'Water-street, Woodside and Brixton Roads. In regard -to, these, however, various difficulties had' arisen preventing the Hoard from doing anything- The report referred to the communications which, had passed between the Board and the Tramways Company in regard to the proposed trainvvaj service. The following official district valuations, taken from tho valuation rolls, wouloSshow the general progress of the district during the past four years:—Year ended March 31, 1901, £504,652; 1902', £528,684; 1903, £574,116; 1904, £605.749;' 1905, £763,690. It would be noticed that there bad been a substantial increase every year, and particularly within the past 12 months. On account of the increased valuation the Board hoped to -tibstantially reduce the rates during the ensuing year. The Board considered that in the best interests of the district the Board's office; should lie located on the Mouir Eden Road as n«ar the, railway bridge as possible. Two sites had been offered to the Hoard in this locality— at the coiner of IV.oazard Bond and one at Ihe corner of .Mount Eden Koad and Edenstreet. The latter site commended itself to the Board, which was still considering the mailer.

The Board's treasurer (Mr. C. Hudson), in explaining the financial position, iid that this satisfactory state of affairs was due to the Board having last year ini.-rpa.sod the general rate froir jjd to Id in the £. This had been done in anticipation ol effecting vaviou; drainage improvement, but, as it. turned out however, the -Board were unable to carry out these works, thus leaving a surplus in hand. Then, :in addition to that, the Board bud received a. refund of £122 17s lOd from the. Government on account, of the infectious diseases hospital. The Hoard purposed making a considerable reduction in the rates during the, ensuing year. After several questions relating to footpaths, etc.. had been put and answered, the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chair and to the Board for their past. service'.