TOKOMAIRIRO ROAD BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 1343, 25 August 1877, Page 7

TOKOMAIRIRO ROAD BOARD.

At the annual meeting of this Boardj the Chairman reported as follows :— "ln making my report on works done during the past' year, 1 find that my labour is light in' comparison with former years. At the beginning of the financial year July Ist, 1876, the Board was over £300 in debt to the Bank,! and just about the same time a very, heavy flood occurred, which did a good deal of damage to the bridges in the Milton subdivision, causing that subdivision to be put io an expense of over £150 in repairing them. Owing to this, and the debt owing to the Bank, no works of any magnitude have been undortaken, anil the members of each subdivision have only voted for works which were really necessaiy, leaving other less important works which were required over ' until the Board was out of debt. When I state that a little over £350 has been spent on roads during the last nine mouths (and

which sum includes the repairs "" to the bridges damaged by the flood), no recaarka need be made by me on the unanimity of the members in retrenching the expenditure. The Milton subdivision has spent £190 more than the -value of its rates and subsidies, while the other subdivisions, after decluotiHg their several liabilities, have' a surplus of over £160. .During last year,, when. the matter of striking a. rate came before the ' Board, a.ninepenny and a shilling rate were -severally proposed, and, by a majority of one vote,, it was carried that a ninepenny rate ■should be struck. This year I trußt that you will strike a rate equal to the requirements of the district. In my opinion, we have a great many important works to complete, and I would recommend that' the highest possible rate be struck, viz.— a oneshilling rate — which, with the subsidy, would only give, us a little over £900 to npend j allowing £200 for our present liabilities—not much to. lay oat in such a large district., In conclusion,- I have ,to return, my,, sincere thanks to, the members for their regular attendance, their ', undlvided'attentibn to .the business brought, before them, and the kind .and! courteous. manner -with which I Have -been treated ' while ' acting as their Chairraan." '• • • > . -i : •_ ' . . ;x; x The report was adopted.- • -v ■• ;