WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 97, 8 May 1880, Page 2

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Wakanui Roail Board was held on Thursday, at the Board’s office, Moore street. Present—Messrs. H. T. Winter (chairman), Joseph Hunt, Hugo Friedlander, James Brown, and G. Earle. The Surveyor’s report on works completed and in progress was read and considered. CORRESPONDENCE. Messrs. Wilson and McCleary, Wakanui, wrote, accepting the Board’s offer of LlB per acre for land taken from them for drainage purposes, but demanding a further sum of Ll 5 as compensation for conveying the water .from the end of their drain to the big gully. The Clerk was instructed to reply that for the latter claim the Board was not liable. Mr. Thomas Walsh, Wakanui, wrote, asking the Board to place a culvert or drain pipes at the junction of Corbett’s and Leadlcy’s road, and to widen tire lower ditch on the north side of Corbett’s road ; also, to hasten tire completion of Leadloy and Butterick’s drain, in view of possible danger to land and fences should wet weather set in.

Mr. Christopher Robert Leadley, Prebbleton, who owns land in Wakanui, wrote asking LI,OOO compensation for alleged injury done to his land by the construction of Leadley and Butterick’s drain. The Board passed a resolution to the effect that they considered the chum ridiculous, inasmuch as the land referred to had been improved and its value enhanced by the drain. They were prepared to offer LIB as compensation, and referred Mr. Leadley to the petition by settlors, in response to which the drain had been made.

The County Council communicated the information that L2OH Gs. had been placed to the Board’s credit, as their share, with interest, of the impounded land fund. The Borough of Ashburton claimed the sum of L 289 2a. as its share of the portion of land fund accruing to the Board. After a lengthy discussion, the Board decided to pay the money, on the understanding that, should it bo found that the Board is not liable for the amount, the money be refunded. The Comity Council wrote in reply to the Board’s letter, re protective works below the bridge, that, if a petition on the subject were presented, and the settlors interested were prepared to pay a separate rate, the work would he undertaken. The matter was referred to Mr. Brown to arrange. Messrs. Harper, Harper, and Scott wrote, giving their legal opinion that the valuation roll for the district was not valid, notwithstanding that the Judge had passed it. Theysaid tha to wing to the absence of the declaration to bo made by the valuer, it could not be validated by the Governor under Section GS of the Rating Act, and as the roll now stood, any ratepayer could go behind the rate-book and refuse to pay, on the plea that Section 5 of the Act had not been complied with. The solicitors advised requesting the Governor to validate the omission. It was resolved that the Chairman see the Chairman of the County Council about what course is best to he taken.

Mr. F. G. Stedman, College Estates Department, wrote asking 3d. per yard for shingle taken from the College reserve 739, unless it could be shown that shingle had been obtained in the locality for a lower figure. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Board do not pay more than lid. for metal. The Secretary to the Treasurer wrote forwarding the usual form for information required under Section 32 of the Financial Arrangements Act, 1870, and stating that the Government subsidies would be discontinued from the end of the financial period. The manager of the Bank of New Zealand notified receipt of tha Board’s share of the land fund from the County Council —making the credit balance L 2712 IGs. Id. The manager wished to know whether any portion of the money 7 would be placed upon fixed deposit, as interest was allowed on current accounts. It was resolved to place L 1250 ou fixed deposit account for six months at 5 per cent, and L 759 for throe months at 4 per cent.

The Longbeach Road Board forwarded a statement of accounts between that body and the Wakanui Board. The matter was referred to Mr. Friodlander and the Surveyor to adjust. TENDERS. Mr. St. Hill’s tender for repairs, additions, etc., to cottages, was accepted at L 175 4s. Ho. IS. Forming Beach road full width—Mr. H. Anderson, at 2s. lid. a chain. No. 29, metalling do. —Mr. Charles Hill, at Is. 4d. per yard. No. 20, metalling suburban roads—-Mr. John Black, Is. 3d. per j’ard. No. 22, concrete falls on Leadley and Butterick’s drain— Mr. Crum, L 74. The Surveyor was instructed to inform Vfr. Black that his con. tracts must be completed at once. RATES. It was resolved that the rate collector use every endeavor to collect the outistanding rates, and that he still continue issuing summonses. FOOTPATHS AT BEACH ROAD. The Surveyor was instructed to have the footpaths from the Town Belt to Trevor’s road formed, and also to call for tenders for draining and altering Seafield road by the Fairfield estate. RETIRING MEMBERS. Messi’s. Brown, Earle, and Hunt, cast lots as to who should retire—and the lot fell on Mr. Hunt. AN OBSTRUCTION. The Surveyor was instructed to have the penalty of LlO per day enforced against Mr. IT. Beckett, he having refused to remove a house belonging to him, which is standing upon a public road. The Surveyor was further instructed to place the matter in the hands of Messrs. Branson and Purnell, solicitors.