LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 684, 10 July 1882, Page 2

LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Friday. Present— Messrs Grigg (chairman), Chapman, and Dobson.

Correspondence. —The’ following correspondence was read : —From the Hew

Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association with reference to railway freight on produce, showing that the present charges are excessive. The Clerk was instructed to reply to the circular, stating that the Board would be happy to co-operate with them in getting charges reduced ; and also to write to the County Council asking that body to call a public meeting to consider the matter.—From twenty ratepayers asking that the remainder of the Waterton toad should be metalled on each side of the main school. The execution of this work was deferred for the present—From the County Council referring a petition to them from Mr Prebble, to have the Wheatstone drain cleaned out, to this Board. It was decided to clean this drain and raise the bridges across it.—From the same, asking which gravel reserves in the district the Board would recommend the Council to plant w'th trees. A reply to the effect that the Board considered all the reserves too small for planting had been forwarded and approved of.— From the same, asking the Board to contribute one-quarter of the expense of the earthwork necessary to widen the approaches to the Ashburton bridge. The Board agreed to contribute this amount.—From Mr Henry Poole asking for compensation for gravel taken off the land he leases, and alleged damage done to the fence. The Board decided that any moneys due to Mr Poole shonld be paid at the next meeting, and in the meantime enquiries into the matter were to be made. Local Bodies. —The questions of the Colonial Treasurer, regarding the better working of local bodies, the consideration of which had been postponed frpm the last meeting, were now replied to as follows ;—Ho. 5. That the Board could not suggest any new duties which could be imposed or new powers conferred on County Councils. Ho. 10. That no more power than they now exercise should be conferred on Road Boards in the qase of the Counties Act being suspended; Ho. 15. That the provisions of the Roads Construction and Crown and Hative Lands Rating Bills would be unfair in their operations in this district. Ho. 16. That this Board considers that section 37 of the Counties Act gives too great a facility to Councils to dissolve Road Boards; such power should be given only on the petition of two-thirds of the ratepayers representing two-thirds of the value of rateable property within the road district. Surveyor's Report. —The Surveyor’s report was then read as follows :—Boundary Road : I have the honor to report that I have given Mr Henry Anderson, the contractor for formation of part of Boundary road, notice to proceed with his work, as instructed by the Board. I have also seen Mr Anderson personally, and learned from him that he will not finish the work, and considers that the loss of his deposit money together with the 25 per cent, on the value of the work done also retained by the Board, should amply compensate for any inconvenience occasioned, especially as the work was taken at such a very low price. Should the Board determine to go on with the work, I would advise it be not undertaken until the finer weather aud longer days have set in. Tinwald Footpath: The contractor for the formation of this footpath, John Black, has not yet commenced work, although the contract time has expired, and the fine of LI a week for overtime has been specified, (3) Hinds River Improvement and McLennon’s and Chatmoss Road Side Ditches : The contractors for these works have commenced operations, and are each making fair progress. (4) Longbeach Road; Ihavehadsome large ruts on this road opposite to Mr Stoddart’s farm filled up with fresh gravel, there are still a number of bad holes on this road at Mr Frisby’s farm, which I would recommend should be also filled up.—(s) Wheatstone Bridge : The redecking of this bridge has been executed, and I would recommend that the side sheeting and underneath flooring of the bridge opposite Mr Milner’s farm, on the Wheatstone road, be now proceeded with. The totara timber is on the ground, and the scouring away the sides has again commenced. I would further recommend that the flow of water through the bridge opposite to Whitelaw’s farm, on the same road, be regulated by a concrete wall being erected across the creek on the north side of the road with a 9-inch diameter circular opening therein; a dam of planks with a wooden sluice-gate was formed here by the County Council, but was forcibly and partially destroyed by interested persons during one of the last floods.—(6) Ealing Road ; Mr E. H. Dobson kindly inspected the formation of this road for me, and reports, that in his opinion, a further sum of money, will be required to make this road of a deeper formation.—Clauses 1,3, 4,5, and 6 were approved of. Regarding clause 2, no action was taken. General Rate — The striking of a general rate was postponed, pending tfye validation of the sitting of the Assessment Court f ir the district; and the Colonial Secretary to be again written to, urging on the immediate completion of this business. Accounts. —Accounts, amounting to LlB7 4s lid, were examined and passed for payment, and the meeting then adjourned