WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 808, 2 December 1882, Page 2

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held to-dny at the Board’s office, Moore street. Present—Messrs H. T. Winter (Chairman), Megson, Mayo, Brown, and Walsh. Correspondence. —Correspondence was read as follows :—Prom Mr Albert Betts, the contractor for forming Fairfield road, who wrote— “ Having commenced work at the worst end of the road, which took longer time, half of the road was taken from me and let at an advance of Is 6d per chain on that received by me. For this reason, and also because the job has not paid me, 1 would respectfully ask you to allow me the Is 6d a chain on the part done by me, which was the worst half of the road.” The Board, after discussion, resolved that they could not comply with the request. —From Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co., Christchurch, acknowledging the Board’s letter of the 4th ult., and, in reply, stating that Mrs McLean had signed a transfer of road through her property to the Queen, and the transfer would be registered as soon as possible. —From County Council enclosing resolutions passed at the last meeting of that body re small birds nuisance, and inviting the'co-operatidh of the Board in abating the same.—Mr Brown was of opinion that lOd per 100 was insufficient for eggs and heads. He begged to move—“ That the Board heartily concurs with the County Council in its endeavors to abate the small birds nuisance, and will increase the price to 2d a dozen foreg/s and he Ms received, and that, the Board oommunicite with the Chairmen of the school comini tees throughout the district, requesting the assistance of the committees m suppressing the nuisance.” Seconded by Mr Megson and carried.

Proposed Road Board Amalgamation. —Mr E. G. Wright, Chairman Kangitata Road Boarc(, wrote:—“At the last,meeting of the Raiigitata Road Board ”! was in structed to communicate., The other Road Boards in the County ahd’invite them to consider the .expediency. of merging the seven road districts into one, unjler the.Cp.unty Council, view to greater economy■ in the administration, as the cost amounts .in. some instances to 25 per cent, of the’annual rateable value.. Three of the Road Boards, feeling, extravagance 6f the present Syste’tii,‘T Avei already dispensed with , the services of their surveyors. As the most important works of road-making, bridge-building, 7 and drainage throughout the County are now completed it is thought that the ordinary work of - maintenance, together with such minor new works as may be required from time to time, will be carried out with utmost economy and efficiency under one competent; Engineer. As the causes which led to the sub-divi-sion of. -the county into seven Road Board districts still exist, more or less, it will probably be- desirable, jfco retain as far as possible the present sub-divisions for all s rating/ purposes.*” ; >MrT >Wk’.ah expressed himself to the effect that the Road Boards, as they now existed, were most useful institutions, and that it would be a great mistake to amalgamate them as proposed. Mr Megson was of the same opinion, and the other members also concurred. Mr Megson then moved the fol-lowing-resolution That the letter be 'acknowledged'and that the’iCh’dirman of the Rangitata Road Board be informed' that this Boatd'bannot fcohbur'ift'the suggestion contained in his letter.”—Mr Walsh : I bog to second that, and would advise the Rangitata Road Board not to press the matter either.” (Laughter.) The resolution was carried unanimously. Engineers’ Report. —This report was read as follows : —(1) Fairfield road : The contractors forming the Tower : portion of this road are progressing with their work. They expect to finish in about ten days. As their contract time expired on the Ist, they have asked for extension.—(2) Winter’s Road : The contract for forming this road is proceeding towards completion. The co,ntrqc]tora have asked for an extension of time:—(3) Great South Road :‘ On the night of the Agricultural jSpow, the culvert at the side 'of this road was smashed in. Provision was at onep-made to protect the same, pending the construction, of a concrete culvert, which has been proceeded * with as expeditiously as possible, —(4) Maintainence of Roads Contract':'We have inspected roads' in this contract, and have to report them in a very fail’condition, with a few small exceptions, which will be attended to before the final payment is made. Tenders will be laid before you to-day, for the maintenance of roads in Nos. 1,2, and 3 Wards for the ensuing year, and also for the re-formation of Butterick’s road.— Fooks & Son. —Clause 1, extension for tan days, granted. 2. Extension grafted for a fortnight. The remainder of the report was adopted. r

Tenders. —Tenders for maintenance of roads in forming Butterick’s road were then opened. It was resolved that T. Patterson’s tender for No. 1 Ward, at 9d for maintenance and Is 2d for metalling, be accepted. It the event of his not-accept-ing, the matter to be left in the hands of Mr Mayo and the surveyor to act. J. Doaks' tender for No. 2 Ward, at 7£d for maintenance and Is Id for metalling, and the same contractor’s tender for No. 3 Ward, at 5Jd for maintenance and Is Id for .metalling, were accepted. It was also resolved that Mc'.'ormick Bros.’ tender for re-forming Butterick’s road bo ac- ; ceptod, aard that failing, their acceptahpe, ;the Purveyor mhko arrangements with next tenderer.

accounts. —T-.e usual accounts were passed for payment. The Board then adjourned.