ROAD BOARDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1013, 4 August 1883, Page 2

ROAD BOARDS.

South Bakaia. The usual monthly meeting was held on Thursday. Present Messrs Mackie (Chairman), Holmes, ’ Mann, Osborne, and Coster. WORKS REPORT. The Clerk reported that ho had examined the culverts in the township, and found them in fairly good order, but as the timber did not last long he would recommend iron pipes and gratings. The price of pipes in Ashburton was before the Board, and he would advise the removal of the culvert in front of the Bank and to insert pipes to connsct with the drain from the mill to the railway reserve; the same to be done from the store corner to the old bank. An open crossing would be better in front of Mr Hartnell’s cottage. Pycroft, whose tender for the Acton road was accepted at the last meeting, has thrown up his contract and fresh tenders have bean called. Dunn, on the Kyle road, fand Brimicombe, on the Chertsey Boundary road, have commenced work and are progressing favorably. The gang have been fully employed on the lower end of the Kyle road repairing, and are now on the Great South road. Levels have been taken of the Main Rakaiaroad and Dunford street to the corner of the big plantation, and plans and specifications would be laid before the Board, instructions were asked for re the roads from Mitcham running towards Ashburton and Chertsey, which were ekim-ploughed in the summer. The Clerk recommended that the proper formation now bo gone on with, and the roads sown with grass. Tenders should also be called for forming 50 chains of Copeland’s road, and that would complete the line. . He would also ask the Board to consider the advisability of catling for tenders for grubbing the tussocks of the balance of the South Road to Chertsey, as they are thick enough to drive all traffic to the side, which is much cut up. Only two sacks of poisoned grain were received from the County Council and distributed. DEPUTATIONS.

Messrs Windsor and Arnold waited on the Board with a petition and plan from the settlers in the village settlement asking the Board to write to Government re the refund of one-third of their purchase money to be expended on various roads in the settlement. Special attention was called to the state of Normandy road. As more than one-third of the purchase money for*the sections is paid, they would ask the Board to get a definite reply from the Waste Lands Board or the Government and to proceed with the necessary works without delay. The petition bore the signature of 84 residents. —ln connection with this matter the Commissioner of Crorfn Lands wrote stating that the matter of refunding purchase money for roads rested entirely with the Government, and he could do nothing in the matter. Mr Windsor said that as ratepayers they were entitled to have the roads made in such a state that Christians could walk on them. Some of them were in a most disgraceful state, and worse than the place where Mr Howell kept his pigs.—Mr Arnold said that the opinion of most of the residents was that the first instalments of purchase money till one third was reached should be expended on these wor *s. Many were of opinion that this matter had been before the Board before and that it was considered then by the Board that no roads were required.—The Chairman pointed out that such was not the case. —After some further remarks, Mr Holmes moved, and Mr Coster seconded, that the Board go into Committee to consider the petition. —Carried.

It was moved by Mr Holmes, and seconded by Mr Coster, that the petition and plan be forwarded to the Minister of Lands for his sanction. Mr Dolan waited on the Board and asked permission to put an open crossing on the Beach road.—Granted. miscellaneous. It was decided to purchase 12 tons nine inch pipes from the Ashburton County Council.—On the motion of Mr Osborne, it was resolved to form the Kyle road to the full width. —It was decided to put in pipes as suggested. —A number of ratepayers (16) wrote asking for the Board to form Hardy street from the pound to the Railway Terrace West, and the West Terrace road to the Main River ro .d. It was decided to call for tenders for the work. —lt was also resolved that tenders be called for formation of 50 chains of Copeland’s road. On the motion of Mr Osborne, it was resolved to form the Ferry read from Morrow’s to Edwards’ corner—abeut 8 miles, and to sow the same with grass Tenders to be called at once. It was resolved that tenders be called for the formation of the Mitcham and Ohertsey roads and the road from Mitcham to Ashburton.

Attention was called by Mr Osborne to some nasty holes and ruts in the road by McLean’s, and the Clerk was instructed to put the gang on to the work. It was decided to metal Railway Terrace East from Howell’s r6ad to the Sand hill by Harvey’s blacksmith’s shop full width. THE STORMWATER SCHEME. The Chairman Mount Hutt Goad Board wrote stating, Ist, that it was decided at a special meeting to pass the sum of L2O towards the preliminary expenses in connection with the preparation of the Highbank stormwater scheme. 2nd, that his Board were of opinion that the Highbank scheme for disposal of stormwater, without concrete, is quite practicaole and would answer most satisfactorily. Mr Coster proposed—“ That this Board pass L3O for the same purpose,” seconded by Mr Holmes and carried. FENCING. Mr White wrote stating that he had not requested the Clerk to ask the Board to share the expense of cutting his fences along the three chain road. ‘ CORRESPONDENCE. The poundkeeper wrote asking for instructions in the matter of a useless horse impounded, which he could not sell. —Ordered to be shot.

The Under-Secretary for Justice wrote asking for a return of the cost of the last annual elections of Licensing Committees, Road Boards, etc. The information ordered to be sent, Mr Gardener wrote asking the Board to purchase some timber he had suitable for culverts.—The Clerk was instructed to inspect the same and report to the Board. RETIREMENT OF MEMBERS. Mr Coster’s notice of motion re retirement of members was then considered. Mr Osborne moved as an amendment—- “ That two members retire the irst year, and one in the second. ” This was seconded by Mr Holmes. The original motion was carried, “That one member retire the first year, two the second and two the third,” Mr Osborne being the only one voting against the motion. TENSERS. Tenders for the following works were accepted as follows Formation of Main River road, John Stuart, 7s fid per chain ; formation of Dunford street, T. Arnold, 10s per chain; maintenance of Acto, road, R. Taylor, 2s per chain; Main South road putting tussocks, T. Arnoldn 9d per chain. POISONED GRAIN. The County Council wrote stating that only two sacks of poisoned grain could be spared at present, and was to be distributed as follows free to farmers :—3olbs for every 100 acres of crop, and 201bs for every 100 Raves of grass land.

ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of L6l 2s 4d were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned. Wakanui. The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held to-day, when there were present Messrs Mayo (Chairman), Megson, Bruce, Brown and Walsh. The minutes of the previous meeting were road and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from the Clerk of the County Council re protective works was received, and the thanks of the Board were minuted. Letters from W, Cockle and H. Watkin were read, asking that the rent of cottages leased by them be reduced.—The Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council, asking them to give the Board authority to have power over the cottages. It was also resolved that the future rent of the cottages bo 4s per week, and any person taking a cottage to give a week’s notice. PETITION. A petition was received from residents on properties on or near the road known as Green Lane, drawing attention to the state of the road, and requesting the same to be put In a fit state. —It was decided to call for tenders for the necessary work for next meeting. inspector's report. The Inspector’s report was read and approved of. surveyors’ report.

The following report was read and adopted:— » We have the honor to submit our monthly report as follows : —l. Chertsey road ; The contractors have made gaod progress in clearing tussocks off this road. In order to get the tussocks well burnt we have given them an extension of time.—2. Rule’s road : We have been requested by ratepayers to have the tussocks cleared off this road; as the shingle portion is now being used for traffic, we think it would decidedly be advisable to have this road done the same as the Chertsey road, the contractors for which will do this road at the price mentioned in their letter of to-day, it being only a small job it would be an unnecessary expense advertising, we therefore recommend the acceptance of their tender.—3. Maintenance of roads : The contractor for maintenance has been doing belter work during the last month, and the roads are in a better state than previously.—4. Seafield road : The contractor for reforming this road has notified to us that having to leave the district he has to throw up his contract. We have communicated with the next lowest tenderers, asking if they would be prepared to go on with the work should the Board so decide. We have received answers signifying their assent to do both sections.—s. South road ; The contractor for reforming portion of this road has satisfactorily completed his work. The work has, of necessity, taken some time owing to the uncertain state *f the weather. Tenders lor metalling will now be invited.— 6. Trevorton Roads : The formation of these roads is new being satisfactorily proceeded with.—7. Smith’s Road ; There being a large quantity of silt in the Wakanui creek where it crosses this road, we are having it cleared out and the ford made higher ; this should prevent the collection of silt for the future.—B. Milton Road : The gorse having spread on the road opposite the Board’s reserve, we have had same grubbed up.—9. Gorse on Roads: We have issued a considerable number of notices to persons to trim their fences and grub up gorse on the roads. CHERTSEY ROAD. Mr Megsoa moved, and Mr Bruce seconded —That the Chertsey road from Winter’s corner to Chertsey be re-formed, and that side drains be made Bft wide, and Ift deep, and the centre of the road to be levelled where required.—Carried. RATING. The resolution passed at the previous meeting re the levying of a rate of f d in the £ was confirmed, and Messrs Mayo and Brown were appointed te sign the rolls.

ACCOUNTS. The monthly accounts were passed for payment. NOTICE OF MOTION. The Chairman gave notice to move the following at the next meeting:—That two horses and carts be procured by the Board to be used in the formation of suburban streets, and in the maintenance of roads throughout the district. the clerk. Mr T. Walsh moved, and Mr Megson seconded—That the Clerk receive notice that his services would not bo required after three months from this date, owing to the present financial position of the Board. —Carried. The meeting then adjourned.