WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1043, 8 September 1883, Page 2

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

• The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held this morning, when there were present the Chairman (Mr F. T. Mayo), and Messrs Megson, Bruce, Walsh and Brown. THE MINUTES. 1 The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, Mr Brown moved that the resolution ' come to concerning be expunged from the minutes, on the ground that it was passed contrary to the Bead Boards Act. Mr Megson thought that a technical objection was being raised, although, no doubt, Mr Brown was justified in men--1 tioning it. The Chairman said that he was of ' opinion that he should not have put the motion at last meeting, as the business was extraordinary. He thought the minutes should be expunged, especially as he understood Mr Fooks had a suggestion to make to the Board, which be thought would meet the case. After some rather warm discussion, Mr Walsh moved and Mr Megson seconded “ That the minutes as read be adopted.” The motion was not put, the Chairman ruling that the minute be expunged. The minutes as amended were then confirmed. FIRE BRIG AD B. The Town Clerk wrote asking the Board to refund L 3 17s expenses incurred | at two fires in the district, and also requesting hat hand pumps be placed at certain places on the belts.—lt was re- , solved that the money be paid if a bill of 1 particulars be forwarded and found corl rect. r CULVERTS. ) The Rev A. M. Beattie wrote asking • that a culvert be formed opposite the Manse.—lt was decided to grant the request, and on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Megson, it was , resolved—“ That any culvert applied for . should be made by the Board, the ex- ' pense of such work to be borne by the applicant. LEASE OF RESERVE. A letter was read asking the Board o grant the lease of a reserve in the riverbed, and offering 6s per acre for five years. The correspondent said he would put up the fence on condition material was provided.—lt was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Chairman ane Surveyor to make the best arrangement they could. DAMAGE BY FLOOD. A letter was read from Messrs Stewart and Wilson, asking the Board to assist in restoring the timber fall at Wakanui destroyed by the late floods.—The Clerk was instructed to report to next meeting. winter’s road. A petition was read fro >■>. residents on the Winter’s road and Seafield road, asking that a road should be formed in this district to a distance of about three miles. —After a discussion, in the course of which Messrs Megson and Bruce pointed out ihe requirements of the wards they represented, it was resolved that the Surveyor examine'and report to next meeting. GARDINER S ROAD. A request from residents to have Gardiner’s road cleared, was considered, and as the amount involved was small, the Clerk was empowered to accept tenders for the work. inspector’s report. The report of this official was read, in which reference was made to a nuisance existing at Trevorton, for Avhich Mr R. Jameson was responsible.—A petition from residents concerning the same matter was enclosed in the report. —It was decided that the Clerk communicate with the persona complained of, and if the nuisance is not abated the inspector to take legal proceedings. surveyor’s report. The following report was read and adopted : (i) Chertsey Road.—The contract for clearing tussocks off centre of this road has been satisfactorily completed. Tenders have been called for the re-formation of the sides as authorised at last meeting.—(2) Rule’s Road; The clearing of tussocks oft this road is finished with exception of the tussocks which have been put on the track, and will have to be removed. —Seafield Road:’The re-formation, etc., of No. 1 and 2 sections of this road which was thrown up by the original contractor, are being proceeded with by H. Anderson and| R. Rennett, the next lowest tenderers respectively. The works are progressing.—(4)Wilson’s Road: This road after the last heavy flood is in a bad condition owing to the large deposits of silt and rubbish that have been left in tire road, and the scouring away of portions of the side formation, but we hardly think it would be advisable to do much to the road until the scheme for protecting the river is under way.—(s) Wakanui School Road: This road was considerably damaged during the last flood, holes have been 1 scoured out and damage done to the cuttings. We instructed the contractor to fill the holes 1 and bad places, which has been done; it, how- ( ever, requires some more repairs to the gullies and cuttings. The cost w*uld not bq, very large.—(6) Trevorton Roads : The formation, > etc., of these roads has been duly completed. ] —(7) Plantation; By-authority of the County j Council we have had some of the reserves that. failed last year re-pianted with pines and macncarpa.—(B) Maintenance of Roads •

Roads that we find are not kept in accordance with specifications are having labor employed • on them, the cost being charged against the contractor. —(9) Dromore Road : This road towards Dromore is getting bad with ruts. It requires a few pounds expended to put in repair. GOESE ON ROADS, Mr Brown drew attention to the fact that throughout the district gorse had been allowed to grow over the roads, and in many places the roads were impassable. The Clerk was instructed to serve notice to settlers co icerning this matter, and if not attended to, to employ labor to clear the gorse. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted: — F r Seafield road, Joseph Bennett, at 4s 7d per chain; for shingling on Great South road, John Griffin, at Is Id per chain. MAINTENANCE OF ROADS. The Chairman moved, in accordance with a notice given, that horses and carts be procured and men be employed so that the maintenance of the roads in the district should bo done by the Board’s officers. He thought that a good saving might be effected, if‘"the scheme he advocated be carried out. Mr Megson suggested that only one horse and one dray be procured at first and tenders be called for the supply of another horse and dray for, say, a period of three months. Mr Brown thought that the suggestion might suit the suburbs, but it would be useless for No 2 and ''’o 3 Wards Co would move an amendment to the effect that a horse and dray with the necessary labor bo employed on work in No 1 Ward, the expense to be borne by the Ward. After considerable conversation the Chairman’s motion was cairied, after it had been amended to refer only to the suburban streets, No 1 Ward to bear the expense. The Chairman and Clerk were empowered to carry this out. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Megson gave the following notice of motion, which he intended to bring forward at the November meeting : —“ That a special order in accordance with part 2 clause 26 of the Act to give No 3 Ward one more member, and that the Clerk insert in the papers the legal notice in accordance with clause 75 of tlie Road Board Act, 1882.” THE CLERK OF THE BOARD. A letter was read from Messrs Fooks and Sons, stating their willingness to undertake the work of the Board at the reduced rate of Ll5O per annum, provided the use of the Boa-d's cottage and large room was all >wed them. It was resolved that the offer contained in the letter be accepted, to take effect from the first of October. ACCOUNTS. 1 The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.