LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1256, 17 May 1884, Page 2

LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board took pltce on Wednesday, 14th init. Present—Messrs J. Grigg, E. H. Dobson, I. R. C. 0. Graham. This be ing the first meeting after the annual election, the clerk was voted to the ohair.^ The Ohairman read communications from the Returning Officer, which stated that Mr I. R. C. 0. Graham had been o'oeted for No 1 Ward, and Mr Geo. Qilmour for No 2 Wkrd. He then enumerated the members composing the Board, and informed them that they woqld have to appoint no of their number chairman for the ensuing year. It was proposed and carried that M r Grigg be chairman, and that the meetings be held on the first Friday in every month at 1.30 p-m. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. correspondence From C. H. Dowd ing, apologising for his absence from the mee'ing. From C. H. Dowding, calling the Board’s attention to the Coldstream cutling, and suggesting that it be reduced, a'so directing the Board’s attention to the ford on the Coldstream road, where the Council’s water-race crosses, and that unless somethin.; is done at once the' water will be again flowing down the road, also two other places just above the ford where the oveiflow fronp the water-races s making , the road impassably. Resolved—“ That the Council be informed of the matter complained of, asking.!jinn to have it attended t> at oncs, pointing out that complaints were made to the Council on the same subject last year.” With regard to the cutting, Mr Dowding to be informed that the vsyd at present has no funds to its credit. From the County Council, enclosing solicitor's opinion with regard to taking drain through Modes’ land, stating that the necessary title should be given. It was resolved—“ That Mr Moses be informed that the Board will proceed * Ufa

the work of making drain, etc, when he gives a title to the land." From the same, informing the Board that the rqad from Winslow to Bangitata has been proclaimed a main road. From the same, stating that the present leases x>f the Waterton and Hinds pounds would shortly fall due, and asking the Board to recommend persons as poundkeepers. It was resolved—“ That the present peundkeeper be recommended - for the Waterton pound, and that W. T. Norrish he recommended for the Hinds pound." From the same, stating that tenders had been invited for cleaning out the Wheatstone drain.

From ratepayers, asking the Board to take into consideration the present almost impassable state of Ford’s read, especially that portion between the Boundary rosd and Stalker’s.—Consideration was deferred, till next meeting. From S. Chapman, bringing under the notice of the Board the bad state of the road between Willo shy and Ford’s road, and stating it was impassable for children attending school—Consideration deferred till next meeting. From C. Sargisscn, stating a ford was necessary across the Longbeach read, opr posito the creek in his lower paddock. The Surveyor was instructed to report at next meeting.

From the Chairman of the public meeting at Methven, enclosing the resolutions on the local government question, and asking the Board’s consideration of the same.

From the Chairman Wakanui Road Board enclosing resolutions passed at public meeting iu his district with regard to same, and seating the ratepayers were desirous of petitioning for the abolition of the Council Considerable discussion ensued bn the subject, after which it was unanimously resolved—“ That this Board having placed befo e it several resolutions passed by public meetings of ratepayers, held at Methven, Seafield, etc., with reference to local government, .and taking into consideration the constitution of the present County Council, apd the expenditure of the same, as shown by the last annual statement, is of opinion that it is undesirable to retain the County Council in its present form, unless the expenditureis very materially lessened." surveyor's report. The Surveyor’s report was read as follows; — I. Surveyor’s Road : As instructed at last meeting we are having the bridges on this road repaired. It was considered that the one nearest the Hinds should have concrete abutments; on inspection we find it would not answer, as such a quantity of water overflows from the Hinds and finds its way across and over the road at this part; the probability would be that it would ; scour away the concrete and thereby do considerable damage. We are therefore putting in piles, which will not be affected by scour so much as concrete would. We are making this bridge 18ft wide. The other bridge or culvert is not capable of carry* ing the water that comes that way, so we have thought it advisable to use the old stuff that will come from the other bridge and widen this one. We think it best in the interests of the Board to make a good job in this way, as it is a constant expense repairing ihem after every flood as they are now.—2. Ashton Road: The contractor has completed the ford opposite Mr Taylor’s, and also made footbridge over ford near the school as authorised to be done.—3. Johnson Street, Tinwald; The contractor has completed the formation of this street.—4. Ford’s Road: As this road, owing to the heavy carting that has been on it lately, has become almost impassable through the deep rats that have been made, we have had some of the worst rats filled in, as they were in fact dangerous to traffic.— s- Wheatstone Road : The hand-rails of bridges on this road have been replaced. As there were some nasty holes in places along this road we have had them filled in.—6. Osborne's Road: Part of the bridge on this road being broken, we have had same repaired.—7. Waterton New Road : Part of this load, between the Waterton Hotel and Mr Donaldson’s we should say. would be tbe better for some attention before the winter sets in. We might suggest that the member representing the Ward, and the Surveyor inspect it with power to call for tenders for next meeting.—B. Islewerth Road : The contract >r has completed the work necessary on the road. He has also made two extra fords that were required, and takes up the culvert on the Beach road, near Lowcliff homestead, and made a ford in lieu thereof.—Great South Road ; The planking on a bridge on this road is becoming very rotten. We have had it temporarily mended by substituting a new plank for one already gone, and await your instructions to have the whole re»decked. —lO. Boundary Road { As directed at last meeting, we have inspected this road from Willowby to the Hinds. What it actually wants is another coat of metal for some distance. This could be got from the side drains, but as we are aware there are no funds at piesent available, we would suggest that some 20 or 30 loads of gravel be put on to fill the worst rats and holes on the read.—ll. Great South Roid : The cutting leading into the Hinds having been washed away, and the ford being in a bad state; we have had the same repaired. Olausefl.—Left in the hands of the member for No 1 Ward and Surveyor to see into the matter, with power to act. The remainder of the report was adopted. graham’s road. Mr Graham requested that the Surveyor be empowered to have 200 yards of metal put in the worst holes on Graham’s road —Granted. « TEKDEtS. The following tenders were accepted H. Hmper, L 8 16s for me king ford, Terrace road ; Moses and Reid, Ll2 for ford, 12s per chain for drain at Waterton. ADVERTISING. It was resolved to advertise alternately in each paper everjr three months about. ACCOUNTS The usual monthly accounts were passed, and the Board adjourned.