WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1333, 4 September 1886, Page 3

WAKANUI ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of tl Wakanui Road Board was held at tl Board’s office, Moore street, to-da; Present: Messrs M. Bruce (Chairman Tj lill, J. Brown, and T. Cole, CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were read ;—(1) From Mr W Badger, with regard to “ Local Podie Guide.”—lt was decided to procure copie for the use of the members. (2) Froc Mr Butleriek, asking permission to mak ford across water race.—A previous reso * lution having been carried to the effec that where fords were required the Boan would make them, and charge cost t( applicant, it was decided to inform Mi Butter ck that the ford would be con structed on these terms. —(3) From Mi T. Clephane, complaining of water being backed on his land by reason of the formation of the road.—lt was decided to take steps to lead the water away, (4) From the Ashburton County Council, with reference to the water race on Boundary road. (5) From Mr Stewart stating that the timber fall between his and Mr Wilson’s property had been washed away, and asking the Board to provide timber or a new fall. The cost would be about £3,—Mr Stewart waited on the Board with reference to the matter. —The Chairman pointed cut ihat on the last occasion of timber ben' prcvided an agreement was made that the partus interested should look after them.— Mr Stewart had never heard of such an agreem n . He briefly recounted the history of the drain. He said that every drop of wa it carried Vy the cirsin came off other people's propeity. Be had to provide other drains for his own laud and he would noc th’tik it fair that he should be saddled with iho cost of maintaming the shoot, in addition to the loss of land entailed by the dram. —After a long discussion, Mr Siewart thanked the B ard and withdrew.—lt was ultimately derided that the timber be granted conditional on Mr Wilson cutting a drain to prevent water from going across his prepertv and undermining shoot, (o) From three ratepayers, f'king that the road known as Gibscn s road be formed to its full width, also wbh reference to water backed on to their properties by a gully being blocked.—ln regard to this latter matter Mr Max well waited on the Board. The matter w»s le r t In the hands of the member for the Ward and the Surveyor to inspect the ground and take what action they might deem necessary FAIRFIELD ROAD Mr Megson wsited »n the Board with reference to the road atNewlands, which reqnlred forming. With the exception of £4 no mt ney had ever been spent on the road. Left to Mr Lill and the Suveyor to take the neoetsary ac ion. THE DISPVTfD BOUNDRT A letter was road from the Chief Sur veyors ating, in reply to the Board s letter that as two snveyshad already been made and found to agree the Depirtment did did not intend to take any further acl’on la the matter which wn ore to bo decided by the Board and Mrs Gibson. A petition from Mr D. Wilson and twenty-one ratepayers was read, asking that the B ard take steps to enforce its resolutions with regard to Mrs Glbsi n s fence. Mr Brown considered a reference in the petition to one of the members of the Board impertinent. Mrs Gibson and Mr Crisp waited on the Board in regard to (bis matter. Mr Crisp, representing M s Gibson, said that the fence in question had been stand ng for a;-ven years, and Mrs Gibson alleged that she hsd erected U in see rd ance vith a saroy. Mrs Gibson suggested that an independent survey should now he made, and if she were shown to be la the wrong she would psy the coats That was a very fair and reasonable proposal, and ho should ask the Board not to be influenced by the personal spite and animus which had actuated some ratepayers in the matter. After some discussion of a conversational character, Mr Crisp asktd if Mrs Gibson decided to have a survey made herself, would the Board allow a suffic. nt time for the purpose. Mrs Gibson was not a wilful wrongdoer^ Mrs Gibson produced a tracing and explained the position of matters at tone length. The deputation then withdrew. Mr Brown thought Mrs Gibson’s proposal a very reasonable one. Other members thought that the Board had done all it reasonably could. A long and desultory discussion followed, during the conrse of which Mt Brown said that the opposition to Mrs Gibson was the outcome of private spite.

Ultimately Mr Lill moved, “ That Mrs Gibson be notified that unless the fence be removed by September 2lat proceedings be taken to have it removed.” Mr Cole seconded the motion. On the suggestion of Mr Cole the time was extended to September 30 in order to allow Mrs Gibson to have a survey made if she so chose. Mr Brown moved, as an amendment, that the time be extended to October 30. The Chairman seconded the amendment pro /onna. The amendment was lost and the motion carried. (Left Sitting.)