AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 105, 20 July 1877, Page 2

AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

-The usual fortnightly meeting, of this Board, was held at their offices last Saturday, 14th instant, at 2 p.m. Present—H. Piper, (Chairman,) B. Shadbolt, J. Duxbury, F.. Williams, and E. Lelievre. "'■ The minutes of the last .meeting were read and confirmed. . ''' ' '•'■ ■'•''■■■ " CORRESPONDENCE. , , ' A Series of correspondence was received from the Government offices, Christchurch, regarding T: and G. Brough's claim of £150, for works constructed under special grant, on Pigeon Bay, road. The correspondence was returned to the Board, with the following endorsement from the auditor.—" If the Provincial Government were in existence, the claim would jiot be recognised. There is no evidence to show that the Broughs ha.ye done anything towards the completion of their contract; see Mr. Thornton's report in May, 1875, and the Board ought to be asked upon what grounds they seek to satisfy the claim." J. Ollivier. Mr. B. Shadbolt quite understood the original responsibility was in the hands of the Board, but the action ot the Government had taken it quite out of their hands. Mr Duxbury thought the question was quite misunderstood by the Government; the Board did not seek to satisfy the claim only to refer it to the proper quarter. The Board, from beginning to end, had only to act in accordance with the instructions of the Government. The Chairman was of opinion that the Government had misunderstood the correspondence. Mr. F. Williams thought, that the Government having taken all the onus, the threatened action should be against them, not the Board. The Chairman thought, that as the Board had been instructed to call for tenders for the work and accept, the contractors would naturally look to the Board, ! and they would consequently be in a false position. Mr. Duxbury—The Government sent an Engineer to report, and his report was.unfavourable to all parties concerned, and then the Government asked the Board not to pass any more money. All we have to do in the matter, is to throw the whole onus on the Government, and he would propose, that in reference to letter of date quoted, the Board consider they have acted in accordance with the term of letters 492-75, and 1479-75, and the terms of same releived them of responsibility in the action with which they are now threatened by the Messrs. Brough, and further, that the Clerk be instructed so to reply. Seconded by Mr. B. Shadbolt, and carried. A letter was to hand from the Colonial Secretary, requesting a return of all salaried officers of the Board. The Clerk, Mr. Barwick, was instructed to say that he was the only salaried officer of the Board, at a salary of £175 per annum. OLD PIGEON BAY HOAD. A letter was received from the Rev. D. O. Hampton, in regard to a part of the old Pigeon Bay road, that was impassable, and that a serious accident happened at the particular spot a few days ago, near Mr. Bothroyd's property. The Chairman understood it was a yery boggy place, and wanted a culvert. I Mr. Shadbolt thought the Clerk should be requested to employ Mr. Bothroyd to do the necessary work in regard to this place. He would make a motion of it. Seconded by Mr. Duxbury, and carried. FRENCH FARM VALLEY ROAD. f A letter was received from Mr. S. Hunt, regarding the road to his place, and the loss of the bridge across his place, precluding his children getting to school. The Clerk was instructed, in regard to the matter, that the necessary inquiries be mad e an d report, and that in case of the road going to private property, the owners pay half. GEORGE BUBH. A letter was read from residents in George's bush, saying that the road was impassable. It was agreed on all hands that the road was a very bad one, and Mr. Lelievre, a member of the Board, said he was afraid of his life in going over it. It was resolved that the (Jlerk and Mr. Lelievre visit the spot, and report to next meeting of the Board. ONUKA BUSH. A letter was received from G. Scarborough, in regard to this road. The Clerk was instructed to visit the place indicated, and report to next meeting of the Council. HORSE SHOE BEND DIVERSION. A letter was received from Mr. George Breitmeyer, in which he stated that on the receipt of a conveyance of the old road, and a sum of £20 for the new road, he would give up the new road. Mr, F. Williams said the better way was to put the Act in force, and let him get what he could for it. Mr. Duxbury thought it would be much the better plan to put the Act in force. The Chairman was anxious not to do matters by half and halt" ; let us either put the Act in force and have nothing to do with the old road, or give him £30. Mr. Duxbury would propose that the Chairman and himself be a committee to wait upon Mr. Breitmeyer, as he seemed not to understand the question. Mr. Shadbolt thought it would be the better way to leave the old load quite out of the question, atid lie would move that the Board reserve the old road for themselves and adhere to their former letter in offering him £30 for the piece of land required for road diversion. Seconded by Mr. B. Lelievre, and carried. MEETING OF CHAIRMEN OF ROAD BOARDS. A letter was received from Mr. Cunningham in regard to a meeting of delegates of Road Board members, on the 17th inst. It was resolved not to take any further notice of the matter. FILE QF MAIL. A file of the Akaroa Mail was. ordered from its commencement until date, and that copies of the same be regularly supplied. WAINUI ROAD MEETING. Mr. Williams could not but remark the fact that another meeting of the ratepayers of the district was being held this day. He could not understand the action of the gentlemen concerned, they were evidently

for what Jhey knew not. The fact "was, .that no good grounds had been glveSh for a severance of any part of the district, and if they intended so to do, their case should be a strong one. In regard to question of the expenditure -of money in the particular district indicated, that has been far bej'ond their ad valorem share. He did not grudge this, but it operated in a way that was unfair to the rest "of the district. Indeed, they were getting grants they were not entitled to, and thus retarding the settlement of other districts. He was afraid the movement came from those who had properties on the main line of road, and had no object in opening up back districts. Mr. Duxbury thought if the district in question had a grievance they should have come to the Board. There was no doubt they had spent a lot of money in trying to appease the Wainui district but theirs was the cry of the horse leech, give, give. He was sure the ratepayers would not sanction the severance of the district. In some cases the Wainui side had got special grants pf money by a side wind for its particular purposes. TOWN HALL RESOLUTION. Mr. Shadbolt proposed, that the Chairman of the meeting in the Town Hall, Mr. C. Latter, be requested to inform the Road Boaid why the resolutions passed at that meeting had not been acted upon. Seconded by Mr. Duxbury, and carried. The meeting were quite agreed as to the propriety of the resolution, but thought it strange that the views of the minority had come to pass. Mr. Baker, a member of the County Council, having stated at.the time that the meeting was on a wrong scent by carrying the resolution. Mr. Shadbolt had no doubt but that if the resolution had been carried, Mr. Dobson would have been sent down here at once. wainui road. The Chairman said, that he had arranged' with Mr. McDonald for the use of the private *oad through his land, the price to be £1 per month while used. The present road was unfit for traffic. It was agreed that Mr. C. McDonald be paid £1 per month for the use of his road, and that placards be put up at end of the said road, saying the road is dangerous. Agreed to. SLEDGING ON EOAD. Mr. Shadbolt would like to call attention to the roads generally, by sledging being permitted upon them. It was the duty of the Board to protect the public, and he was afraid this was not being , done. In Wainui, especially, the side channels and footways were being torn up by bullock drays going into culverts. LONG BAY ROAD. The Clerk was instructed to see what repairs was necessary for this part of the road. OVERDUE CONTRACTS. Mr. Shadbolt mentioned that Stewarts and Hammonds contracts were overdue, and that some of them were making anything but good work. . The Chairman said Hammond had left some metal in the roadway for over a week, and that the same was dangerous. The Clerk was instructed to let the contractors know that this would not be allowed in future. kelly's tender. The Clerk reported that he could find neither Kelly's tender nor his deposit of £2 in the office. Mr. Williams said the late Clerk should be asked to put the present Clerk in possession of all the documents. PAYMENTS. On the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Lelievre, the following accounts were passed for payment:— ii 8 d J Lines 75 12 6 B. Shadbolt, tools ... 116 0 J. Everett, part of contract 24 12 6 J. G. Dewar. on account 5 0 0 J. Cairns ... 0 7 0 P. Shadbolt 3 3 0 W. Castle 2 19 6 J. Gencaim ..* ... 1 15 0 J. Gundy 2 19 0 J. Chapman 2 17 9 P. Mullen 3 3 0 J. Hodson 2 16 0 W. Drinkwntcr 2 12 6 J. Curtis 2 12 6 H. Edmondson 2 9 0 J. Fallery ... • ... 115 0 J. Reid ... ... 212 6 NEW SITE FOR OFFICE. Mr. Shadbolt asked the Chairman if any tenders had been received ior new sjte for office at Head of Bay. Chairman —No. LONG BAY ROAD. The Clerk was instructed to d»-aw plans and specifications for this road, and to submit the same to the Chairman, Messrs. Duxbury, and Williams, and on getting their approval, to proceed with the work. The meeting was then adjourned till Saturday, 28th nst., at 2 p.m.