AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 162, 5 February 1878, Page 2

AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

Saturday, Feb. 2. Present —Messrs Piper.(ehairman),Curry, Williams, an d Duxbury.. Mr Inuian waited on the Board, and stated that some time since some benching was done on his property, and he had agreed to take land for land, no money passing between the Board and himself. He now wished the matter settled, as he was going to England. He had received no deed of conveyance, which it was necessary that he should have. The Chairman said that the matter should be attended to at once. Mr Worsley was present to enquire if there was anything further to be done in tbe matter of the Grehan Valley road than was included in his last letter to the Board. It was resolved that the line be adhered to, subject to Mr Worsley's carrying out the arrangements made. Mr Louis Le Valliant attended on the Board for the purpose of obtaining the formation of a road through his land, adjoining Mr G. Breitmeyer's property. After some discussion, it was resolvpd that Mr Le Valliant should write to the Board, offering to pay half the cost of the formation of such road. Mr T. S. Baker was present, and asked that the line of road, which at present went direct through his house, might be diverted. As the line was at present, it was of no use, and the line he proposed was very much the better of the two. It was agreed that he should be written to on the subject, and advised of the Board's decision. Mr Bell and Mr C. M'Donald appeared in support of a petition that the Wainui main road be formed 20 feet wide instead of 15 feet, as originally intended. This matter was deferred for consideration. The Rev. W. Stack, who was present on behalf of the Maoris, said he had been requested by them to wait upon the Board re the proposed diversion of the Onuku and Wainui roads, through Maori reserves. The Chairmain said, in reference to the Wainui diversion, that it was one of the cases included in the outstanding Provincial liabilities, of which they had been endeavoring for some time past to effect a satisfactory settlement. Mr M'Donald, as occupier of the land, desired that some understanding should be come to about the matter. The Chairman explained that the Board was unable to deal with the question, and that they wished the Maoris to represent the case to the Government, when the Board would assist them in every way possible. The Rev. W. Stack then proceeded with the question of the Onuku road diversion, explaining that the line of road as laid out was objected to by the Maoris, as it cut off part of their land, and passed through their gardens. The Maoris, Kehoma and Kaikoura particularly, desired the line of road to be altered so as to pass before their whares, not at the rear of them. Considerable discussion ensued, when it was suddenly discovered that Messrs Curry and Duxbury, members of the Board, had left the meeting, thus leaving only two members present, which number was insufficient to form a quorum. . Mr Williams thought that this should be taken special notice of. He considered it most disrespectful to the ratepayers as well as to tbe Board. They had undertaken to do the work ; yet, when the work was half over, they left without any notice or permission. Such conduct as this was calculated to bring the Board into bad repute, and he desired that the public should be informed of the manner in which the business was being conducted. It seemed to him from the remarks of one of the members who had retired that they intended to make a practice of doing this, and he thought that it had better be put a stop to at once. During the last few months, Mr Piper, Mr Shadbolt, and himself had really been the Board, and done all the work. In consequence of these members retiring to-day, the acts of the Board were rendered illegal, and their manner of retiring without giving notice was most disrespectful to the Chairman.

The Chairman said that he agreed with the remarks of Mr Williams. If persons allowed themselves to be elected on the Board, they should carry out the duties attached to the office. He considered that on the present occasion the Board had been brought into contempt by the action of two of its members, especially as it was an important meeting for the purpose of hearing the Maori question with regard to the Onuku road diversion. He thought it would be better if, at the election, the ratepayers insisted on pledges being given of regular attendance. The business of the Board now was different to what it was in former years, and much more important, demanding the presence of the whole body. He trusted the public would give some expression of opinion as to the conduct of these members .whom they had elected, and who were not doing justice to them. With regard to the Onuku question, the Chairman advised that the Maoris write to the Government on the subject, and that a copy of the letter be sent to the Board, when they (the Board) would assist them in objaining any alteration that was reasonable.

It was decided to call a meeting for the 9th inst., at the usual hour.