AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 545, 4 October 1881, Page 2

AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

Tho monthly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday, at tho Road Board Ollioo. Present — Messrs Chippell (chairman), Shad bo It, McDonald, and Brooks. JIINUTBS. The minutes of prior meeting were read and confirmed. WAINUI. Mr ;lvennedy. of Wainui, interviewed tho Board relative to a road leading to his house.

It was resolved the work, which was estimated to cost about £2, should be done ; the job to be let by tender or privately, as the Clerk thought best. Gouqh's bay. Mr Masefieid also saw the Board rogarding a road in Gough's Bay. It was arranged tenders should be called for the work, Mr Masefield's offer (mentioned in the Clerk's report) being accepted. THE PASS ROAD. Mr Anson, of Snow& Anson, also waited on the Board respecting the fencing of the Pass road, and stated he would not object to withdraw his offer iri favor of the Valley road, if it was thought better. Mr McDonald asked what the grade would be, and the Clerk replied that it would be about 1 in 7.

A very long discussion ensued, and it was finally resolved that Mr Earwick should wait on Mr Anson next Thursday, in order that they might inspect, and the Clerk could report upon the road in.question. It was further resolved that the Clerk should write to Messrs Harper & Co. re the power of the trustees of Turner's estate to convey a right of way through section 10642. MOUNT BOSSU BOAD. Mr Barrett waited on the Board, stating that he intended to stop trespassers on the road till he was satisfied respecting , the compensation for fencing. ONUKU nOAD. Mr A. Wright waited upon the Board complaining of the state of the above road. He said it was in a terrible state. The Clerk read the part of his report referring to the road. Mr YVright, after speaking against tho Road Board for being so dilatory withdrew. st joiin's road. Mr P. Shadbolt also waited on the Board respecting compensation for some extra work required in connection with a heavy slip in St John's road. Consideration deferred. WAINUI VALLEY ROAD. Mr John Wright waited on the Board, stating that he was unable to get either totara or kowai to put up the bridge on the road, and requesting that he might be allowed to use manukau instead. Several members stated that the cost of getting the totara from other places would be £100—more than Mr Wright could afford—and they recommended that manukau should be used. The Clerk was instructed lo prepare specifications and call for tenders for the bridge ; tenders to be in by next meeting. STOPPAGE OF WAGE?. Samuel Johnson waited on the Board to ask why they had disallowed payment of 21s for work done on old Akaroa road. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr McDonald, seconded by Mr Shadbolt, that tho 21s be paid. This was agreed to, but as it appeared that the work had been done without ( authority, it was determined that in future no work would be paid for unless properly authorised by the Board.

clkkk's rcurour. The following report from the Clerk was read :— Road Board Office, 28lh Sept., 1881. The Chairman, ' Akaroa and Wainui Road Board.

Sir,—l have in compliance with instructions visited the following road contracts, and have to report as follows: — * Ist The parts of the main Christchurch roads including Nos. 1 2 and 3 contracts are now open throughout for traffic. Nos. 1 and 2 still require a considerable amount of labor to clear out the slips, (ho work having been kept buck through the difficulty in removing the slips on St John's portion of the main road. The culvert on German Bay flat has been opened as directed. I should advise this culvert to be taken up and relaid at a higher level, by raising the road at this place 15 gradings from the knolls on each side, the outlet end of the culvert being at present at a lower level than the discharge drain in Phillip's paddock. I have also to point out that the culvert in No 2 contract, Robinson Bay, is still open in the centre of the road, the reason why the work has not been completed is through the pipes ordered for the drain having been lost in transmission from Lyttelton. I have therefore had to order fresh pipes, which I expect in a few days when the work will bo put in hand again and completed without delay. No 3 contract. —The contractor on this portion of the main road has about completed the clearing out of slips, there being little to do now except the metaling, filling and crowning as required. I have also to stnte that the contractor is carrying out his work in a very Batisfac-fai-tory manner. No 4 contract.—This part of the main road is also clear throughout its entire length, of slips. Some parts of this road still requires a little filling and crowning which will be attended to at once. No 5, Onuku road.—Since last meeting of the Board, this part of the main road has been let (for clearing out slips and repairing culverts) to Mr L. P. Johnson for the sum of £33, the work now being in progress. I trust the road will be open for traffic ngain in about a fortnight. No 6, Long Bay road.—Since last meeting I have visited this Road and find that the contractor has cleared out all the slips, deepened the side eh innelt), and otherwise improved the road, and on the whole has made very good work. I have also to advise that two more 9ft culverts be put in on the Gough Bay side of the range near the saddle, in order to carry off the storm water which completely gutters the road, the present culverts not being sufficient to carry off the water in time of storm.

tfo 7, Okain's road.—The contractor for this road ia not making the progress that could he desired, the work being left too much in the hands ol his boys, it will therefore be necessary to call upon him to finish the work himself—a fortnight would complete the work for the present, No 8. Wainui road.—The contractor for this road is making good progress with his work, but it will be some time before the whole is thoroughly cleared out, this road having suffered more than all the other portions of the main roads added together. From Mr Knight's to Wainui beach it is one mass of slips, Kenny's portion having been completely blocked. On these latter portions the contractor has been unnbie to do more than open a sledge track through. With regard to ihe culvert ■it the junction of the main Christchureh road, I have had the whole of the old timber taken out and the hole filled in, and am n.»w waiting for timber to put in a new culvert, which I expect to have completed in the incoming week. There is also a huge land slip between Barry's Bay and French Farm, the outside of the road having slipped on to the beach, in length 66ft, breadth 6ft, depth 24in. This can only be remedied by widening the road or building a timber protective work similar to those already on this road. No 9, Haines , Summit.—The contractor for this work has done some good work on this road but was obliged to leave it in order to keep open the more importtant part of his contract, viz : the Christchurch road, but has promised so soon as the Christchnrch road is any way satisfactory, to commence on this work and carry it out to completion. Wainui Valley res, Road Bridge.—-In accordance with instructions I have visited the Wainui Valley road for the purpose of ascertaining whether a public road existed as stated by Mr J. Wright through the Educational reserve iMo 9.'s(>,and I find that a road has been laid off through the said section, running diagonally across the Valley towards the old M tori road over French Farm hill, I also asked Mr Wright if he could supply totara or kowai as requested by the Board to be used in tho erection of the Bridge asked for by the said gentleman. In reply he stated that it would be impossible to do so, and from what I saw as regards timber I believe it is correct. Masefields' Road.—l have also visited Gough.s Bay as instructed, for the purpose of reporting upon the practicability of benching a track from the saddle above Messrs Masefieid Bros', property to their house, in order to give them better access. The Koad asked for, I find follows the Government road to the dough's Bay Heads, recently surveyed by Mr Seaton. The present road from the saddle to the Valley is extremely dangerous to either horsemen or footpassengers, I would not bo surprised to hear any of an accident. I would therefore advise the expenditure of say from £15 to £18 in benching a 6ft track following the Government road 50 chains from tho saddle to middle of the spur above Messrs Masefields' house, by so doing the road would bo easy the whole of the way from Long Bay road, with the exception of a little ' improvement required at the two gulleys behind Mr Leliever's section abutting on the said Long Bay read. I have also to inform you that Messrs Masefieid Bros, will advance the funds necessary for the carrying out of the work, and also promise to keep the same in repair until such time as a permanent road is made, with the understanding that the Board will refnnd their road rates as they become due to the Board until the amount advanced is repaid.

Pawson's Valley and Little Akaloa Track. —These two roads require a few pounds expended upon them in order to make them passible, being at present blocked with slips.

Kennedy's Appoach.—This part of the road requires a few pounds expended upon it as about 7 chains has boen guttered by the storm water caused through the

side channels and , culverts being choked. J:**! have also to state that I have had the worst part of the side channels and culverts cleared out on the Wainui Valley road ns directed. I have also examined tho Barry's Bny Valley road and would advise a man to bs put on for a fortnight in order to clear out channels, open cnl verts and fill in ruts, as some parts of this road are almost impassible. I mil. Sir, Your obedint servant, John Barwick. correspondence. " From Mr John Barwick, as under :— " I beg to call your attention to clause 19 Canterbury Koad Ordinance, 1872, re the eligibility of ratepayers voting, and members serving on the Board." It was pointed out that under this clause no ratepayer had the right to vote at any election of the Board, or to be nominated for a seat on the Board, without having previously paid all rates due to tho Board. After discussion, Mr McDonald proposed —-" Th tttlio Clerk get legal advice whether ratepayers can legally vote until they have paid all rates due at the time of the election."

Seconded by Mr Williams and carried. From Mr Jolin Anderson, stating that cost of malleable iron drinking trough 6ft long, 18in wide, and 18in deep would be about £9.

It was resolved to use timber. From Mr F. W. Williams, as follows:— Robinson's Bay, Sept 5, 1881. The Chairman, Akaroa and Wainui Road Board,

Dear Sir,--At last meeting of the Board Mr Hammond lodged a complaint of a nuisance caused by the waterway through the late John Br itmeyer's property being choked up, since which I have examined the place and find that the real cause of obstruction Is the damming up by Mr Hammond of the side channel, throwing the whole force of the storm water into the late John Breitmeyer's property, to which it has caused considerable damage. As the side channels have been the vent for all surplus storm water for some considerable time, I beg to point oat the injustice caused to the above property through Mr Hammond's action, and to respectfully ask the Board to have such obstruction removed at an early date to prevent any further damage to the land in question. I am, yours truly, Frederick W. Williams, Trustee late John Breitmeyer. The Clerk was instructed to see to this matter.

From Messrs Harper & Co., enclosing certificate re closing part of Mount Bossu road for Chairman's signature.

From Mr Piper, asking for pipes for three culverts for Dv vauchelle's Bay Valley road, as-the present ones were rotten, offering to cart same arid place them properly under the supervision of the Board's surveyor. The request was granted. From Messrs Snndys & Co., calling attention to the state of the Summit road from the Long Bay road to their iand at Waikorakikari Valley, and asking to have it put in repair. HjThe Clerk was instructed to visit and report. From the Borough Council, Akaroa, •agreeing to pay half cost of surveying northern boundary of Bo;ough and Koad Board, provided the work was done by a licensed surveyor. From sarnie re share of costs to be teorne by the Borough find Road Board in constructing a culvert near the boundary to carry off storm water. Ifroin same re drainage of Balguerie street, pointing out that the Borough had to drain a large portion of the Road Board's district through their channels. The Clerk was instructed to visit and report. ABOLITION OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL. It was proposed by MrShadbolt—"That the chairmen and members of all Road Boards in the county be written to, asking them to meet at the Akaroa and Wainui Road Board Office, Duvaucbelle's Bay, on Wednesday, October 12th, to consider what steps it is rveoessaiy to take to stop the County Council from putting the Counties Act into force after next election." Seconded by Mr Brooks and carried, after a short address from Mr Shadbolt, who said it was absolutely necessary to do away with one of the rating bodies, and he thought it better for the Road Boards to survive than the County Council. NEW MEMBER. A communication was read from the returning officer, stating that Mr George Checkley, having been the only person nominated for the vacancy on the Board caused by Mr Williaius's resignation, had been duly elected. COLLECTION OF RATES. It was proposed by Mr Shadbolt, seconded by Mr McDonald, and carried— li That Mr Barwick be paid 2£ per cent on all rates collected by him." ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment:—John Barwick, £8 6a 8d ; J. Shadbolt, £1 Is; W. D. Wilkins, £1 11s 6d ; F. Hahn, £7 13s 6d ; Akakoa Mail, £15 Is; John Wardle, £1 Is; Harper and Co., £3 12s 6d, G. W. Nalder, £12 6a 10d; T. S. Johnson, £7 Bs. THE RATE. Mr Brooks moved—"That a general rate of 9d in the £ be levied on the rateable property within the district, the same to become payable in one equal instalmentjat the office of this Board on November Ist next." Seconded by Mr Shadbolt, and carried. ADJOURNMENT. The Board then adjourned to Saturday, October 15.