AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 549, 18 October 1881, Page 3

AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD.

This Board held a meeting on Saturday afternoon at their offices, Head of the Bay. Present — Messrs Chappell (chairman), McDonald, Checkley, Brooks, and Shadbolt. MINUTES. The minutes were read and confirmed. . INTERVIEWS. Mr Anson interviewed the Board respecting tho settlement of the Wainui road question. He said they wanted a road from the top to the bottom in some way or other. The Chairman read the clause in tho Clerk s report on the subject. After long discussion it was agreed to open the Valley road, provided Messrs Snow & Ansun would assist the Board. Messrs Snow & Anson then offered to give half the cost of getting the bush cleared off tbe lines to the summit of the ranga above Wainui, provided the Board would pay the other half and get the work done as soon and as economically as possible. Mr Brooks moved that Messr. Snow _c Anson's offer be accepted. Seconded by Mr Shadbolt and carried. Mr John Wright waited on the Board regarding the delay in tendering for the bridge on the Education Reserve. He wa_ informed that as soon as tho timber for the bridge was on the ground the Board would call for tenders.

Mr D. Loromte waited on the Board to ask them if it was legal to charge driving for cattle impounded from the roads. The I.olst clause of the Public Works Act was pointed out to Mr Lecomte by the Clerk, but it was resolved that the Board's solicitors should be wiitten to, nskingr their opinion on the question, and that tho reply when received should be given to the applicant. Mr W. G. Sandys, who was also in attendance, made'an offer that if the Board improvd the Long Bay Summit road, from Mr Daly's gate to the track leading to his property,.he was prepared to ad vane _ any sum up to £50 to do the work, provided the Board would refund him the amount as bis rates became due. Proposed by Mr McDonald—" That Mr Sandys' offer b « accepted." Seconded by Mr Checkley and carried. REPORT. The Clerk's'report, running as follows, was then lead : — "14th October, 1881.

" Sir, —In compliance with orders 1 waited upon Mi Anson, with the view of reporting upon the practicability of forming the remaining portion of the unformed part of the Wainui Valley road, from section to tho top Jf the Saddle,' and hav'3 to report that that gentleman accompanied me through the whole of the unformed portion, the length of which is from 70 to 80 chains. From the nature of the ground it will bo easy to construct, with the exception of two porcions of the said lino which runs through a loose boulder formation. The worst of the grade on the unformed part of this road will not exceed the grade on the lower formed part, from the bush down to Saddler's bridge. Tho cost of benching and clearing this line should not exceed 15s per chain, that is for a Gft track. I have also to inform you from what I heard whilst in Wainui Bay, that the settlers in the valley all appear to favor this line, in preferance to the pass road, from it being a shorter route to the proposed railway terminus in Little River. J have also to inform you that Messrs Anson and Co., in no way object to its being formed, as what they want is access to the harbour, whereas at present they have none. Further, I beg to point out tbat in adopting this road there will be no compensation to pay which is a question of considerable importance to the Board considering its present financial position. With regard to the Pass road, I beg to inform you that I have been through it with Mr Anson, and have to report a-s follows :—■ Ist The upper portion of this road from Saddle lo Mr VVaimsley's section, following the line advised by Mr Wilkin. The grade on this portion is considerably better than the Valley road, it being about 1 in 12 or 13 so far as I could judge in travelling it. The formation of this part would be easy with the exception of about H chains al the end cf Bush or Grass bin near the Sudd In.

2nd The portion through Walmsley's sec 10642 is not a great improvement on the upper portion of the Valley road, the lower portion on this sec. behind Kennedy's fence being ctbout 1 in 7 for a di.-tunce of about 7 or 8 chains, the length through the section being 40 chains.

3rd The portion through 1 .rhain's sec. on the line proposed by Mr Wilkin, will make a very fair road about 1 in 9 on an average, the length through ihesc sections being 70 chains, making with the above through Waluisley's section 110 chains

for which no doubt a heavy compensation will be required, without taking into account the portion through Mr McDonald's. Judging from what has hitherto been paid in compensation for roads in this district, I think you will find that it will be ; quite beyond the present means of the Board to undertake such a work, especially when you take into consideration tbo expenditure that will be shortly required on the Mount Bossu road through Rhodes Flat. . T1 " In compliance with instructions I have visited the Balguarie Street Road for the purpose of ascertaining tbe best position for a culvert asked for the Akaroa Borough Council (to drain the Boards District) in their letter of the 31_t August last, and have to report as follows. Ihe best position of the culvert in question to drain tbo Boaids district, in my opinion would be by commencing it on the boundary line of the two districts, carrying it across the street diagonally till it empties itself into the mam creek at Mr Whig-it's section The length of the culvert would bo about 2J- rchains say by about 3 by 2 opening, tbe Boards share of expoi.ee at 8s per foot would be about £2G, which no doubt will teem a largo amount, but I cannot see where a culvert could be placed in abetter position to effectually drain the district. Putting one higher up the street without cooperating with the Borough might meet tho requirements of the present, but I am positive that after the first heavy rain storm the Board would be called upon to do tbeir share in putting in a culvert at the point above advised. "In compliance with your request I havo visited and measured the Long Bay Summit Track, from Long Bay Saddle to Le Bon's Saddle and find the length to be 134 chains. The part of tbe Road requiring immediate attention is that part between the Long Bay Saddle and Mr Sandys track, being 82 chains ir. extent, the grade of this part, of the road is as good as the nature of the country will admit of with tho exception of two places, Ist about 8 chains beyond Mr Daly's private gate, the road will require to be lowered or under-cut 2£ feet for a distance of 5 chains. The second part that requires lowering is opposite Mr Chappel's slip pannel where his Bullock road joins the road. The work required here is of a similar nature as th;it above discribed but not of the same extent, there will also be two or three culverts wanted above Chappel's Valley. The cost of the work required will bo about £30 at 7s per chain. The remaining portion_ beyond _.andys track to Lo Bon's Saddle is in a very fair state with the exception of the side channels and a little filling wanted here and there.—Yours etc., Joiim Barwick."

CORRESrONDEI-CI-. The following letters were read :— From Messrs Harper and 00. as follows : " Christchurch. Oct. 11, 1881. ' Roads required from Trustees. " Dear Sir, —We have yours of tiie Bth this morning. The road in question will have to be taken under the provisions of i the Public Works Act 187G,and the amend ing Act., unless in the deed or will under which the land is held in trust, the trustees are specially empowered to do-1 with the lands in the way required, this is very •unlikely, and for present purposes we assume that it is not so. Tho ca.se wiil have lo be brought under tbe Public Works Act, as though the Board were taking tho land by compulsion. If the trustees do not oppose, it will bo merely a question of time and compliance with proper legal forms. In the interests of the trnste--K the question o£ compensation will doubtless have to be settled, if it is a benefit to the land the compensation will probably be nothing. If the Board desire it and will supply us with particulars we will commence the necessary proceedings, and first we shall want—a survey and plans showing the lands required to be taken for the road together with the owners and occupiers so far as they can be ascertained, secondly—a copy must be made of such plans and deposited in some place, say the Road Board office, in the district in which the lan-is are, for public inspection, thirdly—a notice with a general description will have to be Gazetted, and twice publicly notified, fourthly—copies of each notice and discription must be served on the owners and occupiers so far as they can be ascertained. Other subsequent Bteps have to bo taken. The Board, however, will no doubt consider the matter, and when it has como to a decision whether the rond shall be taken or not, instruct us further. Expenses will be incurred in the process, but they need not be great if all agree not to offer opposition.—Yours. etc., _ " Harper and Co., " Solicitors." From same as follows :— " Clmstchurch, Oct. 10, 1881, ugjr We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of tbe Bth inst. re qualifications of members and electors of Road Boards, and in reply we have to inform you that we are of opinion that clause 14 and 19 of the Road Ordinance, 1872, are still applicable to all elections held or conducted under the Regulations of Local Elections Act, 1876. This latter Act merely supplies the machinery for holding elections, but does does not interfere with the qualifications prescribed by the Ordinance of 1872. Proposed members of tbe Board and the electors must have paid all rates at the time of the election, Yours, etc., '• Harper and Co.. " Solicitors." From Mr L. P. Johnson as follows :— " Onuku road, October 14,1881. " Gentlemen,—There is a culvert on the Onuku road near John Glynan's and Alex. Wright's boundary, which has been put in with manuka logs, and is completely rotted out. If I repair the ends of it according to my contract, it will he dan- ; gerous to horse traffic. If your Board ; like I will put in a new stone culvert, ore ! foot six inches square with broadleaf top, . for the sum of £3 3s. Please inform me of your decision as early as possible as it ' is urgent.—Yours etc., i( L. P. Johnson."

The Clerk was instructed to see to the matter. From Mr Quealy, Clark of the Little River Road Board, aa follows: — " Little River Road Board. "October 11, 1881., (i Sir,— I have the honor to'acknowledge receipt'of your favor of the 3rd, enciosjti.. resolution of your Board re preventing County Council putting the Counties Act into operation afler their next election, and soliciting the co-operation of this Board with that view, and in reply have to inform you that your, letter arrived .too late to be considered at the lasl meet-

ing. I have made it my business to see most of the members,, and as your notice is so sboit they cannot find it convenient to attend. I have also to inform you that some members of this Board think your meeting premature, inasmuch as they think il would be advisable to await the report, and balance sheet of the County Council before taking these steps, afli-r which they are willing to co-operate with you as per your letter.—Yours etc.. "T. QUEAI.T."*

From the Clerk, stating that the fence erected by the Maories through tho Native Reserve, Wainui, was a good and substantial one, and tbat he had passed it. gorse ON roads. Proposed by Mr Shadbolt, seconded by Mr Brooks, and carrie.1 —" That notice be given by advertisement, calling upon occupiers of land whose gorse is encroaching upon the roads to remove the same, otherwise the Board will have it done at tbeir expense."' TROUGHS FOR THE POUND. Mr T. Brooks proposed — " That two watering troughs be made of the heart of totara, for use in Duvauchelle's Bay pound." Seconded by Mr McDonald and carried. rarsons valley road. Mr McDonald moved, Mr Checkley seconded, and it was carried, that the Clerk invite tenders for repairs on this road. THE LAVAUD STREET HOLE. The immediate repair of this bad place was advocated by several members It was arranged that tbe Clerk should communicate with the Borough Council on the matter, asking whether they were prepared to assist in having it properly repaired. OLD AKAROA ROAD. The Chairman called attention to the necessity for repairing the Old Akaroa road, winch was nearly the sole road used' by horsemen, and was also useful as an alternative road in case, of St John's road being stopped. Tho Clerk was instructed to report. TENDERS. Tenders were opened for the following roads :— Cough's Bay Road.-—Edmondson and Curragh, £17 10s (accepted) ; Antonio Mohorich. £17 10s, informal, there being no deposit. Kennedy's Road.—The only tender received was rejected, being considered excessive. The Board then adjourned till Saturday, November 12th.