MATAU ROAD BOARD.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 June 1877, Page 6

MATAU ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Matau Road Board was held in Mr Smith's house on Monday afternoon. There were present : Messrs Inglis (chairman), Bell, Smith, and M'Donald. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. SUBSIDY. The Chairman reported that he had received the sum of £118 19s 6d as subsidy from the Government. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Chairman of the Crichton Road Board, pointing out necessity of having a bridge erected across the Tuakitoto Creek— the boundary between the two districts,— and suggesting that the Matau Road Board pay half the expense, which was estimated at £50, or £25 for each Board. The Chairman considered the work a I very necessary one, but said the Board had not funds at present to devote to the object. Mr Smith said the Board was evidently bound to contribute towards the expense of the work, which he considered should be carried out during the summer months. There was one matter, he said, which should be taken into consideration, and that was, that the lakes might by-and by be sold — and none more than he wished to see this ; bufc then the bridge would be sold also, and the Board would receive nothing for it. He moved that the Clerk acknowledge receipt of the letter, and explain that while the Board recognises the necessity for the work, they have no funds at present to devote towards it. Seconded by Mr M'Donald, and carried. A letter was read from the Chairman of the Clutha Road Board, requesting that the Board should arrange for taking delivery of their proportion of tools belonging to the late Provincial Government, handed over to the Road Boards by the County Council. A letter was read from the Chairman of the County Council, intimating that as the main roads through the County were in good order, the Council anticipated to have a surplus of funds, ahd requesting to

be informed as to whether the Board would prefer the Council to declare some of the district roads County roads, or to ; leave them in charge of the Board, and j vote a subsidy towards their maintenance. The Chairman said he was given to understand that if the Board accepted a sub- 1 sidy, the Council would dictate as to what roads the money would be spent on, and also that it would have to be spent to the satisfaction of the County inspector. It might thus occur that after the Board had expended the money to the best of their ability and to the satisfaction of their own inspector, it might not please the County inspector, and thus the system of subsidy would in all likelihood lead to unpleasantness. Several members expressed themselves to the same effect, and ultimately a motion was passed requesting the Council to proclaim the main district road between the Main Soutii Road and the Kaitangata bridge a County road. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary, intimating the likelihood of a general road measure being introduced at next session of Assembly, and requesting the Board to make any suggestions upon the subject. A long conversational discussion ensued, after which it was resolved to adjourn consideration of the matter till next hag"TENDERS. Tenders were opened for formation of road from Mr Peter Lawson's to Kaou Bank, Inch Clutha, as follows :— John ! Fraser, at 10s per chain ; M. M'Kinlay, ! lis 4d ; Byers and M'Kenzie, 13s 9d ; John Parkness & Co., lis lid; Thomas Rollo, 13s Gd. That of John Fraser was accepted. ACCOUNTS. The following accounts were passed for payment : — Barrett & Sullivan, spreading metal at Kaitangata, £3 15s ; W. Allison, erecting culvert on road, Inch Clutlia, £3 4s ; James Young, valuer's fee, £10 ; Clutha Leader, advertising, £5 Bs. The meeting then adjourned.