Kiwitea Road Board

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 44, 21 August 1893, Page 2

Kiwitea Road Board

»- The monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Saturday last. Present — Wardens Williamson (chairman), Jones, Taylor, Powell, Morton, and Homer. The minutes of the last meeting were lead and confirmed. The following correspondence was received : — From the Cheltenham Dairy Factory, calling the Board's attention to the necessity for a bridge across the Kiwitea on the Cheltenham Cross road. From P. Richardson, offering to lease the Gravel Reserve on his section 43, Birmingham Block. From Messrs J. Fanthorpe, H. i Hodge, J. London, and J. Waugh, requesting that their thirds be spent on Terrace road. From W. G. Ashwortli, drawing attention to the almost impassible state of the Branch road opposite Mr London's property ; also pointing out that several settlers in the Coal Creek Block had not had their thirds spent as per schedule. From H. Boggis and T. Waugh, requesting the Board to make a cutting from Doherty's contract on the Terrace road, to the boundary of section No. 6. From G. Martin, Rangawahia, requesting permission to fall the road line fronting section 2, Block IV Apiti, on the Board's usual terms. From G. Ackerman, asking permission to erect a gate across the Parorangi road at its junction with the North road. From Mr Bruce, M.H R., stating that he has not yet received any reply J from the Government in reference to tlio road through the Pahihikura road. From Messrs Wallis and others, Trustees of the "Waituna Cemetery, requesting the Board to assume con trol of the cemetery. From G. Alexander, Palmerston North, asking permission to fall the road line on his section at Otamakapua, on the usual terms. From Mr J. D. McGregor, forwardiug an account for money advanced by Mr Cameron for the Whare road ; also requesting to be informed under what Act the one penny halfpenny rate was struck. From E. Short, requesting permission to fall the bush fronting his section on the Parorangi road • also from F. Hockley making a like request in respect to his section on tha Mangateiki road. From F. G. McDermot, drawing the Board's attention to a drain cut across the Oroua Valley road, and thereby turning a stream of water on section 88, Block XIV, Apiti. From A. Fergusson, Birmingham, calling attention to a slip from the main road which has broken down his fence, and requesting that it be repaired. The writer stated that at the time the road was made, this portion of it was likely to give way. From T. E. Bennett, applying for permission to fall the bush on the road line fronting his section No. 6, Block XIV, Hautapu. From R. Fraser, West Waitapu, declining to hand over a part of his land for widening the road ; also making a demand upon the Board for repairing slips A*c. From G. W. Smith, applying for a license to kill cattle on his section 26, Block IV, Ongo. From the Lands and Survey Office, stating that Charles Tickner's interest in section 79, Block VII, Ongo, is cancelled, and that the section will shortly be submitted for sale. Frotu F. W. Welford, applying for a slaughtering license on his section at West Waitapu. From W. Chamberlain, stating that lie had written to the Land Board, asking them to pay over certain thirds at once, so that tlie work on the road may be proceeded with. From J. Bruce, drawing attention to the mains which flow across the Kimbolton road and thence over the Cheltenham Cross road, and as there is no outlet the water spreads over his paddock. The writer offered to cut a drain from the stream to the culvert for the sum of 30s. From Messrs Richards Bros, and others, ratepayers in the Otamakapua Block, desiring that their thirds should be spent in making the road between the boundary of the Village Reserve as far as the present track. From C. A. Bull, re a passable track through the above mentioned Reserve. From L. E. Reade, on behalf of E. G. McDerinott, applying for payment of the sum of £8 5s being the balance due to his client in respect of the Oroua Valley road contract. From P. A Margessen, stating that be will wait on the Board re the Mangatutu road as the track is at present impassaW©. From the Land Tax Department, forwarding subsidy of £84 12s lid. From the Receiver of Land Revenue, forwarding* £496 5s Id amount of thirds due to 30th April last, as per schedule attached. From the Audit Office, returning balance-sheet for the year ending 31st March last, duly audited. PETITIONS. Messrs Bull and others waited upon the Board, with reference to the road through the Village Reserve in the Otamakapua Block. Mr Bull stated that ho had written the Government, and suggested that as only about 120 acres of bush required falling, it would be advisable for Government to send some of the unemployed to do the work. The Chairman said the Board had no means available, and its funds were fully bespoken, and suggested that the settlers should make an effort to do tho work themselves. Mr Bulls suggested that a deputation from the ratepayers interested and a member of the Board, wait upon the Minister of Lands. Tho Chairman said the Board would not be justified in expending any money by sending a member specially to interview the Minister for this work. The matter was held over for further consideration. Mr Margesson, of the Mangatutu road, requested that an outlet be made from his property, as it was quite impossible to get sheep to his land. It appeared that there were about £20 of thirds available on this road, aud the Board instructed the Eu-

gineer to inspect and report at next meeting. Mr Calvert, of Calvert's road, desired that the Engineer might visit the road, on which about £30 required laying out. There were some £53 of thirds available. The Chairman said there were other settlers to be considered, the demands on the Board were so heavy that it became a question whether some roads would uot have to be closed for traffic. The Engineer was instructed to repair the road. Messrs Perry and Oliphant, of the Junction road, in the Apiti Ward, requested that a cart track might be made to their sections. The Clerk stated that £22 had been spent on the road, and a further sum of £11 was available. The Board instructed the Engineer to inspect and report in this matter. Mr Hockley, of the Mangitikei road, waited on the Board, and complained that £20 of their thirds had been spent without the sanction of settlers upon the Pakihikura road instead of on the Mangi. tikei road. Warden Taylor pointed out that the settlers should have said where they wished their thirds spent. The Chairman advised that they put their wishes in writing before the Board's next meeting. Mr Jens Larsen, living on the Lower Kiwitea road, applied for an outlet from his land. The Chairman said there were £60 of thirds available which should be spent to the best advantage of settlers living on the road. It was arranged for the Engineer to meet Mr Larsen and report to the Board. Mr Bismark waited on the Board with a request that a cutting might be made on Mackay's line to make the road more passable. Attention was promised to this matter. Messrs Duncan Mcßeth and 38 other petitioners, requested that the road from Edward street to Mcßeth's line be opened up with as little delay as possible. Warden Morton objected to the request as being an unnecessary oue. Warden Taylor said that this proposed road would save some settlers a distance of 16 miles. The Chairman pointed out that they would soon become a County if the House ot Lords passed their County Bill, and he was in favor of letting the matter stand over till then. On the proposition of Warden Taylor, seconded by Warden Jones, it was resolved that the Engineer make a rough survey for a road, and report at next meeting. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Engineer's report for the past month was read as follows : — Makino Ward.-— The Cheltenham cross road is cut up m several places, and will require 100 yards of metal to repair it. The ford is at present passable, and I would recommend that the improving of it be held over until the summer. Oroua Ward. — Bryce's road requires about 50 loads of gravel to repair it. Kimbolton Ward.— This road is very cut up, and is dangerous to traffic in places. The repairs should be attended to as soon as possible and the road metalled early next summer with screened gravel. Waituna Ward.— About 150 loads of gravel will be required on Mackay's road next summer. An outlet about six chains iv length is required from Mr Woodman's property. A drain through Mr Everest's land would meet his requirements in the matter complained of, but he objects to an open drain and requires a covered in one, which would cost about £9. Repairs to Mr Buchanan's property could be carried out at a cost of £5 10s. Sinclair's Line will require 250 yards of metal next summer. Apiti Ward. — Kimbolton Road — This road, in parts, is in a yery bad state of repair, more especially so from Binning. ham to the top of the hill, near the Spur road, and along the flat known as " Bull Flat " and also from Beef Creek to the end of the metal. These portions are yery much cut up, the holes and ruts being two feet deep in places and are exceedingly dangerous for vehicular traffic. The remaining parts of the road are in fair order at present, but are showing signs of wear and will not stand another winter's traffic. The first two miles of this was metalled about 5£ years back with a coat of gravel 12 feet wide and 6 inches thick, the gravel was not of a yery good quality, but was the best procurable ; the next two miles was metalled the Bame thickness with grayel of not good quality, but still the best to be had in that part of the district ; the remainder of the road was gravelled on an average 10 feet wide, and 5 inches thick, with gravel of fair quality and haß stood the test fairly well. What with tbe incessant wet weather, the poor quaiitv of gravel procurable generally, and the small quantity put on, the road will not stand the traffic. The road should have had a coat of gravel at least 14 feet wide and 9 inches thick, and where the gravel is not good it should have been screened. The quantity of gravel mentioned aboye is what I have always recommended as being necessary to make a'good road, but have never been able to put the recommendation into practice as there has not, in one single instance, been sufficient funds to carry it out. The holes and ruts on the first 4} miles of this road will require cleaning out, and filling in with gravel, and the- whole length remetalled with screened gravel. From the Palmerston Block to Beef Creek will also require a coat of gravel. From Beef Creek to the end of the metal, the ruts and holes should be cleaned out and filled with gravel, and the whole length re. metalled. Oroua Valley Road, — Portions of this road have been cut up very much with the heavy traffic, and will require attending to as soon as the weather improves. • Ongo Ward.— A large number of slips on the Eiwitea-Tapuae road require at. tention. Messrs Lyon and Son's con« tract has not been done in a very satis* faGtory way. The track from the junction of tho Waituna Valley road is very much cut up with traffic. There are a large number of heavy slips down on the Northern Ltne. Hautapu Ward.— The Pakihikura road is also in a bad state owing to numerous slips. The bridge over the Mangamaho road has been completed by Mr Lyon. About 25 chains of sidling and a bridle track require making to render this road passable for horse traffic. A good horse bridge has been erected by settlers oyer the Takapurau stream. The Otara road requires about 40 chains of sidling making in order to render it passable tor traffic. The estimate to metal Williamson's road east, will necessitate an outlay of about £GO. RESOLUTIONS. Proposed by Warden Taylor, seconded by Warden Powell, That the Engineer mover, and chairman, go over the road through Buchanan's run, and see if any deviation would be advantageous, and if so, to call for tenders to make a bridle track through it.— Carried. Proposed by Warden Williamson, sec onded by Warden Homer, That the Clerk take the necessary steps fpr transferring the Waituna West Cemetery Trust tq the Board.— Carried. Proposed by Warden Jones, seconded by \\ arden Taylor, That Mr J. Bruce be allowed JOs in accordance with the terms of his letter, provided the work is done to the Engineer's satisfaction.— Carried. . Proposed by Warden Powell, seconded by Warden Morton, That Mr AckermWf

request to erect a gate be granted, the Board to have the right to remove the same at any time it may he necessary. — Carried. Proposed by Warden Powell, seconded by Warden Morton, That slaughtering licences be granted to F. W. Wel ford and W. Smith- Carried. Proposed by Warden Powell, seconded by Warden Taylor, That the Commissioner of Crown Lands ho informed that no rates have yet been received from sectiou 79, Block VII, Ongo, and ask if the section may be charged with the rates due, as tho owner cannot be found. — Carried. Proposed by Warden Williamson, seconded by Warden Homer, Tliat the Engineer inspect Calvert's road, and make it passable for traffic at as little expense as possible. — Carried Proposed by Warden Homer, sec* onded by Warden Morton, That the Eugineer inspect Mr Jens Larsen's rood line, and call tenders for as much necessary work as the thirds wilt allow — Carried. Proposed by Warden Homer, seconded by Warden Morion, That Mr Reade he informed that his client has been paid the full amount of his tender, aud that the Board refuse to do anything more in the matter. — Carried. Proposed hy Warden Hornor, seconded by Warden Morton, That a bridle track on Mangatiki road be laid off, and tenders called for the same. — Carried Proposed by Warden Homer, seconded by Warden Morton, That Messrs Fanthorpe and others be informed that no j funds are available tor their request, but tenders will be called for the work, as noon aa funds are forthcoming. — Carried. Proposed by Warden Honor, seconded by Warden Morton, That Mr Richardson be granted a lease of the gravel reserve as requested, ou the Board's usual terms. — Carried. Proposed by Warden Homer, seconded by Warden Morton, That at the next meeting, a list of thirds remaining unexpended upon roads, bo laid before the Board. — Carried. Kosolved, That permission be granted to the following persons to fall bush as requested :— E. Short, F. F. Hockley, F. K. Bennett, G. Martin, G. E. Alexander, and \\. Armstrong. Proposed by Warden Homer, seconded by Warden Morton, That tenders be railed for the contiuuatiou of work on Mackay's line, to the amount of thirds available.— Carried. Proposed by Warden Honor, seconded by Warden Morton, That the Engineer report on tbe drain complained of by Mr Mcl >ormott. — Carried, Hosolved, That the Engineer call tor tenders for putting in three culverts in Brvce'a road. lUtsulved, Thai tho Secretary get 100 copios of the balance-sheet printed. Resolved, That application bo made to tho Commissioner for third* duo on Mr Anb worth's section and others in the Pohangina Board's District, who petitioned for i heir thirds to bo spent on the Branch road, and that such sums be kopt until th« Mimmer for expenditure. Iteaolved, That tho Engineer obtain mitTicient willows, stabs, &c, for planting ou tha Kimbolton toad, and forward to Mr Gladstone, of the Peep o'Dav road. A motion proponed by Warden Jones, seconded by Warden Taylor, That the necessary steps be taken for rebuilding the bridge on tha Cheltenham Cross road, wm negatived by four votes to two. In •peaking to the motion, tho Chairman •trungly objected to entertaining the proposal until anch time as tbo board was firmed into a County. Resolved, That as soon as the weather improve*, Messrs Younger and Laing be authorised to fill in tbe ruts, Ac, with 100 yards of gravel on tbe Cheltenham Cross road, at their contract price of 8s 9d per yard. Kesolved, That tondera be called for tbe delivery of ISO yards of metal on the Kimbolton road. Mr Doherty's tender for making a drain ou Torrace road, at 22s 6d, was accepted. Kesolved, Tbat tho Clerk write to Mr Eraser that the Board consider they have made him a fair offer fbr bis land, and they deline to increase it. Accouuts amounting to £'627 18a 8d were pased for payment, and the Board adjourned.