Manchester Road Board.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 260, 8 May 1897, Page 2

Manchester Road Board.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the tbo ve body was held yesterd ay. Present -Messrs F. Y. Lethbridgc, G. Wheeler, a J. Booth, D. Thomas, J. Purkiss, W. &. Poarce. Resolved, That Mr Lethbridge be sbairiuan and Mr Wheeler treasnrer for the ensuing year. CorresyoudeDce was received and dealt with as follows :— From H. Tremewan, asking that his namo be placed on rate roll for sections (5, 56 and 57. Asburst, in place of Mrs Fisher ; also, asking that the rate on section 57 be reduced as the house was burnt down. From T. Lowes, requesting a reduction of rates on the property known as the Gorge Hotel, Ashurst.— Board conld not reduce rate as there was no license at the time of the valuation. From A. Berthelson, asking permission to erect fence three feet on road fronting section 42, Nannestad's road.-' Permission granted. From District Engineer Railway Department, stating instructions had been given to clear vegetation out of drains complained of. From Manager Bank of N.Z. re formal resolution re overdraft. — Resolution passed making overdraft limit £2,500. From J. PurkiM, re gravelling contract; also, that the Halcombe Town Board were willing to pay half cost of metalling roads specified. From Gardner Bros- complaining that Mr Cotter had placed an obstacle across the road for a gate, viz., a couple of rails and a horse cover, and requesting that the Board give their attention to the matter.— The clerk to write to Mr Cotter informing him that he must ereot better gates. Mr Gardner waited on the Board with reference to fences erected on ro»d line by Mr Cotter, who had placed gates in inconvenient places; he asked for the removal of the Rates as travellers could not get along from the Gorge to Fitzherbert East without encroaching on Mr Cotter's land. Mr Cotter had put fences up to jam them into gullies, picking out the worst places to fence first. He asked to be given a clear road line as they were at present greatly inconvenienced in driving stock. The chairman explained that owing to tho floods the committee appointed to inspect (he road in question were unable to meet, but would do so on Monday week, May 17th. They (the Board) would do what they could to meet Messrs Gardner Bros, in the matter. From J. Pnrkiss stating that the Onepuhi natives requested that the impound* in? of their horses and oattle should not be continued as their fences had been washed away. From Mayor of Feilding Borough, Mr W. A. L. Biiley, suggesting a conference of chairmen of local bodies to discuss desirability of forming a River Board. From Arch. Grey requesting that the name of Alex, Grey be placed on rate roll in place of his for sections 8 and 10, Midland road. From D. Matbeson, stating the traffic was cutting up road through his property and that abont ten yards of gravel would put it in order. — Left in hands of Engineer. From G. C. Hill, Clerk Feilding Borough Council, enclosing resolution passed by Council expressing the opinion that it was undesirable at present to reinstate Menzies bridge. From Owen Pleasanta, applying for use of unused portion of Penelope road ; also, requesting that about four chains of tha same road, be cleared to permit dray traffic. From Treasury, re application for .£3OO loan for repairs to Onepuhi bridge, stating it could not be granted as the Rangitikei County Council had to take certain necessary legal steps to raise further loan ; also, re Proctor's Hill loan. From J. W. Marshall, chairman Rangitikei Connty Conncil, enclosing resolution passed by that local body affirming that it was necessary to erect a temporary bridge at Onepuhi. Mr Marshall stated their Engineer estimated the cost of putting a temporary bridge ovet the main stream was £210. He had interviewed the Minister for Lands requesting assistance from the Government and felt confident they would receive a grant From clerk Rangitikei County Council, stating that as the Treasury refused to grant the additional loan applied for, for repairs to Onepubi bridge, as the audit office held that the present warrant did not empower the raising of loans, it was necessary to take steps to obtain a fresk warrant ; consequently it was necessary to get the consent of the contributing bodies to a fresh warrant apportioning the cost of the estimated cost (£1000) of repairing the bridge. This loan was to cover cost of work already completed. This board's share of cost was «ne-third. Proposed by Mr Wheeler seconded by Mr Booth, That this Board consents to contribute the proportion allotted to it for the last repairs to the late Onepubi bridge.— Carried. Proposed by Mr Purkiss seconded by Mr Wheeler, That the Rangitikei Connty Council be requested not to expend any moneys on repairs to Onepuhi bridge as this Board is of opinion that it would be throwing money away in erecting a temporary structure. — Carried. Mr Pearce stated that ratepayers were complaining at what they considered unnecessary delay and expenditure on the culvert at the foot of Proctor's Hill, which they considered very unsatisfactory. In reply the Engineer explained the cause of the delay was owing to unavoidable circumstances and that the additional expense would not be more than £2, Also, by putting in the culvert independently of the contract they would ensure its being put in properly. Resolved. That it is the intention of this Board to make a general rate of five eights of a penny in the £ on the whole of the rateable property within the district ; such rate to be payable in one sum on May 9, 1897. Resolved, That the Engineer have the road asked for by Mr Pleasants made fit for dray traffic according to his latter ; also, that Mr Plea*ants offer to lease part of Penelope road be accepted if the engineer's report is favorable. Resolved, That the action of Warden for No. 2 and Engineer in accepting the tenders of Bebrent and Kmger for metalling Pearce, Yogel and Sherwill streets, and A. Natske for Reid's line, be approved. Resolved That an answer be sent to the Feilding Borough Council informing ;hat body this Board has no intention of re instating Menzies bridge ; also, that when the permanent repairs are made to the Aorangi bridge no piles but iron bark will be used. Resolved, That the clerk inform all roadmen in this Board's employ when sending in their time to state the roads worked on ; also number of days work done on each road. Accounts were passed for payment. Proposed by Mr Wheeler, seconded by Mr Purkiss, That the Board's inspector take the necessary steps to bave the gorse, briars, etc, cleared from the roads by those owners who have allowed them to spread through the district —Carried. Mr Remnant waited on the Board to request that Penelope road bo made passable for vehicular traffic. Resolved, That the Engineer bs instructed to bave Penelope road put in good repair. Mr A. Natzke waited on tho Board with reference to his metalling contract on Reid's line, which Mi Poaice bad

stopped as he (the contractor) wa3 nsin { drays with narrow tyres and cutting u[ the toad, which would do more barn than good. Mr Natzke asked to be re lieved of the contract as he intended tc ■ell bis plant. The Engineer stated it would be better to leave the completion of the work on til next summer. Resolved, That Mr Nateke's contract for metalling on Reid's lino be determined and that his deposit be returned and he be paid for metal delivered. According to notice of motion Mr Pearce moved, and Mr Thomas seconded, That in view of the damage caused by the late floods, it is considered inadvisable to proceed further with the preparation of plans for a wooden pile bridge across the Manawatu river at the lower gorge ; and that the resolution passed at a meeting of the Manchester Koad Board held on August 1, 1896, instructing the chairman to have plans prepared for a bridge with iron bark piles be rescinded.— Carried. Proposed by Mr Wheeler, seconded by Mr Booth, Tbat plans be prepared for a cylinder bridge across the lower ferry at the Manawatu Gorge and the cost of construction be apportioned as follows : — One fourth Manchester Goad Board ; one fourth among tue following local bodies, viz., the Fitzherbert Road Board, the Pahiatua County Council, Waipawa County Council, Palmerston and Wood■ville Borough Councils, Manawatu Road Board ; the remaining two-fourths the Government subsidy of £ for £ provided by the local bodies.— Carried. Resolved, That in reply to the Mayor of Feilding ro forming River Board that tho chairman of this board be appointed to attend meeting. The Board then adjourned.