ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 8, 9 June 1874, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

ELLESMERE. A meeting of the Ellesraere Road Board was held at the Road Board's office, Leeston, June Ist. The following members were preaent—o. J. Bridge (chairman), J. Rennie, G. B. Woodman and R. Lockhead. The minutes of meetings held on. May 6th and Bth were read and confirmed. A letter read from Mr C.A.Fitzroy, tendering his resignation as a member of the Road Board.

The Board accepted his resignation, and it was decided to call a meeting of the ratepayers to fill the vacancy on Wednesday, July Ist, at 12 o'clock ; in the event of a poll being demanded, it will take place the same day, closing at 5 o'clock p.m. A petition, signed by Messrs Jollie, Cryer, and 42 others, was read, asking for the formation of portion of the North Rakaia road leading past the little Rakaia school Dobbin's corner to the termination of present contract from McCormick's corner.

The Board decided to continue the formation to the junction of Cryer's road, and to clear the road, and fill in gullies as far as Dobbin's corner, and likewise to make Cryer's road passable from Thompson's corner to Brown's corner.

Messrs Nixon and Body appeared before tbe Board asking for assistance in cutting a drain on side of section 9715, and offering to do 10 chains next the creek provided the Board undertake to cut the next 20 chains. The overseer was instructed to call for tenders.

Mr Lahie asked to have six chains of the continuation of Bridge's and Tamutu road formed. Granted. Mr Minchiner asked for repairs to be done on Hart's road, between Timber Depot road and the Lake road. Granted.

Mr Sherratt applied to have the Killinchy drain carried 10 chains further up, offering to find one-third of thp cost, and undertaking to do the whole work for 12s per chain.

A letter was read from Mr W. Wilkins complaining that the contractor on the branch drain had not carried out his contract properly. It was resolved to reply that the Board recognises the necessity of deepening the drain as soon as the weather permits. A letter was read from Mr Loe, asking to have a portion of Collison's creek nearest the main road cleared. The Board decided to allow Mr Loe £6 to clear thirty-eight chains, the work to be carried out in accordance with the clearing of the creek now being done by Mr Loe.

A letter was read from Mr Dodd in reference to the outlet of Tamutu creek, in which he states that having completed his part of the work, he hopes the Board would carry out their portion. The overseer was instructed to report.

A letter was read from Mr Robt.McNeill in reference to the water collecting at the outlet to the drain opposite section 8442. The overseer was instructed to report on it.

A letter was read from Mr McLachlan in reference to the enlargement of side drain on the Drain road in front of his section, in consequence of a recent diversion of water. The Board agreed to do the work, on condition that Mr McLachlan contribute the same amount as was contributed by others to the enlargement of the drain.

The overseer was instructed to write to the Railway contractor in reference to the diversion of some water.

A letter read from Mr Lawrence, asking for half the cost of clearing 26 chains side ditch on the Lower Killinchy road. Granted. An application from the overseer for an increase of salary to the amount of £25 per annum, on account of the great increase of work was granted. On the subject of drainage and want of special legislation in Road Board matters, letters were received from the Spring's, Lincoln and Ashburton Boards, stating their hearty concurrence in the matter.

It was resolved that the chairman be requested to ask the chairmen of the Road Boards to meet in Christchurch to discuss the present Road Ordinance before the meeting of the General Assembly. The chairman was requested to apply to the Government for the erection of the following immigrants' cottages,viz., 2 at Southbridge, 2 at Leeston, and 2 at Brookside. The Board decided to strike a rate of 6d in the pound. The overseer's report was read and considered. The pay sheet amounting to £593 3s lOd was examined and passed. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. EYRETON. The usual meeting of this Board was held on June Ist. Present —Messrs Dixon (chairman), Bradley, Coup, and Wilson. The surveyor's report was read and considered. Letters were read — From the Minister of Public Works Office, Wellington, acknowledging receipt of petition from owners of land in the neighbourhood of the Kaiapoi-Eyreton railway line, stating that every effort had been made to procure the land along the road at a reasonable rate without success, and Mr Richardson regretted that he was obliged to decline to comply with the prayer of the petition. From Assistant Secretary for Public Works, acknowledging receipt of letter in reference to repairs of White's bridge. From the Provincial Treasurer, advising payment of £375 to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand, Kaiapoi. From Mr R. Dailey, advising the Board to accept Mr Vincent's tender for shingling the north Eyre road. The Chairman stated the Board could not accept any tenders at present, as it was not settled on which side the railway was to From Hanmer and Harper, solicitors for Mr H. Revell, in reference to the Tram road drain, which he, being present, subsequently withdrew.

The Board agreed to allow Mr Revell £5 towards cutting a drain from the Tram road to the river, the work to be done to the satisfaction of the surveyor.

Messrs Murphy and ChiltoD, who were present, drew the attention of the Board to earth works which had been made on the bed of the river Eyre, on reserve 380, asking if permission had been given to do the work, and if so, would the Board make a small channel, or have the obstruction cleared away. It was decided that Messrs Coup and Bjadley and the surveyor meet Messrs

Murphy and Chilton to decide as to what ought to be done. Mr Butter's application to have a bridge built over the creek crossing the road between sections 12606 and 6323. The surveyor was instructed to report on the application at next meeting. It was decided that Mr Stonyer be requested to build a proper bridge over the mill-race crossing the Mill road, and give a guarantee to be responsible for any accidents which might happen, and maintain it in repair, or to have the race filled up forthwith. A number of works were ordered to be tendered for. Tenders were considered for supplying shingle on Mill road, widening Bradley's road, and Island road, cutting drain and widening Oxford and Ohoka road, forming Smith's and Hey ward's road. It was resolved to make and levy a rate of ninepence in £ on the rateable property in the district payable on or before July Ist. The rate list was then signed by the chairman. Accounts amounting to £275 19s 4d were passed'for payment. SPRINGS. A meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday last. Present: Messrs Curry (chairman), O'Callaghan, Beaumont, Ranger, and W. B. Andrew. The surveyor's report was then read. The surveyor stated that there were £568 8s 6d to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand. He had passed M. Ford and Co.'s contract for deepening Andrews' drain, and Harrison's for cleaning Dudley's drain and the drain along section 8756. He also strongly advocated the use of stone culverts, and urged the Board to repair the main roads before the wet weather commenced. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works, in answer to an inquiry of the Board relative to the Southbridge and Racecourse railway, and stating that they would inquire of the General Government the reason of the delay. From the same, informing the Board that he had forwarded Mr John Anderson's tender for the iron girder bridge over the LI river to the Provincial Engineer for him to report on. From the same, stating that they would sanction the Board's acceptance of Mr Fowler's tender for erecting five cottages on the reserves in the district, and stating that Government are not prepared to erect more than those at present authorised. F-om Mr J. Hill, respecting the valuation of the district, and offering to do the same in conjunction with Mr Archer for the sum of £75. Tenders were then opened for the following works : For the erection of two wooden bridges over the LI and No 2 rivers. A tender accepted. The tender for the concrete and wooden bridge over the LI river was rejected as too high. Forming fifty chains of Watts'road. A tender accepted. Forming twenty-five chains Serjeants' road. A tender accepted. Forming twenty-five chains Hudson's road. A tender accepted. Deepening thirty-five chains of Powell's drain at its outfall into the No 2 river. A tender accepted. The following resolutions were then passed: —" That a copy of the chairman's letter of the 15th December last be forwarded to the Secretary for Public Works, and that the attention of the Government be drawn to the fact that since that letter was forwarded several large sales of both dry and swamp land in the Springs district have taken place, and also that the Board are now compelled by the requirements of the district to erect three expensive bridges out of the funds, in addition to the iron girder bridge at Lincoln." " That Messrs Hill and Archer be employed to make an assessment of the district at £75." '■ That the surveyor be requested to report upon the desirability of having Alington's road formed through Messrs Palmer and Co's property." "That tenders be invited for the following works : For keeping the main coach road from the Selwyn river to Lincoln in repair for the space of one year. For forming eighty chains of Carter's road. For cleansing eighty chains of Murray's drain." Accounts, amounting to £248 7s lOd, having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned till Tuesday, 10th June, at eleven a.m. AKAROA AND WAINUI. A meeting of this Board was held on Saturday, the 30th ult., all the members being present. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A telegram was received from the Secretary for Public Works, instructing the Board to proceed with the necessary repairs to a portion of the Little River road on the Little River side of the range, and in compliance therewith the clerk was directed to invite tenders for repairing and metalling the portion of road referred to. Letter was received from Mr C. Bates offering to contribute one-half the labor, providing that the Board will have the road formed to the land in his occupation in French Farm Bay. The consideration of Mr. Bates's offer was was deferred until the construction of the Wainui road diversion was completed. A memorial was received from the inhabitants of Akaroa relative to improvements required in the town of Akaroa. J. Vangioni's tender for the formation of the Jetty road, head of the bay, and Meesrs. T. and G. Brough's tender for Pigeon Bay road improvements were accepted. The tenders received for metalling on the Little River ioad were not accepted, and it was ordered that fresh tenders be invited for the supply of, carting.and spreading metal on the Little River road, and also on the main road in Duvauchelle's and German Bay. It was resolved that the line of road from French Faim towards Wainui as laid out by Mr R. M. Cotton, C.E., be recommended to the Government for adoption. Mr H. Edmondson waited on the Board, and stated that he could not complete his contract for barning the bush from the Okain's line of road, as jit was now too late in the season. The Board decided to release H. Edmondson from the further completion of his contract. The pay sheet, amounting to £94 10s 6d, was passed for payment, and the meeting then adjourned,