ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 36, 11 July 1874, Page 3

ROAD BOARDS.

HEATHCOTE.

This Board met on Thursday, July 9th. All the members were present. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk reported he had received rent of swing bridge, £l7 18s 4d; Waimakariri rates, £4 7s sd; ordinary road rates, £73 14s 2d. ' Total, £95 I9a lid. Mr Pepperell waited on the Board, when it was agreed that the chairman, Messrs Ness and Marden, should visit the road leading to Messrs Pepperell’s property, and report on the same at next meeting. The following correspondence was read : From Gas Company, complaining of the bad state of the gas works road. To be informed the same is now being attended to.

From Heathcotc and Spreydon drainage committee, stating that the drain was to be finished at once.

The clerk was directed to write in return informing the committee that the Board would expect the drainage committee to keep the holes filled up on the drain, and that they would hold the committee responsible for any damage that may happen. From Mr N. J. Suckling and others, requesting the Board to form footpaths from east belt to the nursery gardens. To be informed the Board would comply with the request on the receipt of one half ©f the cost of same, being the usual terms in such matters. From Mr A. C. Cotterell re Gravel Pit, Waltham, Messrs Fisher and Attwood agreed to see Mr Cotterell in the matter. From Mr C. J. Bridge re Road Board Ordinance. To be acknowledged, stating the Board will forward any recommendations that may be suggested by the Board for improving the said Ordinance at an early date as possible. From Mr Otley. complaining of stagnant water in ditches in Cashel street east.

The Board agreed the matter should be attended to as soon as possible. From J. M. Smith rc rates, referred to the Cl From Mr J. C. Hall re Going’s road. Agreed that tenders for 200 yards of screened shingle to put on the same be advertised for. , Specifications for improvements to tbe Sumner road had not yet been received, but but were expected from the Government in a few days. It was resolved that the labor gang be informed that their rate of wages will be reduced Is per day from the 23rd inst; In the matter of the Hill’s road, from Miss Skillicorn’s to Dyer’s Pass, it was resolved that Mr Huddleston be employed to lay out the same as far as Wing’s road ; also to lay out the River road from Marden s road to quay. , . , Messrs Attwood and Marden reported that they had seen Mr Horler re River road at the quay, who offered the use of the A road until the River road was made, but would not sell. , The Chairman repeated that he had conferred with Sir Cracroft Wilson re bridge oyer the cutting leading from his section on Hill s road, and that Sir C. Wilson would subscribe £lO towards a bridge over the same, if it was kept on a level and without prejudice to his right of drainage. , _ . Mr Garrick’s opinion re Jackson s Creek was received and perused, the Board agreed to take immediate action in the matter, and that Messrs Garrick and Cowlishaw be written to calling their attention to their letter of advice dated 20th June, 1873 ,re City Drain’and to request them to indict the City Council forthwith, in accordance with their opinion forwarded to this Board rc the Board and Christchurch City Council. Messrs Farland’s, Jackson’s, and Baker’s contracts had been completed satisfactorily, and the Board passed accounts for payment to the amount of £214 lOd, when they adjourned to Thursday, July 23rd.

SPRETDON. A meeting of the Spreydon Road Board was held on Tuesday the 7th inst. Present: all the members. The minutes of last meeting were read and Confirmed. Letters were read from J. W. Smith, requesting the Board to fill in gravel-pit fronting on section 154. The clerk was instructed to reply that there was a gravel-pit there before the Board was instituted, and it being a Government Reserve, the Board has no control over it. From the chairman to the Ellesmere Road Board, requesting the chairman of the Board to attend a meeting of chairmen of Road Boards, to consider what legislation was necessary for the amendment of the Roads Ordinance. The Board suggested that the Provincial Government be addressed, with the view of promoting a bill in the General Assembly to remove the defects. From Mr Meyroff, requesting the Board to clear drain alongside the canal reserve. The surveyor was instructed to see Mr Meyroff and try to arrange for the work. From the Riccarton Road Board in reply, agreeing to pay half the estimated cost of forming footpath on the eastern side of Lincoln road, from the Town Belt to the bridge- ... From Mr Sutherland, complaining of gravel being left unspread on the middle Lincoln road, by which an accident occurred to his servant when driving, on the eveuiug of the 9th ultimo. It was resolved to reply that the Board regrets that such a thing has occurred, and will take precautions for the future. From the Templeton Road Board, requesting the Board to pay half the cost of forming and gravelling the south road from Riccarton Church and the Springs Junction. Agreed to. The clerk was directed to apply to the Government for the balance of the Quarry road grant, and also for the General Government grant. Tenders were received for gravelling road near Mr Smart’s, forming road and footpath, Lincoln road, and one accepted in each case.

A letter from Wm. Harriss, praying for remittance of rate, was read. It was allowed on condition that he pay the Waimakiriri rate. It was resolved that a separate rate of Is in the £1 be levied on a portion of rural section 79. It was resolved that a horse be purchased for general use. Accounts to the amount of £56 Is 3d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

SPRINGS. A meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday last, at their office. There were present; Messrs A. P. O’Callagban, Jas. Beaumont, W. B. Andrew, and T. H. Ranger—Mr O’Callaghan in the chair, in the absence of Mr Curry. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. '' The Surveyor reported that he had paid into the Bank of New Zealand, to the credit of the General District rates, 1874, £3l 15s, and for 1873, £1 18s; South Waimakariri rates, 1874, £1 8s 2d, and district maps, 16s, making a total of £35 16s 2d. He had passed Gunning & Co’s contract for cleansing Day’s road drain, and had paid them the amount of their contract, ns authorised at the last meeting; J. L. Blair’s contract for forming part of the Springs and Collins road, and H. Boyle’s contract for shingling Bethel s road. Several applications had been received for the office of poundkeeper at Lincoln, but were all from persons residing out of the district, and could not see how the Board could accept any of them until they knew where they intended to reside. A petition had been received from Messrs Dudley, Matthews, and Me Alpine, asking to have the undermentioned roads formed : Bethal’s road by Ellstop’s road leading from M‘Al- - to its junction with Bethal’s road, and 70 chains of road leading from McAlpine’s homestead towards the Burnham Station, and that he had carefully examined the said roads and begged to report as follows: Bethal’s road—This road has, during the past two months, bad a great deal of heavy traffic over it, and is much cut up. He would recommend that it be formed to full width in ■the spring, so that the whole or a portion, as funds permit, could be shingled in the autumn. Road from McAlpine’s to Bethal’s This is much cut up at the top end, and is very rough. It seems to carry a considerable amount of traffic. If jthe Board decide upon doing the work it would he better to form the y,hQ le 90 chains, as the expense will not be

groat, and the road will be then complete. Hoad towards Burnham —This is the mam road from Brookside to Burnham station, and consequently much used, and as the land is fenced in the road is much cut up m wet weather. He considered the inhabitants had a fair claim on the Board for the work required, viz., forming 70 chains. A pip® culvert would be required near McAlpme s homestead. He also reported that Boyle had been engaged repairing the Selwyn end of the main coach road and the road leading to the new Selwyn bridge. He would lay before the Board at its next sitting a detailed account of the financial position of the Board. , , Letters were read from the Secretary for Public Works in reference to the distribution of the Road Board grants, as represented by the Board ; from H. Leatham, asking for an advance of £ls on his contract on the Springs road ; from R. Day, calling the attention of the Board to the condition of the culvert near his house on Collins’ road, it not being large enough to take away the storm water. Resolved, “ That Mr H, Leatham be allowed £ls on account of his contract on the Springs road. That the Board recommend that Mr Watkinson be appointed poundkeeper at Lincoln, subject to the approval of the chairman and surveyor. That the surveyor be instructed to have the river Halswell fenced off at the end of the road leading from the Ellesmere junction road ; also, to report on the bridge near Herrick’s, and.if necessary, have a pipe culvert put in. That Mr R. Doyle be informed that the culvert {referred to in his letter of the 7th inst, will be attended to as soon as the weather permits. Tenders were then opened and accepted for the following works Forming 40 chains Shahd’s road, W. Greaves and Co. ; forming 33 chains of Tramway road, Gunning and Co. ; forming 10 chains of road by Herrick’s, J. L. Blair. It was resolved to call for tenders for the following works : —Forming 100 chains of road from McAlpine’s to Bethel’s road; forming 100 chains of road from McAlpine s to Burnham station ; forming chains of the Great South road, from Selwyn to Burnham ; forming 60 chains of the Rdllcston and Springs road, by Wright’s. In answer to a letter received from Mr C. J. Bridge, chairman of the late meeting of chairmen of Road Boards, asking for suggestions and amendments to the present Road Board Ordinance, it was resolved to forward the following:-—“ That in the opinion of this Board, the whole Ordinance is very cumbrous and unworkable. It requires amending in so many particulars, that it would seem the best course for the present Ordinance to be repealed and an entirely new Ordinance passed. The following suggestions are ottered by the Board to the committee of chairmen for their consideration :—The effect of clause 66 being to take all power out of the hands of the Board of punishing persons for obstructing rivers and ditches when the district is under the jurisdiction of any Board of Conservators, the clause requires amending

to leave such power in the hands of the Road Board in all cases. Clause 68 should be made to apply to private individuals, as well as to an adjoining Road Board. Clause 71 should be so amended as to require Boards to take proper precaution against accidents on all highways under their control at all times, as well as during the execution of any works, or stoppage of any road. These are in addition to those which the Board under* stand have already been brought under the notice of the committee. ASHBURTON. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton Road Board was held at their offices on Tuesday, July 7th. All the members were present, and Mr Grigg, the chairman, presided. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The surveyor’s report was read, and also a report on all existing contracts by Messrs Bruce and Fooks. Moved by Mr Miller, “That the Board cannot recognise Mr Scott as acting on behalf of the company, except by power of attorney.” A petition was read from residents in Wakanui road, praying for Jformalion of road past sections 16,056 and 15,745. Keferred to the surveyor to report upon. Moved by Mr Fooks, “That the clerk write to Mr Hassall, stating that the Board will accept his offer of £SO towards drainage in connection with Coldstream swamp road, subject to the former account for drainage due by the company, as rendered, being settled, the Board allowing half cost of making con* tinuation of drain out of Bull’s creek. A letter was read from the chairman of the committee of Road Boards, seeking suggestions from the Ashburton Road Board. It was moved by Mr Fooks, and resolved—- “ That a special meeting of the Board be called for Thursday, July 16th, to consider alterations required in the Road Board Ordinance.”

A letter from overseer re augmentation of salary was read, and it was resolved —“ That no increase be granted, and that no rent be charged for cottage and forage be [allowed for one horse.”

Resolved—” That the clerk be offered £IOO increase of salary, per annum, to act as clerk of works and superintend contracts under the direction of Mr Bruce, the surveyor.

A tender for supply of black birch at 22s 6d per 100 feet delivered, was accepted ; and one for the supply of V.D.L. timber at 24s 6d per 100 feet, delivered, was accepted. Mr Winter had an interview with the Board, re diversion of road from township to Winchmore. Resolved—" That no action be taken till Mr Winter produces plans and private letter purporting to be signed by chairman of Board agreeing to diversion. Mr Miller applied for certain works to be done near Winchmore station to carry off superabundant water. The surveyor was instructed to carry out certain works in townships conditionally on residents interested paying half the cost of same.

The clerk was directed to apply to Government for amount paid on South Rakaia contracts ; also for diversion on McLean’s road.

It was resolved to lengthen the culverts on Long Beach road ; to apply to the Government for a grant to erect ten cottages ; to purchase a pile engine, three horses, and a dray. The clerk was instructed to write to Mr C. Reed, re fences erected across the roads ; to Mr Crosbie, demanding payment for drain pipes ; to the Mount Somers Road Board, asking payment of limber account. After transacting some other business, and passing accounts to the amount of £llßs 18s yjd, the Board adjourned.