ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 37, 13 July 1874, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

OXFORD. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Road Board of the above district, was held at the office on July 10th, Present, all the members except Mr Coope. Mr Sladdin, chairman, presiding. The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed : the following correspondence was read. From chairman of committee of Road Boards, requesting suggestions relative to alteration of Roads Ordinance.

From Mr Chas. Turner, relative to a tramway in the bush. From Mr T. Stubbs relative to the ever vexing water question. Resolved: “ That the newly arrived immigrants be employed on the roads raking ruts at 5s per day ; the number so employed not to exceed ten for the present. The clerk reported having passed various pieces of metalling, and was instructed to invite tenders for forming the unformed portion of Stiffen’s road, the unformed portion of the Carlton road, and the unformed portion of Mann’s road ; also for metalling the road from T. Marsh’s cutting to Gamman’s Creek; also to make arrangements with Mr Mchrtens for metalling the lately-formed road to Heyward’s bush ; also to have the rate-book of the district ready for the inspection of the Board at next meeting ; also to inform M. Winter that his tender for forming the road across the island, East Oxford, with cuttings at each side, was accepted. Mr A. Comyns waited on the Board respecting permission to remove a hut from off the Rampaddock road, and was informed that the Board offered no objection to his doing so. The chairman was instructed to write to the Secretary for Public Works for information relative to grant for bush roads, as the opening up the bush required to be done at once. A large amount of other business having been attended to, accounts to the amount of £155 Gs 9d were passed and paid, and the Board adjourned. KOWAI. The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Road Board office, Northport, on the 6th ultimo. Members present— Messrs Samuel Coleman (chairman pro tern), J. R. Pausey, D. Gorrie, and W. M'Adam. The minutes of the last general meeting, which was held on June Ist, and of a special meeting, which was held on June 19th, were read and confirmed. The surveyor reported receipts since last meeting, amounting to £6 3s ; £9OO also had been paid to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand by the Provincial Treasurer, being a portion of the Road Board grant which was due "in March last. The balance to the credit of the Board was £1319 10s. Application was made by Mr Stringer to have a bridge placed across source of Saltwater Creek.

The Board instructed the surveyor to examine and report upon the nature of the bridge required. The surveyor was instructed to write to Mr John M'Farlan to thank him for his offer in giving a roadway through his land on the Ashley.

Mr Speers and other residents on the Lower Scfton road waited on the Board, offering to subscribe towards making another road through their sections in lieu of the road by Topp’s and Iliucman’s, as that road would only benefit one or two parties. Mr Topp refused to allow any roadway through his land;

The Board decided to leave the matter for consideration at another meeting, to allow the surveyor time to make inquiries respecting the road.

Mr W. Thompson waited upon the Board, and the Board agreed to give him £2O in satisfaction of his claim.

Mr Ashworth waited upon the Board with regard to the road by his house at Little Brown’s bridge, and requesting that some steps might be taken to make it more passable.

The surveyor was instructed to report upon the road in question. A letter was read from Mr Charles Harper, requesting the Board to have certain works carried out on the Railway Reserve road. The surveyor reported upon the road, and recommended forming those portions of the road between Bracken Creek and Mr Fendall’s, in continuation of those parts already formed, and also for easing the gradients of the various cuttings, and metalling the same.

The Board decided to have such works carried out, and instructed the surveyor to get specifications prepared and advertise for tenders.

A letter was read from Mr Thos. Hannah, stating that the railway embankment had prevented a great many from getting to their land, and requesting that some steps might be taken to remedy the inconvenience. The surveyor having reported that this would be very necessary, ns the road which was at present used passed through private property, and the railway embankment had prevented traffic on the road. The Board decided that the portion of the Mount Grey road, from junction with Sefton road, going west until it reaches that part already formed, should be made, specifications to be prepared and tenders to be advertised for. Resolved that the surveyor communicate with the Secretary for Public Works, offering the present Road Board office, situated at Northport, for emigration purposes, and requesting that a sum of money be granted for the purpose of erecting a new office on Reserve No 252; also suggesting that a less expensive building would meet the requirements of the Board.

The surveyor’s report was rvad and considered.

Resolved that several important works be carried out, and that specifications be prepared and tenders advertised for, to be considered at the next meeting, which will be held at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Leithfield, on August 3rd. Accounts amounting to £299 8s ll£d, as per pay-sheet, were passed and ordered to be paid; and the Board adjourned.