ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 44, 21 July 1874, Page 3

ROAD BOARDS.

RICCARTON.

A special meeting of this Board wag held on Saturday, the 18th inst. All the members present ; Mr G. A. Durey in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting wera read and coufirmed.

A letter was read from Mr Boag, giving fourteen days' notice of his intention to close roads intersecting section 199 at Fendaltown.

The Chairman Btated that he had convened this meeting to consider the above letter in order that steps might be taken to prevent the stoppage of trafic.

After considerable discussion it was resolved that Mr Boag's letter be forwarded to the Secretary for Public Works, and that the Government be informed that the roads proposed to be closed were laid off at Mr Boag's instigation, and were formed and metalled by the Government before Road Boards were constituted.

It was also resolved that the surveyor be instructed to open up the reserve road to the Avon Head road in the event of Mr Boag closing up the roads intersecting section 199.

The surveyor was directed to report at next meeting in terms of the Public Health Act on all nuisances tending to affect the public health. It was resolved that the ordinary meeting in future be held on the first Saturday in each month at 10.30 a.m , instead of on Wednesdays as heretofore. The meeting then adjourned.

MANDEVILLE AND RANGIORA.

A meeting of this Board was held on Friday last, at which all the members were present except Mr Wilson. Mr H. Blackott occupied the chair. The minutes of the preceding meeting wer« confirmed, and the surveyor's report was received.

Mr Norrie had an interview with the Board, respecting the erection of foot- bridges on the Cam Road, and the surveyor having reported on their present state, it was resolved that his suggestions be carried out, and that Mr Norrie be empowered to do the work satisfactorily for the sum of £B, the Board providing the timber.

Mr Tatchett waited on the Board and asked that the water now running in the ditch in front of his section might be diverted into the Main Drain, at the extreme boundary of his section. It was resolved that the surveyor report upon it at the next meeting. The clerk was authorised to procure some copies of the Roads Ordinance and Highways Ordinance for reference. A tender was accepted for forming 46 chains Todd's road. Only one tender being being sent in for the formation of the Drain road footpath, it was deemed advisable to postpone the work for a while. No tenders were received for shingling Northbrook road. A letter was read from Mr Power Flaxton, offering to sell the Board an acre of land for a gravel pit, for £45, having five chains frontage on Boys' direct road. It was decided that the offer be accepted, and that the conveyance be made at once.

A letter was read from Mr Bowie, disclaiming the responsibility of repairing the banks of the Ravenswood mill race, but it was resolved that the clerk write informing him that the Board hold him responsible for auy damage that the mill race may do. A petition signed by Messrs Stephens, Bell, and others, asking that a footpath be formed from the Plough Inn to Bell's road, was read, and the surveyor was instructed to have the path formed as far as the gully at present. A letter was read from Mr Hossack with reference to the Mairaki road, and the clerk was instructed to write conveying the intention of the Board in the matter.

A letter was read from Mr Henry, Eaiapoi Beach road, complaining of the bad state of that road, and the clerk was instructed to communicate with Mr Mcintosh respecting the sale of land, as previously arranged, preparatory to further action being taken in the matter.

Mr Duncan requested that the holes in the Drain road, caused by the fire, might be filled up, and that portion where the drain has overflowed be repaired. The surveyor was instructed to see to this when practicable. Letters were read from the Secretary for Public Works, with reference to the appointment of Mr Porter as poundkeeper at Woodend ; advising payment of £592 to the credit of the Board in the Treasury ; also, enclosing forms of application for General Government grant; also, one referring to purchase of land from natives, stating that, the Government would contribute £SO towards the work ; also, circular asking the Board how many immigrants can be employed, and whether accommodation can be procured for them.

A telegram was also received from his Honor the Superintendent on the same subject, and the clerk was instructed to reply to both, stating that the Board would employ several hands as soon as lodging accommodation could be procured for them.

The clerk was also instructed to write to Mr Stack, advising him of the payment of £2O, on a receipt being given for the cost of the land purchased from the native*. The surveyor was authorised to make certain repairs to the bridge over main drain at Flaxton, and to rebuild the one on the Flaxton Church road.

Accounts amounting to £251 7s 2d were duly signed and ordered to be paid. The surveyor reported that tho bridge over drain would be opened next week ; that it was safe for drays to cross now, but that the handrailing was not yet erected. The Board then adjourned.

ASHBURTON. A special meeting of this Board took place on Thursday the 16th instant, all members being present, with the exception of the chairman, Mr John Grigg. On the motion of Mr Alfred Saunders, Mr Robert Miller was voted to the chair.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr J. T. Winter waited upon the Board re a petition of diversion of township road to Winchmcre.

Mr Miller presented a counter-petition, and after a somewhat lengthened discussion, Mr Winter withdrew his application.

The following correspondence was disposed of:—

From Secretary of Public Works, referring to contracts in the South Rakaia District. Resolved —" That all contracts connected with the above district, be handed over J the South Rakaia Road Board at once."

In reply to a circular from the Secretary of Public Works, the clerk was directed to state, that at present this Board keeps eleven men employed, and will shortly be m a position to take on six or seven additional hands. Also—" That the Domain Board of the District will be able to employ a few hands ; but that it should be known that no accommodation whatever exists in the township for working men. From the Secretary for Public Works regarding diversion of South road, south and Kiver Ashburton, as well as on north of south bank of River Hinds. The clerk was instructed to write to the effect that this Board will accept a road on the east side and the Great South road, south of the Ashburton, if the Government will grant a title ; also, to strongly point out the present impassable state of the road, and to request an immediate reply. The overseer of the Board applied personally for. an increase of salary, and the Board granted him an addition of £3O per annum. Mr Leatham waited on the Board re Long Beach contract.

It was resolved not to enforce a deduction made by the surveyor, on account of certain gates and fences running across portions of his contract line ; but that otherwise Mr Leatham must fulfil his contract according to specification. The clerk was directed to apply to Government for six copies of Boad Board Ordinance for :use of members and office. AlbO, to enquire as to what clauses of the Highway Empowering Ordinance are in force in this district.

The overseer was instructed to serve out to the several drivers of the Board weekly rations for the horses.

After transacting some routine business, the Board adjourned to Tuesday, the 4th August next.