ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 52, 30 July 1874, Page 3

ROAD BOARDS.

HEATHCOTE. This Board met on Thursday, 23rd July. All the members were present. The clerk reported he had received during the fortnight—Ordinary road rates, £75 18s 6d ; Waimakariri, £4 14s fid ; total, £BO 7s 3d.

The clerk was directed to write to the Government, calling their attention to a letter sent by the Board rc culvert under the railway at Jackson’s Creek, and also to the bad state of the railway drains generally in the Plcathcote district, the same not having been cleaned out for upwards of two years. He drain at Waltham—The chairman of the Board, being also a member of the

drainage committee, informed the Board that Mr Gadd, the contractor for the drain, liad applied to the drainage committee for the payment of his contract, but that the committee had refused to comply with the same, as the work was not properly carried out.

The Board approved of the action taken in the matter.

The clerk was directed to advertise for tenders for revising and assessing the district, the same to be sent in by Thursday next. The following correspondence was read

From the Secretary of Public Works re Government grant, and stating that the sum of £ 180 was about to bo placed to the Board’s credit.

From the same, asking the members to meet the Government at the Government Buildings re employment of immigrants on Ferry road drain, &c. The chairman stated that the interview had taken place, and that the matter had been debated and was still pending. From the same re Dyers’ Pass road and General Government grant of £2Ol. To be acknowledged, and informed that the Board was surprised by the action taken by the Government in the matter, as the Board had made arrangements for the opening up of new roads which were of urgent necessity to the ratepayers and public generally, and did not contemplate having the money placed to the credit of the Dyer’s Pass road, and beg to enter a protest against the same, as the whole of the district is made to suffer for the benefit of one or two non-ratepayers. From the same, requiring information respecting house room for and employment of immigrants in the district. To be acknowledged, informing the Government that the Board have no funds at its disposal to comply with the request contained in their letter of the 17th instant, as the same has been allocated for works which, as a rule, must be let by contract and out of reach of the barracks, and that neither does the Board know of any accommodation in the district suitable for immigrants. In connection with first part of the letter it was afterwards resolved, by the Board, that the chairman and Messrs Marden and Attwood interview the Government again, and see if any arrangements could be made for lowering the road and filling up the Ferry-road drain, that being a work that would have to be done, and that it was the only suitable way Iho Board saw of assisting the Government as required. From the same informing the Board, if it saw no objection, that the Government desired to appoint John Ballinger as bridgekeeper at the Heathcote. To be informed that the Board saw no objection to the appointment ; also, that the lease runs out on the 30th of September next. From Mr R. J. Loughnan, re obstructions on the River road to Opawa. To be informed that the matter will be attended to, as the road is in progress. From Mr H. B. Johnstone, re road at Sumner. The clerk to write requesting Mr Johnstone to send the Board a tracing of the road, and also the amount he is prepared to contribute towards making the same. From Mr J. S, Williams re gravel pit.

To be informed that the Board and Mr Sycamore appear to be the transgressors in the matter, and that the Board is willing to join in doing its share in filling up the hole complained of. Tenders for gravelling Going's road were opened, and one at 2s !)d per yard accepted. A petition from the labor gang re wages and hours of work was received, but the Board decided that it could not agree to the request contained in petition. The foreman was directed to put a new culvert in by Inncss’ brewery, and the same was to be charged to the Heathcote and Spreydon drainage committee.

Accounts to the amount of £195 Os 9d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.

AVON. A special meeting of the Avon Road Board took place on the 22nd instant. All the members present, Mr E. G. Wright in the chair.

The minutes of the ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. The chairman stated that Mr Walkden told him he was an applicant for the city surveyorship, and that as chairman of the Board he had given him the testimonial, a copy of which he read. The members expressed themselves pleased that Mr Walkden had been appointed, and with the action the chairman had taken. A letter was read from Mr Walkden tendering his resignation as surveyor to the Board.

It was resolved that it be accepted, and his engagement with the Board to terminate on the 22ud August.

The Board then considered two letters received from the Government enquiring how many of the newly arrived immigrants could be employed by the Board, and would assist in any works undertaken to employ such labor by paying one third of the cost of carrying it on. The chairman stated that he had seen the Government on the matter, and what had transpired at the interview. The Board resolved that the following works be put in hand at once, under the conditions named in the circular of the Secretary of Public Works : Forming and shingling Preston’s road, from Harris’s to the north-east corner of laud in the occupation of Messrs Hawkins. Re-forming and shingling the North road, from Abbott’s to Mr Garrick’s.

Also forming and shingling the road connecting the first mentioned work (Preston’s road) and the Bottle Lake road, about 145 chains, conditionally upon subscriptions being raised to the amount of one fourth the cost.

The chairman was authorized to buy a safe for the office, and the Board adjourned.