ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 61, 10 August 1874, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

ASHLEY. A meeting of this Board was held on the 3rd inst, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court. Leithfield. Members present—Messrs C. F. Pemberton (chairman), W. M‘Adam, Daniel Gorrie, and Samuel Coleman. Since the last meeting of the Board a sura of £7lO 10s bad been placed to their credit at the Bank of New Zealand, Kaiapoi, by the Provincial Treasurer, being the first instalment of the sum of £9842 which was allotted to the Board for the general purposes of the district. The balance to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand, Kaiapoi, amounted to £I7BB 16s 2d. Various tenders were accepted. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works stating that in order to meet the great demand for house accommodation for immigrants now here, and shortly to arrive, the Government would give a sum of money not exceeding £lO through the Road Board for each hut of sods or other description erected for the use of immigrants, such huts to be erected on Government reserves in the district, and would allow occupation for twelve months rent free. Resolved that the surveyor communicate with the Secretary for Public Works for fuller particulars. A deputation of the Kowai protective works committee, consisting of Messrs W. C, Fendall, Woodhouse, and Baldwin, waited upon the Board with reference to the payment of certain sums due by the protective works committee. The Chairman of the Board informed the deputation that there was a balance of £ls 10s due to that account, which the Board would pay to the order of the protective works committee. Mr Fendall, chairman of the committee, stated that as the committee had resigned, they had not the power to certify to any works that had been carried out. The Chairman of the Board said, as far as he was personally concerned, he could not see his way clear to sanction the payment of any amounts to the protective works committee without the authority of either the chairman of the committee, or any officer to whom they had given instructions to superintend the works. Mr Fendall said the surveyor to the Board at the time had superintended the works, and given certain orders for materials, and that he considered the Board were responsible for the actions of their officer. The Chairman of the Board pointed out that the present Board were not in existence when the liabilities of the committee were incurred ; and further, that the fact of any Board lending the services of an officer to any other body, in his opinion did not render such Board liable for the actions of such officer under the instructions of such body, Mr Coleman wished to know to whom the committee had tendered their resignation, and was informed by Mr Fendall that their resignation had been sent in to the present Board. Mr McAdam considered that the committee’s resignation had not been accepted by the Board, and could not see why the committee after getting their officer entangled should come to the Board and wish them to take over all further responsibility. Mr Gorrie concurred in that view of the matter. The Board being unanimous, the Chairman informed the deputation that further than pay what money there was in hand (on receipt of their order) they could not incur any further responsibility on behalf of the district. The surveyor’s report was read, but owing to the length of time taken in discussion with the protective works committee, the Board could not give it their full consideration. The surveyor was instructed to have the assessment of the district prepared before the Ist September. The paysheet, amounting to £304 2s 2d, was examined, and passed for payment. The Board then adjourned. SOUTH RAKA.IA. A meeting of this Board was held on Thursday, 30th ult. The chairman, Mr Wason, and Messrs Mackie, Alington and Coster, present The specification of the Mackie and Eollestou streets formation having been altered, and several of the tenders sent in evincing ignorance of the amendment, it was resolved that tenders be re-invited. The footpath to school was let by private contract. The whole of the work on Mount Hutt, after being a second time opened to public tender, was let. It was resolved to advertise the metalling of the main Rakaia road and also the Alford Forest road. Considerable discussion ensued upon the reading of a communication from Secretary for Public Works, relative to the building of huts for immigrants, ending in the chairman being instructed to communicate to the Government the willingness and preparation of the Board to erect accommodation as suggested, provided the Government pay the entire cost, and to communicate to Government the opinion of the Board as to the inadequacy of the provision for the purpose suggested. The Board stands adjourned to Thursday, 20th August.