ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 69, 20 August 1874, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

ASHBURTON. A meeting of the Ashburton Road Board was held at their office on Tuesday, August 18th. , , Messrs S. Cole and Stevenson had an interview with the Board re the South Rakaia contracts.

Mr Middleton had an interview on same subject. Tenders were opened for forming and metalling section No 1 Great South road, south of Ashburton ; also for forming and metalling Burnett street, Ashburton township. In both cases a tender was accepted.

An application from C. Smith (overseer) for payment of £23 2s for extra horse hire, June-December, 1873, was allowed, on the understanding that no further demand be made on the Board, and that any future expenses that the overseer may be forced to incur in the execution of the Board’s work be presented for payment at the first monthly meeting after same has been incurred. The surveyor was authorised to hire all necessary drain and tip carts to keep the different gangs employed, also to hire a spring cart whenever required An application from Mr G. Parker re cottages was not acceded to. It was resolved that the third cottage of Mr Parker’s contract be built adjoining one of the other two. The surveyor was instructed to have wells sunk near the newly-erected cottages. It was resolved that Mr Moffatt be written to to fill up the water-race cut by Mr Moore 10 chains from its outfall into the river. The surveyor was instructed to prepare a rough estimate of the cost of the most economical cottages. It was resolved that Mr Manson be allowed the half cost of the drain on the Boundary road.

Mr Gilmore had an interview with the Board rc contract on Jackson’s No 1 road. Messrs Grigg and Saunders having to leave the meeting collapsed through want of a quorum. LITTLE RIVER. A meeting of this Board was held at the office, Sally’s Gully, on Monday, the 17th iust. The Board decided that if the contract entered into by Messrs Greenland and Lougy in May, 1873, for metalling a portion of the hill road iu Little River Bush be not completed on the 4th of September, the account will be closed, and the work finished at contractor’s risk. It was decided that a new bridge be placed over the cxeek at Ahuriri, and an additional five chains of metal laid on the road in the direction of the saddle. A letter was received from the Secretary for. Public Works intimating that the sura of £352, General Government grant, had been placed to the credit of the Board. It was resolved that this money be expended in forming and claying the road across Birdling’s Flat from the foot of Lake Forsyth to Devil’s Nob. The contractor for No 3 contract —forming and metalling at Little River—attended and solicited an extension of time wherein to complete his contract. The Board granted the request, but intimated their firm determination to enforce the terms of all contracts iu future. A letter was rend from the Secretary for Public Works, stating that the sum of £l5O, special grant, had been allocated to the road from Little River bridge to Mi Buchanan’s bridge, and desiring the Board to call for tenders for the work, and recommend one for the approval of Government. This not meeting with the approval of the Board, they declined to interfere.

A letter from the Secretary for Public Works was read, offering to grant a sum not exceeding £lO, through the Board, towards each hut of sods or other description erected for. the use of immigrants.

Mr Parkinson was deputed to wait on the Government for the purpose of arranging for the accommodation of immigrants, and other matters.

Letter from chairman of Road Boards relative to alterations in Road Board Ordinance. Deferred until next meeting.

Letter from the Secretary for Public Works, stating that the tender of Tillman and Ponsford—£36o—for building four cottages had been accepted on the recommendation of the Board.

The contractor attended at the office, Sally’s gully, on the Bth instant, to pay deposit and sign contract. The correspondence between the Government and the Board relative to section 21205 was read. With reference to this, the chairman reported that he had bought the section for the Board.

The clerk was instructed to make some arrangement with Mr Bevans about the cottages erected by him on the land. Letter from the Secretary for Public Works, stating that the sum of £2368 had been allotted to the Board for the general purposes of the district. From the same, detailing the sections reserved in the district for quarry and other purposes. From the same, relative to the Maoris disallowing the use of the branch road up the Port Levy valley. From the same, stating that the Government had given Mr White notice of their intention to withdraw permission to cut timber on any road, railway, or other reserve, but had not as yet received any reply. It was reported that the timber was disappearing as usual in the meantime.

A letter was received from the chairman of the Titapu school committee, stating that the foot bridge over the Halswell near the schoolwas completed,and requesting the Board to remit the,£ls promised towards the expense thereof. The amount was ordered to be paid.

The clerk was instructed to communicate with the Government relative to letting out Lake Ellesmere. It was resolved that a cordial vote of thanks be accorded to T. H. Potcs, Esq., for his attention to the interests of the district in the Provincial Council. Mr W. W. Archer was appointed to make the annual assessment for the district for the sum of £2O.