ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 156, 3 December 1874, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

ASHBURTON.

A meeting of the Ashburton Road Board was held [on Tuesday, December Ist, all the members being present. -The engineer’s report was read as follows: “ Contracts:—Jackson’s road, section No 1 —William Gilmour—The contractor refuses to complete this work in accordance with the section and contract, therefore I have to advise that other steps be taken. Jackson’s road, section No 2—l am unable to give a final certificate, but have allowed one for £B3 15s, Black’s road—William Gilmour — I cannot give a final certificate on account of the non-completion of this work in accordance with the contract. Further, the eontractor has carted a large quantity of metal off the road on to private property to avoid breaking it to the gauge specified, and has been requested to replace the same. Dobson street—Blackler and Greenaway—This contract has been well carried out, and I have been able to give a final certificate for the same, Coldstream Swamp road—Blackler and Greenaway—Until recently the contractor’s have only had two or three men at a time on this contract, otherwise there is not any reason why this work should not have been completed. They have been constantly urged to make more progress, and now that their contracts in the township are nearly completed, I have requested them to put all theirstrength onthiswork. Alford Forest road K. D. Pullar —I have given a certificate for £27. M'Lean’s Road—Walter Fuller—The time for completing this contract, including an extension, expired on the 14th September, and some action should be taken to have the work finished before harvest. Timber— Julius Mendelson—Out of 7321 feet I have bad to reject 1089 feet, aud have allowed 75 per cent on the quantity taken. Tenders will be laid before the Board for forming an additional length of upwards of three quarters of a mile of Dawson’s Road, and

for fencing in reserve 957 as a paddock for the Road Board horses. I have to advise that a notice board bo put up to prevent persons depositing manure and rubbish on the north bank of the river on tire south side of the township. Further that the Government be requested to make a reserve in the river bed, on a line with the East town belt where rubbish might be deposited and would be carried away in time of freshes. “ Now that the ground has become almost too hard to work, and to avoid paying a high figure, I have to advise that not any more contracts be* let until after harvest, but that during the interim plans and sections be prepared for the following works : —5 miles, 27 chains, Wakanui roads; 23 chains, Cameron street ; 3 miles, 33,j chains, Great South Road; about2o chains Cameron’s road; about 60 chains road at Sir Cracroft Wilson’s station, Raugitata; about 40 chains road N.E boundary of district and about 1 mile 20 chains to complete the Longbeach road. If these works were let previously to the 31st Maich next the outstanding liabilities of the Board will exceed their assets on that date by about £lOl6 12s 7d. Attached to this report are the outstanding liabilities up to the 31st December, which amount to £6660 18s Id, The labor gangs have been employed during the past month constructing a concrete bridge on the Great South road; completing bridge on Lowcliff’s and Beach road; building bridge on Longbeach Swamp road; completing the lengthening the culverts and metalling approaches of same on Longbeach road; making bridge on North paddock road; completing bridge and making culverte on Dawson’s road; making part bridge on Jackson’s road, section No 2; making and putting in culvert at the Rangitata; making the cutting, See, passable for dray traffic on the Lowcliff’s road and Beach road; working on the boundary road and repairing roads and footpaths in the township. Correspondence was read;— lie Mr Way’s letter, respecting timber. It was resolved —“That no timber be ordered at present.” Re the Secretary of Public Works’ letter, regarding reserve 957. It was resolved—" That if possible a paddock be procured near the town for the Board horses. Failing that, that the reserve be fenced at once.” Resolved—" That two dozen earth closets be purchased and distributed at cost price to residents in the township applying for same. Be immigrants’ cottages, it was resolved — " That thirty cottages be at once erected on the reserves set apart for that purpose,” An application from Messrs Coleman and Co, for the footpath to be made past their premises in Tancred street, was granted on condition that they pay the half cost of same. Re Mr Gilmour’s letter, it was resolved—- " That no notice be taken of the said letter until the work is completed.” Re Mr Way’s letter on account pipes, it was resolved—" That the whole cargo be taken.” The clerk was directed to write to fhe Government drawing their attention to the fact that the instalment notified in their letter of 25th November, has not been paid into the bank. The clerk was directed to write to the police authorities, and request them to take immediate action in all cases of nuisance in township. Re Mr Brown’s application for filling in gullies on Wakanui, the surveyor was directed to have the works let at once. Re Mr Gilmour’s application for an extension of two months’ to complete Alford Forest Road, resolved —“That the Board cannot recognise Mr Gilmour as the contractor, and that the sureties for Mr Pullar, the original contractor for the said road, be written to, calling on them to fulfil the contract, and (he Board will hold them responsible for any damage that may arise through the non-fulfilment of contract.” Re the applications of residents of the Lower Ashburton, Wakanui, it was resolved — " That the. surveyor be instructed to let the said work at once.” Be the application of the Fire Brigade for grant in aid, it was resolved —“That the Board make an application to the Government for a special grant towards a water supply for the township.” Re the Fuller contract, it was resolved—- “ That Mr Fuller be written to, asking him to forward the address of his sureties.” It was resolved—" That the Provincial Government be requested to reserve a piece of land on the Ashburton river bed, in a line with the Bast town belt, for sewage purposes.” Resolved—“ That plans and specifications be prepared for one mile and a half of the Wakanui road, commencing at the East town belt and running South to Moore’s iron gate, and tenders be returnable by Tuesday, the 15th instant,” Tenders were opened for the formation of sixty-four chains of Dawson’s road, and one accepted for 15s 6d per chain. Accounts were passed amounting to £784 15s 6d. The Board adjourned till the 15th of December.