ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 159, 8 December 1874, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

EICCARTON. The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Saturday at the office, Cashel street west. Present—All the members. Mr H, J. Hall in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works, dated November 20tb, stating that in accordance with a promise made to the deputation which waited on the Government, he had, with Mr Montgomery, inspected reserve 93a and the land proposed to be given in exchange therefor; and it being of great importance that the matter should be concluded on satisfactory data; and as the opinions from professional men differ, the Government have determined to instruct the Provincial Engineer to visit the ground in person and furnish the Government with a full report. Another letter was received from the Secretary for Public Works, dated November 25th, authorising the Board to take gravel from reserve 93a for present wants. The chairman stated that in accordance with the above letter, and m order to save time, he had instructed the surveyor to invite tenders for 1100 cubic yards of gravel for the Fendaltown road, which were now before the Board for consideration. The Board approved of the action of the chairman, and out of seven tenders accepted that of F. T. Partridge. A circular was received from the Secretary for Public Works, advising that the third instalment of the provincial grant was available. A letter was read from the Avon Road Board forwarding the amount charged for maintaining the boundary roads between the two districts, and stating that the existing arrangements with regard thereto the Board wishes shall terminate from this date. It was decided to refer the Avon Road Board to clauses 62 and 64 of the Roads Ordinance, and ask its reason for wishing to terminate the existing arrangements. A letter was read from Mr H.B. Johnstone, calling attention to the state of the river adjoining his property, and stating that the dam was causing the river to fill up with deposits. The surveyor was directed to reply that a contract for cleansing the river was now in hand, and would be completed in due course. A letter was read from the Hon. J. B. Acland, asking the Board to clear the ditches on the Fendaltown and Ham roads from docks. The surveyor was directed to reply that the Board had no funds at its disposal for this purpose. As directed at last meeting, the surveyor reported on the most convenient sites for the guide-posts throughout the district, and cost of same. It was decided to erect the guide-posts in accordance with the report and diagram submitted. The Board directed Hie clerk to give notice that the annual meeting of ratepayers would be held at the Riccarton Hotel, on Thursday, the 7th of January, at noon,

to nominate and elect three members to serve on the Board, in place of Messrs Nunweek, Tnwood, and Hack, who retire by rotation. Mr Buckley waited on the Board, and paid in his contribution, £2 4s, towards forming die road between sections 964 and 4827, and complained that the work had been let too high. The surveyor stated that the work was too small to be tendered for. and that he had let it in accordance with instructions from the Board. The clerk wasdirected to make application for the amount guaranteed as a contribution towards cleaning the Waiararapa. The Board took into consideration the advisability of having the office removed to some convenient part of the district, it was eventually decided to defer the settlement of the site until after the annual election. After passing accounts for work done, the Board adjourned until Saturday the 2nd of January.

AVON. The Board met on December 2nd. All the members present. The clerk reported the following receipts since last meeting:—From general rate, £23 ; Waimakariri, £2 5s 9d ; contribution from Ledscham, £3 15s ; total, £29 Os 9d. Also, that the Government had paid in £445 on account of grant. The balance to the Board’s credit is £416 7s 7d. Correspondence was read from Mr Hopkins about the condition of the New Brighton road. The surveyor was directed to get it put in order. From the Government, informing the Board that £445 from grant had been placed to its credit. From Mr Luke, with claim for damages, and one from Mr Ellen relating to the same matter. With regard to Luke’s claim, it was decided that it could not be allowed. From Mrs Nash, with account. The demand was ordered to be paid. The clerk was directed to write to the chairman of the East Christchurch school committee, asking for the use of the schoolroom on Stanmore road for a polling booth. If the request were allowed, to write to the Superintendent to gazette it as a polling place in lieu of Mrs Nash’s. A letter from Messrs Hanmer and Harper, asking about a map of the district. The clerk was directed to reply that there was no reliable map of the district. From Mr C, S. Hill, complaining of stagnant water on road off Springfield road. The surveyor was directed to inspect the spot complained of. The clerk was directed to apply to the Government for a map of the district on a ten chain scale. A letter, with account enclosed, from Messrs Garrick and Covvlishaw. The account was ordered to be paid. Mr Kruse saw the Board in reference to the stoppage in the main drain. He was informed that the matter was referred to the Board’s solicitor, and it would act as advised. Mr Mahar saw the Board in reference to the main drain. He was told that the matter should receive attention, Messrs Joblin and others saw the Board in reference to the flooded state of their land through No 2 drain requiring to be cleared. They were informed that the drain should be cleared. Messrs Snelliug and Sears asked the Board to form a road near the New Brighton School, because the one at present used was being fenced in. The surveyor was directed to report to the Board what required to be done ; also, to get tenders for cleaning No 2 drain, and submit them to the chairman to approve of one. Mr Toon saw the Board fn reference to the main drain running through his and Mahar’s land. It was decided that the chairman, and Messrs Peacock, Dickinson, and Norman should visit the locality on Monday. Mr Sycamore saw the Board in reference to his shingle contract. It was decided that he be paid £24 6s Id, on his signing a receipt in full. Also, in reference to his contract in High street. It was ordered to stand over. The clerk was directed to write to Hackett and say that unless he made greater progress with his contract the Board would be obliged to cancel it.

The surveyor’s report was read and considered. With regard to Hewitt’s road, the clerk was to write and inform those interested, that upon the usual half the cost of forming and shingling the road being paid (viz £3O) the Board would put the work in hand. The clerk was directed to request Mr Grierson to pay the promised contributions towards work done as agreed, at once. Accounts to the amount of £278 7s 9d were passed and ordered to be paid, and the Board adjourned.