ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 187, 14 January 1875, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

KOWAI, i The annual meeting of ratepayers was held at noon, at the Road Board office, Northport, on Wednesday, 6th ultimo. The chairman, Mr C. Ff. Pemberton, after explaining the object of the meeting—vi*, to elect two members in the place of Messrs W. McAdam and J. R. Pawsey retired, by ballot, read over the financial statement, giving a detai’ed description of the expenditure, on the various roads throughout the district, showing balance and receipts amounting to £6641 Is Id; expenditure* £6446 108.3 d; balance, £194.19s lOd, and also laid before the meeting a map (by the district surveyor) showing all the different roads, bridges, and culverts which had been constructed throughput the district during their term of office. The chairman explained that beyond the balance in hand there was the fourth instalment of the General Government grant, £7lO 10s, £IOO for the Waipara beach cutting (Provincial Government grant), £4OO for Saltwater Creek bridge (Provincial Government grant), and £2lB of district rates yet to come forward, makipg in all £1428 10s. The meeting being entirely satisfied with the report, and the manner in which the affairs of the district had been conducted, The chairman called upon the electors to elect two members to fill the vacant seats.

Mr J. H. Moore proposed that a vote of thanks be given to the retiring members, seconded by Mr *D. Robertson, and carried unanimously. Mr W. McAdam was proposed by Mr Hiatt, and seconded by Mr Smellie. Mr J. B. Pawsey was proposed by Mr D. Brown, and seconded by Mr Topping. No other candidate being proposed, the chairman informed the meeting that he declared Messrs W, McAdam and J. R. Pawsey, to be re-elected. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman and the members of the Board, and the meeting terminated. The monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Road Board office, Northport, on Wednesday, January 6th, 1875. All members present. Mr Pemberton was unanimously re-elected chairman. The receipts since last meeting amounted to £755 0s 3d. The amount to the credit of the Board was £lll4 7s 9d. Correspondence was read— From the Secretary for Public Works, stating that £640 3s lid had been placed to the credit of the Board, as requested, being £175 balance due on immigrants’ cottages, £194 13s lid timber for Saltwater Creek bridge, and £270 10s for contracts North road. From the Secretary for Public Works, in reply to a letter from the Board, with regard to the cottages at Balcairn (on reserve No 252), stating that he had requested the immigration officer to communicate with the Board, with a view of sending up immigrants to occupy the cottages. From the Secretary for Public Works, in reply to a letter from the Board, with regard to fencing reserve No 252, where the immigrants’ cottages have been erected, stating . that the Government were of the opinion that the immigrants who occupy the cottages should fence them in. And with reference to sinking a well for the benefit of the cottages, the Government requested the Board to invite tenders for the same. From the Secretary for Public Works, stating that the Government will be glad to avail itself of the Board’s offer to keep the piles of the Ashley bridge clear of drift, wood, &c., and will refund any sum in so doing to the extent of £2O. With reference to the suggestion from the Government, with regard to immigrants fencing in the cottages on reserve No 252, the Board were of the opinion that from the nature of the ground it was impossible to erect & sod fence of any description, and instructed the surveyor to communicate again with the Secretary for Public Works. With regard to sinking a well for the benefit of the cottages, the surveyor was instructed to advertise fqr tenders, as requested by the Government. With regard to clearing the piles of Ashley bridge, the surveyor was instructed to have the same carried out as soon as possible. An application from E. Coppell to have his rates remitted was laid before the Board the reasons being inability to work from bodily infirmity. After due consideration, the Board granted the request. The surveyor reported that D. Brown’s contract (Nos. 3,4, and 5), North road, were completed. Cuttings on Stoney Creek, on Bangiora and Leithfield road, and Dobbs’ catting, on Marshman’s road, were also completed. All other contracts were progressing favorably. Mr D. Brown waited on the Board, and requested an extension of time for his contracts on Douglas and Seadown roads. After clue consideration, the Board allowed him four weeks’ extension, Mr T. Topping also requested the Board to give him an extension of time for his contract on Orchards’road. The Board informed him that he must make the road passable for traffic during the time of • harvest, but would allow him time for final Completion of same, provided such was done subject to the approval of the surveyor. The pay sheet, amounting to £939 13s sd, was then examined, and passed for payment, being £lO9 17s 7d for timber, Saltwater Creek bridge; £3O on account of Waipara Beach cutting; and £799 15s lOd for general work throughout the district. The Board then adjourned.