ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 231, 6 March 1875, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

SPREYDON.

A meeting of the Spreydon Road Board was held on Tuesday, March 2nd. Present —Messrs Bell, Dunbar, Fantham, and Buxton. In the absence of Mr Tancred, Mr Bell was voted to the chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were read— From the General Government, requesting to be furnished with information. The clerk stated that it had been furnished. From Mr Minifie, calling the attention of the Board to the necessity of gravelling the roads on section 79. From the Chairman of the Central Board of Health, requesting the Board to furnish a report of the sanitary condition of the district. It was resolved to reply that the sanitary condition of the district is not very bad, but as that portion of the district near Christchurch becomes more populated, the question of an outlet for drainage becomes more important. That there has been one occasion for the Board to refer to the Central Board of Health, viz., with reference to the Newtown soap and candle works, and as the Act was unworkable in the case, the Board is of opinion that some amendment should be made in the Act, The surveyor was authorised to employ more labor if required. On the motion of Mr Fantham, Mr Bell was appointed to act as treasurer to the Board during Mr Tanered’s absence. The collector was directed to report upon what rates are outstanding at next meeting; to apply to Government for the balance of the grant; to apply to the Government to provide a crossing over the railway at Durham street for foot passengers: to purchase fifty bushels of oats for horse; and to inform Mr Harman that the Board cannot see its way clear to carry out the proposed drainage across section 154. A plan and report of the Provincial Engineer re drainage of section 154 was received. It was resolved that the roads on section 79 be gravelled, tenders to be in by next meeting. The surveyor and Mr Dunbar were requested to report on the road alongside section 789, and Messrs Dunbar, Fantham, and Buxton, with the surveyor, to inspect the Wilderness road and drain through Mr Packer’s. The Board then adjourned. TEMPLETON. The Board met at the office, the Talbot, Yaldhurst, March Ist. Present—The Chairman, Messrs Carpenter, Hepworth, Sinclair, and Jones. Letters were read— From Secretary for Public Works, stating that a voucher will be seat for payment for planting and ploughing of gravel reserves, Nos 321 and 322. Also from the Registrar-General, enclosing form for statistics for year 1874, Also from the Central Board of Health, to furnish a report on the sanitary state f the district. From Messrs Clarkson Bros, asking permission to erect fence and gate across the road between Messrs Pratt and Sinclair’s road. It was resolved that the Board will grant their request on complying with conditions of the Board. The Board then proceeded to open applications for the office of clerk and surveyor, there being twenty sent in, and after some little discussion Mr J. Taylor received the appointment, his duties commencing next month. The pay sheet, amounting to £lllos 2d, having been adopted and passed, the Board then adjourned. ELLESMERE. A meeting of this Board was held at the Road Board office, Leeston, on Monday, the Ist inst. Present—o. J. Bridge, Esq. (chairman), Messrs T. Acland, R, Lockhead, J, Bennie, and G. B. Woodman. The following correspondence was read: — From Mr T. Cannon, asking the Board to continue the formation of the road from McCormick’s corner to the beach, Declined for the present. From David Moorhead, asking the Board to fill in two gullies on the beach road. Granted on the usual terms. From Mr Bishop and eight others, asking the Board to form about seventy chains of Fereday’s road. Granted. From Edward Ruddock, asking for thirtyfive chains of Stony Gully road, and thirteen chains of Adams’ road to be repaired. Granted on the usual terms. From William Watson and ten others, asking the Board to continue the formation of Watson’s road towards Killinchy, at the same time pointing out the unsafe state of a bridge near Mr Bellson’s house. The overseer was instructed to make the road passable as regards bridges and culverts. From the poundkeeper, re the bad state of the pound. The overseer was instructed to supply the necessary timber for repairing the same. Messrs Moore and Young waited on the Board with reference to deepening the Government drain by Lambie’s, The Board decided to call for tenders for the 12th inst. for deepening twenty-four chains, and to pay half the cost of the work, on condition that the applicants defrayed the remainder. Mr R. Mcllraith complained that a culvert on Hart’s road was insufficient to carry off the water. The overseer was instructed to have the culvert enlarged. Mr Anderson applied for assistance towards improving the road leading tohis land, twenty-four chains of which, during the winter months, was impassable. Granted, on the usual terms. Mr Forsyth appeared before the Board asking for assistance in deepening the outlet of the lagoon on the sea beach. The Board undertook to pay half the cost of the work, and the overseer was instructed to report on it. Mr Dodd reported that he had been promised £65 towards the amount required by the Board for deepening the drain through bis land. The Board decided to call for tenders, returnable on the 12fch instant. Mr Hall reported that a portion of Hart’s road required forming the full width. The Board promised to consider the matter. An application was made by Anthony Fay £o have a portion of the Branch Drain road (paired,

Tenders to be called for the work, to be sent in by next Board day. Mr Anderson requested the Board to repair the road leading to section 8150, and offered £lO towards the cost. The overseer was instructed to report on it. Circulars were received From the chairman of the Central Board of Health, asking the Board to report upon the general sanitary state of the Ellesmere district. The overseer was instructed by the Board as to the reply. From the Receiver General requesting information as to the statistics in the Ellesmere district for the year 1874. Tenders were accepted for the main drain at £29 10s ; clearing side drain ridge road at 4s 6d per chain ; filling gullies on Fincham’s road, £22 ; building three bridges at £lO, £l4, and £ls respectively. The overseer’s report was read and considered. The paysheet, amounting to £66 10s Bd, was examined and passed for payment. The overseer was instructed to call for tenders for horse teams, also for clearing side drains—likewise to call the attention of the chief engineer to the dangerous state of roads at the railway crossings. OXFORD. The usual meeting was held on February 26th. Present—Messrs Paul (chairman), Cooper, Fisher, and Pearson. Mr Solair waited upon the Board, asking permission to place a slab in a ditch, so as to turn water through a bridge across the Harewood Forest road. Proposed by Mr Cooper, seconded by Mr Pearson, that permission be given, providing the slab does not exceed 6in high. Mr McJarrow waited upon the Board, respecting the opening out of Victoria road. It was resolved that the surveyor should make a report upon the other road that runs by section 8255 Correspondence from the Secretary for Public Works was received, stating that the Government gardener had no white thorns in stock, but that the Board could have oaks, sycamores, and elms, if they desired. It was resolved that the surveyor should acknowledge the letter, and accept the offer. From the same, informing the Board of the unreasonably high figure Mr H. B. Johnstone was asking for a portion of land, re the Oxford drainage, and that the Board must find another course to take the water. It was resolved that the surveyor write to the Secretary for Public Works, asking him when it would be convenient to receive a deputation of the Board respecting the above. Also from the Registrar-General asking to have a form for statistics tilled in and returned. Resolved that it be attended to. Also from Mr D. Sladden, reminding the Board that, unless the Bush road grant be taken up prior to the next sitting of the Provincial Council, it might lapse. Resolved, that the surveyor should see Mr Sladden respecting the road leading to his mill, so as, if possible, to call for tenders by next Board day. Also from the chairman of the Central Board of Health, requesting the Board to be good enough to furnish a report on the general sanitary state of the district. Resolved, that the letter be replied to. Also from the chairman of the West Oxford School Committee respecting the bad state of the Flax Mill creek bridge, &c. Resolved, that the bridge be repaired. The Board then adjourned. AKAROA AND WAINUI. A meeting was held at the Road Board office, Akaroa, on Saturday last, the 20th instant, all the members being present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was received from the Secretary for Public Works advising remittances to the credit of the Board on account of works on the Summit road, Pigeon Bay road, and Little River road. Tenders were received from J. Vangioni and from B, Chappell for clearing and benching Summit road ; from J. Woodill for construction of Long Bay road; from R. Stewart for clearing surface of Junction road; and from J. Fry, from R. Stewart, and from T. B. Mould for clearing and benching Pawson’s Valley road. It was resolved that the above tenders be referred to the District Engineer, with a recommendation that Mr J. Fry’s tender for construction of Pawson’s Valley road be accepted. Accounts amounting to £l6l 11s were passed for payment, and the meeting then adjourned. EYRBTON, The usual meeting of this Board was held on March Ist. Present —Messrs Brown (chairman), Bradley, Birnie, and Coup. It was resolved to furnish statistics asked for by the Registrar-General. It was resolved, in reply to letter from the Superintendent that the Board report there had been no necessity to enforce the Public Health Act in the Eyreton district. Letters were read ;—•' From the Secretary for Public Works stating Government had no funds to erect immigrant’s closets; acknowledging appointment of Mr Brown as chairman; acknowledging copies of contract of protective works; and asking Board to take charge of immigrant’s cottages* keeping them in repair out of rents collected. From Mr A. Thompson, solicitor, stating conveyance of land from Mr Stanton, on Grigg’s Drain road, was ready for execution, awaiting payment of purchase-money. From Mandeville and Rangiora Road Board stating that as no tenders were sent in to complete formation of Two Chain road, fresh tenders would be invited. From Mr J. Moffatt, for permission to use Board office for a tea-meeting. Agreed to, Mr Batt waited on the Board to request that a further sum be paid to him for Eyre embankment contract. The Board declined to allow a further payment. It was resolved—“ That rent of immigrants’ cottages after first week free, be paid in advance, viz., second week, 3s; third week, 4s; fourth week or more, ss. One week’s notice to be given; tenants to keep the cottages in repair.” It was decided to apply to Provincial Government for late toll-keeper’s house a; the Waimakariri bridge for occupation by immigrants, and to inform the Resident Engineer of the dangerou* state of Eyreton

railway crossing at the Mile road, and request that the same be put in proper order forthwith. The surveyor was instructed to have gully on North Eyre road filled up and a drain cut to take water along boundary of road. Tenders were considered for formation of No 10, Waimakariri road. The surveyor was directed to invite tenders for a number of works. Accounts amounting to £123 5s were passed for payment. The Board then adjourned. LINCOLN. A meeting of this Board was held at the office, Prebbleton, on Thursday, the 4th inst. Present—Messrs Marchant, Leadley, Maskrey, In the absence of the chairman, Mr Marchant was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The surveyor read his report as follows : “ Gentlemen —Since your last meeting I have to report for your information that the provincial auditor has examined the accounts of the Board, and expressed great satisfaction at the manner in which they had been kept. I have passed the following works:— Hampton and Guy’s contract for forming 30 chains of Townsend’s Brain road; McKenzie’s contract for reforming 53 chains on Halsroad, by Ladbrook’s; Lummis’s contract for painting th« immigrants’ cottages and extra work authorised by the Board; Fitzpatrick’s contract for metalling 56 chains 35 links on Halswell road, by Ladbrook’s. The above works have, I consider, been carried out satisfactorily, I would suggest to the Board now that the immigrants’ cottages are painted, it is very desirable that they should be insured at once. I am requested by Francis Smith to enquire what steps the Board intend taking with regard to the reforming of the sides of Shand’s road, as he has been engaged to fill the shingle, and is ready to start at once. I wish also to ask the Board what steps had better be taken with reference to the gorge fence on the north-western side of the Southbridge railway from White’s farm to the township of Lincoln on the Prebbleton and Lincoln road, as it is now becoming a great nuisance, and should be attended to at once. I have not yet been able to meet the surveyor at the Spreydon Road Board on the ground so as to arrange as to the fencing of the gravel pits. The foreman since his return to work has been engaged on several of the main roads, picking off large stones and filling in ruts; he spent some time on the Tramway Brain road, where portions of the metalling had been nearly cut through owing to the amount of heavy traffic there has been along the road lately. Part of this road wants metalling badly, and some parts that have been already metalled require re-metalling, particularly the low part opposite the outfall of Creyke’s drain. The bridge known as Winter’s bridge is in a very unsafe state, it being far too narrow. The hand rails are being constantly knocked off, the timbers are in a very unsound condition, and as the amount of traffic along the road is likely to be considerably augmented by the opening of the railway, I should advise the Board to erect a new one similar to that known as Prebble’s bridge. Complaints have been made respecting the overflow of water caused by the growth of vegetable matter in the creeks. There has been undoubtedly some cause. In the case of Knight’s and Bawson’s creeks and Creyke’s drain, this has been mainly owing to an unforeseen circumstance, viz., that of one of the contractors having absconded ; the remaining one has had great difficulty at this season in procuring a substitute to assist him in carrying out his contract, which could not be done alone. He has been eventually successful, and the two have been at work for some days, and are doing the work satisfactorily, so that all cause for complaint will soon be removed. With respect to the other contract, viz, Townsend’s and Blackler’s drain and Minchin’s creek, they are in a very foul state, especially Blackler’s drain. 1 have called on and written to the contractor several times, but cannot see or hear of him on the work ; I have therefore sent the foreman to see after him, who reports that the drains have not been touched, and that he cannot find him. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, C. J. Wentworth Cookson, surveyor.” The report was deferred for consideration. The following correspondence was read :

From his Honor the Superintendent, informing the Board that the sum of £436 has been allotted to this Board out of the General Government grant to Road Boards for the years 1874-1875. From his Honor the Superintendent, as chairman of the Central Board of Health, enquiring into the general sanitary state of the district, and also as to the working of the Public Health Act, so far as it has come under the attention of this Board.

In reply, the surveyor was directed to state that the sanitary state of the district was very satisfactory, and that hitherto the Board have had no experience in the working of the Public Health Act. From the Public Works Office, Wellington, stating that the road into the station ground had been provided for in the platelaying contract.

From the Hon E. W. Stafford, drawing the attention of the Board to the overflow of water caused by Creyke’s drain. From Mr Thomas Wallace, drawing the attention of the Board to a similar overflow caused by Townsend’s drain. The surveyor was instructed to take steps to have the immigrants’ cottages insured in the Northern Insurance Company. With regard to the reforming of Shand’s road between the Wheatsheaf and the river bed, commencing from the formation of the last reforming, it was resolved that tenders be invited for the work, and that the chairman and Mr Maskrey, in conjunction with the surveyor, be deputed to receive the same and accept one ; tenders to be sent in to the Prebbleton Hotel not later than 6 p.m. on Thursday, the 18th instant. The surveyor was instructed to invite tenders for a new bridge over Dawson’s creek, now known by the name of Winter’s bridge, tenders to be sent in before noon on Thursday, the Ist of April. It was resolved that the surveyor be instructed to write to the contractor for cleansing Blackler’s and Townsend’s drains, informing him that as he has broken his contract, it will be taken out of his hands, and that fresh tenders will be called for.

It was resolved that the surveyor be instructed to serve a gorse notice on the Secretary for Public Works to clear that portion of the Lincoln and Prebbleton road bounding the Southbridge railway from section 3122 to the Lincoln township. It was decided to metal that portion of the Springs road at present uumetalled op-

posite the gravel reserve near Carey’s, being a distance of 23 chains more or less. It was resolved that a sufficient number of 9-inch pipes be allowed to Geo. Stevenson, provided that he places them so as to take away the water from off the Selwyn road, and that the work be done to the satisfaction of the surveyor. The surveyor was also instructed to write to the Commissioner of Police, drawing his attention to the fact that complaints were being made that cattle, pigs, and horses, in considerable numbers, were constantly at large on the roads in the district. The pay sheet, amounting to £331 9s 2d, having been passed for payment, the Board adjourned until Thursday, the Ist of April, at 2.30 p.m. ASHBURTON. This Board held their usual monthly meeting at the Bistrict office, Ashburton, on Tuesday, March 2nd. Members present— Messrs John Grigg (chairman), Alfred Saunders, B. McLaren, Robert Miller, and J. Harrison. A letter from the local correspondent of the Lyttelton Times was read, and it was agreed that the Board will entrust the clerk to give all proper reports to the Times correspondent, but objects to his being present at their meetings. Mr March, the chief immigration officer, had an interview with the Board re the cottages built for immigrants, and asking the Board to improve the state of these cottages. Resolved—“ That the Board will give immediate attention to the suggestion made by Mr March,” Further, that a letter be written to the Government, in reference to leasing the cottages to immigrants, under certain conditions, for a period of three years. The followingreports from the engineer were then read and considered :—“ I have the honor to report for your information as follows.—Contracts—Alford Forest road, William Gilraour, I have given a certificate for £146 16s 3d; M’Lean’s road, Walter Fuller, I have given a certificate for £350; immigrants’ cottages, George Compton, I have given a certificate on cottages erected to the extent of £210; same, J. Leggett and Co, I have certified for work done in the erection of cottages to the amount of £l9O. I have to advise the Board to allow arrangements to be made for the collection of the rents of the immigrants’ cottages. Timber, Julius Mendelson, I have given a final certificate for this contract. I beg to state that the cutting asked for by Mr Cochrane will be constructed in making Cochrane’s road, for which tenders will be laid before the Board to-day. I have to recommend that the bridge asked to be built over the Wakanui creek on this road be made. Buring the past month I have taken the necessary levels and prepared sections and specifications for the following worksWakanui roads— Elgin road, two miles and 38-90 chains ; Cochrane’s road, 56| chains ; Bruce’s road, one mile 52£ chains. Tenders will be laid before the Board for these works. The labor gangs have been employed on the following worts sanctioned by the Board, viz— Cuttings at Wakanui ; constructing bridge between sections 18,894 and 17,326 : making up approaches to bridge at sections 7200 and 8397 ; putting in two new culverts on same road ; completing bridge over creek on road by sections 17,743 and 17,744 ; making up approaches to culverts on Wood Brothers’ contract Great South road; completing fencing of paddocks for horses in township ; sundry work at immigrants’ cottages, and carting materials from railway.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, J, Stanley Bruce, Bistrict Engineer.” “ Sir, —I have to report on the subject of a letter received from the General Government Public Works office relative to a waterhole in the township, and situate on the railway reserve. The waterhole in question is in an old watercourse, crossed both by the Great South road and the railway, on the upstream side of the said road. The ground on the down stream side of the road is about on the ordinary level of the water in the hole in question, it is evident that the putting in a culvert across the road would not drain the hole, which, according to the Resident Engineer’s report, usually contains four feet of water. As no culvert has been provided under the railway, the place in question is simply fed by storm waters, and the common sense view to take of the matter is for the Government to let the hole complained of be filled up. As it is out of the Board’s jurisdiction, 1 cannot recommend that they should incur the expense, much less put in a culvert diagonally across the road some four chains in length, as suggested by the Government, more especially as the Board have already a stoneware pipe culvert in the road where it is proposed that the culvert recommended should have its outfall. I have the honor to be sir, your obedient servant, J. Stanley Bruce, Bistrict Engineer.”

A letter was read from the Secretary for Public Works, informing the Board that the Government will have a map of the district prepared for lithographing at once. From Mr D. Sladden, relative to supplying the Board with black birch timber from Oxford forest. From Mr T. Crompton, re supplying the immigrants’ cottages with cooking ranglb. From the Secretary for Public Works, relatiye to the site of the second railway station between the Ashburton and the Hinds. From his Honor the Superintendent, re the the Public Health Act, To Mr Jones, re his undertaking to make a dray track to his sections. To Sir J. Cracroft Wilson, C. 8., re pro* posed road diversion at the Rangitata, It was resolved that no tenders be opened until the Board sits. Tenders were then opened and accepted for the following works :—Wakanui roads, Elgin road: forming two miles and metalling two miles ; Cochrane’s road : forming sixtylive and a half chains, metalling sixty-five and a half chains; Bruce’s road: forming one mile and fifty-two and a quarter chains, and metalling one mile and fifty-two and a quarter chains. Resolved—“ That Mr Poyntz receive a bonus of £50,” Resolved—“ That Mr Malcolm Miller be paid the half cost of fence between his section and gravel reserve No. 1414.” r (e letter from his Honor the Superintenpent, respecting the working of the Public Health Act, It was resolved—“ That his Honor be written to, pointing ont the great difficulty in carrying out the Act, suggesting that the sergeant of police should be appointed inspector.” Resolved—“ That the rents for the immigrants’ cottages be for the three bett;r finished ones in the township 10s per wtek,

and for the remainder throughout the district 5s per week, Further, that Gollins, Stewart, and Price, receive a clear fortnight’s notire through the barrack master to quit, in order to relieve the barracks of immigrants with large families.” Resolved—“ That the engineer have certain additions made to immigrants’ cottages, and have all the rafters of roofs of cottages not yet constructed covered with lin T. & G. rough boarding. Further, to have wells sunk on all reserves not provided with water.” Resolved—“ That Mr Poyntz be requested to continue to act as clerk to the Board for one month, until his successor be appointed. Further, that an advertisement be inserted for a clerk to the Board at a salary of £l6O per annum, duties to commence one week after the next meeting of the Board.”

Accounts were passed as per pay-sheet amounting to £1540 7s 3d. The Board then adjourned.