ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 284, 10 May 1875, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

HEATHCOTE. The Board met on Thursday at 6.30 p.m. Present—Messrs Attvvood, Mardon, and Ness. Mr Ness acted as chairman pro tern . Ihe minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Rosser waited on the Board, asking for an advance on his contract of filling up the Ferry road drain. Also, for an extension of time, stating he left off carting during the heavy rains to save cutting up the roads. The Board agreed to both requests on condition that he signed a further agreement in reference to the said contract. Correspondence from the Secretary of Public Works re Bill for Diversion of Roads, asking il the Board had any opposition to offer in reference to the diversion of part of road near Latter’s Spur in continuation of Wing’s road. To be informed the Board had no private objection to same. A petition from several ratepayers, complaining of stagnant water lying on the East town belt between the City Council’s drain and the Ferry road. Resolved, that the clerk write to the City Council, asking their leave to lay pipes from the side channels across the belt, which would abate the inconvenience and danger to health complained of. Prom the Provincial Engineer, being a reply re improvements on Sumner road, informing the Board the contract would be carried out as originally intended. From Mr Spensley, threatening the Boad with legal proceedings if it laid pipes to drain properties above the point where the natural creek runs across the main drain on the Ferry road. To be informed the Board see no reason why it should discontinue the work. From Mr Baker, asking information in reference to the drain running by his section No 47. To be informed the same is out of the Board’s jurisdiction. From Mr Pavitt, in reference to surveying instruments. To be acknowledged, asking him to make the Board an offer for the lot. From Mr Keith, wanting the drain running by his property cleared out. Agreed that the same be attended to. From Mr Langdown, complaining of the bad state of road leading to his residence caused by the heavy carting of gravel by the Board’s contractors. Agreed that the foreman see to same, and also to the drain on the Gas Works road. The clerk was directed to write to Mr George Wells, requesting him to abate the nuisance caused by refuse lying on his property in Avonville district. A letter was received from the manager of the Union Bank of Australia, acceding to the Board’s request for an extension of overdraft. Accounts to the amount of £238 4s were passed for payment, when the Board adjourned, MANDEYILLE AND RANGIORA. The monthly meeting of this Board was held on May 7th. Present—Messrs J. G. Boys (chairman), Blackett, Hinge, and Parsons. The surveyor’s report was read and considered. With reference to the contract let to Mr S. Davis to shingle a portion of the Drain road, it was resolved that the surveyor be instructed to write to Mr Davis, giving him notice that unless the contract is completed according to specification within ten days from date, the Board would put on men to complete it, and deduct the cost from the balance in hand, and in all probability inflict the penalty as well. A statement of accounts was submitted showing that the receipts since January Ist had been £2059 17s, and the expenditure £18073s 6d, leaving a balance of £252 13s7din hand to meet liabilities already incurred to the amount of £5Bl 9s lid, A statement of the rate account was submitted, and the collector instructed to sue without delay for all unpaid rates. A letter was read Irom the Gust Road Board asking payment of a portion of the boundary road formation, stated to have been done in April, 1874. The clerk was instructed to reply, stating that the Board was not aware of any authority having been given for the work, having no minute of it. A letter was read from Mr J. T. Brown, Mount Thomas, asking that a portion of the road leading to the Ashley crossing should be shingled, the heavy traffic having cut up the formation. The clerk was directed to invite tenders for shingling a portion of it with twelve yards of metal to the chain. A letter was read from Mr Josling, asking that a portion of the Northbrook road be shingled. The clerk was directed to reply, stating that the Board had no funds at their disposal for that portion of the district, but that the work should be done as so soon as funds will admit. Letters were read from the Secretary for Public Works, advising payment of £IOO, being the balance of the vote to the Beach road protective works; also £SO, progress payment on No 2 bridge contract; also from the Provincial Treasurer, enclosing £72 13s 4d, balance of General Government grant, 1875. From Messrs Rhodes and Wilkin, covering contribution towards Beach road works. From the Kaiapoi Borough Council, stating that the work done on the North road, under sanction of the Board, amounted to £7, which amount the Board passed for payment. From Mr T. Wilson, Waikuku, asking that the Massacre Creek be cleared out forthwith, as the lagoon water was encroaching on his and the adjacent sections. The clerk was directed to communicate with the Rev J. W. Stack to ascertain what amount the Maoris intend contributing towards the work, and as soon as a reply is received to proceed with the work. From the chief surveyor, stating that the tracing of the district map was now ready, also a memo from the printing office on the same subject. From Mr Wilkin re the rate collector s bond, to which the clerk was directed t» reply. Tenders were considered for shingling Williams’ Bush road. Messrs Roebuck and Egan attended, and asked for a part of the No 1 Swamp road to be shingled. The Board agreed to allow £5 towards the required work, to be done to the satisfaction of the surveyor. The surveyor was directed to repair the North road where necessary, "and to have the sand removed from Edwards’ road ; to put fords opposite Gow’s and Mr Parson’s properties in lieu of the present culverts, and to purchase a supply of oats. The chairman signed the drainage rate list, and the clerk was instructed to proceed with its collection. Accounts amounting to £296 17s 3d were passed for payment. KOWAI DISTRICT. A public meeting of ratepayers was held at the Road Board office, Saltwater Greek, on Monday, May 3rd, Mr C. Ff. Pemberten, chairman. The chairman stated that the object of the meeting was to elect a member in the place of Mr W. M'Adam, resigned. Mr J. H. Moore proposed a vote of thanks to Mr W. M'Adam for the valuable services he had rendered the district during his term of pffice, Seconded by Mr Gorrie and carried

unanimously. Mr Thomas Wilson was proposed as a candidate by Mr Vaughan, and seconded by Mr T. Hanna. Mr F, Croft was proposed by Mr Pausey, and seconded by Mr G. Hiatt, Mr John Innis was proposed by Mr Duncan Cameron, and seconded by Mr Hugh M'Lean. The candidates briefly addressed the meeting, after which the returning officer called for a show of hands, which resulted in favor of Messrs Wilson and Croft. Mr Tunis then demanded a poll; The subject of the Kowai protective works was then discussed. The chairman fully explained the matter, and then called upon Mr Fendall to make a statement. After the matter had been fully discussed on both sides, it was moved by Mr Barclay, “ That this meeting is satisfied with the position taken by the Road Board in reference to the Kowai protective works committee.” Seconded by Mr Topping, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was then proposed to the returning officer (Mr C. Ff. Pemberton), and carried unanimously. The meeting then terminated. Subsequent to the meeting, a recent member of the committee waited upon the Board, and undertook to settle with the contractors, taking such responsibility himself, providing the Board handed him the amount due, on behalf of the grant in aid of the works, which was agreed to by the Board, and a chequefor £ls 10s was accordingly handed.'to him. The Board then proceeded with the general business of the district. Since the last general meeting the sum of £2lB has been placed to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New Zealand, Kaiapoi, being the General Government grant for 1874-5 under the Payment to Provinces Act. In consequence of the fourth portion of the instalment of the Road Board grant, amounting to £426 10s, having been withheld, it had been necessary to,obtain an overdraft at the bank, which amounted,to £163 17s 9d. Correspondence was received from the Secretary for Public Works, enclosing a letter from Mr John Innes, with reference to the road to the ram paddock, requesting the Board to give their opinion on the same. After consideration of the letter, the Board did not agree with all the statements made therein, and instructed the surveyor to reply to the Secretary for Public Works, and explain the exact position the Board had taken with regard to the road and bridge in question. The Board at the same time suggested that a “ special grant ” either in land or money should be given for the purpose of improving the road and bridge. A letter was read from the traffic manager in reply to a letter from the Board, regarding carriage and storage of drain pipes. From the Secretary for Public Works, in reply to a letter from the Board, regarding the well to immigrants’ cottages on reserve No 252, stating that the Government could not grant a further sum, beyond the amount of £l3 set aside for the purpose; but suggested that the amount paid by the Board over and above the Government grant might be reimbursed by rents received from the cottages. A petition was handed in by Mr F. Croft, and numerously signed, showing that the Government, by placing the railway station across High street, in the Ashley township, had deprived them of a good metalled road, which was the direct communication between Marshman’s and Sefton roads. The petitioners prayed that the Board would use their best endeavors with the Government to get them better communication than at present afforded. The surveyor was instructed to communicate at once with the Government on the subject. Tenders were then opened for the formation of the road along the bank of Saltwater Creek; but on consideration it was resolved that no contracts, except for bridges absolutely necessary, should be taken in hand until the Board was in a better financial position. The surveyor reported that the undermentioned bridges were all unsafe for heavy traffic :—Bridge by Baird’s on Sefton road on Waugh’s creek ; bridge on Railway Reserve road on Ward’s creek ; bridge on Douglas’ road by Stanton’s ; bridge on Aymesbury road on Saltwater creek ; bridge on School House road by Bruere’s. Resolved—“ That the surveyor prepare specifications and plans, and advertise for tenders for bridge by Baird’s on Sefton road.” Resolved—“ That the surveyor take summary proceedings against ail parties whose rates were not paid.” The pay sheet, amounting to £338 12515 d, was then examined and passed for payment. The Board then adjourned.