ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 414, 9 October 1875, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

ASHBURTON. The Board met at their offices, Ashburton, on Tuesday last, the sth instant. PresentMessrs John Grigg (chairman,) C. H Dowding, T. Bullock, and •!. Hunt. The minutes of the previous meeting, held on the 7th ult, were read and confirmed. The engineer reported as follows :—" That the Government request the Boaia to give up reserve 957 now occupied by th&m for pad docks and timber yard, &c. That he had to point out the necessity of applying to the Government for a reserve for Road Board purposes in lieu of the same, and to suggest the two and a half acres on the west of the immigrants' cottages reserve 1689, on the east side of the township as a suitable piece of ground, besides which it would always leave an open space adjoining the cottages. Further he wished to draw the attention of the Board to the fact that fencing in the present reserve cost £45, added to the cost of sinking a well £9 15s gives a total of £54 15s, and in all fairness the Board should be reimbursed by the Government to this extent, as they will be saved the cost of fencing the reserve and sinking a well. That he had examined Jones' road, and on the seventy chains asked to be made there are several very rough places which are exceedingly wet and soft in winter. Not any culverts are required, but to make the road of any practical use for traffic it would be necessary to metal the same with thirty cubic yards of metal to the chain. That the Board are asked to have abridge erected over Shepherd's creek on the Great South road, and which has become necessary on account of the railway having cut off the communication with the bridge on the west side of it. This necessitates the settlers living off the Great South road in this district, making a detour and twice crossing the railway. That the labor gangs have been employed working on a bridge and approaches, and making and putting in three culverts, with the approaches to the same on Church road, carting); timber, and repairing sundry streets and roads. It was resolved—" That the Provincial Secretary be communicated with, and requested to urge on the Government the necessity of making a reserve for Road Board purposes, near the Road Board office, Ashburton." The Board suggest the 2£ acres on the west of the immigrant's cottages, Reserve No J 1689, on the east side of the township. Further, the Board request the Government to reimburse them for the fence round Reserve 957 asked to be given up, which cost £45, together with the cost of a well on the said reserve, £9 158, making a total of £54 15s. Resolved—- " That the Board not being in a position to construct the 70 chains of Jones' road asked for, they mußt decline doing so for the present." Resolved—" That the Board do not see the necessity existing for a bridge over Shepherd's Greek, on the east side of the railway, there being at present one on the west side." A letter was read from the Provincial Treasurer, enclosing cheque for £6, as finally adjusting the grant for 1870-71, under the Payment to Provinces Act. The reply to same was agreed to. A letter from the Provincial Secretary informing the Board that reserve No 957, in the occupation of the Board, would ,be required by Government, was ordered to be replied to in terms of the foregoing resolution on the subject. A letter to the Upper Ashburton Board, informing them of the determination of this Board to erect an additional immigrant's, cottage in that district, and an acknowledgement of the same, asking to have the said cottage erected on reserve No 1828, off the Alford Forest road, were read. A letter from the Minister for Public Works relative to extending the approaches of the Ashburton railway bridge was considered. It was resolved that the Minister for Public Works be again communicated with and urged to have the approaches of the Ashbarton railway bridge completed across the railway reserve. Mr Hole saw the Board, and agreed to the terms of the Board's letter of the 7th ultimo to accept £l9B 0s lOd as payment in full of all demands for all work done as Hole and Stevenson for the Board to this date. A cheque was, therefore, handed him for this amount. A letter was read from Messrs Hassal, Reeves, and Co re the present condition of the Coldstream Swamp road. Resolved—" That Mr William Gilmour and the two sureties to his contract on the Coldstream Swamp road, receive three days notice under clause No 5 of the general conditions of the said contract, to at once complete the same. If the same is not done, the engineer to advertise for tenders, and the work to be completed at the risk of the present contractor.and his sureties." A petition from residents on the Beach road was handed to the engineer to report upon at the next meeting of the Board. A letter was read to Messrs Joynt and O'Neill re J. Everall's claim. Tenders were opened for widening and deepening Nos 1,2, and 3 road drains at the Hinds, and keeping sundry roads and streets in repair for twelve months; but being considered excessive, they were rejected. Resolved—" That Mr Dowding have the Nos 1,2, and 3 road drains at the Hinds, widened and deepened, in accordance with the specification, at a cost not to exceed per chain." Resolved —" That bridges be constructed over Ford Creek, at the Whalebone, Lower Ashburton ; one at the bottom of the Ring Paddock, Longbeach ; one on the Coldstream run ; and one on Harrison s road." Resolved —" That Mr J. E. Buchanan be appointed inspector of nuisances, under the Public Health Act, at £25 per annum." Resolved—" That the attention of the inspector of nuisances be drawn to the necessity of compelling all licensed houses to provide proper and fit cesspools, to be supplied with earth from time to time and periodically emptied." Resolved—" That the accounts, amounting to £344 10s 6d, as per paysheet, be passed for payment " Beaclved—" That this Board do now adjoara to Tuesday, the 2nd proximo, at one p.da.'