ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2143, 7 January 1881, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

AVON. The annual meeting of tho ratepayers of this district took place on Thursday at noon, at the Road Board office, Papanui road. There was a fair attendance. Mr J. L. Wilson, tho Board's chairman, presided, and gave a resume of the business during the year. Mr Cooper, sen., asked the Board’s position relative to the north side of tho north belt. The Chairman replied that it was decided to leave the work of channelling, &c., required, in abeyance, as it would involve an expenditure of £7OO. Mr Goodland wanted to know why the sum of £8 13s 3d was expended on the Sawyer’s Arms road. Tho Chairman said it was coat of taking up and re-laying a culvert, and the reason why it failed to carry off all the water, was owing to the Drainage Board having drained Matson’s land into that outlet. That Board ought to replace it by a larger one for the reason assigned. Mr Sisson asked why the roads in Horner’s paddock were not proceeded with. Tho Chairman explained that two tenders had boon submitted—tho first being so low that the tenderer retired from tho work, tho other was considered too high—and Mr Horner withdrew from his promise to find half the cost, oven refusing to pay for tho dedication of the roads. In reply to a question the Chairman said Mr Horner had repudiated his engagements with the Board. Several other questions having been asked and replied to, tho financial statement of the Board for tho past year duly audited was proposed, seconded and unanimously adopted. It showed tho year’s receipts to December 31st, 1880, tho disbursements being £6056 7s 9d, the bank balance amounting to £1767 2 a 5d at that date. Tho Board’s liabilities were stated as being £242, tho assets showing as £5193 2s sd, an excess of assets over liabilites of £4049 2s sd. The usual vote of thanks to the Board terminated the proceedings. RIOOARTON, Tho ordinary mooting of the Board was held on Friday at the office, Upper Ricoarton. Present —Messrs Hall (chairman), Nunweek, Patterson, and Stanley. Tho following correspondence was read:—From tho Avon Road Beard, enclosing cheque for £32 Os sd, being the amouut charged for maintenance of the Boundary road, less £9 10s, repairs to footpath objected to as being out of their district. It was resolved to refer the matter to tho solicitors of the Board for their opinion. From the Secretary to tho Treasury, advising payment of the sum of £314 ss, being subsidy on rates collected for the year ending March 31st, 1881 ; also, from the manager of the Bank of Australasia, acknowledging the receipt of tho above amount. From Mr O. G. Parker, requesting that his name be erased from the rate-roll, he having left the district. Tho chairman read the clerk’s reply, which was approved. From Mr Cartwright, complaining of the bad state of Mr Chick’s fence adjoining him. The Board declined to interfere in tho matter. From tho clerk to the Ashburton County Council, enclosing copy of correspondence between the Council and iho Railway Manager relative to tho present railway tariff, and inviting the Board to join in the protest. It was resolved —“ That the Riocartou Road Board will heartily co-operate in any action taken by tho Ashburton County Council to have the prooeut unsatisfactory railway tariff revised.” s?he surveyor’s report was read, and the following resolutions were carried, viz, : —“That tenders bo invited, returnable at next meeting, for forming the north-east side of Haokett’s road with an eight-foot footpath. That a bridge be erected on the Fendaltown road, near the railway crossing, in place of tho present one. which is worn out, and that the surveyor make arrangements for carrying out tho work.” Four tenders were received for forming the Crewe road near Addington, and that of Win. Mayne was accepted. The surveyor’s report on Mr Horler’s bone-crush-ing works at Upper Riocarton was read as follows: “In accordanoowith tho resolution passed by tho Board on the 13th inst., I beg to report that I have visited Mr Horler’s bonecrushing establishment on five separate occaonsions, but as there has boon a partial cessation of his operations, I probably have not seen the promises in their worst aspect. On each occasion of my visit I saw lying outside of tho shed a heap of green bones with decomposed flesh and skin adhering to them. During one of these visits (viz., on the 24th inst.), it was blowing from tho north-west and very hot, when the smell was unbearable, and such as must pollute the air for a long distance around. The works are within a few yards from the public road, and within about 12 chains from the residence of Mr L. Harper, who has complained, as the Board is aware, repeatedly of the nuisance. As the locality is studded with private residences, for which it is adapted, and likely to become thickly inhabited, I would recommend that Mr Horler bo requested to move to a more suitable site for tho carrying out of his business, for I anticipate a continuance of the nuisance wilt ho an endless course of annoyance to the neighborhood and trouble to the Board. I should further mention that the factory being on the extreme margin of the river, whilst it affords a drainage for the premises, must pollute the water below.” The Board having considered and adopted the report, the following resolution was carried unanimously :—“ That Mr Horler be requested to abate the nuisance arising from his bone crushing establishment in tho township of Poerswiok, Upper Ricoarton.” The clerk was also requested to suggest to Mr Horler the advisability of removing bis bor.e crushing works at once to a leas thickly populated locality. The rate collector’s repo rt was read, by which it appeared that the amount of rates outstanding for the current year was £8 6s 4d. Tho clerk was directed to prepare a balance-sheet to tho end of the year, and a statement of the assets and liabilities of tho Board. After passing accounts, tho Board adjourned. EYRBXON. Tho monthly meeting was held at Ohoka on January 3rd. Present Messrs Wilson (chairman), Gould, Hopkins, Pairweathor, Pashby. Letters were read—From Treasury, advising payment of subsidy, £335 2s 9d, being 7s 6d in £ on £893 13s lid rates collected for 1879, From Ashburton County Council, protesting against railway tariff. It was decided to acknowledge the receipt of same, and reply that the Board did not nee its way to support the protest. Accounts, £276 12s 4d, were passed. At the annual meeting the accounts ware adopted, and it was decided that cost of Eyre bridge be charged to the Plains sub-district. A proposition to abolish all other polling places except Ohoka was lost. Mr Denton moved, Mr Chilton seconded—“ That tho ranger be dispensed with.” Mr MeLachlan moved, Mr Fair weather seconded, an amendment—“ That a meeting be called to consider the question of retaining the ranger.” Tho motion was subsequently carried. Me jsrs J. Guild (proposed by Mr Pearson, seconded by Mr Gillon), H. Elder (proposed by Mr Denton, seconded by Mr Ellis), and R, Hopkins (proposed by Mr Ellis, seconded by Mr Pashby), were elected members of the Board. On the motion of Mr Denton, seconded by Mr Davis, a vote of thanks was recorded to tho members for their past services. At a suboequont meeting of the Board, Mr Isaac Wilson was unanimously re-eloctod chairman, and it was decided to dispense with the services of the danger. WEST EYBETON. The annual meeting ot ratepayers was hold on January 4th, Mr Marmaduke Dixon in the chair. The balance-sheet for the past year was read and approved. The chairman said tho next business was tho election of three members to servo on the Board in, the place of Messrs Moderate, Peter and Wolfe, but who wore eligible for ro election. The folio wring gentlemen wore duly proposed and seconded —Messrs Moderate, Burton, Dawson, J. Smith, M'Dongal, Ruddonklau, Wolfe, Pester. No other candidate being proposed, a show of hands was taken. A poll was then demanded. At tho close of tho poll the chairman declared the result as follows: —J. Burton, 13; R. Dawson, 24 ; A. Moderate, 40 : J. M’Dougal, 18 : E. Pester, 16 ; J. Buddenklau, 2 ; H. Wolfe, 26 : W. Wright, 0. Messrs Moderate, Dawson and Wolfe wore declared duly elected.

At a mooting of the new Board subsequently held—present: Messrs. Moderate, Maindonald, Dixon and Dawson—Mr Dixon ■was elected chairman. Letters were road from the manager of the Union Bank of Australia, stating the rate of interest on fixed deposits would be in future—for three months, 2 per cent, per annum ; for six months, 3 per cunt, per annum ; for twelve months, per cant, per annum. From the Oust Boad Board, requesting the Board to remove the obstruction said to have been placed across the watercourse on the west side of the railway bridge at Bennetts. Ordered l!o be acknowledged, and to state the Board are un-

aware of any obstruction having been placed in tho watercourse. Resolved, “ That the surveyor bo instructed to arrange with Mr Smith to do some more filling in on the North Eyre road, near the Carlton road, at tho fornwr contract price.” (Resolved, “That notice bo sent to Mr Driscoll that unless ho commences his contract for shingling the North Byre road before Monday next his deponit would be forfeited.” Resolved, “ That the Board meetings bo held the second Monday in each month, at 1 p m.” Accounts, amounting to £2BO 15j 4d, wore passed. The meeting then adjourned. liIANDEYILLE AND RANGIOBA. The annual meeting was held on Thursday. About twenty ratepayers attended. Captain Parsons, chairman of the Board, presided. He read tho statement of accounts, which showed the total receipts to be £5099 3a lid ; expenditure, £4523 ; balar.es in hand, £575 10s sd. The liabilities of tho Board were about £2OO, and estimated income from the races due £3OO, so that the new Board would have about £7OO to start on. On motion of Mr Parnham, seconded by Mr Leggett, the statement was adopted. The chairman said Messrs Stalker, Edwards, and himself were the retiring members. Mr Buxton moved, Mr McGregor seconded, the re-election of Oapt. Parsons. Mr Parnham moved, Mr Beiiarreli seconded, the re-election of Mr Geo. Edwards. Mr Thos. Wilson moved, Mr Stalker seconded, the nomination of Mr Orossley Dampier Crossley. The three nominated were declared elected, and returned ths.uks, each in a suitable manner. The Chairman bore testimony to the efficient way in which tho clerk carried out his duties. The Board had not experienced any after claps with its contractors, and not only their roads but their bridges were better than any others in the North. [Hear.] With the knowledge their dork had of his duties, the Board felt that it had an honest and trustworthy officer. Yotes of thanks to Mr Stalker on his retirement, also to the members of the Board for past services, were carried. An ordinary meeting of this Board was hold afterwards. Present—Captain Parsons (chairman), and all the members. A letter was read from Kaiapoi Council regarding repairs to Cam embankment. It was decided to attend to same, and ask the Council to have cattle trespassing on it impounded. The surveyor was requested to report on lengthening Flaxton bridge. A letter was road from Ashburton County Council relative to railway tariff. Consideration deferred. Mr Taafe was appointed registrar of dogs for the district, and call for tenders for dog collars and i'rvite offers for the situation of ranger, Mr Houghton having resigned. HEATHCOXE, The annual meeting of the ratepayers of llhis district was held yesterday at noon. Mr W. Hawker, the chairman of the Board, preluded. Tho annual statement of accounts and balance sheet was submitted, and on the motion of Mr Ollivier adopted. Mr Ollivier asked when tho Tramway Company were likely to commence operations. The Chairman said that tho deed was in course of preparation. It was suggested that it would be better, if possible, that tho annual meetings of the ratepayers should be held in the evening, and a resolution agreed to asking the Board to have this done if possible. The Board was also requested to call a public meeting to discuss the advieablencss of dividing the district into wards. Mr Olephane protested against the proposed expenditure of public money towards the erection of bridges over the river Heatbcote. Mr J. H. Hopkins replied at some length. A vote of thanks to tho chairman concluded the business of the meeting. OXFORD. The annual election for three members, in the places of Messrs Sladdon, Bennett, and Mullin, was held in the Road Board Office on Wednesday, sth inst. Mr Sladden, tho chairman of the retiring Board, said that at tho end of last year the Board had a balance to its credit of £9116 12s Od, and during the year the total receipts amounted to £13,068 5s 2d. The Chairman also read a detailed statement of accounts of receipts and of expenditure on the various roads. Dr. Weld said that, from what ho had heard before ho saw the statement of accounts which had been presented, he was under the impression that the money had been spent upon the land in the immediate neighborhood of the members of the Board, but on seeing that statement ho was quite satisfied, and he should propose a vote of thanks to the retiring members. This was seconded by MrMardon, and carried by acclamation, and duly acknowledged by the chairman. The following gentlemen were proposed for the vacancies : Messrs Mardon, Ingram, Parish, Bennett, Ashworth, H. Marsh, and Sedcole. A poll wos taken, and resulted as follows : —lngram 143, Bennett 122, Marsh 91, Parish 90, Mardon 78, Ashworth 62, and Sedcole 32. The returning officer declared Messrs Ingram, Bennett, and Marsh duly elected. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

ASHLEY. At the election of the above Board on Thursday, Messrs A. Hodgson and W. Nioholls were elected to fill the vacancies. Messrs Banks and Brown were the other candidates. LONGBBACH. The annual meeting of ratepayers living in the above district was held last Tuesday in the Boad Board office, Mr J. G-rigg in the chair. The receipts were slated as £4636 13s 3d ; expenditure, £4259 10s 9d ; balance December 31st, £377 2s 6d. The total balance in favor of assets was £3608 ss. In compliance wilh a letter from the Ashburton County Council, the question of constituting the Tinwald-Winslow district into a separate road district was discussed. After a lengthened discussion, it was decided, on a division of thirteen to three, not to separate the Tinwald-Winslow district from the Longbeach district. The election of three persons to fill seats, rendered vacant by the retirement by rotation of Messrs Grigg, Dawson and Wright, resulted in Messrs Grigg, Taylor and Carter being elected. A meeting of the Board, as newly constituted, was afterwards held, at which Mr John Grigg was unanimously chosen chairman. SOUTH EAKAIA. The annual election was held in the Board Boom on Monday for the purpose of electing three members, to serve in the place of Messrs O. N, Muckie, E. S. Coster and Wm. L. Allan, who retired by rotation. There was not u large attendance, and the retiring members being the only gentlemen nominated, the returning officer declared them duly elected. The annual meeting of ratepayers was then held, at which there was rather a better attendance. ‘The chairman read a report and balance-sheet for the year ending December 31st, 1880, which he said he hoped would prove satisfactory. The Board had a large balance on fixed deposit in the Bank, which might possibly be looked upon by some as a mistake, but in the opinion of the Board the conservation of its funds is a matter of the utmost importance, without, of course, neglecting necessary works in the district. There can be no doubt that had it been necessary to strike a rate, it must have pressed somewhat heavily upon the farmers of the district during the late very depressed state of the country. The interest accruing upon the fixed deposit has been very considerable, amounting to upwards of £SOO per annum. The Board applied to the Government for the three chain old railway reserve for planting purposes, which has been conceded, subject to an Act of Parliament being passed vesting it in the Board. This reserve has been ploughed, sown with gums, and fenced, and should prove a great boon to the district in a few years. Two sections have also been granted for planting purposes between Sodtown and the township, and the Board has had them sown with gums and fenced in. The old plantation has been thinned, and all gaps missed during first sowing have been filled up, tho Board having had upwards of 2000 holes dug and gum seeds sown. The Board has recommended the Government to voat this plantation, as being contiguous to the recreation ground, in the South Eakaia Domain Board, believing that Board to bo the proper body to have the management of it. The Board is erecting a powerful windmill and pump on the site of the old pump in the yard, which should prove of great advantage in the grain season and also in case of fire in the township. Length of roads formed only 84 miles 45 chains ; length of roads formed and shingled, 49 miles 491 chains. Brceipti— Credit current account, January Ist, 1880, £4150 17s lid ; fixed deposit, £8000; other receipts, £3248 6s 4d ; total, £15,399 4s 3d. Expenditure, £6326 11s 21 ; balance in Bank January Ist, 1881, £9075 19s 2d; total,

£15,402 10s 43, less cheque outstanding, £3 6s 1d—£15,399 4s 3d. It was resolv. d—- “ That tho chairman’s report and balancesheet be adopted.” Mr E. B. Passmore moved—“ That tho South Rakaia district bo divided into wards, so that each part should have its fair share in tho distribution of funds.” There being no seconder the motion lapsed, and tho usual votes of thanks having been passed, the meeting terminated. WAX PARA. The monthly meeting of tho Waipira Road B iard took place on Tuesday, January 4th, after the election had placed upon the Board Messrs J. D. Lance, W. Parkerson and J. W. Pyne. The whole of the members were proeent. Mr W. Parkorson proposed Mr J. D. Lance as chairman, which was seconded by Mr T. Sanderson, and carried unanimously. A paper from the Clyde Council was read relative to the Board joining them in an endeavor to have tho railway tariff revised. Mr Wade thought that the Wuikari district was not very much benefited at the present time by tho railway, and the chairman said they would defer the matter for a time. Mr A. Cane saw the Board wishing them to remove all gates in tho district. He was told that they could not give him any answer to his request. Mr Michell saw the Board regarding bis fence on the side of the Waitohi road, saying that it had slipped down, wishing tho Board to have it replaced, which he was promised. Accounts amounting to £1492 3s 4d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.