ROAD BOARDS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2321, 12 September 1881, Page 4

ROAD BOARDS.

LINCOLN. Tbit Board met on the sth instant, when there were present all the membersMr Penman in the chair. Mr W. Elltners interviewed the Board with reference to tho drainage of his land. Ho was informed that tfho Beard would shortly visit tho locality "With a view to examining tho drainage of tho 'whole of that part of ths district-. Messrs Bell, Sutton, Miller, B. Townshend, Leathern, and others interviewed the Board with; reference to tho drainage of tho swamp. Mr ■ Miller complained that Townsfaond’s drain ■wo* net large enough and shov?d bo widened, the eartta taken therefrom to he used in tiro formation of Morshead’s road. He t-lso comptafced of tho water lying on Fueoell’a road. Mr Bussell said that Miuchin’s 'tjreok was heing troiden in by Stoddart’u cattle, w hfch caused an obstruction to the Cow of the water in Blackler’s and Townshend’s dwfes. Mr Leathern eaid he thought tho 3*dt-nientioired drain should bo made at least twenty feet wide, as it was the odteh water statin'for the whole of the dry land, Mr E. ’®WnshenT also apobn as to tho -necessity of Widening this drain. Several other rateypayers '.poke as tc tho necessity of doing (-something to the ether drains in the swamp. ; 'Mr Leathern complained that the trees, &0.,l -SgroWi»g on the' banks of the fiver Haleweiij -was one great cause of the water in that river l -'damming babk ao much in floed time, and suggested that tho Board shwdd take stops to - cause them to te removed. ’ On the chairman 1 Stating that thro present funds of tbe_ Booed ■’■WOdld not beer such an outlay for drainage as ■ tfcppesded tc be necesssSry, Mr Leathern - advised the Board to impose a special * rate fbr' that purpose, •as the amount of ”tho rate ■would be very insignificant as ‘compared with the amount of actual damage done ' evecy winter in consequence of ini' sufficient drainage. Mr Henley thought that the 'River Halswcll w-oti the real cause of the 1 damage. Mr Leathern suggested that as the engineer for tho oofinty belonged to the whole >■ county,' the' Beard should ask tho Council for his services to ascertain the possibility of dredging the river or otherwise. After ' further remarks and suggestions re the drainage, Messrs 801 l and Sutton presented a ■ -petition praying the Board to widen and •deepen tho ditch on White and Leadley road, from Dawson’s Creek to River Halswell, and ’ to place an extra culvert under tho Tram road ’at Ellmer’s. Tho Board informed those prer gent that at present no decided answer could ’ be given, but that the Board would visit the ' spot shortly and then decide what action, 'if any, would be taken. Mr Barrett then - complainbd that the pipe drain lately - placed under the road at Ellmer’s corner was doing him considerable injury, as there '■'was no proper outlet for the water flowing ’ through it, in consequence of which it flowed ' on to his land. A similar ropiy was given to ; * Mr Barrett as to tho other gentlemen. The Board decided to meet at White and Leadley’s bridge at ’lO a.m. on Monday, the 12th, for - the purpose of enquiring into the whole quea- ‘ tion of' the drainage of the swamp. A letter was read from Mr Haydon, complaining of - injury done to his fence by the Board cutting • a ditch on the roadside opposite section 1343 and 1364. ' Board to examine same on the ’ 12th. From H. 1 BUrners, complaining of injury done to him during late flood, in consequence of alleged insufficient size of drains and * culverts. Matter to be seen to on the ‘ 12th. Mr Topham wrote asking the Board to' deepen and widen drain on Lincoln road opposite his land. As the obstruction appeared to be caused by the > Southbridge line, it was decided to forward the letter on to the ' Railway Department, The clerk was instructed to meet Mr Henley to report on the waterway at Henley’s corner, Sheehan’s gully, and Bennington’s on tho 7th inst. Mi l Powell saw the Board with refer? ence to the storm water flowing on to hig ■ section. 1 To be informed that the Board could do nothing to relieve him, as a natural water- course ran through his land. D. ■' Hampton applied for an extension of time ■ for his # contract. Granted. A letter was read from Mr J, 0. Witte, offering to ! purchase or lease a portion of the land called the reserve, between his farm and Mr Bar- ■ roll’s, on the Drain road. Chairman said a - reply had been forwarded that the Board had no power to either sell or let the land in question. ■MV -Marshman wrote, in reply, that a chain wide of the strip of land adjoining R.B. 2411 would be reserved in order to give access to the bridge over the River Halswell. From ' Mr El J‘. Lee, chairman of tho Solwyn County ■ Council, stating that tho Commissioner of Crown Lands was willing to reserve for a . gravel pit all that piece of land opposite Messrs Osborne’s and Hamming’s, bn the Tram road. From the Assistant Engineer, in ■ reply, stating that steps would be taken to provide waterway under the line on Mr Prebble’s land, R.B. 3631. From Colonial Secretary, informing the Board that his r Excellency the Governor had been pleased to proclaim in the "Gazette” of the 18th ultimo, that tho regulations of the Local Elections Act 1876, would bo in force in the district after that date. From - Garrick and Oowliabaw, forwarding an advice that the Board had no legal right to lease either roads or towpatho, or authorise any obstructions to their use by the public, except during the progress of formation or repairs. From tho Hon. tho Colonial Secretary, applying for a return showing the in- . debtedneaa of the Board on March 31st last; . also to furnish value of endowments and . property on same date. Olork to give amount of indebtedness, and state that the Board had no endowment or property. From Springs Road Board, in reference to the bar at the mouth of tho River Halswell, and stating that as soon as it was practicable to inspect the place, Mr Martin would communicate with Mr. Peryman. Several other letters of less importance were read and disposed of. Mr Thompson gave notice that ha would move next meeting to the effect—“ That, -in the opinion of this Board, the time has . some when the swampy portion of tho district should bo formed into a Drainage Board, so that the ratepayers may raise money themselves for drainage purposes, as, owing to tho conflicting ideas of drainage as preaonted to tho Board by various petitions on . the subject, it is impossible for the Board to .knowhow to proceed.” It was decided to lower tho roadside ditch below Mr Maskrey’a . gate. The clerk was directed to write to Mr William Scarlett, asking him what authority ■he had for interfering with tho surface of the road near his place, and to state that, . unless he could offer some good explanation, the Board would take proceedings against him. Mr William Rosser was appointed ranger for the district. The clerk was directed to servo notices of removal to persons allowing gorso to grow on the roads; also to endeavor to get in all arrears of rates before ,next, meeting. The clerk’fl report was then read and adopted. The paysheet, amounting tto £164 8s 9d, having been passed for pay- , meet, the Board adjourned.

LITTLE BIFEB, The usual monthly meeting o£ this Board ■ -was hold Monday, September sth. :Preaent —All the members. The clerk’s report, ..which was an unusually long one, owing to the damage to roads and bridges in the district during the recent floods, was read and .considered. It was resolved—“ That in consequence of representations made by Mr Leister as to the state of the drainage on the road leading to Dunford's valley, the offer of the Halswell Bood Board dated April 21st, 1831,that they are prepared to place 18in pipes and remove culvert from the boundary .creek on condition that this Board supply half the cost of labor ’ bo accepted ; slso that the Halswell Board be asked to request the .Selwyn County Council to open the question of boundary with-the Akaroa County Council, and to point out the extreme necessity of having the question permanently settled, and 4hat a copy of the correspondence relating to the above boundary be forwarded to Mr 43-ebbie, to bo brought before the Akaroa County Council at the earliest date.” Mr Parkinson proposed, and Mr Judge seconded, and it was carried—“ That the clerk bo authorised to attend to any works in the district which may be calling for immediate attention, as has been extensively the case during the recent floods.” Mr Parkinson applied for a gate at the entrance to the quarry used by Board at Ahuriri. E=aolred, that this request be granted, and the Board have it locked and retain the key. With regard to the repairs to the road and bridges at the post office and police station. Little River, it was resolved that the clerk and Mr Wilson attend to them, and that the clerk bo requested to attend to the repairs to the rood by Price’s swamp, and that 4, inch pipes be placed across the main road at Mr Eiinoy’s at Tai Tapu. An application from several inhabitants at Tai Tapu wore received, requesting that the pipes leading from the main drain through that township bo replaced by larger ones or a culvert. Resolved—“ That at the present

time the Board could not undertake 'co do this work, but that it will have their bee's attention at as early a date as possible.” It was also resolved-—" That now that La’/to Ellesmere has receded, the damages to the roads and bridges in this district is visible, and finding the ratepayers utterly unr-.ble to repair them, as well os remove tho slips off the Little River hill rood, tho Board respectfully draw the attention o£ tho Hon. Minister for Public ■Works to the matter, and bog to refer him to tho district member, Mr Montgomery, who is acquainted with the peculiar circumstances under which this Board labor, both as to the length of mCin road to bo maintained, tho extraordinary difficulty of maintaining it, and the small rateable value of thio very largo t district, and request that t.O will give j the matter his attention, with a view to grent some pecuniary assistance. ’ With regard to tho approaches to the Little River aide of tho new bridge lutely elected at lumbers, it was resolved that the clerk prepare specifications to have ’it formed, tenders to be received by him in a fortnight at Toi Tffpu. Correspondence was read—Shorn Messrs H. Matson and '-Go., applying for tho uce of the pound at "Little River for the purposes of holding a sale of live stock in it as a yard. It was resolved—" That as Mr Matson would bo placed in a difficulty by a refusal, the Board grant him'the use of the pound for once, and charge the -price of two guineas for the day’s sale. 13 Urom Mr Montgomery, M.H.R., in reply-to tho Board’s resolution of last meeting. It was resolved—" That the thanks of tho Board be tendered him for his information on tho subject of tho trust fund, and his trouble in the matter; and that having coincided with his views, they did not desire to move farther in tho matter.” From tho Akaroa County Council, announcing a pro rata distribution of £SOO to the Boards in the county. From the Colonial Secretary, requesting to be furnished with an account of the indebtedness and endowments of the Board up •to March 31st. From the Chief Survevor, forwarding tracings of reserves 1258 'and •■2426. From the Secretary for Public Works, a circular relative to taking lands for public works. From the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board showing expenditure. At the request of the Board, Mr Wilson postponed tho consideration of tho motion of which he gave notice at last meeting re - expenditure of general rate. After which tho Board rose.

KOWAI. Tho regular monthly meeting was held at Balcairn on the- 2nd September. Present — Messrs Ensor (chairman), Coleman, Mathers, Bruere and Bristow, The accounts were audited and passed. Mr Courage waited on the Board, and asked for pipes for a gateway; refused, it being explained to him by tho chairman that requests of this nature were only granted under peculiar circumstances. Mr Courage also asked for Webb’s road to be formed. Granted, conditionally that he gave gravel for this and the ungravelled portion between the woolshed and double elbow bridge. Messrs King and Tippler applied for enlargement of culvert across the lagoon on King’s road. Deferred till summer, it being at present inaccessible owing to tho water. Mr Moßoberts applied for a pipe ■drain to give access to the Leithfield school. : The surveyor reported the ground too shallow for pipes. It was suggested that a stone crossing would answer. Surveyor instructed to attend to it. Messrs King, Russell, Hall, May, James, Durrell, McLean, Gibbs, and Shaw waited on the Board, and stated that there was danger of the river Kowai breaking through its banks immediately below the windmill. Tho surveyor was instructed to take tho levels and report to the Board. The chairman remarked that the work would ■ probably be an expensive one, but if a public benefit would arise from Board expenditure in river protective works, he considered that tho work should be undertaken ; but if no advantage was to be derived to_ the public generally, he considered that it would be unfair to spend ratepayers’ money. The surveyor arranged to meet the deputation at Staee's at ten o’clock next Monday. The surveyor explained that Mr Prondfoot was willing that a drain through his laud be opened to carry off tho water, conditionally that the Board secure him against damage and keep it open for ever. The Board declined to accept these terms, and instructed the surveyor to fill in the water-table on the north side to its original level. The following correspondence was received: From Mr Hillary, 0.E., Waimate, re making concrete pipes. To be thanked, and applied to further on the matter. -From Mr Vaughan, asking for pipes. Refused, but surveyor to see if tho place cannot be grovelled. From the manager of the Union Bank re time being up for one of the deposits. Surveyor instructed to re-deposit for twelve months. From Mr Robinson and five others, complaining of the water being brought across Mr Breere’s paddocks instead of under Mr Hiatt’s fence. The Board did not approve of either the tone or matter of the petition. Mr Bruere consented to a ditch being cut through his land opposite Hiatt’s and so remove the difficulty. Messrs Ensor, Mathers, and Bruere to inspect and see into tho matter generally. Mr McOlean complained of a deep hole in the swamp on Nowoombe’s road. Surveyor to attend to it. Messrs King, May, McOlean and Shaw complained that some person or persons unknown had opened a drain across the road near Daffoll’s house, thereby encouraging the drainage at the north side towards the ground on the south, and causing damage to the latter. The Board instructed the surveyor to visit and fill in tho drain, if he thought necessary. Mr May asked for pipes for gateway. Refused. Messrs Middleton and Millar were granted a month’s extension on their contract. From Mr Busbfield, asking for pipes at the Catholic church; Surveyor to inquire as to necessity. From Mr Sydney Smith, asking for a road to hia property. Surveyor to attend to it, and draw out specification. The surveyor’s report was rend and agreed to, tho pay-sheet was road, and the Board adjourned.