GREY VALLEY ROAD BOARD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1706, 22 January 1874, Page 2

GREY VALLEY ROAD BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held at Ahaura on Thursday, loth inst. There were present— Messrs Jones (in the chair), Lash, Alcorn, Gillen, and Cunningham. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, and the Acting-Secre-tary read a 1 progress report since the last meeting. Letters were forwarded to the Superintendent of Nelson ; to the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Greymouth, and to the Cobden and Inangahua Road Boards, asking the co-ogeration of those bodies in an attempt to have the main road between the . Little Grey Junction and Reefto.n completed. By the authority of the Board, an examination of the country had been made from the main Grey Valley road to the old Callaghan Creek track in the ranges. The new route, if carried put, would be nearer and better than the old one, and avoid numerous crossings of the creek. It could be made, available for horse traffic at a reasonable outlay, but the exact sum could not be ascertained, bepause the examinatiqn was no| com r plete. ■ » The Provincial Secretary of N,elson had written to know the estimated cost of the works most urgently required in the district, with a view, of course, to a careful "consideration" of the same 5 but the Secretary announced that as he had not received returns from the members for all the out-districts-, he had deferred matter for discussion to the next meeting. After letters from various correspondents had been read, The Chairman stated that he had visited the line of country from Hatter's Terrace, Nelson Creek, to wards Kangaroo Creek, and he could vouch for the scandalous condition it was in. He had to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered by Mr Claughessy, of Hatter's, while exploring the different lines of track. Tenders were called for certain repairs, which were laid before the Board. The track from Sullivan Creek to the Napoleon road was next to impassable, and the inhabitants of the district had guaranteed to subscribe the cost of the repairs to the amount of Lls. A small outlay was required to remedy the dangerous condition of the main thoroughfare at Hatter's Terrace', . The report of the Acting-Secretary (the

Chairman) was received, and the^con^^ff sideration of the tenders for the several works was postponed. Mr Cunningham brought forward his motion that the persons who had made or were making tracks from Noble's Creek to Browne's Terrace, and from Napoleon Hill to Browne's, should be subsidised to the extent of L3O. After discussion it was decided to grant LlO to the makers of the Noble's ;track, and the consideration of the track on the other route was postponed. With reference to the Provincial Secretary's letter, about the works required and the estimated cost, the following it was decided were the most pressing : — New track from. Hatter's Terrace to' Owen's Look-out, about six miles ... £600 From Gough's farm on the main Grey :/ ■ Valley road, between M'Kenna'a brewery and the punt on the Ahaura river, to connect with the old Callaghan's Creek track on the ranges ... 50 Pack track from Clarson's store, Duffer Creek, to the township at Noble's ... 200 Bridge across Noble's Creek, at the .- ■ township ... • ... ... ... 20 Repairs to track from main Reefton road to Half : Ounce ... , ; ... ... ,100 v Repairing the dray road from GranviUe, Half -Ounce, to Clarson's store, Duffer Creek ... ' ... ... 20 Repairing thepack track fromPridgeon's house, at the Totara Swamp, HalfOunce road, to Brandy Jack's ... 20 Repairing and corduroying the track ; from flatter's Terrace, Kangaroo i: Creek ... ... ... ... ... 30 From Hatter's to Allen's Terrace, Nelson Creek ... ... .... .<. ... 12 From the Napoleon road, near the ceme- ■ \ : tery, Ahaura, to Sullivan's Creek ..: 30 From No Town to Deadman's Creek ... 30 Pack _ track, from the point where , the ; main trunk road passes near old* Camptown to Red Jack's township, about nine miles " ... 400 Subsidy towards establishing a ferry en the Grey river, at the junction of Moonlight Creek ... ... ... ,100 With respect to the latter item, it was understood that negotiations had been completed, or, were going on between the Government and a private firm for the establishment of a ferry at iTbonlight,*^ but the Secretary was instructed, when writing to the Provincial Secretary on the subject of the proposed, expenditure, to urge immediate action with reference to the ferry which, although not technically a track, was nevertheless absolutely required. The subject of appointing a permanent paid Secretary was then considered, and after discussion it was decided to combine the duties of Secretary to the Board and Overseer of Works in one office. The Chairman was athorised* to advertise in the GKEy River Aeods, the Nelson • Colonist, and the West Coast Times fop applications from persons willing to undertake the duties of the office of Secretary and Overseer to the Board. The applications to be. made in writing, each applicant to :put a price upon his own* abilities, enclosing the names of good and sufficient sureties to guarantee that he possesses ability according to his .own estimate, with reference besides, &c. Atfer the transaction of other similar importance, business, the Board adjourned sine die. . ■ ' . '.