LOCAL REVENUES BOARD.

Inangahua Times, Volume III, Issue 85, 5 March 1877, Page 2

LOCAL REVENUES BOARD.

The usual fortnightly meeting of ihe members of the above Board was held in the office, Broadway, on Friday afternoon last. Present — Messrs Brennan (Chairman), Aiken, Franklyn, and Kelly. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Overseer read his report upon the state of the different roads of the district, from which it appeared that the maintenance contracts were being carried out in the main satisfactorily. The Grey road contractor had been warned that when his time would be up tbe road would bave to be fully up to the conditions of his contract, and he had since put extra hands on. With regard to Neilson's contraot on the first section of the Buller road, the most of the damage dono by the late flood had been repaired. Boatman's road was in good order, as also the portion of the Bailer road under O'Eegan. M'Gahey had done little or no work on his section since last report, but as the traffic was light the road continued in good repair. A portion of the road in Courtney's contract had been completely washed away by the Buller river, and owing to the peouliar formation it would be impossible to keep the road open at that point by the old route. It was therefore absolutely necessary that the Board should at once determine upon tho formation of another road, otherwise the next flood would cut off all communication with Westport. Only one route was available for the new road, and that was through a portion of Mr Courtney's land, but he belicyed that under oertain conditions Mr Courtney was willing to allow the use of the land. He had measured the work, and prepared an estimate, and had requested Mr Courtney to attend the Board to see if any arrangement could be made in reference to the formation of the road in question, On tbe motion of Mr Franklyn, the report, as read, was received. Tlie Chairman inquired' whet' er it was absolutely imperative that the work should be undertaken, and whother the estimate submitted had been carefully arrived at,

The overseer said that the work was absolutely necessary, for unless ifc was undertaken before the next flood came on, traffic witb Westport would be suspended. Mr Aiken was of opiuion tbat as the work was absolutely necessary they should not delay in proceeding with it, and in that Mr Franklyn and Mr Kelly fully concurred. Mr Courtney, who was present, was asked whether be was prepared to undertake the work at the overseer's estimate, when he stated his readiness to do so, stipulating however tbat tbe Board should fence the road as far as it passed through | his land. The estimate given for the work was £7 per chain. After some further discussion, it was proposed by Mr Aiken, and seconded by Mr Kelly, that the offer of Mr Courtney be accepted upon tbe conditions mentioned. The cost of tbe work was set down at £170. Tbe resolution was then put to tbe meeting and carried. Mr James Connelly applied for, and on the motion of Mr Kelly, seconded by Mr Franklyn, obtained permission to occupy a portion of the river bank between Beefton and Black's Point, as a grass paddock at the annual rental of ls, conditionally that he did not interfere with standing timber along tbe water's edge. Letter read from Mr Hans Jacobsen applying for a reduction of special rate on cottages in Broadway, opposite the Bank of New Zealand. As tbere were exceptional circumstances in connection with applicants assessment, the Board, after considerable discussion, agreed to reduce his rates by the sum of 20s on the amount to be paid. It was moved by Mr Aiken, and seconded by Mr Kelly, that the Secretary be empowered to purchase grass seed and have it sown in tbe Cemetery. Mr Franklyn gave notice of motion that he would move at the next meeting that a sum not exceeding £20 be expended)in forming footpath along Trennery street, Black's Point. He said that he had moved in the same matter many months ago, but owing to tbe state of the funds at that time he did not press the matter. The work, however, was one of great urgency, and should be taken in hand before the winter set in. Mr Kelly gave notice of motion that be would move at tbe next meeting that a sum of money be voted by the Board for the formation of a road from the main Grey and Beefton road to Antonio's Flat. Tbe Secretary laid on the table a com* munication he had received from tbe General Government in reference to the condition of the water supply and drainage of the town of Reefton, and was directed to report upon the matter at the i next sitting of the Board. A number of accounts having been submitted and passed for paymeti), the meet" ing adjourned.