KAIKOURA ROAD BOARD.

Kaikoura Star, Volume I, Issue 67, 21 June 1881, Page 2

KAIKOURA ROAD BOARD.

The csual monthly meeting of the above Bond was held yesterday. Present —Messrs Dickenson (Chairman), Close, Harnett and Aldridge. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read. Mr DoMemeade took exception_ to the resolution passed at the last meeting, rescinding the one carried at the previous meeting, re removal of sheds, and wanted the former expunged from the minutes, so as to let the first resolution stand, and leave it for, Mr Gibson, or any other member whet Chose to take action, to give notice to cancel the motion respecting the shed question. The Chairman and Mr Harnett opposed such a course, the latter urging the confirmation of the minutes and proceedure with business.

Mr Doddemeade further urged his proposal, the Chairman suggesting the cancellation of both motions, Mr Doddemeade remarking that they might go on for ever with such a method, without doing any real business. Let the original resolution stand, leaving the new Board to take what action they felt disposed to do. Mr Harnett. Accept the minutes as thev arc and let a fresh motion be proprosed if desired. Mr Doddemeade said it was unfair to rescind a resolution without notice having been given. Members were sometimes absent when motions were brought on, and so resolutions were carried in their absence.

Mr Harnett spoke warmly on the subject of public men attending to their duties in a proper manner, giving punctual attendance at the time called upon.

Mr Doddemeade : We’l. if we carry on business in a loose manner we shall never finish.

The Chairman replied that a quorum could always transact business, and therefore what they did was binding. Mr Doddemeade remarked that in the County Council notice of motion had to be given before a resolution could be rescinded, and the same should be done in the Road Board.

It was pointed out that the Road Board was not governed by the same rules as the County Council.

Mr Doddemeade thought it a bad precedent to recind a resolution without proper notice being given. The minutes were then confirmed.

Mr Harnett had seen a letter in the Stab, calling in question thelegality of the balance sheet, signed by the pro tern Chairman. This he, Mr Harnett, thought was not an illegal act, as the acting Chairman was empowered to do all that the Chairman of the Board could perform. Other members expressed similar views. H th« MT rVTIM On reading over the minutes a second time the following, amongst other remarks, were passed : Shed Question.— Mr Doddemeade again spoke on this burning question, avering that the members of the Board had laid themselves open to an action for damages, as Capt. Davidson had gone to expense in order to comply with the Board's instructions. The Chairman : That was months ago and he says he cannot remove at present. Mr Harnett pointed out the course to be taken by ratepayers, who felt aggrieved, by reason of obstructions on the roads.

Mr Doddemeade allowed the matter to pass, but was evidently dissatisfied. Schoolhouse Road.— The Inspector reported that all the tenders for opening this road were considered too high, the lowest being £24 19s 6d. Mr Parson’s offer to do the work for £l5 had therefore been accepted. To the Schoolhouse. This road was reported to be in a very bad state. Mr Close stated that he had tried to get this work done at the commencement of summer, but Mr Harnett had opposed it. It was now getting impassable. He had foretold what would be the result of leaving, that it would cost more to repair in the winter than would put it in thorough good order in the summer. Mr Harnett said Mr Close made a great 1 mistake. What be opposed was closing i the ditch on the south side of the metal road. , Close said Mr Maddock st that time there were far worse roads in 1 MBS|l)strict. It was passed that the flax ! be removed, but it had not been ( Irailß Harnett: ThaUs the Inspector’s He got authority to do the work. Mr Close : A good job you've got some one to lay the blame on. Mr Harnett questioned whether the traffic on the road warranted much expenditure ; it only benefitted two or three Some of them could go another way. Mr Close contended that there was more traffic on it than on any road in the district, the Mount Fyffe road excepted. The Chairman humorously remarked that he felt sorry a rate of 2s could not be levied in order to make roads for every one in the district. Mr Doddemeade said, as had been remarked by Mr Harnett, the settlers had another road to go. thev were not so badly off as those living on the peninsula, some of whom though no distance from the ; wharf, yet had to go round four miles I with a dray to reach it. He, however, ■ must admit he was surpised at the traffic in the locality referred to by Mr Close. It was resolved—“ That the Inspector attend to the work, and put the road in thorough repair. TENDERS. The following tenders received were dealt with as under’: Wharf road, from Davidsons shed to the Cave, J. Mclnnes £56, 6 weeks (accepted); Anderson and Powell, £63, 6 weeks ; M. . Connor, £63. 10 weeks. Metalling Yarmouth street. M. Connor.7s 6dper chain,2 weeks (accepted): J. Curtain, Bs. 10 days ; J. Mclnnes, 10s, 1 week. For delivering metal on Mt. Fyffe road, 1 as required, the tender of T. Boyd at Is 9Jd per yard was accepted. For the right to impound cattle straying on all town and suburban roads, G. Lawson 10s perqr. (accepted); C. F. Fox £2 10s per annum (informal). Horse teams, per day, as required: J. I Curtain, 9s lid, 1 horse and driver, 12s 6d, 2 ditto, 14s 6d, 3 ditto (accepted); Mclnnes ) 12s, 13s and 17s; Jerrv Harnett, 12s, 15s ! and 18s; M. Connor, ditto.

WORKS. Resolved that tenders be invited for metalling the Kohai road so as to connect the part metalled near Keenans’ with that near Burrells. The road from the Mill road to Gibsons’ to be opened for bridle traffic. The road at the head of W. M. Hailes’ land, near Scrammy Creek, to be made passable. Culvert to be put in ditch at P. Keenan’s gate, section 81. Outfall through Mr. G. Taylor’s land to be cleared, as requested. Mr Flint’s offer to pay twentyfive per cent of the cost of making a sledge road up the Peninsula terrace, near his house was accepted. Mr Warren’s offer to pav 2s per chain for cutting ditch on the upper side of the road, adjoining section 51 and, with Mr Paap, to defrav two-thirds the cost of widening the outfall ; between sections 63 and 64, suburban, was accepted, tenders to be called for the work.

Inspector to make arrangements with Mr P. McGuire to make a water table of about ten chains on the road adjoining sections 51 and 52 suburban. (The remainder of the report on Friday.)