MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 86, 27 June 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Yesterday. The Beard met at 11 .80 a.m. [A summary of business is given in this issue.] The Chairman reported the debit balance to be £468 9s. Tejders accepted — • For Frecldington's road, Messrs Freckling ton, at 2os per chain ; Whale road, 4s per chain. No tenders were accepted for Roberts' or Campion's roads. A resolution was passed, asking the GJ-o-vernment to get the Drainage Act amended, so as to compel settlers to clear out natural watercourses on their land. The Board agreed to allow Mr Hayns to survey the Saudon Railway, and also syavo its consent to the railway, and to the sheds and stations being erected on the Sauson Town belt Accounts amounting to £42G 7s 7d wore passed. Mr Kookel gave notice of a resolution for next meeting, to readjust the representation of the Board upon a fair basis of rates. The following is the Engineer's report for the Saudon, Carnarvon, and Foxton wards :— During the month I have visited eaoh and every Ward, and must say in some parts the roads are getting into a very sloppy slafce through the late rams, but although so much rain has fallen, no serious damage has been dono to any part of the roads. No. 1 Ward. I have little to ieport of the Ward. I have prepared specifications for bushfelling and clearing Freckliugton's line, and called tenders for the same. Ko. 2 Ward. For this Ward I have a considerabla amount of work to report. I liavo prepared specifications and called tenders for bushfelling and clearing Freoklington's line of road, being continuation of that from Ward No. 1 ; for 7 chains of formation and culverts on Campion's or Hickford's line of road ; clearing scrub, toi-toi, rushes, &c, olf Whale line. This, although not sanctioned by the Board at last meeting, was thought advisable bythe Warden to call for tenders, it being a vote from the County Council to the Board for the special piece of work above-mentioned. I have also set out and prepared section for 77 chains of river bank road, l arnarvou District. I think this is a very important piece of road, and should be carried out as soon as possible. At the present time, through tlio uueveu- , ness of the road line, settlers travelling on [ this road have to trespass on private property, which is about being fenced, when ' tho uneven road line will bo the only line to travel on. I have prepared an approximate estimate of cost of work. There tiro also \ several other shorter pieces of road that require repairing veay badly. One piece 10 chains of swampy road and another piece ' near Mr Frasor's of about 10 chains of very wet road ; also several diverts requiro to be renewed on road leading from SansonFoxton road to Scott's, Kangitikei. I , I would ask the Board whether the whole of tho road linos in the Douglas Block have been taken over by this Board, as several repairs require to he done, but unlil the above is decided, I have declined to do such repairs without your approval. This '■ is a question that requires your careful con- ' sideratiou whether the private road should j be taken over by this Board before the ( said road lines are co istructcd complete. , On Bluudou'H line tho bush requires to j be felled and cleared as fur as the Douglas ( boundary. For this line of road a peti- . tion wnu received by the Board about two months ago aud handed me to report upon, i which I did, but no action has been taken . in the matter j the good timber (totaraj I j would strongly reccommond to be left standing if the bush is to be felled. I have oalludfor tenders for the 3 culverts on Campbell town road. No 3 Waud. Acoording to Mr M'Pherson's instructions and the Board's sanction, I have had the i road line at Foxton (known as Main Drain Eoad) covered with 6 inches of sand. The contractors for formation on Moutoa \ road are not pushing on with their work. * I have warned them that if not pushed on at once, the fine will be strictly enforced. (Tho full report will appear in next issue)