MANAWATU HIGHWEAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 97, 5 August 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU HIGHWEAYS BOARD.

-♦• . Thursday, August 31. ■ The Board met nt ll'a.m. Present— Messrs Dalrymplo (Chairman), Macpherson M'Ewen, . Farmer. K'Kenzia, Bruce, and Rockel. The minute 3of the previous mestirg were read aud confirmed. HANK OVBRDnA.PT. : The Seoretary stated that Mr Turner, the Bank agent, had given him noticJ that the Board's over-draft would have to . be reduced, or, at any rate not increased. A. long discussion ensued in reference to the state of the Wards' funds, during which it was elicited that some of the smaller' Ridings were overdrawn to 'the full amount allowed. Eventually, on the motion of Mr M'Ewen, it was resolved that the Secretary should prepare a statement of each Ward's account for next meeting. KIWITKA UOAD LINE. The Chairman read some lengthy correspondence that had passed butwean himself and the Public Works Office, relating to the bush that had bean felled on wrong portions of the road line in Kiwitea district, in which the Government refused to refund the money to the Roard. The Chairman also read Icttsrs between himself and Mr W. Johnston, in which that gentleman had promised to bring the matter before the House, COHRESPONDENCE, Letter road from two' settlers at Cheltenham asking for a culvert to be erected over tho drain in Mills-street. — Referred to M-mchestr Highways Board. Ljtters were read from Messrs Wordsworth and Walde^rave, (Eitzherbort), Irwin (Kiwitea), asking permission to fall the road line on sections near their properties, on the usual terms. 'J'lie necessary permission was given, the allowance to be paid when the Board was in funds. Robert Wilson wrote, stating that he had completed the filling of road line on three sections on the Bunnjthorpe road. Letter read from Burt and Bistnark asking for an extention of 15 days to Complete their contract on Kiwitea Road. — The Engineer reported the mun had been neglJCting the Board's work for private work, and the matter was left in his hand 3. • < '■ :■ •, >'» Letter read from P. J*nsen, asking the Board to grant permission to Nann,ested & Co., to take away timber useful for sawing purposes from road line G. L?ft iv, the Engineer's hands. Mr J. T. Stewart, District Engineer, wrote staling that the proposed brUge over Maugaone creek, in the , Kturarigiv- District, would cost £112 according to an estimate of the Board's engineer, and seeking a reply before writing to Wellington. Mr M'Ewen had written U> .■< Mr Stewart, sljathig that as half the cost was contributed, he thought the Board would contribute the other half. The Engineer was instructed to prepare a plan of the proposed bridge. Mr Valdimir wro'lo in a very warm strain tp the Board about the " disgraceful state of the road known as Macky's line." — Referred to the Manchester Boord. J. G. Wilson wrbte asking- for. some neoessury work be done near his property, and stating that he contributed a great deal of money as rates. — Engineer instructed to call for tenders. Mr Swainson wrote, pointing out the bad state of the Feildiug and Halcombe road. ; Ponnifcsion was granted to Alfred Tanner, of Karere,; to erect' a. fence jwrqs^ a road line nearhis property/ it tfemg shown "that the applicant was the only person using the road. DEPUTATIONS. Ifr M'Donald, of Awahuri, attended to ask the Board to proceed with the , f puoiug, of a road line through' his' property, whicn' had been promised to be done, he having given the land.]/ Mr ftl'Dpnaldialso asked for a bridge to be re-erected on the road, which had been broken down, and which necessitated persons going through his paddocks. — It was resolved on the motion of Mr llockel, seconded by Mr Bruce, to call for tenders immediately for the work. Mr Rockel and the Engineer to open the tenders, and arrange for the work to be done. Messis T t aylpr , and Barrett attended to bring under notice of Board tlie : bail 'state of a new road lately opened in Kiwitoa.and which was absolutely useless owing to some cuttings not being made:- Tho deputation pointed out that a large sura of money had been spent in felling the bush and forming the road,; ;wMch fwould; be utterly useless unless these cuttings were opened. The settlers at present there could neither ; ge| any things in or out, and would have to abandon their homes unless tho road was improved.— Mr M'Kenzie stated that all the money laised in Kiwitea had been spent making that particular road.— The : Board decited they could afford the settlers no assistance in the .matter. '• r , A similar answer was returned to a settler who come to ask for assistance in reference to some road in the Douglas Block. Fritz Jensen waited upon the Board to obtain permission to fall some busli on a road line leading off the Kangitikei road.-^ Granted,. to be paid when Board in funds. 'I TENDERS. Before opening any, tenders, the Chair* man said the Board should decide what work tenders should bo accepted, for. In face of the caution received from the Bank it was advisable to curtail the expenditure in order, to prevent, difficulties. Mr M*Eweri-would advise'th'at no be started till more money was in hand. Mr Bruce took occasion to refer to the request that had beenimade at the previous

meeting by a deputation of Palmerston settlers in reference to a grant for the cemetery at that Borough. He believed the functions of the Highways Board were to niaiutuin roads only, and it would be a mis- appropriation of tho funds to spend money in such n purpose. He thought members could bo held personally i^spou- - eibile for such mis-appropriatiou^Mr Mrfl^a also referred to the questioa oflft? VgSflfrrarium, which had beeu • referred to"Tsy the Pnlmerston pape*, and fluid if members were not legally entitled to the honorarium they should not take it. They worked for honor, not pay, and the good of the County. Tho Chairman explained that the money was to pay only travelling expenses incurred by members in attending the Board's meetings and which he considered members were quite justified in voting. Mr M'Swen said it was bad taste for Mr Bruoe to refer at that meeting to what a newspaper had said. He tad been a mem* ber of public bodies for 20 years, andnever took any notice of what a newspaper said. The Board then decided not to accept any tenders unless for absolutely necessary or County Cottiicil.work. _ The te.njiere.were then opened,, and.the only one accepted was that of Peter Herr, for clearing on Fagan's line, at 10s per chain, which is being done out of a vote from County Council — The chairman suggested that each tenderer be informed. that owing to the rates not coming iv, the Board regretted they were unable to consider the tenders. engineer's report. ■ ,_, (• . Proposed by Mr M'Eweri, seconded by Mr Macpherson.. l \That the .Engineer's Export be adopted."— Carried. - ■ ' ' <- PETITION. At this period a petition eigneu' l>y 17 settlers, on £he Bunny thorpe road ; -was handed in, asking that the road- might be metalled.— Ordered to lie on the "table." ACCOUNTS. It was resolved, owing to. the shortness of the Board's funds,' 'to pay.- no 'mdney othevthari •fficers^ salaries.^ ' ! A discussion then ensued on the financial position of thp Board. It ;Tfvaa slated; by the Clerk that £489 9a 4d had been paid in since last meeting, including a cheque of over £100 from Douglas &G6 M'Ewen askei what could be done about getting the rates in. Properties changed 'binds so often that it waa impossible to get^it.tbo pwutra. It was pointed out that owing to'the Court having decided that a postal delivery of the rate notice was not a sufficient service, it was very difficult to deal with the qdfcstion. It would cost a great deal of mosjey. £03 fhe notices to be served at the ratepayers' homes. Eventually the matter was left in the hands of the Chairman and Clerk. [ DOUGLAS SETTLEMENT BLOCK. In • his report for June, the Engineer brought theae roads under the notice of f the Board, and asked if the Bofrd h4d taken them over. The question occurred • again this tune when the report was under discus* I sion, and after the adoption of the report, Air Kookel proposed, ♦' That as jthe Board finds itself in a peculiar position "with regard to the Douglas Special Settlement, in No. 2 Ward, and in order to do justice to the ratepayers, it is necessary that the Board make full enquiry if the roads in the Settlement can be legally taken over or not." He thought Douglas and Co-, who owned the land, muht at any time erect a fence across the road" It was very unf uir for the Board to be collecting rates from the settlers and no roads were made for them. He asked could the Board legally spend 4 mpney on these roads, or should the proprietors of the settlement do it. . The whole matter seemed to be in a very peculiar position. ■** Mr Bruoe thought Douglas & Co v should be communicated with. It certainly Wfra very anomalous position. ■ /^. Mr Macpherson said when the surveys were made, several roads were left, and he thought Jones' line was one. Mr KookePa motion was then seconded by Mr Farmer, ati 1 carried. ADJUSTMENT OP KEPBESENTATIONT. Mr Rockel then movad the following resolution of which he had given notice — " That owing to the unequal representation upon the Board, stops be taken to readjust the representation upon a fair basis of rates. In moving the resolution, Mr Rockel said he would not take up inoro time than neces* sary, und would endeavour to make his remarks consistent with the facts. He bad no desire to make complaints, but brought the matter forward so that justioe might be done. Looking at the rateable value of Carnarvon, and it* acreage and extent, in proportion to other .wards, ho could only conclude that it having only one member was an oversight when- ins'fcYe-construcred. I'ln-ougli this inequality of represeu^atipnthja district labored under great disadvantage^. He belie.ved , Carnarvon had received, .its shore of money. 1 ; But -taking <;he. ( three wards near Pulmerston — Stoney Creek, Fitzherbeit,; and: Karei^^the. rates raised |v, the three, did not represent, as muoh al Carnarvon and Sandon ; in Wot the, ru tea from Carnarvon was eqnal to the three.' In a new settlement the population was constantly increasing, and . readj ustroentsi became necessary, Only £i 7sf d was debited, against his ward , .while Borne of the smaller wards had overdrawn to the full amount Another reason why an adjustment of the* representation was advisable was that gome 15 months ugo Ciirnaivon and Sandon were anxious for separation.. He. would say he was an antiaoparationist.and believed the less government they had the bettea ; still he consider^ if re-adjustment were not given, separation, would f0110w.. , On the above grounds] he u^kdd ■ for 7 reatlju<tment. He suggosted.th.at, to put the matter on a fair footing, Carnarvon and Sandon should be made into tureo wards, and some of the small wards near Palmerston should be amalgamated. \ On the Chairman asking if there was a seconder to the proposed resolution, and no response, — ' ■ Mr Bruce said he would seoond the pro* position pro fbrma, as it; would only be courteous to the mo6?er.,to!-jdo 80. He thought the matter would bear, discussion, and while the Board- would 'not pass the resolution, he' thought the reason 1 should b^ given for the rofusal, so that settlers in. Sandon and Carnarvon should not think them an obstrnotive, .pigheaded ibodjr.ii He had carefnlly considered the matter, and could not see one single reason why the motion should be curried, but on the other hand saw .several distyiot reasons r j why it should not be carried. Inthefirs| r place, four or five elections would hay to' be held, with all the turmoil, red tapey andpartjyßeeling iusiaparable at:electiqna, apd everything would be at ai stand,, Bt^.l|-; the,, Act providing that only seven wards Bhduld ' exiit in the disfriot, other wards would have to be split up ; and whilst other disadvantages would arise, np proportionate benefit would be received. For these reasons heoapPieditbe'Tnot>on;« ■/. / ,■:[ /JA.UH . Mr M'E^ren said the Act arave no power to separate. ; Some short tjme baCjk a com* ! mittee. who thoroughly und^erslood the matter had readjusted the wards, 'and li^ was Mr Uockel, a .new , member, . If ho iflNrl nothinif about the question, bringing fot*j war4arnew; sobeme. He mpyfd. t^a . vious question whioh Ws declared' camM.; by the OhairmaV 'T :•• : ;i »iiilali •■ * DAY OF MBETINO.' '"''>\-">ii itttui , It was decided on the! motion i.pXl|irjj; Farmei, seconded by. Mr Al'lvenslej-thit the meetings of the Board, be. jhejd ,<#* ty*'/ laßt Thursday in each montk" ■ ;, ,', Tho Board f then adjourned/ ' ' l in . ■• i.iA'.J. f< ■■• :i )! 'J a £ ■'■ ad/* 1 J a l-M