MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 11, 30 September 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

* TfESDAV, Sept. 24. Theßoiirdmctat 11 a.m. Present — Messrs Dalrymplo (Chairman), M'Kenzie, Macphurson, Bi-uci, Farmer, and Rookel. A letter was read from Mr M'Ewon apologising for his abs.mce. [The ftrss bu&ies? transacted was pub • lished in our last issue.] CO 111 l BsTOJTDEN E . A letter was read from Mr John Roberts, of Sandon, asking for a payment of £10, as compensation for a 2 core gravel pit on his land, and which had been used for some time pawt by contractors under the Board Mr Roberts also stated his intentions of not allowing any more gravel to be taken from the pit until he had an understanding with the Board. — The Engineer reported that the gravel pit was a very good one, and admirably situated for the requirements of the Board, aL»o that the claim was a very reasonable one. After some discussion, the matter was agreed to bo left in the hands of Mr Farmer and the Engineer ,to report at next meeting. From C. Oleveley, asking permission to fall road line on section 151<>, Bnnnythorpe, on the usual terms. Ordered to lie over until Board in funds. A similar application from F. Boyes, Bnnnythorpe, was disposed of in same manner A letter was read f iom the Manchester Highways Board, stating that no money was available for work on Mackay's Hue. The District Engineer wrote stating that he had forwarded the plans, &c, of the proposed bridge over the ftlongaone Creek to Wellington. From Messrs W. & J. Fracklington, asking for an advance payment of £75 on account of work fi lished on Frecklington's line of road, also requesting refund of deposit money on same contract. .Left in the Kngineer's hands. From Mr M'Ewen, apologising for his absence, and enclosing an opinion from Mess.n Brandou and Sou, re Hamilton's line of road. So:uo necessary deeds in this*mutter wera ordered to bo prepared. From Of. Nelson, asking for an advance on his contract on Whale line. A letter was read from the Palmerston Borough Council, asking the Board to p/y their share of the cost of f.he east boundary road. The Board decided that they had no funds available for the purpose. PETITION. A petition was presented by Mr Rockel from 39 settlers in the Douglas. Special Settlement, praying that the Board would take over the roads in the Block. The petition stated that on the purchase of the block 200 acres of land were given in for roads, for which the purchasers did not pay, also that provision was made in the Act for the roads. Mr Rockel, in whose hands the matter had been left for investigation, said that after enquiring into the matter, no other conclusion could bj come to. than the Board > hould take over the roads. It wus very evident that a gnat bungle had been made,and very much mismanagement shown in the milter. Still, the maps of the Settlement showed the reserve for the roads, and the Act also provided for roads, and he believed the roads formed were legally under the control of the Board It was quite time that the settlers, who paid their rates,should have their ronds formed and maintained. He would move that •' As provision is made by the Douglas Special Settlement Act for roiid lines, and 200 acres are re -erred for that purpose, as shown on the map, I beg to move lhat the Board acknowledge said road as under its control." Mr Macpherson seconded the resolution. Mr Bruce thought before the Board spent any money on thece roads, they ahould endeavour to find out if they were acting legally, fie proposed as an amendment — " That the secretary write to the Govern • ment, askinir if the roads in the Douglas settlement could be considered the property of the Board, and if so, could the said roads be legally conveyed to the Board. The amendment was not seconded. The Chairman stated that he fully endorsed Mr Rockel's view of the matter, viz , that no other conclusion could be come to than that the roads were under the control of the Board. Money was taken from the settlers, and he thought it only reasonable that money should be spent on their roads. He had much pleasure in supporting the resolution. Carried. EXGINEGtt's REPORT. The Engineer's report was then read and adopted, on the motion of Mr Bookel, seconded by Mr Farmer. TENDERS. The tenders were then oponed. A list of thoio accepted was published in last issue. WORKS AT SAXSON. On the Chairman asking the Wardens to state what works they wished done in their respective Wards, Mr Farmer asked for some £200 to bo spent in his Ward, maiuly on streets, culverts, bridges, &2., in th c township of Sanson. Mr Rockel concurrod in the request, and suid he was present at a moating held at Sanson re tho formation of a Local Board for the township, when it was contended that the Board had not paid sufficient attention to its wants. He believed if these proposed works were done, the formation of the proposed Board would not be gone on with. He believed the townspeople were fairly entitled to have this money spent in tho township. Mr M'Kenzio said that two County roads ran through the town and money would be spent illegally. Tuere were two parties at Sanson, the " moleskins " and the " bolltoppers, " and it was only the latter party, who represented the front settlers, who wanted the Lccal Board. He proposed, " That a* soon as a Local Board is formed at Sanson, the Highways Board would re f funtl the sum of £150 to the said Board." Mr Bruce seconded tlie resolution. H? thought it would be to the interests of Sanson it' the residents were to form a Local Board. The Chairman stated he would support Mr M'lvenzie's proposal. The residents in a township were mush more qualified to spend their money than that Board, as they knew thu particul&r wants better than it was expected the WaflSen could. He strongly advised the Sanson people to form a Local Board. On a division the'votes were equal, when the chairman gave his casting vote against the proposed grant. Authority was givan to Mr Farmer to call for tenders for necessary works in other parts of his (Ward. The Engineer was instructed to prepare plans, &c, of works desired by other Wardens. ACCOUNTS. A large number of accounts were passed for payment. WRONGLY OHABQED. Mr Rockel brought under the notice of the Board the fact that Mr J. Smith had been wrongly rated for section 15, whioh he did

not own, and for which two other settlers / paid rates. ~* / The Clerk was instrnctod to see into tb« matter. v OAIIXAHA'OX WAIU>. Mr Rockel tabled the following resolution:—" That the secretaly be instructed to prepare and lay before the board at its next sitting, a statement of all receipts and disbursements of No. 2 Ward, from June 30th, 187G, to June 30th, 1879, showin g l 3 t. — All rates collected, settiDg opposite Government subsidy and all other moneys received. 2nd — All contracts and works completed, giving the amounts for same, as also the contractor's name." Ho said that the whale finnices of the Ward were in a very mixed -up slate, and he desired if possible to see them put straight. It was pointed out that the Secretary had his hands full at Iho preseut time, and tho matter was left over until next meeting. ITXCLEAUKD BOAD LINES. Mr Bruce called the Board's attention to the fact that a number of settlers falling road lines were not clearing the road properly, and ha moved " Thnt the Engineer be instructed to see the work fully carried out in all caßes." * Seconded by Mr M'Kenzio and carried. TUB VALUATION. The Chairman brought under the notice of the Board the question of the valuation. He would suggest that one of two courses might be adopted— either call for tenders for valuation of the whole Highways District, or for each Ward. He thought that tho present system was bad, and the course he suggested would give professional valuators in dillerent parts of the district an opportunity of performing the valuation, when it might be expected it would be more efficiently performed. Mf Hruco thought that tenders should be called for the valuation of the whole or any nnmber of the Wards. As it was pointed out that the time was rapidly approaching for the valuation, it was resolved, on the motion of ftfr M'Kenzie, that tenders for the work should bo immediately called for. ihe Board then adjourned to Thursday the 30th October.