MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 21, 4 November 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Thursday, 30th October. (Continued from Friday's issue.) PETITION AND DEPUTATION.

After the correspondence had been disposed of, a petition signed by a large number of residents at Sanson, asking for a sum of money to be spent on the streets at that township, was read. Mr Farmer then introduced Messrs J. Tompkins and Croucher, residents at Sanson, to urge on the Board to grant the prayer of the petition. Mr Tompkins, who acted as spokesman, said he had not come prepared to make a statement in support of the petition, which he thought only asked for what the Sanson people were justly entitled to. During six years they had been paying rates, and only a miserable sum of £30 (at the utmost) had been spent on the streets there by the Board. People had lately to puddle through mud and water to reach their houses Mr Farmer, their Warden, had applied for some money to be spent at Sanson in return for the rates collected, and had been refused, The Chairman pointed out that that version of what took place at the Board meeting was hardly correct, as the Board had expressed its willingness to grant £150 towards a Local Board if such a body was formed at Sanson.

Mr Tompkins said the Sanson residents did not intend to form a Local Board. They paid money to the Highways Board as rates, and they expected that body to give them decent roads in return. With regard to what had been said as to the township being a private one, that was the the first he had ever heard of such being the case, although he had been connected with it since its settlement.

Mr Croucher asked how, if the township was private property, tho Board had spent money on it, aud taken the rates from the people. He lived about four chains from the main road, and had to use a horse to reach his house, and his children were unable to go to school. He would like the Chairman to explain bis question. The Chairman replied that he was not prepared to speak with authority upon the matter. One of the Wardens had stated at

last mooting that the township was a private one, and lie would bo glad if the deputation could furnish proof to the contrary. Mr Croncher thought the Warden who made the assertion should prove it. It was an absurd stutement.

Mr M'Kenzie said ho would endeavor to explain the matier. When th<! township was purchased from the Government, for tho ffutt Small Farm Association, the title as a Government township was not received from tho Crown, although Government surveyors might hive surveyed it, and tho township was iv just tho same position as Kiwitea Beaconsfiold, and others of that class. Ho did not object to money being spent on roads outside the township, but he fully believed if thn Board spent its funds on the streets in the town, members would be held individually liable, and they probably would have to defend their action.

Mr Tompkins said the people unfortunately wanted the money spent where it would be of most use. The statement about the township was a mere quibble, and if the Board would not see the justice of their claims, then they would have to take other measures.

The Chairman said the deputation should not take matters with a high h«nd. He himself believed tho township had been gazetted, but the Gazette could not bo found He thought the claims of the San-lon people were only reasonable, aud believed the Board should spend money in improving the streets. At the same time, he thought it would be better for them to form a Local Board

Mr Tompkins stated that Mr Farmer had told him not to believe the reports of the meetings that appeared in the papers, as they could, not be relied on. lie asked the representatives of the Press present to make a note of this statement.

The deputation then withdrow, Mr Tompkins stating that they trusted in the Board recognising the justness of their claims, aud confidently left the matter in their hands.

Mr Farmer, then moved, — " That the sura of 4!2' 0 be spent in tho township of Sanson, towards grading and metalling between the Cemetery Bridge and the Alain road ; secondly, to complete the drain towards the Town Hclt, the balance to bo used in the formation of tho streets." Mr Rockel seconded the resolution, and stated that the discussion went rather to prore that the townsbip was not a private one, instead of the contrary. Mr M'lvnnzie proposed as an amendment — " That the Board resolve that no money be spoilt on tho str eta of Sanson till such time as tho Board gets a title to such streets " Mr Bruc? seconded the amendment. He thought no money should be spent at Sanson until the Board lrid proof of a clear title. He opposed this motion on the snme grounds that h«j did the proposal for tuliing over roads in iho Douglas .Special Settlement. Thd votes being taken, tho amendment was lost, and tiie original motion carried. ESr.lXßßlt's UErOUT. The Engineer's Repot t was then read and adopted. KAIUAXGA BLOCK. The Engineer brought under the notice of (he Board the manner in which somn of tho sections wore laid off iv the Kairanga Block, according to the map made by the Government surveyors, and pointing out that as the road lines will eventually fall under the control of the Board, numberless complaints would bo made, creating much loss and annoyance to the Board. It was resolved tli.it the Chairman should write to the Chairman of the Waste Lands Board, drawing his attention to tho matter. TeNOEHS. Before opening the tenders, the Chairman drew the attention of members of the Board to the fact that £870 of liabilities now existet', and he would like the opinnn of the Board as to whether it was advisable to increase their liabilities. Mr U«ckel remarked that tlia season was very advantageous, and labor was cheap. Members should also beu- in mind that the subsidy for the next half year was due, and might be expected at any moment. The tenders wero then oponud. Ths following U * list of those accepted. Four four log culverts— at Campbelltown, A. Noilson, at £5 each. Hiekford's lino of formation— J, Calvi-y, £48. Wilson's Line — Bridgos and approaches, &c, &i., Sob3y Sc O>., £10.1 13s 2d. Drain through the Town Belt. Sanson. — J. Baxter, at £6 10*. Scrubbing cemetery road, Sanaon — J. Matthews, at Us lid per chain. Bush fulling at ilickfotd's line —H. Hickford, at 13s Gd.per chain. The tender to be accepted on condition that the money will be refunded by the Doughs Company. River Bank Road —E. Gladstone, 58 chains at 16s 91., including culverts ; 60 chains at lls 6d per eh tin, anJ timber, at per 100 foot, £1 2s. Cemetery road — A. W. Hedges, £i 7. Lee's Hue— J. C. Nathan. £88 os. THE NEXT VALUATION. The tenders for tho office of v iluer to the Board were then opened as fallow : — Mr James Linton, at X'l2 per single wurd, or £73 for the seven. .Mr Kdwin llrightwdl, at £7o for the seven wards. Mr W. Jackson, of Sandon, at £37 for Wurds Nos. I aud 2, eolleolively ; or £19 for No. 1, and £(7 for No. 2. Mr Peter Stewart only put iv a valuation for No. 1 Ward, at £12. Mr George Hedges, at £15 for No. 1 Ward, and £20 fur No. '■>. Mr Thomas Walton, at £10 for No. I, £30 for No. 2, £20 for No. :*, £12 for No 4, £14 for No 5, £12 for No. 0, and £14 for No. 7. For Wurds Nos. I. 2. and 3, £75 ; and for Wards Nos. 4, 3, 6, and 7, £50. Aft^r the various tenders had been discussed nt some length, Mr M ; Ewen proposed, and Mr Macpherson seconded— "That tho tender of Mr Linton, of £75 for the seven wards, be accepted." CAUNAUVOK WARD. Mr Rockel moved—" That the Secretary be instructed to prepare and lay before the Bourd at its next meeting, a statement of all receipts and disbursements of No. 2 Ward from Juue 3Jth, 1876, to June 30th, 1879, showing — first, all rates collected, sotting opposite Government subsidies, and all moneys received ; second, nil contracts and works completed, giving the costs for same, as also the contractors' names." He said tie was aware it would involve some extra work, for which he w>s prepared to pay from the Ward's funds The accounts hud been drifting from bad to worse during the last two years. The Ward had b^vn badly represented, the late repiesentative having only at leaded ono meeting to save his seat expiring by effluxion of tima. — Mr M'Ewen said the resolution meant a charge of mal-administration of the Board's funds since 1870, while Mr Rockel was out of the Board, which he strongly resented. It would establish a bad precedent, if parried, as svory new member could aa'x for a detailed statement of his Ward's account. — The Chairu -in agreed with the remarks of Mr M'Ewcu, btt had no objection to tiie return being made. — Mr Rockel utterly

disclaimed any such motives as were imputed to him by Mr M'Ewen. — The motion was lost. MISCELLANEOUS. The Engineer was instructed to proceed at once with the new works at Sanson. Several works were authorised to be done in Mr Rockel's Ward, but the Board would not sanction any money to be spent on some work which Mr Rockel sated was required on Waitohi line, until liis ward was in funds. A petition signed by S. Howan and 7 others was read, in regard to the state of Howan's road. The matter was left in tho hund* of the Warden, as also waß a com j lain t from Mr George Hadfield about a roud leading to his property. The next meeting will take place on Thursday, 27th November.