SAN DON CARNARVON HIGWAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 82, 14 June 1881, Page 2

SAN DON CARNARVON HIGWAYS BOARD.

* — :i Saturday, Junk 11, 198\.~ ■ The Board met at 11 a.m. PresentMessrs Farmer (Chairman), J. Bowater, Bishop, Jarvis, Whiteman, and Gifford. The minutes of previous meeting were confirmed. ROADS AT CAMPBELLTOWN. At the previous mteting it having been resolved to vote £80 for Campbelltown road, Banks' line, if the Campbelltown Battlers would raiße £40 and the Council wou'.d vote £30, Mr Meyer, one of the Campbelltown settlers, waited on the Board to state that only £30 had been collected. A lengthy discussion ensued, the general feeling being in favour of the time being extended one month for the Campbelltown settlers to raise the extra £10. Mr M'Kenzie did not as a matter of principle agree with settlers being called on to pay extra amounts besides the rates. The Chairman said the proposal emanated from the settlers themselves. Eventually it wasproposed by Mr Bis'iop, seconded by Mr Bowater, and carried, " That it is agreed to extend the time in order that the settlers may raise .the £40, and if the Council will vote the sum of £30, tenders bo called by this Board before their next meeting, so that the work may be pushed on ; the Secretary to bring the matter before the County Council." PAYMENT OF BATES. Mr Tomlinson, who wa3 appointed to collect the rates due to the did Board, waited on the Board and explained that he had waited on Mr Ward, solicitor, that morning, and learned from him that the sum of £51 5a 3d had been paid into Court, but that he had used a large portion of that sum in issuing other summonses. He (Mr Tomlinson) had therefore only received the sum of £19 0s 6d, which was all he had left. Mr Bishop expressed the opinion that Mi- Ward had no right to use the Board's money as he had done. Mr Whiteman quoted from Mr Ward's original letter, as referred to in the minutes of 31st Maroh : — "Letter read from Mr W. N. Ward, solicitor, Sanson, offering to undertake the collection of overdue rates for the Board ; his remuneration to be the amount of solicitor's fees allowed by the Court ; also stating that all moneys paid by him for summonses, Sec , to be repaid to him on receipt by the Board of the debt and costs, in each case." Mr Whiteman pointed out that Mr Ward had not fulfilled his agreement, as the debts had never been received by the Board. Mr M'Kenzie pointed out that on the 14th May, Mr Tomlinson himself was instructed to sue rate defaulters. Proposed by Mr M'Kenzie, seconded by Mr Whiteman, "That the R.M. be requested to pay all moneys paid into Court on account of Nos. 1 and 2 Wards of the old Manawatu Highways Boards to Mr Tomlinson, who is the only person authorised to receive such moneys, and that Mr Tomlinson be supplied with a copy of Mr W. N. Ward's letter." Carried. TAIPO-AWAHUBI LINE. Mr Daar attended the Board, asking that assistance might be given in the erection of bridges on the road between Taipo Bush and Awahuri. He said five bridges would be wanted, but thought that as the settlers had to go round by Mount Stewart to Feilding, if they wanted to carry produce, they had a good claim. Mr Gifforcl would be in favor of throwing rough bridges over the streams. Mr Dear stated that one advantage would be that gravel could be obtained near to the Douglas Block for Campbelltown roads, as gravel could be got all the way. The metal was about three miles from Campbelltown. Mr Gifford said the metal was about 5 miles from Campbelltown. Besides, the road was closed by the Maoris, and had been so for the past twelve mouths. Mr M'Kenzie remarked that the settlers should not expect too much from the Board, which was short of funds. Eventually, the matter was left in the hands of Mr Gifford, the warden in whose district the road is, who promised to report on it at next meeting. Mr Dear then withdrew, remarking as he did so, sotto voee, " You're a bad lot !" (Laughter.) Later in the day, Mr Gifford proposed, " That tenders be called for five culverts on the Taipo Awahuri line." This was seconded by Mr Jarvis and carried. DEPOSIT ACCOUNT. Before the tenders were opened Mr M'Kenzie proposed, " That a|leposit account for moneys received in tenders be opened." Carried. TENDERS RECEIVED. River Bank Line.— M. Holland, £17 3s, accepted ; Gotty, £19 19s 5d ; Thompson Bros., £20 17a; Buchanan, £25. ; For work on Hammond's Hue (Waitohi). — R. Dove, £30 4s, accepted; Buchanan, £40 ; H. P. Thompson, £50. For work on Taikoria Line. — H. Probatt, £16 10s 9d, accepted ; Holland, £17 3s 3d ; Mather, £32 7s 4d. For work on Milner's Line.— lt appeared this work had not previously been sanctioned by the Board, but a resolution sanctioning Mr Whiteman's action in calling for tenders was passed. Tenders received — Kellow, £9 10a, accepted ; Mather, £17 93 3d ; Holland, £15 10s. NEW WORKS PROPOSED. Mr M'Kenzie proposed, "That tenders be called for forming about 10 chains of River Bank line, near A. Amon's." He explained that .he had spent only about £34, whereas the rates from his ward amounted to £150— Mr Whiteman supported the request. — Mr Gifford thought each Warden should be allowed to spend up to the amount of his rates for next year.— Mr M'Kenzie— What about working expenses ? — Mr Whiteman said the line in question was a main one, as people from Campbelltown used it going to Scott's.— The Chairman said he would strongly oppose any debt being incurred.— The motion was carried. Mr Bishop drew attention to the necessity of Lee's line being completed. It -was resolved that Mr Bishop be authorised to arrange with the men doing the present part to do the remainder at the same price— ss 9d per chain. If they do not agree, tenders to be called. Letter read from Mr Coyle applying for extension of time for contract on Rosina line. Extension of tune granted to next meeting. i ' ' Mr Bowater proposed, " That the footpath along part of the north side of Main street, Sanson, from the Bank of Australasia to Mr Cockburn'a, be ereoted on condition of the residents contributing cost of timber for kerbing." Carried. Proposed by Mr M'Kenzie, "That Mr. Fr&ser be authorised" to fall 20 chains both on River Bank road, at a cost not exceeding £1 15s per acre." Seconded by Mr Farmer, and carried. Resolved, ' ' That Mr Bowtter be allowed ,to get an extra 10 yards of gravel for streets »in Sanson." ; DIVIDING THE SPOIL. The Chairman referred to the necessity of the Board allotting ita finance to the

different wards. ;^TheL sum of £500 had been collected of rates due to the old Board. He had separated the, sums received on behalf of the Wards Nos. 1 and 2 of the old Manawatu Highways Board, and had subdivided the rates received in No. 1 Ward (Sandon) of the old Hoard into three equal ■parts, representing the three new Wards ; while the rates received in old No. 2 Ward (Carnarvon) had been divided into four equal parts, there being at present that number of Wards. The preliminary expenses of the new Board he proposed to divide pro rata upon the basis of the present year's rates.. He-, would ask the . Clerk to produce the statement which J^e. had drawn up, embodying these ideas. Tae Clerks after ftiengtby.Efliircb^ regret-. _ ted he was unable to find the paper in question, though he was certain he brought it with him in the morning. Mr M'KeDzie could not agree with the Chairman's proposals. The question was, how was the £500 of old rates collected to be allotted, and how was the debt owing to the old Board to be paid. Instead of adopting the Chairman's plan, and sub-di-viding the amounts equally amongst each 1 of the new wards in Nos. 1 and 2 of the old Board respectively, they should credit ' ; f • each of the new wards with the sum of old rates- aotuaUy received within it , There would be no difliculty in supporting them in that manner/ In his opinion the debt-td ' ' the old Board was entirely the fault of that ■•-:'• body for not insisting on the rates beingr. collected. He thought that with the , out- , , standing rates they should first pay their . debts, and then divide the balance. The debt to the old Board was only on account >- ' of areas of rates. • ' . :>•> :: The Chairman said that when the new,. „ Board was constituted, Sandon was not in' .; debt, but Carnarvon was. - ■' ' ;; Air M'Kenzie repeated there would have ■ been no debt if the'old Board had collected ° the rates. . . Mr Jarvis thought experience showed '"• ' \ that if all the rates Jhad been gpllected they would have been atill deeper in debt. ..,.__ < The Chairman said the exact debt to the '"'"' old Board was not known, but they could '''"' apportion it when they knew the amount. Mr Gifford said No. 1 Ward of the old Board owed £260, and No. 2 Ward £464. Since then the latter amount had been reduced by £200, making the two aboup equal. . ' ! ' ■'■'••' ■ Mr M'Kenzie remarked that most of the [ arrears collected had come from Carnarvon , £70 having been paid by Douglas & Go, , Mr Bowater said Mr M'Kenzie's plan would not be a fair one. Last year the rates in Sanson' were £100. This year they . would be only half that amount. Not only soi but they were to have had £150 spent on the town if tho rates had been collected. If Mr M'Kenzie's plan were adopted, Carnarvon would go on spending money. Mr Whiteman explained that the Board had' a. credit balance of £373. The Chairman remarked that the new rate would amount to £877. Mr Jarvis said he was disposed to pay * the old debts first. v f ,':.■'.'.■: \V\ In reply to Mr M'Kenzie, The Chairman stated no communication , had been received from the old Board regarding the debt due to that body. He added that until the matter was settled, the books could not be gone on with. Mr Gifford then proposed, "That aIL moneys accruing to ihe Sandon and Carnarvon Highways Bojurd, on acconnt of rates due before the commencement of the present financial year, be a general fund to pay the old debt and preliminary expenses." Seconded by Mr "Whiteman. Mr Bowater said this would simply mean Sandon waa to pay Carnarvon's debt. When the division took place Carnarvon owed £464, while Sandon was in credit 19s. After going to Palmerston, the claims against Carnarvon were reduced by £130, while Sandon was proved jfo be in credit about £30. Mr Farmer proposed, " That the matter be adjourned to next meeting." Seconded by Mr Bo water, and carried, Mr Gifford having withdrawn his motion. ACCOUNTS PASSED. . The following aocounts were passed for payment : — Anderson & Jansen, 18s 9d ; Mather, £13 17s 3d ; Gotty, £9 17s Id; Rettcr, £2 11s ; Dnthie, £4 10s ; Braqker, £20 ; Matthews, £8 10s : B. Gray, 6s ; A. D. Willis, £15 13s 3d ; Kirkbride, £9 15s j Boness, £4 ; total, &S9 18s 4d. , MEETING PLACE. ' ' <•■'.- Mr Bowater proposed, "That the Good Templars be allowed £4. per year for, the use of the room." He explained that, originally £3 per annum was agreed npou, but since that time the Good Templars had - lined the building, ereoted a cupboard, and made other improvements. The motion was carried. ADVERTISING. . A letter was read from Messrs Russell Bros., asking for a share of the Board* advertising on the ground that the' ManawaTv Hfkald has an extensive circulation in the Carnarvon and Sandon districts. ■ Mr Bowater proposed, "That the Manawatu Herald receive a share of .the Board's advertising." Mr Bishep/seconded the motion, and, jn doing so remarked that he knew the'HEßktD circulated largely throughout the district, and hje thought it only fair to 'give i'the paper a Bhare of the advertising. Mr Whiteman moved an amendment " That the request be not.acceded to." He said the Board could only advertise in one ' paper, owing to the expense. At present people knew the advertisements were inserted in one' paper, and they looked , in . that one for the notices. He himself sub- -'' scribed to both the Herald and the Marton journal. •■■<■■/ Mr M'Kenzie Baid he knew the Mana. * watu Herald circulated largely in /Carnarvon, and had on that ground a olajim tp ( the advertising. He felt with Mr Vyhj^e. , man that the Board could not afford W JW .'A any more for its advertising, and if lor Whiteman would alter his motip4§o a» t^i read, • ' That the B^ard jwill ;■ advgroe ni ' only one paper," he (Mr M'Kenzie) would * , second it on the understanding .thai if T'./. should afterwards b* decided whether tho ." Manawatu Herald; or the, Rangitjkei j ' Advocate should be the paper selectecL He , would add that the Herald was one of the ";'i County papers, and Foxton was as ' ; neir to Sandon as Marton was, where the , ' : was published. . , v , j., . Mr Whiteman altered hii amendjnenfya* ' suggested by Mr M'Kenzie, atd the Chair. . man at once put it to the meeting, declaring it to be carried on the voices, summarily closing the m^etingimmediately afterwards, without the point raised bj[ .Mr.'M^wae being considered. „ „.',:'.:■".'.