MANAWATU HIGHWAY BOARD.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 43, 17 March 1877, Page 3

MANAWATU HIGHWAY BOARD.

A meeting of the above Board was held on Thursday, March 15th. MEMBERS PRESENT. Messrs M'Ewen, Farmer, M'Pherson and Dalrymple. Proposed by Mr Farmer, and seconded by Mr Dalrymple, that Mr M'Ewen take the chair at this meeting. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and on the motion of Mr Farmer, seconded by Mr M'Phcrson, confirmed, wiih the following amendment, That if found necessary Mr M'Ewen may assist m the inspection of works prior to payment. Mr Schartuan waited on the meeting to request that about 40 chains of the road line leading to his property might be cleared without delay, and offered, if necessary, to advance the amount of cost, with the understanding that the amount will be refunded by the Board when convenient. Mr Flyger made a similar application by letter, for falling 25 chains adjoining his property. Resolved, — That their offers be accepted, and that tenders be called for the work and accepted on the 22nd iust., at 10 a.m. CORRESPONDENCE. Letter read from John Bryce, Esq., of Wanganui, asking permission to fall 50 chains of road line adjoining his property m Kiwitea. Resolved, — That permission be granted, and that the Board will refund the amount paid for such work. Letter from the Chairman of the County Council, stating that that body will have to employ an engineer for their works, and asking the Board if they will accept of his services for the supervision of works under their control ; and contribute towards his expenses m proportion to their revenue. Resolved, — That the offer be declined Letter from the Colonial Secretary's office, intimating that a bound copy of all the Acts passed last session had been forwarded for the use of the Board. Letter from the same office, stating that the Government will supply tire maps for Otaki district free instead of charging £5 as proposed when the application for map was first made. Letter from Treasury, re amount of rates collected to 31st March, 1876. Letter from Public Works Office m reply to one from the Chairman of the Board, asking that the balance of money voted for the Karere metalling contract might be available for the extension of the contract towards Jackeyfown, stating that the balance of £350. is not available ; and adding, that this balance is owing to the Government having placed a locomotive at the disposal of the contractor, and not to any overestimate as to the cost of the work. Resolved, — That a reply be sent, stating that the Board consider the charge of £350 for use of locomotive most exorbitant, and again request that the balance be granted for extension of contract. The Secretary was instructed to forward a copy of tire letter with first application to W. Johnston, M.H.R. Circular received from the Registrar General, asking to be furnished with the different Leads of information as set forth m the enclosed form for statistics for the year 1876. Circular from the Treasury, asking for a return of the annual value of rateable property m the district. The Secretary was instructed to furnish the returns asked for as soon as possible. Letter from the Manchester Highways Office, requesting to be furnished with a return of rates collected m that district from April Ist to November 24th, 1876. Resolved, — That the information can be obtained by the Board's applying at the office. Letter from Mr Purcell, Foxton, drawing attention to the present state of the main drain adjoining his property and that of others ; and requesting that it may receive some attention before the winter sets m. Resolved to call for tenders for cleaning it, and repairs to road leading to it from Foxton. Letter from Mr Wylds, contractor for metalling on Penny's line, Carvon, asking for an extension of time. It was agreed to extend the time two months. Letter from Mr Anderson, stating that the contractor for bush falling on Gaskin's line, Karere, had thrown a number of trees upon his land, and requesting the Board to remove the same without delayThe Secretary was instructed to acknowledge receipt of the letter, and refer him to the contractor. Mr Dalrymple, on behalf of the settlers on the opposite side of the Manawatu River, requested the Board to call tenders for clearing the road leading from Terrace End to the River at the old landing place. Resolved to call tenders. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS. It was again brought under the notice of the Beard that a large number of cattle and horses are allowed to stray on the various highways, causing considerable damage to roads and road drains. Resolved, — That printed notices, m accordance with the Impounding Act, be stuck up on conspicuous places along the roads, thereby bringing them under the Act. Resolved that notices be sent to Messrs Berquirst and Guldbransen, contractors for formation on M'Keown's and Karere roads, to the effect that if

their contracts are not finished according to the specified time, the Board will inflict the penalty m each case. It was resolved that Messrs Linton and Hedges be recommended by the Board as valuers for the district, and that Mr Hedges should value Nos. 1 and 2 wards, and Mr Linton Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 wards. Resolved, — That a copy of tlie resolution be forwarded to the Judge of the Assessment Court. The Secretary was authorised to provide blinds for the office windows, a letter box for the office door, and get the name of the office painted m large letters on the window. The Treasurer reported the sum of £105 16s 7d to the credit of the B.'ard ACCOUNTS PASSED FOR PAYMENT. The following accounts were passed for payment on Thursday, 22nd iust. : — On account, Flyger's Line, formation, Palmerston, £50 ; balance due on Morris's line, formation, Palmerston, £50 8s; clearing Millson's line, Palmerston, . £66 12s 6d ; balance clue on Wilson's | line, Sandon, £5 ; balance due on Motoa road, Foxton, £10, on account Bailey's line, Sandon, £80 , on account Millner's line, Carnarvon, £30 ; secretary, salary, £16 Bs. Total, £308 8s 6d. TENDERS OPENED. The following tenders were opened : — For Wilson's Cutting, Sandon — Leonard, £32 10s, accepted ; Wylds, £69, declined. For Millner's line, Carnarvon — Leonard, only tender, at per chain, £2 3s 6d, accepted. For metalling Cemetery line, Sandon — Scarron, only tender, £30, accepted. For formation on Karere road, Palmerston — M'Ewen, A., at per chain, 30s — culvert, £7, accepted . Guldbransen, informal, declined ; Berquirst, at per chain, 28s 6d ; culvert, £6 10s, declined. For flax clearing, No. 4 line, Foxton — Webb aud Co., at per chain, 3s, accepted ; M'Mahon, 9s 9d, declined. For cutting on Jac key town road — J. Shannan, £6 15s, accepted ; M'Ewen, A., £7, declined. For metalling on Lee's line, Sandon — Wyld's, only tender, at per chain, £4 4s, accepted. For Anderson's cutting, Palmerston — Fresh tenders to be invited, on account of extra work to be clone on that line. Tenders were authorised for the following work : — Falling and clearing about. 40 chains on Kirk's line ; falling 25 chains adjoining Mr Flyger's property ; cleaning a portion of main drain at Foxton ; repairs to road leading from drain to Foxton ; falling and clearing on road from Terrace End to Manawatu ; cutting, filling, metalling, and draining on Anderson's line. The Board adjourned until Friday, the 18tk April, at 10 a.m.