MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 78, 27 September 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Thursday, Sept. 25, 1879. Present — Messrs. Dalrymple (chair), "Rockeil, Fanner, Bruce, M'Eenzie, aud M'Pherson. After the minutes of last meeting had been read and confirmed, the Secretary read the following CORRESPONDENCE. "From "Wilhelm Ciirisensen, statin? that the bus!) felling on road line oppo. sife sections 30 and 31 had been completed, and requesting that the Engineer should pass tiie same for- payment. — , Engineer to report upon the same by next meeting. From Mr. John Roberts, of Sandon, forwarding a bill for £20, boing the | amount claimed for two acres of land, being part of section No. 12, on the township of Sandon, which had been used by the Board as a gravel pit. In his lettor the applicant stated that he had never received any notice m writing from the Board of its intention to take said land for the pu po c ref r ed J< , although he had frequently spoken to the Warden on the subject; nevertheless, knowing the advantage of having roads constructed m the district, he allowed the contractors to take the gravel. He would be satisfied if the Board would fence the entrance to the gravel pit, so as to keep the caitle from his crops. Until that claim had been met, and some arrangement made regarding the fence, no more gravel would be allowed to be removed. — Engineer instructed to see Mr. Eoberts aud come to an arrangement. From E. Clovely, asking the Board's permission to fall the roar) line fronting section 1510, Bunnythorpe, and right through to the Railway line, the work to be done at the usual price. — Ordered to lie over until the ward was m funds. From Mr. Hector Booth. Secretary to the Manchester Highway Board, statii g that he had been instructed to reply to the letter of the 4th of August, with reference to the letter signed " Christian Valdiiner," that this Board has no funds available for expenditure on Maekay's line, except for maintenance. From Mr, J. T- Stewart, the District Engineer, with regard. fco an application for a bridge over the Mangaone Creels, on No. 5 Line, leading to the Eairanga Block, and intimating that lje had for-

warded the application to the enginepr m charge. Frpni James Bromley, making application for the contract of felling th,e bush m Frecklington's line at thirty shillings per chain. — Tender informal. From W' and J. Frecklington, intimating that they had finished the contract qf felling and clearing Frecklington's line of road, they wished, to make a draw of £75. — Engineer to attend to the matter, and report on same . From Frederick Boyer, making an offer to advance the money (£2B) for felling the road line leading to his section on the Bunnythorpe road, commencing between sectiors 59f) and 15, and terminating at section 35 Taonui Stream, From Mr. D. M'Ewen, warden for No. <t ward, apologising for his absence, and enclosing a letter from Mr. Brandon, solicitor, re Hamilton's Road. The warden expressed a hope that the deeds would be prepared and signed as soon as possible, and that the Board would instruct the Engineer to report on the metalling of Waidegrave's line at next meeting, as he expected the money would be forthcoming to metal a portion of it. engineer's uefort. The Engineer's report for the month of September was then read, and was follows : — "no .1 waed. "According to your instructions I have again called tenders for the various works,' as under. " Felling bush on Speedy' s line of road, being about eight to ten chains- in length. This, when done, will completely open the road from Foxton line to Pagan's line. " Formation Bailey's line, being about 17 chains iv length, and will finish the formation of this road (except about 4 or 5 chains cutting) to corner of Mr. Bailey's paddock near the bush. " Formation Fagan's line, 43 chains m length. On this road line there are required a number of. box-culverts and small bridges, which are included m the contract. This formation is to be made from a vote from' County Council. " I have, besides the two road lines, staked out and levelled 7 chains of Cemetery Road at Sanson, which requires grading (by Mr. Farmer's request) ; also prepared" section and estimates for same. Also atak.e.d out fox adrain through the south to.wn belt at Sanson, and prepared section and estimate for same. This was also done by Mr. Farmer's request. I "The contractors on Wilson's Hue are progressing with their work very satis-, factorily. • I " Contractor for clearing Fagan's line has finished. " Speedy' s line of road. — The contractor has completed the 80 chains of bush felling and clearing m a satisI factory manner. I have called tenders for completion of this road line to Fa- | gan's line. There are required a nu.niI ber of small bridges and' box culverts 1 qu this line before it can be used for any purpose, as the creeks are m most cases deep. " NO. 2 WABD. " The fencing on Waitui line is finished, as, also, the bridge on Taipu Hije . ■.."'!■'■ " I have had the neoessary repairs to culverts on River Bank Road carried out. " According to your instructions, I have again called tenders for " Formation River Bank Road, Carnarvon, " Formation Hickf ord's lino, Carnarvon, " Box culverts, Campbell town Road, Carnarvon, "Felling bush, Blundcn's Hoad, Carnarvon, " Felling bxish, Frecklington 's Road, Carnarvon. " The Whale lint of road is just upon finished, theivj only remaining now the scrub to be burnt off, which must, be delayed till the dry weather sets m. '' no. 3, 4, 5, C, wabds. " A few slight repairs only have been done m these wards. The formed roads generally require metalling very badly m some cases ; the ruts are cut quite 1.6 to 2 feet deep, and are a perfect quagmire. " no. 7 ward. " Nearly the whole of the contracts m this ward are finished. Together with 'Mr. M'Kcnzte I walked from Maokny's line to end of .Kiwitea Road. This road line will require a large expenditure to make it into a good road, but a suni of £50 or £G0 laid but would add materially to the comforts of those travelling this road, by fixing a few box drains and making tracks down arid up some of the worst gullies. " A slight doviaKon of road line to Beaconsfield would be of great benefit to the grade of road, and also lessen expense of construction; for this I have given Mr. M'Kehzie a tracing of site of alteration and a report of same. I would strongly recommend the falling of bush on road lino by Mr. Davies' property,' Kiwitea, being boundary line of Manchesier Block and Manawatu Highways Board. Mr. Davies has fallen his bush, and by falling road line possibly a good burn of same may, lake place. " [ herewith enclose accounts for payment for contracts, &a." THE DOUGLAS SETTLEMENT. Mr. Hqckell presented a petition from the settlers m the Douglas Settlement that the Board should take them under its control. The question was debated at some length, and Mr. Rocrell moved, And Mr. M'Pherson seconded — " That as provision is made by the Douglas Special Settlement Act for road lines, ami as- 200 acres are reserved for that purpose, as shown on the map. the Board acknowledge the said road as under its control." Mr. Bkucb moved an amendment, but as there was no, seconder, it fell through, and. the original motion was carried. OBSTRUCTING THE HOAD JUNES. Mr. Bruce brought und> the attention of the Board the very great nuisance experienced by timber beiug left across the roads. He moved— " That instructions be given to, the Engineer, to take, iniffi.edia.te. action m evvVy caae where setters have, obstructed the road lines and fallen timber." M" M/Kenzie seconded the resolu-. tion. — Carried. &BAUTS TO SA.NBON. Mr. Fakmer made application to the Board for the sum of £200 to be expen-

ded m his ward as follows : — A portion j to be devoted to completing the- road between the bridge and the main road ; a portion for finishing the drain ; £5 to be allotted to Mr. Williams, as compensation; md the balance to be expended ] on the streets of the town of Banson. Mr. Bockell supported the application. The money wa3 tlio property of the -ff^rd, und he fe|fc quite sure that its warden, Mr. Farmer, would see that it was judiciouslj expeiided. He knew that there was a prevailing opinion thai; the town would soon be a Local .Board, but he could assure those present that the residents had no desire for such a step, which if it did come to pass, Would be the effect of yompulsiori, and a last resource. The Chaieman pointed out that the supposition that they would, not be. fairly dealt with was certainly premature, as they had n^ver been refused a request of alike nature, when it could be asked with reason. Mr. M'Ksnzie should tnost certainly oppose the application, for the reason that Simson was not a Government township, and its streets had never been taken over by the Crown. It "bad been a private speculation, and he himself had been one "of the original purchasers. There were two classes . of people m Sandon-^the bell-toppers and the mole-skinners— the former living m the. front streets, and the latter m tlip back ones. (Laughter.) Mr. M'Pheesok.— Which ia it that wants the £200— the;ihell-toppers o? the 'ntolo? s,kinners ? (Laughter.) ' ■ ' ' v> '■"■":''" '*-" Mr. ITakmeb said he could not ace how the application could be refused, the money belonged to the ward, and they had a right to say how it should be expended. Mr. M'Ebnzie sa'ia that be was both a rate-payer and a. property" ow.ner m Sanson still be thought if nioney were wanted f,pr, expenditureron streets, the better way would be to form a Local Board at once. To bring the matter, to an wsue, he would move— - ' " That as sop.h as the. householdprs^of Sanson elect qualified Oomniissioners, and form a Local Board, the. !Mana.watu, High-; ways Board will hand over to the saicl Oojif missioners the sum of -' ' The motion was seconded by Mr. Bruce, and upon being put to the vote, Messrs. Farmer, Eockell, and M'Pherson were amongst the nops ; and the Qhairman, Mess^r Bruce and "M'Kenzie,. amongst; the ayes; The Chairman then said that m order to give more time to consider the question, he would give his casting vbtefcr. the motion,' which was declared carried; : '' intV Mr. Faemee said, that he" hoped the Board would not object to "the clifEerent works which he had named, "and- which were; neces?aryi- • ' '■''■■ „-.. The. Chaieman replied that of course" eyerything with the exception "of the money for. the stre^^s of : Sand6nsljauldt)e attended to, and that matter mighVcome up again at" next, meeting. PAyiNG^ TWICE OVEB. Mr. RqjCKell brought under the notice of tlie Board, the case of Mr. James Smith, '. who had been rated for 'section 15, Sandon, : which belonged to Mr. Prisk. ' The Clerk too^ a nbte of the. objection. " TAiUATIOIf, The Chaib3ian mentioned that the tirn^ for, calling for valuators was fast drawing ' on, and ho' had a suggestion to make to the , Boal-d, It was a question whether m calling ; for tenders it should be stated that offers would be. received from' tenderers, for the whole, valuation of the seven* vvards, or any one. or more of them. By such a step they would possibly receive tone 1 ers^ from persons living. n\ the. different v^avds, ,wh"o/' being well acquainted:" their "pa&ku 1 ?' localities, would not only be likely to" pVrfovm tlio valuation more cheaply, but more efficiently than stiungers. However, it was for the Board to act. he merely threw out the hint qs. a suggestion. " " The majority of tha 'Boanl agreed with the view of the. Chairman, and thcvmoUer of calling for tenders was left m his limls. WOKKS IN CAEUABVOtf. ,'; Mr, Eockiei,!, asked the permission of the Board for the folio. wing : — The Engineer to prepare estimates for culverts and fifty chains formation on^Sleia's line, and report at next meeting. The Engineer to prepare estimates for ; formation, on Taipu to Awuhuri Jine, and report at : next Board meeting. The Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for formation on Campion's line, ! connecting, formation done by Campbell and at Hickford'a. r The Engineer to prepare plans and specifications from Mrs. 'JSurnea to Mr. Anions' ; gate,^ ,:--';.-. S 1 The whole of the works were agreed to. • .'• TENDEfiS ACCEPTED. For Fagan's Line.— J. and W. Nathan, at £101 10s. : ■ v For Bailey's Line.— 3,j ■Winderbord,'at.' Bs. 6d,_ per chain. - ' For lJlundcn I B Lino.— j; (JroQm, at 19e, per chain. ■•"' For River Bank Eoad.^-A. Neilaon, at £111. ' . ■ ' - ■ '.-.■■ :, For Freßklingtpn's Line.^— Dove and Co., at £1 7s. per chain. : For Speedy's Line,— rThpmas Carroll, at 18s. per chain. INBOE.aSATIOJSr WANTEBv Mr. BiOCKELL said that during the term of office of- 'his predGCessorj Mr. Dawson, matters appertaining to the ward had not bepn attended to quite so carefully as they might have been. He did not.wish tq cay anything m a disparaging spirit of Mr. Dawson, and he also trusteed that his remarks would be received, m no upgracibus . spirit by the Board. He thought there' had heen some error m the accounts of his ward, md he only wished, to satisfy hiinselt as to whether he was right qrjivi'ong. H<3 would, therefore, ask that the Secretary would against next meeting prepare and lay before ■ tlic Board at its next, sitting a statement of all receipts and disbursements of No. 2 Ward, from June ?0, 1876, to June 30, 1879, showing— " ' First — AH fates collected, setting opposite Government subsidies, and all other in'onies received. Second — All contracts and works completed, giving the, amount, of same, as also . the contractors' names. The Chairman intimated that the time of the. Secretary was now almost wholly employed m ge.tting m the rates, and it was of paramount importance, that their collection at present should not b,e interfered with. Besido, he was .of opinion, that as the' work was of an extra nature, and would entail extra clerical assistance, the expense should be bowie by the warden for whom the information was obtained. . Mr. Rockell said he would not! only be quite, prepared to pay whatever would be reasonable for. the return, but also he had no wish to 1 overload the Secretary until he had finished the, collection , of the rates. _ He had by no means moved m the. matter m- a captious spirit, and he would, be, quite satisfied to receive the' return the meeting after, next. .-.•.-•;• The Chaiematst said that, such being tlw case, he could not see how the Board could raise. a,ny objection, and ' It was then agreed that the request wdtuld be prfcf-erred at the. next meeting. .£. Accounts amounting to £509 .95.. lid!, wore paased for payment, and the. meeting . then . adjourned until Thursday, October 30th. '. -'■■" ;..■■'•:.-_■ ■

VtNAHrciXL- STATEMENT. The following is the financial position of the various wards up to the 24th of September, 1879 ;— No. 1 War4.— Credit ■ ... #140 16 8 „ „ ; Toarreaps..; 32 2 2 Credit balance „, £408 14 6 No. 2 Ward.— Credit ,„ d&ll8 15 0 ■ ; , „ „ To arrejips. , ; BQ 18 '- 6 r Credit balance ... £67 17 0 No. 3 Ward.— Credit - .„ £.^'l4 "fc^ n » To arrears. ,'. "24 15 Credit balance- ...,' 3b72 ; l£f ]~r No t 4 Ward.— Debit.!/ ... 2 4 /it . o .To arrears.;. -23 7 9 ' Debit balance ...;499. lb i" NjQ. 5 Ward.— Debit.!. ..". .jjgge 3- .£ '•■•■•» „ Toarreafs-v^ r>2^ 18 ;i a, : Debitibalanoa ... £272: ' i .. $,\ No.O Ward.— D.ebit... „,£14^13 1 , ,i Toarreari ';;V. " 27^11"! 0 : Debit b^ance ;;; £173: :4 %:, tio. 7 WarcL^Credit- v ■,:. £34 ,18 8 ». * « v To arrears..^ ~:^3 17 6 Credit balance ... £11 1 2 GENEEAL ACCOUHTT. '•'"'' ■ -'"" Br,— No. 4 Ward / .-;.\ ' ' -.k ; .' T £o9 10- 1 „. No..s:Wartl ... ... 272 1 8 '„; No. 6 Ward ... ...; 173 4 \ „ ;,: ,: l - f T°, balance .,.; '-■'..'. ~^~pru it ; : ■ ■;■ «860;ii..'-»^ Cr.-No.|Ward ... ;., £408 14 IP "' • : v y : No. % Ward £ 17 ■. 0 f,, No. 3 Ward ... ..; 72 19 I „ N0.;7 Ward '... ... ; JX I 2 « ,; . £.560V11 § iSeßifc. 25. —By balance, as " '■■■■" ba^bopk-^... '.■_.' £15 B'll ;' • 'ACCOTTNT OFvBilBi8;r T'? ~- ■ ■ , since lagt meeting for each •yßard:— -v • No. I Ward* 71: £172. H< 0 v T^ , JSTo. 2Ward : v.; _J7O 0 0. , Nj». 3 Ward ... 98 18 3 ; N6.4 Wara-'nT^r.; 30 tK>A76^ Nq.,5 Ward ... ; 33 6 1 Nio.^Ward ..,:;, 6Q r «9 f I,' ' :i Njo.^Wardi!; ..:; ; B*ls': 6'