MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 163, 24 September 1881, Page 2

MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Wednesdat, September 21, 188\. The usual monthly meeting of tbe M;ma.vatu High ways Board was held on [ Wednesday, ia the Board Rooms, Town | Hall. Present — Wardens Bruce (Chairman), Kdwards, Perry, Benight, and Row. MINUTES. The Secretaiy having read the minutes of last meetir •>;, the Chaiman read the following coirespondence :— DANGEROUS SLIT?. L<elter fora Messrs Cunnin^kam and othe's, complaining of a dangerous slip w' "ch had takea place in the Kiwilea, at a place called the continuation of MKay's Line, and known as Davis's cufc ling. Mr. PEERT,the Warden, staled that he bnd made inquiries as to tbe matteiyahd found ibat when the culling bad been made, the sides weve <oo pevjiendicul?-, and they had fal'en in, and the debris wh« blocking up tbe wav. He was in formed that a couple of men with drays could do the rej» is for about £10. The Chairman said Ibat yi»s a &<uaU amount, but tbe qnp:.iion wns whether i»i the face of tbep'opo sd separation, aod the indebtedness of ibe ward, it would be well to incnthe expense. Still, oa the oiber hani). tbe amount tsked was for ?epai v s, aod certainly cmil l paroiion did Cake 'place, the Boi-rd shou'cl keep the roads in good order. : IVfr. KAJGBTs?id that if an sccident were to occur Ib rough tbe slip, the Baa.d would be liable. Mr. Skekman moved, and Mr.KNiGt c seconded — " That Mr. Per;,f be allowed to expend any sum not exceeding £10 upon the repairs ©f Davis's Cut : no-, giwitea.'" Cai ried. A petition was received from' a number of settlers in the Kairanga Block, pointing out the necessity for the erection «fa bridge across the creek known as Whiskey Cicek, as there is a deal of traffic required on the portions of road between Sections 425 and 429, and at present it ia impossible to obta ; n iugress and egress. Mr. How said the Bo«rd had no money, and no rates had been received from the Block, nor was it likely there would be for some time. Mr. Skekman gaid that Mr, Gillespie had come to the Board and obtained the erection of a bridge, and t'aen signed the petition for another «ue, which was before the Board. He wctuld therefoje move-rr " That the Clerk wi ite to Mcfsw Manson and others, informing them that until th« Board are in receipt of r%f ss f. 051 tie

Kairanga Block, thev cannot incur auy further expenditure.' The motion was seconded by Mr, Bow, .and carried. THE AWAR©. Letter from George Hedge*, "intimating that the Sandon and Carnarvon Highways Board, of which he wag Secretary, had placed in the Bank of Australasia. Sanson, the sum of £200 on account of award. The Chairman said that b« was highly indignant at receiving only £200 out of the £300 due, and he -felt- very-much inclined to send it back. However, he did not do so. He was pleased to say that there now -likelihood ef an arrangement being arrived at, as the Sandon and Carnarvon Board had appointed a subcommittee to yisit and confer with this Board on the matter. FJXAX SETTLEMENT. . With regard t« the previous matter fa letter was' received from Mr. Hedges, intimating that at a meeting of the oandon and Carnarron Highway Board, on August 2a,;he was instructed jto.< write to the Manawatu Board, infdrining c them that this Board, is anxious to, r haye r a final settlement' of accounts between them, and that you would be kiDd. enough to furnish a clear statement of this Board's indebtedness assbori'sLS possible. :'<. Mr. Sxerman would wish to know what was meant by a clear; statement. ;; ■ BiOSH i E!AI,TJNG. .; An application was received from James Barrow asking to be , allowed to fall bush on the road line adjoining his section, JT«, 219, offering to do the work, some ninety xhairis, upon th'e usual terms. — Application granted. -•■■ MArs, &c. 1 From Mr. JEEayns, in reply to a letter covering a resolution, asking for plans and other documents which was in his possession at the termination of his agreement with the Boaijd.^Mrvflayns^wrote in reply that he would look them up, and forward them at the earliest opportunity. ITWJTEA ;ACKArar. Petition fronvWl T?hyn, Rendle, and others with regard to separation,—^Received, but no answer' required as Jhe Board was anxious to grant separation. THE MANGAONE. Letter from J. Gladstone stating that through not being able to obtain the timber, he had not' been able to finish the work, and asking for an extension of time. ,'-.:■'■■:• •;• .. Mr. Row stated that Gladstone had done all he possibly could in the matter, and the delay was not his faulty ; f 'J [■[ T Extension granted^ ; v „ s '**■ DEPUTATION. Mr Williamson," "of Kiwitea, waited upon the Board, with ;reg"aril to Fa claim for £3 for bush-falling, and ( - reqj.il red^an explanation as'to 1 meaning of a reply ; which had been sent to hi m-i-" that the sum would be refunded to. him when the Board wj»s in funds!** 'ijfd that mean ;six months or six years. ' ■■••- • :;'; * : • 1 The CHArRMAN replied that, it' would rely entirely' upon' the 'finances of the Board. The principle which had been con* sistently carried out was that persons who wished to fall their road lines were allowed to do it, provided they would wa't for the .money until the Board was tin a position to. pay 'them. ■ Mr Williamson had been treated in an exactly sinrlar manner to all other settlers.] ' ; > Mr Williamson said that in that case he of course could not complain, but it certainly struck him as very unjust that ettlers — as in his particular caie— &ould be asked to fall bush lines which wereoi no earthly use to him, merely so that the Board should be saved ?:»m future loss, should the bush be allowed to stand ami afterwards fall and destroy His fences lie road to which he referred was not used b*" any one. . The Chairman replied tbat ; tne'fal-Hogof-the ro (1 lines by settlers- was.: mutual advantage to. both themselves and the Board, with certainly the.*- balance ic th»ir favor. He (the Chairman) was quite aware that the , Board would b< liable for damage to fences, but while it was, a matte? of impossibility .for ,it ty fall all the r«ad Unes^ for want of fiiuds, $he settlers Had the adyaetajes , of-, having a ror.d to their land,. being- able to get i better burn, a »d securing the better preservation of their fences when tfie sut could get in at them. The statesman! made by Mr Williamson that his rone wasnat used by anyone wa'stuforlunate foi his argument, as certainly if it w ; ere .noi used at all it was the greater reason why the firadsofthe Board shoull n,ot be expended on it at present. The discussion between the deputafionist and the several members of the Boa't w«s carried on at great length, but eventually The Ohatrman informed Mr Willian)ion tbat while it was impoasible for tbe Board to make anv exception io.,bis case or go upona ! ny ot aev pvjncinle than thai v/hich had been acted upon for, yea ya che Kiwitea' Ward was about to 1 obtain separation, sad be would, advise' him itc to. get elected o,n the new Board, ,. and he ! wouM tb,en ! bea'ole ; to ! a^ter the itate oi affai«B. '■ ' t -■• ;' '■■■: '■ '.' , " /'• A VEUTTAtJL-E SLOUCIH. : ""'' A leJte" was read from Mr Thomos Stace,' ! cbmpl?'n)ng-Mt altfbbug'n'heh'ad 'd rates for fully six yea^s, the ; road )e?dinp up to hjs properly w?s in sncli a beastly slate, tba.l, to; repch his residence it was necessary to ptdugh axle drep llvough mud and mi : e^ He would ear-. nriUy ask the Board to do soroetb^g to the road, as otherwise, he jwould be uuable to, get either ip. or out to his pro,perty. !: ■•■ - ; : - ■'■■ - 1 ' ; '-' :; '■' ';. BOBBRTS XINJB. Tuition from tiiio TJkv and others calMng. calling at.l.etfi'on io B-obeits' Line, st?t>og that the roi-d H>ie had bjecu fallen Tor about seven yeT's. and could be (bimed at a small outlay. The letter also slaJcd tbat two tree? had fallen over across tbe rond, and stopped tbe traffic. OCTSTANDIHG RATES. . .. The CnA/iKMA?r drew at -ntidn to' the amount of rates which were due to tbe Board, aud the absolute necessiiy which exlsled for sorneslrmgeut niessureT beiog (?keu for having them pplcf. Thee was; ''lly^'4ooor £."00 dne, a sum quite sufficient to py off their bverd^aftj and leave tbementi-ely out of debt^ Mr Pev-y said tbat be would propose that a notice should be published iu the pa->er.lbat unless the ?mounf.3 due were, paid fovlhwiJh, legal proceedings would be taken without any resjject to persons; fie found (hat in his ward there was a ve r y considerable amount owing, vbut there was not asi ngle defa ul ter who could not pay up, if they felt so inclined, and be would be/Ja. favor of compelUug them to do so. Mv Row said matters were in an t?ac f ly '»tai*»T po?itioßi.A his waird^ Th?

defaulters' list was a very lengthy and a very heavy one, but he could say that there was' not a man on it who cowld not well afford to pay his rates. The Chairman said a notice had been published regarding defaulters, but it appeared to havvj no eff. ct. • Mr Pbrrt said be would be inclined to make one move appeal, and in case 11 did not have the desired effect then the delinquents should be ' summarily dealt with. It was then decided that the Secretary . should-notify- i*> the columns of Tbb, Manawatu Times, Guardian, and Advocate, that if all amounts due for rates :Werenofc paid ; before the ljth of October, . legal pioceedings would follow. ~ . ' •URGENT WORKS. Before calling' upon wardens to state what works were required in their respective wards^ _ L . The Chairman, said he would strongly advise that' no new constructive work* should be undertake»r At next meeting it- was to be T hoped the determined stepf they had; taken for. the recovery "of the rates would have tne effect of replenishing their trepsury, and he thought all other than the most necessaVy works should he left overjuhtil next month. ; i J Mr. Eow said that while agreeing with the Chairman in tlp|inain, still there wat one piece ojF wprk;i^hi» ward the coni siructibnof. which lie felt constrained to ' urge. ' He felt he could the better make this appeal for the reason that while -his had; a considerable sum to its credit^ hitherto he had studiously avoided asking for an outlay in it, iniorder net to increase, the overdraft. The work which ire. wlffhed done the formation of; t wen "ty- 6 ve chains' ;^ on .Randolph: aad Walker's Line. .;■ - si; . : , Mr. Edwabds said that if works were done in oae ward,;, .the settlers in others, would want to know" why their wanta cobld iiot'beattenifledtb. ; J > - ' I Mr. Roir pointed, out'that ■ that .could . Scarcely be, ; or why; had, ,not his .constiturents a tacked him when "works had beea. done el \ewhere. in. the. Highway, anil not' ia his, ward, although there' wa« meney to* jjis emliii -He thought he was faiily en-. titlea,.fo the outlay he claimed? forth*reasonpbat wfiile^otKer warden*;had:had.y woi'kfjdpne behad asked for none, andaki that. his ward r wa« ma. position to> pay foi\it. ; , . ' . ;'; ".'V 'l,"'''[,'". '.'*' '^"' : • ' ; Mr^.S^tKßiAN thought the Board could aot well ieuwejilr. Ko'e- -He had' been .. hitherto very moderate ia" "-his demand*, and tfie ! ¥utlay >reo^ir«dst;for,)thp/iwork would not be niuah; ! He ,was of opinioa-. that the chairman w.asj top- aervous wetkhe matter,;, L X".,'-^"^ .- \ \\ The.CHAißß^»,sajd^r. J^ermMhad ■twitted' him/. with beiug'^oo, jServput^ 'Well, he confessed He \ was" son^e^iat iaervous*^ m^r(lik?^cbsiSg in'-debt jliim -If, nor seeing aayhojelyi^th yrbich. be was cbuoected^iu^the^ same nositipn^ jThey had a heavy overdaftat the bank| 'and *Übo\igh moneyiWas, just^ then plenti-. ;fuLthei;e,* was no guarantee that it would I -be ai vvay s '^ - , atfd if it 1 became / ligh V,th£ , ;o ve)d raft might r be f ca^ed. up. . However,, ithe matter w*V one ror the 1 consideration, ;bf the feoard^ ! ■" 2 '..). .;.;. -.■ : ; : . ;■ . c ' A • j ifa\ Kmg.9.t seid in the state of- the. jfiiiauce df Itf>\ RoVs ward he thought ;he .was^euHtilcd^to itj.an.dhe djidj npjt^e "how the Board conld refuse it. : ;| Mr. "Jtow, then' pioposod, -anel: Mr •;SKB^.lfA#oeconded--^. - - •---•-- --.. „ \ f' Tihat Mr. Rqw be empowered to. call> •for tenders for twenty -five cKptos of for-imatipn-'pn/EiandoJph audL^iil leer's Liue^. Anders' to he in by next meetius." Car-.' ■ MedV- „... r ,. t . "■'•7 ■,"..■•. I Mi"i. S<-e rma¥ • drew the atteujtioit : of • ;ibe Board to the most dangerous state ©fr ta bridge upon his road, stating that the jplankirigwas ro'den,.and itbat. unless au \ uewib; idge were , substituted sprae fatal •Rccident would be the result. Ihcorifir-. iinplionof that stalemenfeihe related how I a lady, who had, been, crowing) it at.oi^ht j had — by her hone's legs tjoiug thrbuffßt •: the flooring— been preefpita ted into tne deep cveek alb'ngwde, aniwer€[it;noj;thati -she was accompanied by a gentleman the. 'consequencies would have beem fatal. ThelUhawtiji.n was^ofppinionthat thei I work in quest ioja camejander the heading, |of repoks, epd it . wai. therefore dealt | with sufliihaviiy;' a' tender 5 fd»°the" con-. stiucii»n a new biidge,- for £9 being ac-. jcepled- i'-fciMifcA (aa-U j .••M,r.;S.^BMAjR : thßn ti intim^tecL that i% | conformity witli instructions which lie. : bad received at last meetirig;he had made. j a autvey .otceLtaiu_w.Qi;ks,onJNo.. 7 . Lme L ! and would recommend the stumping and. j formation of abo'u^sixtychainSi/ Proposed by Mr. *Eow, seconded by--1 Mr. Knight — «< JTh'it Mt. Skerman be empowered ta J:c&ll foe- r -tenders for; the formation and ' stamping, wheye Required v of^^ about sixty, fj chains of : Nb':7^ : !Dine, 3 tenders ! fi£>iSe v in by j be/lSlhfofOctor^ «.& :i -; ;i i L.n ! r , TfJB . % AIRAIJ G A BLOCK. ■ M r:"E.ow gave a very detailed and in-. t e^esi^ig accpuutxp/^bts /receijt suryey; of v the Kpiran«a Block, speakfhg iu terms of si bWg coßdenihation of the manner ia, Nrhich >the drains, were constructed astota^y inade(jijate; to carrxpffi .the, Tpluma ofwftgr which woujd lie rein into. them. lie 1 was p!ease ! d to say that in most easeal the f?Hen ; fi-ees"h.ad been kept; ? cle?r oiF' the d«aios, but iu'thefewinstjmceswhere: they liaci not^one so, when cautioned as 4 to ttie consequences the evil had been re- " inedied r ,i j! O :l i '^. J .- , „'■■■■ '-. The acconnts w,ere then pwed for. p?vwit #t, 'ahd>-the Board adjou- ned ov»(w\ the 18th of Octobers .^ ,m l