Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 61, 11 March 1872, Page 4

The Suveyor reported the proceedings as to surveying, &c, to purchase alteration of Roads in Aniseed Valley. The Overseer reported having let some work to improve part of the road in Quail Valley. The Surveyor reported having served notices, as ordered, and was directed to bring to each meeting a list of all notices ordered to be served, and report of the proceedings taken thereupon. Resolved : That before any money be paid to Mr. Eden for work done on the road in Rickett's Valley, he shall produce a written acknowledgment from Mr. Tunicliffe that he has no claim against the Board either for trespass, or for any work done on such road. The Surveyor having produced a copy of the return sent to the Government, Messrs. Rout and Barnicoat, who were appointed as a deputation to wait on the Superintendent in reference to the classification of the Waimea district under the " Payment to Provinces Act," stated that they had not seen the Superintendent, in consequence of his absence on the West Coast, but| that a plan of the district, showing the acreage coming within the definitions in the Payments to Provinces Act of class 1, class 2, and class 3 respectively, had been left by them with the Provincial Treasurer for the consideration of the Executive. The plan in question showed that of the iotal area of the district (148,690 acres), 34,000 appeared to come within class 1, and the remainder within classes 2 and 3 — i.e., that a portion amounting to about 34,000 acres being either in the vicinity "of the town, or comparatively populous— was entitled to the lowest rate of subsidy, but that the remainder (114,690 acres) was fairly entitled to the larger rates specified in the Act. Resolved, " That any moneys received from the Government on account of the Payment to Provinces Act, shall be expended in equal proportions on the roads in Eighty-eight and Quail Valleys, Pigeon Valley towards Stanley Brook, and Dovedale." A letter was received from the Provincial Secretary, stating that there was no probability of the votes of last session of the Council, for special works, being paid. A letter from the Motueka Valley Road Board was read, calling the Board's atten- j tion to the necessity of clearing the track in Pigeon Valley towards Stanley Brook, which had been obstructed by the late fires, also to some repairs and improvements on the road to and on Spooner's Range, as the principal road to their district. The Secretary was directed to reply that the Overseer had already attended to the repair on the roads to Stanley Brook and to Spooner's Range, and that as far as their means will allow the Board will endeavor to keep the road passable, but that the other repairs on the range recommended would involve too large an expenditure on the part of the Board, which, although having the charge of a large number of miles of untouched trunk lines thrown on it, haa received no part of the General Government grant of last year, of which the Motueka Valley has received so very large a sum. Messrs. Harkness and Hall attended in reference to work done on the Swamp road, when it was resolved that £5 additional should be granted to supplement the special rate levied, and that tenders should be immediately called for completing the work. Mr.Paap attended, and alleged that the Board, when making the road in Eightyeight Valley, had encroached on land which he had recently purchased. As the information tendered by the Board did not satisfy him, it was arranged that the Surveyor should examine into the alleged encroachment, and report. Messrs. Sharp and Higgins attended in reference to the proposed work on Rickett's Valley road and also complained of the road having been fenced across. The Overseer was directed to remove the obstruction, and that he and the Surveyor should prepare a specification, and, if possible, let the work on valuation; if not, to call for tenders. The Overseer reported that he had examined the whole of the trunk lines, and made detailed estimates of the cost of the most pressing repairs, amounting as follows : — Waimea East and Suburban South, £312, exclusive of cost of Boulderbank shingle from the wharf; Waimea West, £188 2s. 6d.; Waimea South, £427. These repairs are chiefly gravelling, either by a continuous coat or by patching, as may be most expedient. Recommended that a culvert be made across the road near Mrs. Nicholson's gate; also, that for the repairs about Richmond, beach gravel be again used. Called the attention of the Board to the damage done to the road in Eves Valley by parties using sledges on the long catting, rendering it impossible to keep the road in repair. The Secretary was desired to give notice to the parties using the sledge; also

to Mr. P. Kerr to trim his gorse ; also to invite tenders for Friday, the 15th instant, for gravelling on Jenkins' and Greig's hill, by Mr. Saxton's and in Pigeon Valley ; also for repairs to Pretty Bridge, and for next meeting for gravelling at Lower Wakefield, in Waimea West, and in Dovedale. The Overseer was directed to have direction boards painted and put up at the various roads in Dovedale. A letter was read from Mr. Sellon, reminding the Board now that they had received money from the Government, of their expressed williugness to assist in improving the road to the Limekiln. Resolved : That although the Board has lately received a portion of the vote, the paying of existing liabilities, aud the many urgent calls on them, only enables them to grant £10, aud that on condition that the whole of the work pointed out and estimated to cost £30 15s. be done under tNe direction and to the satisfaction of their Overseer ; and that an extract from the Board's rules be sent to Mr. Sellon. A warrant for £122 12s. 3d. was signed by the members.