HAMPDEN ROAD BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 15, 17 January 1876, Page 4

HAMPDEN ROAD BOARD.

[communicated ] The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held in the Court House, Hampden, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1875. One member only was absent. Mr McGregor ia the chair. ■'" On the subject of the cutting of the Maruia horse track from its present termination to Fea Soup Creek,. the following discussion took place: — A member (Mr Grove) complained that there seemed a disinclination some way or other on the part of .the Chairman and Secretary to carry out the wishes of the Board, and everything, he said, that met their own views wbb executed at once, whereas the decisions of the j Board, which did not meet their views, as in the case of this Maruia track, were set aside and there was always some excuse or other for so doing. They (the officers referred to) seemed to think that they had more power than the \ Board, whereas his view of the matter was that they were there simply to obey the wishes of the Board as expressed in the resolutions passed at their : meetings, and if the Secretary ' persisted in not doing as he was told he: for one would agree to advertising ior one that would. The Chairman was hightly indignant at this remark, and said that such charges as those made by the member who had just spoken had no right to be brought forward unless they could be substantiated. Mr Grove implied that himself and the Secretary worked together in carrying out their own views. He contended that he had a perfect right at any of the meetings to bring resolutions or amendments forward, and to vote as he thought proper. Mr Grove, in support of what he had i said, referred to the fact of this Maruia road work having been decided upon Jwice by the Board, and although resolution had been recinded, the work was not done, and he >V ■ h'fel&ibfien *^ d b 7 a person who had ■4t|®||ing-to do ? ith the Board, shortly first decie. !r>D t0 cut lhe traok > :'^Mbi;t : it was not goh/" t0 be done," |i|gg^he wanted to know w^° had B to say it was not to be done, »7 hen had decided that it was? Chairman asked what right had .member to take any notice of out■>ft*ide talk of this kind. replied that he did not the time, but when facts cajqaeAß |>roof it was time to notice it, aa& l<p the benefit of the t^o new members he asfcetf the Chairman to read $be resolutions bearing on {bis subject. - This ibe Chairmiin refused io do,

but they were eventually read, when Mr Lloyd expressed bis astonishment at tbe manner in whioh the resolutions had been ignored. ; Mr Ribet and Mr Adank also expressed their dissatisfaction at the contempt with which the resolutions bad been treated, and Mr Lloyd moved and Mr Adank secouded a resolution to tbe effect that the work in question be at once proceeded with and tbat tenders be called in time for acceptance at the next meeting of the Board. Tbe Chairman said be bad no objection to tbe work being done, but should move an amendment to the resolution, and among other objections expressed his doubts whether the Board could expend its rates aud revenues in new roads at all, and then he said there was another objection be should urge. There were, be said, no ratepayers on the Maruia, but only diggers, and he considered tbe Board ought to confine their expenditure to the roads where ratepayers were located. Mr Grove entirely dissented from this view of the caße, stating that the miners were the settlers' best customers and that the very best way of promoting their (the settlers') interest was to open up the country as much as possible. Mr Ribet and Mr Adank stated that they knew many who would settle down to mining in the Maruia if the track was made. Mr M'G-regor then moved an amendment to the following effect : — " Tbat tbe matter be postponed until a reply had been received from the Government as to whether they would make the track or not." No one seconded this amendment, and on tbe resolution being put, the Chairman was the only dissentient, bo the Board decided for the third time tbat the track should be cut. During tbe discussion tbe Secretary asked the Board to cancel his agreement. Mr Grove said that he bad not made his remarks from any spiteful feeling, but from a sense of duty only, and that he was quite willing to resign from the Board and make peace that way. The Secretary then expressed his willingness to continue his engagement with the Board, and the matter dropped.