MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 39, 11 February 1876, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

;Tbe monthly, meeting of thiß Board took place on February 5. Present: All the members except Mr Grooby. After the confirmation of the minutes the Secretary read the following report : — •'Most of my time since last meeting has been occupied in laying out a dine for a new track on the Biwaka and Takaka road. The distance from Mr E. Pattie's olearing, about where the. deviation from the present track begins to Saw-pit Creek, is just about whatl estimated it would be, Viz, 5 miles, but 'from the 'hurried manner in which the levels were, taken, to enable me to report to the Board last meeting; the height of the range where the new* line begins I have sinoe found is higher than stated; in my last report. The line I have graded down strikes the valley three-quarters of a mile before Saw-pit Creek, at the following gradients, beginning at the top: Three miles, 1 in 20; one mile, 1 in 18; one mijp, 1 in 16J; and three-quarters of a mile, lin 15. A Very -. fair track can btffoade alqog the Hoe laid out; some parts are very rocky, but as far as I am able to judge (until tbe surface is uncovered) there is no solid rock to contend with. Should the track be constructed along the line laid out, aod eventually widened into a cart road ; I am. of opinion that the blocks of stood lying in ; great prof asiott on the hill sides, of all shapes and sizes, will be found useful for building culverts, and possibly, in course of time, walls of houses, whilst on the top of the range there is lime-stone in abundance. I estimate the boat of making a fair driving track at £370 for the distance laid out, 5| miles. Very little road work hae been done daring the last month, owing to the labor being required in the harvest field, but now that harvest is nearly over labor will again, no douht, be available." The Chairman stated that he had, in accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting, endeavored, when in Nelson, to gain what information be could respecting the legality of members being re-imbursed the necessary expenses ! incurred whilst attending meetings of tbe Board, and he believed from what he had gathered, at an interview with the Provincial Auditor, that that officer would submit the question to the Attorney-General for his opinion thereon. Resolved, That tbe Board, being frequently engaged for eight or nine hoofs consecutively, devoting mind and energy to the business of (he public, believe that any incidental expenses incurred in the performance of such business should not be borne by the members. It is therefore resolved:— That members' necessary expenses incurred whilst attending these meetings be paid, such payment not to exceed the amount as was set forth in section 8 of the " Nelson Highways Act Amendment Act, 1875," as travelling allowance to the members of Road Boards. , A, letter was read from the Provincial Secretary having reference to handing over to the Board the management and control of the Riwaka jetty and buildings attached. Reaolved, That this Board will take charge of the jetty and store buildings at Riwaka, and will defray all charges incidental to the management of the same from the revenue to be derived from the charges on all goods received and delivered, or from any other funds available for tbe subdistrict of Riwaka, and will also defray the cost, when tbe receipts will permit, of any slight repairs that tbe said structures may from time to time require, but decline to be at tbe cost of executing, extensive repairs, and, the probable re-construction of the buildings atr some future time. A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, having reference to tbe proposed new track between Riwaka and Takaka, requesting that specifications should be prepared for such sections of the l work as may Come within the limit of the vote, so that the same may be submitted •; to < the- Executive with the view of calling for tenders, and placing the supervision of the work under the management of the Board. That the Secretary reply to the letter just read, stating that tbe Board will undertake the supervision of the work. It having been reported to tbe Board that the nuisance complained of last meeting on Mr Boyes' premiees still exists, Resolved, That the Seoretary serve a notice personally on Mr Boyes to remove the nuisance complained of, and in the event of it not being removed within the presoribed time, take legal proceedings against Mr Boyes. Reßdlved, That tbe Secretary write to the Provincial Government in order to ascertain what amount this Board will receive from the colonial subsidy voted for Municipalities and Road Boards; es it is desirable that the same should be expended during the dry season. Resplved, That tenders be invited for cutting gorse growing on certain roads in the district ; also, for gravelling a portion of tbe road in Orinoco Valley, and near the Lutheran Church, Upper Moutere. Resolved, That heaps of gravel be put at certain distances apart on the Moutere trunk road, so tbat any bad places in tbe road may be repaired ai speedily; as: possible during the wintet months. Resolved, That tenders be invited . for removing certain, projections on the

new hill road, Moutere, and that the cost of doing so be defrayed out of the general fund, provided such cost does not exceed £25. Mr W. Funnell, brickmaker, having • submitted a sample of culvert brioks for the Board's iapproval, it; was reaolved that the Secretary Order 1,000 pricks, on the understanding that tbey qouat be of good quality and the price not excessive. | Resolved, That the Secretary carry Out certain resolutions passed at this Snd previous meetings with aa little elay as possible. i Resolved, That a speoial meeting, for the purpose of considering tenders for certain works, be held on Saturday, the 19th instant. i In accordance with section 6 of tbe "Nelson Highways A.ct, 1872," it was.; decided by lot that th s e following members should go out of office on the, first; Monday in July next, via., Messrs. , Me^mahon, Dencker, Edelsteb, and <N- ' ■■*....., i Warrants: were signed for f he payment of £216 7s. lid.