MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XL, Issue 195, 9 August 1876, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD MEETING.

August stb, 1876, Present: All the members. The Secretary's report was read as follows : — I have visited the place complained of by Mrs Wise, where a culvert has fallen io, and have offered on behalf of the Board, to have a new culvert made, with a trap door at the mouth, to allow of the drainage going out, and to prevent tbe sea at high water from coming in, provided Mra Wise will contribute half the cost. I have as yet received no reply to the offer made. I have sent oirculars to those ratepayers who have not paid their rates, which bas resulted in a few paying, but still leaving a large sum unpaid. The damage done to roads, and bridges, by the late high flood iv June, has to a great extent been repaired. Mr Woolfe has completed his contract on the Sandy Bay Track, he apks for a small addition to the contract price, iv consequence of a large slip on the eide of the bill, necessitating the blasting of a lump of rock. I would recommend that his request should be granted, as there can be no doubt tbe slip has given him additional work. I have taken steps with regard to a road up the Riwaka Valley, but have not advanced sufficiently to be able to report on the practicability of an arrangement being made for a road. I have agreed to meet the owners of the land that the road will be required to pass through one day of next week on the ground. I have not had time to make a plan of a toot bridge over the Oriuooo river, but have brought plans of other bridges similar to the one required, for the Board's inspection. The Riwaka Publio Pound has been repaired at a cost of two pounds ten shillings, not including locks, which have to be provided. A letter from the Provincial Secretary was read, stating that the Government regretted their inability to provide Bpecial funds for the repair and maintenance of the track between Riwaka and Takakß, also, another letter from the Provincial Secretary in reply to one irom the Board, stating that there were no funds for the construction of a new j/not bridge across tbe Riwaka river, in place of the one recently carried away by the high flood. Tbe Secretary stated tbat on the receipt of the letters just read, he waited on the Chairman of the Board, who advised that Mr Hursthouse, M.H.R. for the district, should be written to on the subject, in the hope tbat a sum of money might be obtained for the required works. Tbis, the Secretary stated had been done, aud he read a copy of the letter, also of a telegram aod letter from Mr Hursthouse in reply, to the effect tbat his Honor tbe Superintendent of Nelson bad telegraphed to the Provincial Executive at Nelson, asking tbem to reconsider their decision, and if possible provide funds for the erection of a foot bridge. A telegram from the Provincial Secretary was read, inquiring whether tbe Board would undertake the ioot bridge, and track over the hill if tbe Government subsidised tbem, and requesting an early reply, to which the Secretary replied that tbe Board would undertake tbe foot bridge and track over the hill if the Government furnished the necessary funds. To this no reply had been received. Tbe Secretary read a copy of the letter be had written to the Government having reference to the telegram sent. Resolved, That ths Board approve of the action taken by tbe Secretary with reference to tbe foot bridge and track over the hill, and also of the letters aud telegram Bent by him on tbe subject. A letter from Mr Mason was read, stating tbe amount of compensation required by Mr James Mickel, for a road being taken tbrough hie land in Brooklyn Valley. Resolved, Tbat tbe amount of compensation required by the owners of land in Brooklyn Valley, for a road through tbeir properties to the back ■sections taken up, is so large as to entirely preclude the Board from taking any actiou in the matter. A letter was read from Mr Lloyd, of Ngatimoti, having reference to bd application for assistance in making a road to section 141, square 7, Orinoco, made by him in August last, in which he offered to contribute £13 in labor towards the road, if the Board would grant an equivalent amount. Resolved, Tbat Mr Lloyd's application be granted, providing the road when made will be available for reaching tbe back sections A letter was read from Mr E. Thomas, complaining of the bad state of tbe Sandy Bay Track, occasioned by landslips and fallen trees. Resolved, Thut tbe Secretary take an early opportunity of making arrangements witb him for repairing the track. A letter was read from Messrs C. Pattie, Inglis, and Fowler, complaining of the water from Brooklyn and Little Sydney being diverted from its natural course, and forced along the road ditcheß northward, thereby injuring tbe road, and damaging land owned by tbe aaid persons, wbo trusted tbat steps would be taken to convey the water along its natural course. Resolved, That tbe ditch on the south side ol sections 32 and 33 be deepened and the water led down its natural course. A letter was read from the honorary secretary of tbe Riwaka and Nelson Navigation Company, offering £10 per annum as rental for the wharves and storehouses at Riwaka, charging dues

for the same in accordance with the scale adopted by the Board. Resolved, That lhe offer be accepted. The copy of a letter to Mr Hursthouse, M.H.R , was read, drawing his attention to the great difficulty experienced in acquiring roads over bought lauds to back sections, and pointing out^ the necessity of legislation on the subject. Resolved, Tbat a brick culvert be built across the road from the ditch on the north side of the Pah road near Mr Buchhoiz's store to the culvert now rendered useless by the filling in of the ditch on tbe south side of the same road. A letter from Mr Lodder was read, asking to be allowed to fence across the road by the north-west corner of section 21 until some means are provided for crossing the creek at the end ot tbe said road. Resolved, Tbat the Board have no power to grant Mr Ladder's request, but that immediate steps be taken to make a ford way across the creek referred to. Resolved, That tenders be invited for repairing tbe damage done by the late flood on the Swamp road, Riwaka, also for widening the ditches and forming the said road where required. Resolved, That notioe be given to persons to trim their hedges on the road aides, and that trimmings must be removed within one month. Resolved, That the Secretary advertise the intention of the Board to strictly enforce Bye-daw No. 3. Resolved, That the month jy meetings of the Board be held on the last Saturday of every month instead of the first Saturday as heretofore, and that tbe next meeting of the Board take plaoe on the 26th of the present month. Resolved, That the Secretary write to the Provincial Government, requesting tbat tbe protection may be taken off larks, linnets, greenfinches, and sparrows. Resolved, That the Secretary prepare the assessment of the district for the current year by the next meeting of tbe Board. An order was made for certain road alterations in various parts of the district. The tender of Messrs W. W. Coppins and J, M'Glashan was accepted j for gravelling near the Motueka Wharf at 22s per chain. Warrants were signed for the payment of £242 2s 3d.