WAIMEA ROAD BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 224, 12 September 1876, Page 4

WAIMEA ROAD BOARD.

Tuesday, September 5. At the monthly meeting at Richmond all ibe members were present. The ! minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. . The Overseer reported that he found on enquiry that it would cost 22s per cwt. to have the old monkey recast, less an allowance of 3s per cwt for the old metal. The gorse has been cut at the roadsides in Eve's Valley, so tbat carts can now conveniently pass. The by-road at Stoke, for wbich Mr Martin has offered the gravel, will require forming before it is gravelled. That at Hope is already formed, and oan be' '._ gravelled cheaper by the day carts. ' Resolved, That a deputation of the Board inspeot the monkey and report whether it can be repaired. Mr Jenkins attended in reference to 1 the notice sent to him to remove certain gates erected across the public road, and explained their position and tbe circumstances under which they were erected. Resolved, That on Mr Jenkins addressing a note to the Secretary of the Board, requesting permission to erect two gates in the positions pointed out . by him, across the public road passing through his land, the Secretary be empowered, on behalf of the Board, to . promise that they will not remove such gates without further notice, but a pecuniary acknowledgment of 5s for each gate per annum will be required ' by the Board to prevent the possibility ot the power to erect a gate across a public road being hereafter claimed as a right. Resolved, That all other enclosed roads shall be subject to ihe same condition. The Secretary reported having sur- , veyed the crossing of the Dove river 'with reference to the required footbridge, but had not been able to spare time from the assessment to prepare a plan, it would, however, be ready before the machine to drive the piles would be obtainable. A letter from Mr J. Grove complained of the assessment of hia property last year. Reaoived, That Mr Grove be informed that tbe matter bas been placed in the hands of the Assessors. A letter from the Rev. C, Moon conveyed a resolution of the Wakefield Vestry that the Board be requested to clear tbe gorse ofi the road adjoining the churchyard. Resolved, That a deputation from the Board visit the road. A memorandum from the Provincial Secretary authorised the Board to expend £35 in repairing the approach to the Bell Grove Bridge and erecting some protective works. The Surveyor was directed to invite tenders for the work at tbe earliest opportunity. A letter wes received from the Provincial Secretary enclosing a copy of an application made to the Government by Messrs Granger and others, of Wak-field, to subsidise a subscription of £30, for the purpose of erecting some orates to protect the river bank, and requesting to be informed whether tbe Board is willing to contribute onethird of the cost, and to supervise the work. Resolved, Tbat the Secretary reply to the Government that the Board is alvised that tbe mode of action proposed by Messrs Granger and Co would be useless, but tbat the Board is willing to join the Government and the subscribers in any operation likely to be effectual for the intended purpose. In view of the impending abolition of the Provincial Government, tbe Board is anxious to prevent unforeseen inroads on its funds by the Government immediately placing any Bum proposed to be expended in tbe hands of tbe Board, who will guarantee to expend a similar sum, in addition to a subscribed equivalent to tbe best advantage. Resolved, That Messrs Granger and Co. be informed that the Board will not contribute towards the erection of crates, but if the applicants wiil place the amount of tbeir subscription in the hands of the Treasurer, tbe Board will contribute an equivalent, and have the work done as speedily and economical as possible. A letter from tha Town Clerk, Nelson, stated that the Government, the inhabitants in the neighborhood, and the City Council had each agreed to contribute £125 towards tbe formation of the. proposed road round the rocks, and inquiring whether the Waimea Road Board would reconsider tbeir decision of last meeting, or agree to form the whole or any part of the proposed which lies on their side of the City boundary. A letter was received from Mr E, Green asking the Board to make a similar contribution to that promised by the other bodies, on the ground that although the Board have rated the owners of the adjacent properties ihey have not expended anything in making a road suitable for general purposes. What money has been laid out has been from interested motives to get gravel from the beach, although the road is very much required by the butchers of Nelson tbat they may be able to drive cattle without passing through the City 6 idangering life. Resolved, That replies be sent to both the foregoing letters, that the Board Adhere to their former resolution for the reason then stated. Resolved, That tbe tender of T. Hunt for renting the gravel reserve et Hichmond for £4 per annum be accepted. Mr Hodgens attended and again requested aasietahee in improving the

road leading to his leased land, stating tbat it would take £200 for the work, but he would be satisfied for the present with £50. Consideration deferred. Resolved, That notice be given that all persons must trim their gorse hedges forthwith. Mr Robert Eden attended io reference to a statement in the Overseer's report for July, that " 1500 feet of timber had been procured for the bridge at Spring Grove." This, he presumed, meant the bridge made to replace the Bridge washed away on the Bridge Valley road. Having measured the timber tbere he found it was nothing near 1500 feet, and Messrs Verry, Gibbs, and other ratepayers having discussed the matter, Mr Eden had been deputed to ascertain what had become of the balance. Mr Eden was informed tbat the timber in question is a B tock kept to repair the Waimea Bridge, to which the whole paragraph refers. Mr J. Ricketts attended and offered to relinquish bis contract for improving the Bridge Valley road on being paid for the time actually employed on it, tbe contract baving been stopped by the Board. He agreed to accept £6 ih full of all demands. Resolved, That the deputation visit this road and arrange as to the beat means of improving it. Resolved, That a special meeting be held on Tuesday the 19th instant to consider the assessment just prepared. Warrants were signed for £253 19a. * ■ —