MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 128, 1 June 1877, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above took place on May 26; i present, Messrs Coppine, Dencker, and James Drummond. Mr Dencker in the chair.

. After the confirmation of the minutes of. the laet meeting, the Secretary made the following report:—

As soon as it was possible after the last meeting of theßoard, I accompanMr. J. G. Blackett over the remainder of the district where the roads were destroyed by the February flood, occupying nearly a week. Mr Blackett informed me that after examining tbe roads in the Upper Motueka district he should immediately prepare and send in his report to the Government, Tbe tiat of ratepayers w,bo had paid rates up to the 3lst of March, required by the Registration of Electors Act, 1875, to be sent into the Registration Officer by the 7th of April, was taken into consideration by the Revising Officer on the 16th instant, and resulted in 67 fresh names being added .tjQ ;the electoral .roll within the Motueka Highway District. The Saltwater Bridge would have heen completed had the weather not been co unfavorable during the last three weeks. It has been neoessary to drive three new piles on the side of the embankment, and to plank up both sides for a short distance from the approach. .The cqn^aqtora have beguo the footbridge across the Riwaka river, but no arrangement has been made with Messrs. Thomas Brothers (owing to the absence of Mr F. Thomas) for proceeding with (lie Riwaka-Takaka track through their land. Mr Fariane has completed his contract between tbe Orphanage and the beach, aod I have arranged with him to finish the remainder of the road as far as the wharf. The road round, the Bluff as far as Mr O'Brien's, Ngatimoti, has been made passable for cart traffic except for a short distance, where the road requires blasting. I have arranged for this to be done, but the continued wet weather has prevented its completion. After every ..mall flood the crossing of the Orinoco requires repair, and this will continue to be the case until the deposit left by the February flood is swept away. I have invited tenders for the gravelling agreed to be done, but tbe rest of the works are as yet in abeyance, owing ito the late inclement weather.

Copy of letter from the Secretary to Messrs Adams & Kingdon read respecting the spread of gorae on the roads, also Messrs Adums and Kiogdon's reply to the same.

Letter trom Secretary of Waimea Road Board reed, pointing out that the Board had invited tenders for the work on the Orinoco-Thorpe road as far as the boundary of the district, leaving about nine chains in the Motueka Highway District, as it had been pointed out to tbe Board that it would be illegal to expend its funds in another district.

, Resolved — That the Secretary reply to the letter read, and inform the Waimea Board that thie Board would remind it that the sum of £150 was granted for the completion of tbe road between Orinoco and Thorpe, and that while admitting there are a lew chains in this district, such length is as much entitled to a portion of the £iSO as any other part of the distance and which this Board is quite willing to have completed on the Waimea Board handing over a fair proportion of the sum granted for the whole distance.

A letter was read from the Secretary of the Upper Motueka Road district, stating that the Baton road will be completed at tbe top of Byrne's section in a few weeks, and requesting the Motneka Highway Board to make the road within its district (at least) passable for carts. Resolved— -That there are no funds this Board oan devote to the road mentioned, but if the Upper Motueka Road Board will hand over a fair proportion of the £300 granted for tbe road from the Motueka river to the Baton and the settlers interested will supplement it with an equivalent amount (as has been the case with that portion of the road within the boundary of tbe Upper Motueka district), this Board will then take the matter into further consideration.

It having been reported that several of the bridges on the Moutere trunk road had been damaged by the flood oi yesterday, it was resolved*— Tbat the "Secretary have the bridges repaired as soon as possible, so tbat tbe traffic may not be stopped, aud invite tenders for any of the work he may thiak necessary.

I A letter was read from Mr Thomaa Hewetson, offering the sum of £15 for .the purchase of the late Motueka Road Board office, on condition that it will .not be necessary for him to remove the same. Resolved — That Mr Hewetson's offer be accepted, on condition that the Secretary can make satisfactory arrangements with him respecting the same.

An application having been made by Mr Glover for the road to be made passable to his ieland, where destroyed by the flood, it was resolved — That the Secretary make arrangements for the road to be repaired oo condition that Mr Glover will allow a right of road across the island as heretofore, and. that ;he will contribute towards the cost of !auch repair.

Resolved — That tenders be invited for building a culvert across the road in High-street, opposite the Swan lon, and that the Secretary mako arrangements for a ejnall culvert across the Pah road, by Charley's (Maori) land. • The following tenders for gravelling iwere accepted :— W. Ducker, road at Neudorf, 23s per chain; Jo<\ Hylaod and Co, Moutere trunk-road, Nd/t, 26s per chain; No. 2, 30a per chain. Warrants were signed for the payment of £203 17s SJ.