MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 259, 1 November 1877, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting was held on October 29. Present ; all the members except Messrs Dencker and Grooby, the latter being to unwell to atttenrj. After the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, the Secretary made the following report: — As instructed at the last meeting I bave had a pile driven at the proposed Orinoco bridge site. The pile has been driven a little more than 13 feet into the ground, being about 12 feet below the bed of the river, so that there would be no difficulty in building a cart bridge that would be likely to eland. I have informed those persons who petitioned the Board to build a curt bridge, tbat provided a pile was driven satisfactorily, aad the persons interested would contribute one-fourth of the cost, tbe Board would comply wilh their request but have received no reply. I have invited tenders for draining and gravelling the road leading up to the Motueka bridge site, as there will shortly be some heavy traffic on tbis road in couveyiog the bridge material. I Have made a temporary arrangement with Mrs Heath and Mr Evans for lhe traffic to pass through their land, pending the settlement of the question of the Pangatotara Valley road. I think some action Bhould be taken by the Board with reference to the gorse spreading on the roads. I have had some of it, where not very thick, cut off and grubbed up, as there was scarcely room for vehicles to pass each other. I have advertised the intention of the Board to make a rate of 9J in the £, for a period of nine months, and have deposited copies of the rate-book in the various sub-districts for the inspection of ratepayers. The contract let last meeting for gravelling the road leading to Herricks has been completed, also tbe large boie filled near Douglas's cross road. The work let to D. Hall on lhe south side of the Orinoco river is progressing satisfactorily, and will probably be finished by the end of next week. The Brooklyn and swamp roads, in Riwaka, are being improved, and also a portion of the road at Ngatimoti, near the Motueka river, these, being works which it would be difficult to let by tender. Resolved— That the further consideration of building a bridge across tbe Orinoco, near the mouth, be postponed until nest meeting, no reply having been received from those persons who petitioned for a cart bridge os to whether they will contribute towards the cost of the same. A letter was read from Mr Erick Orr, strongly urging on the Board the desirability of constructing a bridge (a specification of which wus also read) of material which would stand any flood, and which would require no repair from generation to generation and which he (Mr Orr) believed could be constructed as cheaply as a wooden bridge. Resolved — Thnt Mr Orr ba thanked for the trouble he has taken in (he matter, and informed that iu tbe opinion of the Board the width to be bridged is too great for the material recommended by him to be used. Resolved — That the Board accept the report of the Secretary with reference to the temporary arrangement he hus made for keeping open the road at the lower end of Pangatotara Valley, but regret to learn that certain settlers should require to be so highly paid. — That with reference to the road round Patou's Bluff, Mr Marshall be informed that the same is a public road, his section being bounded by the road aud not by tbe Motaeka Rivdr. A letter was read from ihe Motueka Road Board, requesting Mr Tarrant, Secretary to this Board, to iospe«t two linos of road set out on the Pigeou Valley hill. Resolved — That the Secretary's time being bo fully occupied, thi*. Board regrets that it will nut ba possible for him to comply with the request of the Upper Motueka Bo»»rd. Resolved — Tbat the opening of the road at the lower end ol Riwaka Valley be proceeded with. A letter was read from Mr Walter Funnell, rt-qjiestin,* to oe allowed 10 take Bomnclay from the Gravel Reserve, Lower Mout6re, Resolv-'.d — Tnat tho Board, having the use of the Reserve lor obtaining gravel for public work, ouly, Mr Fuunell'a requt-st cannet be complied with. Resolved — That the Secretary, at the nest meeting of the Board, fumis* all the inform*, .iou he pos.ioiy cau respecting rights of roads throughout the district. A letter was read from Mr G. C Gilbert, applying for th.3 appointment ot Valuer for the district. Resolved— Thnt tho Secretary reply to Mr Giloart, and inform him thut his application will be taken into consideration at a future ruoetiiu;. Mr Edwards stated that he and his brother had executed cenain works on the bye-road loadiu* to thrur property. and rt.qud3.el ihu tut) ftt-cretitry lake an early opportunity of examining them. A lei ter was read from Mr George Deck, offdtiog land for a rodd on the west side of the Pangatotara Valley, through his own and his brother's laud on certain conditions. Resolved — That the Secretary reply to M r Deck's letter, aud inform him that the Board is unable to decide anything with respect to tho Pangatotara road until such tima as a definite reply is received from the Government with segctrd lo foods for the eamo.

Resolved— That a general rate of 9d io the £ be levied for tha period of nioe months dating from the Ist July last to the 31st March, 1878; such rate to be payable to the Secretary, at hia office, on lhe 12th of November next, or afterwards on demand. Three members of the Board signed the Rate Book, in accordance with " The Rating Act, 1876." Resolved — That the Seoretary ia hereby appoiuted Collector of Rates under "The Rating Act, 1876." Resolved—- That all arrears of rates be sued for forthwith, without further notice. Resolved — That fresh teuders be invited for work near the Motueka Bridge site, and that the filling of the large hole at the south end be included in the contract. Resolved — That tenders be invited for the following works, viz.:— For a Small buildiog for the light to be fised on for guiding vessels into tbe Biwaka entrance; fbr gravelling a portion of the road between R Fry's corner and Little Sydney; for clearing road leading from New Mill Road towards Moiueka river; for gravelling about 50 chains of road between Merrick's and Waiwero. Resolved— That in consequence of Mr Dencker's absence, the consideration of his motion for reconsidering the apportionment of the County Fund accruing to the district be postponed till next meeting. Resolved — That the following tenders be accepted, viz.:— Building culvert and filling, Riwaka, John Duncan, £4 9*3 6J ; gravelling by Saltwater Bridge, Motuek-*, J. M'Glashan & Co., £1 10*i per chain ; Forming near the old cemetery, J. Lock & Co., 16s per chain; taking off rise by Parson's, Waiwero, T. Chamberlain and Co., £8 10s. per lot; widening road round O'Brien's Bluff, No. 1, G. Grooby and Co., £20 per lot; widening road No. 2, D. Hall, £7 10^ ; No. 3, J. M'Gaveeton, £4 5-j per lot; making road, Dove Valley, No. 1, Turner Bros., £25; No. 2, G.Marshall, £45 per lot; improving road, Orinoco Valley, B. Harford, £6 per lot. Warrants were signed for the payment of £191 3s. 9d.