WAIMEA ROAD BAORD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 34, 8 February 1878, Page 4

WAIMEA ROAD BAORD.

The monthly meeting of the Board was held on Saturday, all the members present. The Overseer reported : — A misunderstanding has arisen with Mr. Martin as regards the metal for Stoke roads. He now demaads the sura of 2s 6d per yard, which I considered a prohibitory price, and conspqiiantly took upon myself to stop the coutractor, but in the meantime have employed him in cartiog metal from the beach, which, for tho northern end of ths road, has proved cheaper. It will be necessary for you to enter into a fresh agreement with him if you should endorse the action I have taken. Mr Harley and myself interviewed Mr i Martin, to know if he would sell a portion of the land, but this he refused. I Bhould therefore recommend the Board to acquire one or two acres under part 11 of the Public Works Act, for a gravel reßerve, it being really essential, as parties residing on the beach consider their properties will be endangered by the removal of large quantities of shingle. On account of tbe harvest the Swamp road has not hean proceeded with. In Spring Grove the bank by Mr P. Kerr's has been lowered. It has exceeded the amount proposed to be expended there. The bars in 40-iine stream are being cleared out, and the material used to improve the adjacent roads. It would be very beoefLial to the bridge at Spring Grove if a quantity of gravel could be taken out on the eastern side, bo as to draw the Bet of the river from the eastern approach. A contract might be let for gravelling from Mrs Colt's to the foot of the hills, it would be doing the two jobs at once. It will be towards the end of the mouth before I shall be able to proceed with the Moutere Hills. I have not been able to obtain from Mr John Siggelkow the sum required for purchase of road in Redwood's Valley. I must again inform you that no attention has been paid to the notices sent to clear gorae. Mrs Livingstone having offered the metal thrown out ofaditch on her land to the Board, provided it be removed in dry weather, I should recommend her offer be accepted. The Spooner's Range road will be completed by tbe end of tbe present month. There are a few sharp points which it would be well to take off at once, if you could anticipate a future grant. The Breakwater at Bell Grove is finished. A new pile engine ia needed, the one at present in use is not Bafe. The Protective Works in Pretty Bridge stream have cost {£5 17s. Messrs Andrews and Co. have finished their contract in Pigeon Valley. I mußt bring before your notice the damage dona to the roads by persons turning out their pigs, and also the practice of hauling logs along the road. Resolved— That proceedingsbe taken to acquire two acreß of Mr Martin's land under the Public Works Act, and that in the meantime the Overseer arrange for any gravel immediately required. Resolved, that a breakwater be erected above the Wai-iti bridge, and that come gravel be removed as recommended, aleo that Mrs Liyingstone'e offer be accepted ; that notices be sent to parties allowing their pigs on the roads, or hauling logs, and that the Overseer lay information against parties offending. Resolved, That proceedings be at onoe taken to test the question as to clearing gorse off roads. Resolved, That of the lenders received this day for erecting a breakwater near Fox Hill Bridge, that of C. Anderson for £38 be accepted. Tbe Secretary reported having written to tbe Minister of Public works respecting tbe Wairoa bridge and the grant for road from Stanley Brook to Thorpe, to which no reply has been received ; also to the County Council, reporting the proceedings for procuring the new road to Spooner's range, and r< questing the Council to recommend that a further grant of £300 should be made to complete the portion of the ioid within tho district, and read a reply staling that the recommendation would be made. A letter was rea I from the Chairman of tbe Upper Motueka Road Board, requesting the Waimea Board to put up milestones along ihesectiou of the Wesi Const road in tlieir dietric. commencing from the F»x Hill sfutior, to (he boun lary ou Bp<oitr'i rm^e, after which tlie Upper Alotuekn Board could carry on threuyh tiieir district, as fur aa the coijfluenrje o! tiin Hope nn i Hullir rivers, when n:i doubt llirt Li .iijjh hhj and Buller Counties would a^ree to follow euit. Tiie letter ox presded satisfaction with the line of road now beiu>; made up Spooner's Range and a hopithat a regular lioe of couclns will soon be established between Fox llili und the towns on the West Coaat. Resolved — That ihe Chairman l>B thauked for his expression ol opiniuu on the work cow beiny dona by this Board, and informed that tho Board will be prepared Jo erect the milestones as n quested, provided they receiva a guarantee tat the Upper Moiucka Road Board will continue the work through their district. A biter was received from Mia Blundell of Waimea West, claiming £3 12s eompematfon for gor3e hedge destroyed in comequence of tho roadman burning the clippings at the roaJfliJe. Resolved— That Mrs Blundell bs informed that tbe Board is willing to pay her the sura of 12s, stated to be the cost of erecting a temporary fence, but that at the same time the Board disclaims any liability in respect of the

damage done, they being satisfied, after due enquiry, that any culpability in the matter rests with Mrs Blundell's manager who neglected to trim the hedge and remova the clippings after repeated requests aud promises given that it should be done. Secretary reported the receipt, from the valuers, of the valuation list for the year 1878-9, also that he has seint , the required notice to all concerned. Mr Green attended respecting the desired road over the Port Hills, when it was arranged that he should point out the proposed line to the surveyor, also a site whence gravel could be got for the road. Mr J.M 'Murray attended, and. objected to stopping up the road at Mount Heslington, aa desired by Mr Hildreth, unles.3 the whole road was done away with.