MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 50, 27 February 1878, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

I Mclnthlt Meeting, February 23. Present all the members but Mr Coppifl«? . . „ Minutes of two previous meetings, ordinary and special, read and confirmed. •The Secretary nude the following report :■— l jiave ascertained from Mr. Senior, the owner of the road iii Raspberry Smfrop, that he will offer no objection to the road being 'diverted into bis latrd as recommended in my last report, provided he be paid at the rate of ten shillings per acre for what land is required, and also the cost of auy additional fencing. Directly Mr George Grooby found that the Board would not allow him to throw up his contract on Pocock's Bluff, he went back with twb others, and has been engaged at it ever since. I think he will probably finish next week. The rock being much nearer the surface than I anticipated, there is a far greater quantity to be removed than appeared wben tha work. was set out, Beyond the Bluff I would recommend that the road ba oleared by day work, — there being so much timber mixed up With earth and stones, the value of the work can he but a mere guess. I would also frecommend that a deviation be made into Mr Wright's land, if satisfactory arrangements can be made with him for what. is repuired. I think the time bas arrived when steps Bhould be taken to make a footpath oh one side of the road in High-street, Motueka, as in wet weather the foot traffic is necessarily on the middle of the road, and conseqaently on a dark night foot passengers often narrowly escape being run against by horses and vehicles. If the funds are not sufficient to make the full length at onoe, a portion of the worst part might be done this year, and the remainder as funds might become available. I have made arrangements with Mr O'Brien for taking the road along the side of the terrace through his land, and have set out the road and invited tenders for the work. I have informed Mr Green that he can deepen the ditch alongside the road, so as tp facilitate the draining of a swamp on his land at Ngatimoti, but that the ditch across the road must not be made deeper, or the bridge over it might be endangered. I have taken out summonses againat defaulting ratepayers liviog out of tbe district ; the remainder will be issued in time to be heard before Mr Broad, who will hold a Magistrate's Court on the 6th March, on which day the Assessment Court will also be held. Up to this time six copies of objections to the Valuation List have been lodged at my office, and I have given notice ou behalf of the Board, of several alterations required to ü be made. The Swamp ditches in Riwaka should be cleaned out as soon as they are sufficiently dry. I have had the outside [of the road round Pflton'a Bluff protected with logs, which I think will answer the purpose very well. A certified copy of the By-laws passed this month I have forwarded to the Colonial Secretary for the approval of his Excellency the Governor, i. Resolved— That the Board approves of the diversion oi the road at Raspberry Swamp suggested by the Secretary, and hereby authorises him to make tbe nece3eary arrangements with Mr Senior for the purchase of had required for tbe road, and that the work of making the same be proceeded with. Resolved— That in consequence of the increased amount of work to be executed owing to the damage done to the roads last year by the flood, it is desirable that some person be appointed tD assist the Secretary in overeeaing the work. Resolved— That applications be invited from persons having a thorough knowledge of road work to assist the Secretary for a period of three months in overseeing work at a sulary of £3 per week. Resolved— (After a division, ay6s 4, noes 3), That tenders be invited for clearing the road above Pocock's Bluff and that the Secretary endeavor to arrange with Mr Wright for the purchase of what land is required. A letter from Mr Senior was read asking permission to be allowed to put a culvert across the Old House road, for the purpose of draining his land, and also for sawmill purposes. Resolved— That the Secretary tske an early opportunity of seeing Mr Senior, inspect tie road where the culvert is required, and lvpoit to the Board. A le-fcer from Mr G. K. Marshall was'rea*!, askiug for an extension of time for complotini** tho two contracts let to him last meeting, as he was under the impression wheu he sout iv his tender that oae mouth would be ullowed for each contract. Resolved — That under the circumstances Mr Marshall be allowed an extra month for completing his work. Resolved — That in reference to an application from Mi* J. and D. Drummond for assistance to build a bridge on the road lo their property, the Board will contribute the gum of £15 on condition that the applicants prepare specifications for the work to be approved of by the Board, and that the work be carried out under the supervision of tbe Board's officer. The foregoing resolution was corned after a division, ayes 5, Noes 2. Resolved — That the sum of £2 be allowed to W, Drogemuller and others, to assist in defraying the cost of a bridge constructed by them in Rising Sun Valley. A letter. from the Chairman of the Waimea Road Board was read, sug-

gesting that it would be advisable for the Chairmen of all the locil bodies to meet the Hon. the Premier, Sir George Grey, with an addrea3 of welcome on the vißit to Nelson, co as -lo have an opportunity of representing to him the wants of the districts, and tako such other other steps as might be deemed advisable. The Chairman stated that he had replied to the letter, and informed the Chairman of the Wairaea Board that he was at all times happy to co-operate with others in doing anything for the public good, but. considered ihat for a deputation of Chairmen of Boards to have proper weight they should be instructed by their respective Boirde, and that he would lay the letter beforo the Board at its next meeting. Resolved — That the Board considers thnt it would be highly expedient for the Chairman to represent the Board, as one of a deputation to wait on the Premier when in Nelson, for the purposes suggested in the Chairman of the Waimea Board's letter, and that the Board will therefore feel greatly obliged to Mr Macmahoh if he will represent the Board as suggested. Resolved — That the Chairman sign an authority for the Secretary to appear at the Assessment Court oa behalf of the Board . Copies of letters were read from the Secretary to the Minister of Public Works, having reference to the! Pangatbtara road, and the vote of ! "61,200 for the new road between Riwaka and Takaka. A letter from Mr Tucker was read, complaining of the damage done to his land at . Pangatotara by the constant traffic of a'j kinds through it, and inclosing a bill of £5 53 as a moderate compensation for the same. The following motion was negatived (after a division, ayes 3, noes 4,) that the amount formerly demanded, viz — :£l be paid. Resolved — That about 8 chains of the Trunk road Riwakn, which the water coverß at high spring tides, bs raised, and a portion of the road in Orinoco Valley improved. The following tenders were accepted, viz — : Gravelling between Herrick'e and Waiwero G, Brougham and Co., No 1, 38s; No 2, 40*; and No 3, 455; per chain. Gravelling between C. Remnant's aod Motueka river, Ngatimoti, J. Canton and Co,, 20<s per chain, Resolved, Thatin consequenceof some of.the tenders being informal, and others too high for making the new road along O'Brien's terrace, fresh tenders be invited for the work, to be sent in until Saturday evening next March 2nd. Warrants were signed lor the payment of £181 103 2.1.