WAIMEA ROAD BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 57, 7 March 1878, Page 4

WAIMEA ROAD BOARD.

On March 2od, the Board held their monthly meeting, all the members being preaenf. After confirmation of rniautes of previous meeting, the O^ersear reported tbat " the new roa>J over Spooner's Range is all but, fiaishsi?, there being only a few culverts (0 put in. The No. 2 contract was slightly damaged !)y the late ra?DS ; this lino wili for a;/ma linn require the services of a day man, who, when not otherwise employed, coulri take off some of the tarns. All the works ordered in the different subdistricts are being pushed forward to take advantage of the fisse weather. At the request of several of the inhabitants, Mr Holland, tha member for tho district, together with nayeelf, visited the road in Quail Valley, ia o;c?er to bring the efa«e of this lino unier your notice. The same is passage for druy traffic, but a large eutn of money would be required to make it into a good road, We informed the deputation who accompanied us that this road had always been treated as a by-road, and consequently a portion of the expense would have, to be borne by themselves ; this they declined to do, ss they consider the Board ought first to supplement the grant of £300 received from tha Provincial Government towards opening the road by 0 similar amount. I niah for instructions with regard (0 the repairs of culverts or bridges over waterraees which cross the rood. The bricks taken delivery of at the kiln are as follows : 8000 wed^e bricks, and 400 12 inch drain til.s con £30 I bave given orders to procee i ai once with the different culverts which I hud to attend to when I had got t\ l6 materials. There are ten chains of gravolling needed on tho bank by Mr E. Higgitis^, Bell G-rove, this taken from the river where shown would ba a great advantage in clearing out the present channel, which ia partly silted up. I have made an arrangement wiih Mr A. Harlsy for a aupply of suitable metal for the byroad at Stoke, for one shilling per cubic yard, until the purchase of the gravel reserve haß been concluded. The expenditure in the different sub-district during the past month has been ag foliowa :— Stoke, £45 5s 61 ; Woimea East, £47 33 8d ; Spring Grove, £31 19s; W*kefie!d, £145 13s'3-J ; Waimea West, £30 53 ; Dovedale, £58 13 3 61 I am sorry to inform you that the decision in the gorae nuisunce question, which was tried at Nelson was given againat the Board. What action era I now to lake, if any, ia order to keep the roads open ? Mr H. Ksayon objects to a ditch being cut on his land, and will hold the Board responsible for any damage done. I gave the order to cut this ditch, which wns formerly a water-coarse, in order to save tha road, which has been nearly washed away." Eesolved, That an extra man b9 employed, when necessary, ia attending to the watertables on Spooner's Range, and that with regard to the road be* tween Foxhill and Quail Valley, no further outlay can be incurred, except such as may be necessary to keep it safe for traffic, except those inCerested are prepared to contribute thereto. BeßOlved, That wherever the culverttops are out of order, the parties uaing the water-races be requested to repair them. A letter was read from Mr Martin, explaining the terms on which he had offered to Bell gravel for repairing roarle, and objecting to sell any of his land for a gravel reserve. The .Surveyor was directed to prepare by tsext tuetting a plan showing tho laod proposed to be taken, Mr Paintqn nttandei?, and BUxtsil his terms for the sale of the corner to widen the road, which were agreed (0 A letter was read from the Clerk of the County Council, encloaing copy of correspondence- with the Minister for Public Works, respecting a further grant for completing the road on Spooner'a Range, from which it appears that the grant is contingent on the obtaining of a loan. The following letter was received from the Under-Secretary for Public Works. 14 February, 1878 :— Sir,— I am directed by the hon. the Minister for Public Works to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the lOtii January, relative to the dangerous condition of the Wairoa Bridge, and to state that advauta^e bus been tak n of the Assistant Eu^iueKr-iu-chiura recent visit to Nelson, to have the BrMwu thoroughly exumiued the resu ; t beiuij fully to confirm your apprehensions that the next heavy flood will probably sweep it away to the serious damage of the Railway Bridge. Having referred to the statements contained in your letter of Hth August, relative to the limhoj means at the disposal of the Board, the Government have it desirable to loae no time in instructing Mr 1 Akeraten to have the Bridge removed j and the material stacked, making such i temporary provision for foot passsuyers ' as he, in conjunction with the JBoud'ij Engineer, may arrange ; which courais j will, no doubt under tiia circu.aBtanceSj meet with ibe Bjari's concurrence, Owing to the present condition of European politics, the Govarnryeal ! are cot able to authorise tha coastruc- i tiou of b new bridge, but, should Lvor- ! able intelligence be received of tha negotiation of the loan oufc or which the funds for the work are appropriated. they will then taka it into consideration. Meanwhile, however, iastruc- J tionß have boan given to have the necessary survey cf the site proceeded with." Resolved, That as there is a great deal of trafic on this lias of read for

which the railway ia not available, Mr Akerßten be requested to have the ford cleared out and the approaches gravelled, also that he be informal that the Board would prefer not to interfere in any arrangements which, according to his instructions, he may deem requisite for 1119 aeeomodafcion of foot pssaengara. Another letter from the Minister for Public Worfca siatod, that the Government are tiot able to consider the paymeut of the vote for the roa I from Oroaoko to Stanley Brook, until the loan has been raised, A l<Mt-3r was road from the Secretary of the Motueka Highway Board, enclosing copy of Counsel's opinioa on the two questions of gorae on roadp, and taking land for roads, and requesting to be informed whether, attar considering iho opinion, the Board would still think it advisable to try a case, as previously egreed on. The Secretary reported that in accordance with resolution of last meeting, a casa for allowing gorse (0 spread oa th-) road had bßen trien and dismissed, leaving it optional with the Board either to accept that as a settlement of the question or to try aaother case. Resolved, That the Motueka Board be thanked for the communication, and informed fhat this Board have no present intention of taking any further proceedings, I Drafts of the Fencing, and Sheep Bills, intended to he introduced iu next session of Parliament, were received frm the Colonial Secretary, with a request for any suggestions thereon which the Board might wish to rm>ke. Resolved, That these Billa bo considered by the several members previous to next monthly meeting, when any proposed amendments can be considered and reported ov. The Secretary reported that there were several objections to the new valuation list consequent on the properties having changed hands recently, and three to the rateable value, in which cases steps had been taken to -procure evidence in support of the valuation. This was approved of. The Chairman reported that in consequence of suggestions made to him, he had communicated with the Chairman of the neighboring Road Boards as to the desirability of meeting Sir Gr. G-rey on his expected visit, and that he hnd received replies from all expressing their concurrence. Resolved, That this Board approve of the action taken by the Chairman, and request him to represent them at the contemplated meeting. Messrs C. H. Ford and J. Satherly, on whom notices to throw open a certain road had been served, attended \ and stated that while they were called upon to open this road, some neighboring ones were allowed to remain closed. ! The Secretary was directed to aerve notices on all parties having enclosed roads, Mr Satherly also claimed compensation for a portion of his land used as a rond, It was resolved that be be paid 10s a ye»r while the h*ud is so used. A numerously signed memorial was presented requesting that a footbridge may be erected over the Wai-iti river at " 40-!ine." Resolved, That a plan and estimate be prepared. Letter read from Mr R. Thompson complaining of slips and bars having been placed across a road by Mr J. Palmer. Resolved, That Mr Palmer have notice to discontinue doiog so. A copy of motion intended to be made at next meeting of the County Council having beau considered. Kesoived, Tbat this Board do not approve of the proposed apportionment of the County Fund, being of opinion that the one of last year was framed on a juater basis ; and that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the members representing this portion of the County of Waimes. Warranta were signed fcr £458 193 sd.