MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 127, 29 May 1878, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Monthly Meeting May 25, 1878. All the members present. f After the confirmation of the minutes of tbe previous meeting the Secretary made the following report :— -It is with sincere rpnret that I have to report to the Board the death of an old and much eeteerr-pd pettier— Mr John Diggens, of Lower Mtu'.ere, who libs been employed at road work for a great number of years, and who has always diecharged his duty faithfully. Hie death was occasioned by a fnl! of gravel when loading; a cart. The face of the work was very Hide undermined, consequently co dnngtr wdb anticipated, when the gravel gave wny. Mr Diggens uiis drivpri'with eucb force against fho bßck of the c rt «h to sustain severe infernal injuria p, which resulted in his death, ultpr haviut-: lingered four days. No htatnefis attributable (0 anyone, every reasonable precaution having bef n taken to avoid an accident. ,In accordance with instructions received Jsst meeting, I visited tlie Brooklyn Creek, but unfortunately Mr Mickell, (who is desirous the course of the stream should be diverted) was not at home. After a careful inspection, I could see no objection fo the proposed diversion. It would mske a considerable saving to the Board, as a very good ford might thsn be made across the oreek, ut about one half tbe cost of a bridge, which wili be rendered necessary if tho creek continues where it is. Since my visit I have received a letter from Mr A. McLean, objecting to tbe course of the cretk being altered, as he fears it might lead to tbe water overflowing bin innd below tbe road ; I do not think fhat such would be the result, but perhaps it might be desirable before deciding tbe matter, that I should again visit tbe locality, acd endeavor to see both Mr Mickell and Mr McLean on Ibe ground. I have also visited Little Sydney, where Mr James Duncan and Messrs Fry require a road to their lands. I found,, as I expected, that the hill track now in use through Mr Jol n Macmabou's land, is quite impracticable for a cart roid. Mr Dunofen, who ia.re'y much opposed to a road through his lond, suggested (hat a better rou;l might be obtained to Messrs Fry's property by keeping to a valley in Mr Alactnahon's land, but were tliis suggestion acted upon, although a fair rond could bo made, it would necessitate the purchase and making of more than double tbe length, thun if taken in b stvuight line through Mr Duncan's, added to which, by adopting the line iv Mr Maemuhon's Valley, a road would only be available as far as Messrs Fry's land ; whereas hy the other route, the road could be continued so as to reach other land taken up at the back, and which, I am informed can be reached in no other wny. Owing to the Motueka river keeping up, I have not been -able to visit the Graham Valley. I bave continued setting out the woik for a new road in Pangatotara Valley, being now partly through Mrs Guecpyne's property, and have invited tenders for making 145 chaina in four sections, through Mesßra Knowies and Parkes' land. Should the weather be favorable, I expect to get tbe whole ol the work Uid out so us to join the old road by Mrs Heath's in about two weeks, after which there will be the survey to make of the whole length. With regard to the deviation in the line of road I had laid out through Mr Koowleb' land, Mr Grooby met me on the ground respecting the same, and we agreed that a slight alteration should be made for a short distance, which will be an improvement. Iconaidered the deviation required hy Mr Knowies to be quite incompatible wuh obtaining a good road; he trusts the Board will allow him the cost of au additional fence through his cultivated land. B. Harford, whose teuder was accepted for work in Oiinoco Valley, hsingj left for the North Island, the work has been undertaken by the next lowest tenderer for the amount of Harford's tender, I would recommend that a brick culvert, with two feet water way should be built across the trunk road at Lower Moutere, where an old bridge has become unsafe by the water widening and deepening its course. A brick culvert could be constructed at much less cost than a wooden bridge, and would last very much longer. Since last meetiug I have been to Nelson with the Board's accounts to be audited, be owing to ihe detention of the steamers on the West Coast Mr Pollock (the Auditor) had not returned. Resolved — Tbat tbe Secretary agaiu visit Brooklyn as recommended in his report, and endeavour fo arrange witb the persons interested, respecting the diversion of the cre*-k. Resolved — That the Secretary at his earliest convenience lay off tbe roud leading to Mr James Duncan's, and furnish the Board with au estimate of the cost of making the same at next meeting. Resolved — That an extra amount be allowed Mr Kuowlee for fencing ihe new road where it passes through his cultivated land. Resolved — That a brick culvert be buiit across the road at Lower Moutere as recommended in the Secretary's report. Resolved— That the cart bridge acrose' the river at lower Moutere be repaired . A,bili from Mr Tucker of Pangatotara was received being £11 10s for rent of road, and 5s for repairing bridge. Reaoived— That Mr 1 acker be paid tbe sum of 5a for repairing bridge. Messrs Goodail and E. Dodson had ao interview with the Board respecting

the damage done to their properties by the water beino; backed up in the Riwaka river, owmov they alleged, to a dsm put in by the Board. Resolved — That tbe members of the Board for the sub-district of Riwaka, with the Secretnry, visit the locality with the view ot ascertaining tha best means of remedying the evil complained of, and that Messrs Goodail and Dodson be invited (0 meet thero. Rf solved — That the Board after careful consideration finds it has no power to establish ferrias or provide ferry boats, and that the Secretary furnish Messrs Thompson, Price and Byrne wilh a copy of this resolution. Resolved— Tbat the Secretary inform Mr Thonans Hewetson,in reply to his letter of tbe 26tb March last, tbat the Board decline to do anything in the matter of the road above his house. An application from Mr Ef. Grooby baviug been received for nn extension of time fot* completing his contracts, Resolved — That two months extra time be allowed. An application from Mr Ryder was received for an allowance of £1 to assist hira in clearing certain fordways in the Riwaka river. Resolved — That the application be granted. Resolved — That notices be posted cautioning persons against placing obstructions in water courses, and that a reward be offered for information that will lead to the conviction of any person, or persons defacing any public work, in charge of tbe Board. The following tenders were accepted •.—•Waiwero, J. E. Wilison £3 15s per lot ; gravelling road on hill near Boeselmann's, H. Ewers £1 16s per chain 5 making road through KnowW land, C. BruueSl & Co., iso. 2, £143 lOi per lot ; ranking road through Pa> kes' land, C. Brunell & Co., N. 1 £52 10, per lot, T. Grooby junr. .No. 2 £77 10 per lot; forming road at Brooklyn, J. Chapman 10s per chain ; Gravelling road leading to Riwaka wharvsfi, J. Cederman 19a 6J per chain. Warrants were signed for £2Ll3s Id.