MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 161, 5 July 1878, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

The monthly meeting was held last Saturday. Present all the members hat Mr Grooby,

The Secretary read the following report :— T have finished setting out the work in Pangatotara Valley, but have been unable to make arrangements with the owners of the land through which the road passes for the purchase of what land is required for the road. Some of them do not object to the price offered per acre for the land, but consider that £1 per running chain, while more than scffioient to pay tbe cost of 'one fence, is not sufficient for two. One of them objects strongly to the course the road takes through his land, but I do not see how any alteration can be made in the courße of the line chosen without necessitating a further alteration in tbe next person's property. I was very desirous of making the new road join the main road on the west side of Mrs Heath's boose, but as she refused permission for it to pass through her yard, there was no alternative but to peg it out round the hill, thus making the new road run for some distance (about twelve chains) parallel with a good metalled road, and only about 2£ chains distant from it. There can be no doubt that tbe road if made where set out, will injure the property to a much greater extent than if made where I wished it to be ; but I hope now that tbe alternative line is pegged out, Mrs Heath, or the trustees of the property will see the desirability of allowing the road to be made through the yard. Some of the contracts let at the two last meetinga are progressing very slowly, this is partly attributable to the wet weather, but chiefly to so few men being employed. In one case, a heavy contract, which, according to the specification, has to be completed in one month from this time, has just been commenced by-only two men who, unless some addition is made to their party, will probably be occupied six months in completing the work. I have set out the work for continuing the road to nearly opposite the River Baton, and have invited tenders for the same. The present crossing at the Motueka river is very dangerouß/,bnt the cart traffic at this place is only trifling. I have, in company witb Messrs Macmabon and Drummond, the members for tbe Sub-districtof Riwaka, visited that part of the Riwaka river complained of by Messrs Goodall and Dodson, but we came to oo decision as to tbe best plan to adopt. If it is really the duty of the Board to do anything in the matter, one of two courses could be adopted, either to cut through the bank above the upper dam, and allow the water to escape in that direction or to deepen the channel between the two dams, so that there would be a greater fall for the water, which would no doubt cause the sand, (of which there is a great depth), to scour out, and thus lessen the height of the water above the higher dam. I have not been able fo visit tbe Brooklyn Creek, owing lo the river being too high on two occasions when I had arranged to do so, and Mr Mickell being away from home on another occasion. The new road leading to Mr James Duncan's land (Little Sydney) not being shewn on the plan, I have not been able to set it out, neither can I form a reliable estimate of tbe cost of opening the same, unless I know exactly where it ia. Owing to the continued wet weather, two gravelling contracts have had to be slopped, one at Motueka, and the other at Upper Mooters. I think it desirable that they should not be proceeded with this winter. Tbe very heavy rain on the 14th instant caused considerable damage to the Trunk road, Lower Moutere, bv washing out a large hole rendering the road almost impassable ; this I had repaired at once. I have also had the Lower Moutere bridge repaired at a cost of £12 2b, some of the stringers are very much decayed, but will I think last some time longer. The accounts for the nine months ended March 31st have been audited and published. Petition from residents at Ngatimoti was read, praying that the Board would take into consideration the dangerous state of the Orinoco crossing near the mouth. Resolved, That tenders be invited for building a cart bridge across the river, above flood mark. Resolved, That the Secretary and the Members for the sub-district of Riwaka, again visit that part of the Riwaka river, where it is alleged considerable damage is being done to the lands of Messrs Goodall and Dodson, with the view of ascertaining whether it will be desirable to divert the course of the river where shewn on a plan produced by the Chairman of the Board. Reßolved— That the Secretary endeavour to make arrangements for taking tbe road through Mrs Heath's property, where it will be most beneficial to the public, and do the least injury to the property, Mr C. Fry had an interview with the Board respecting the necessity of a road being obtained through Mr J. Duncan's land, so that his own land might be rendered accessible. -Resolved— That steps be taken as soon as possible to obtain land for road through Mr J. Buncan's land, in coutination of the road through Mr John Duncan's property. Resolved — That the Secretary is hereby authorized to prosecute any person committing a breach of the Public Works Act 1876, from section

67 to 101, both inclusive, or of the Board's by-laws. Resolved — That about 10 chains of wattling be done above Diggings road so as to prevent the water in the Company^ ditch from underming end damaging tha trunk road. Resolved— That applications be made to the member for the district to endeavour to obtain a vote of £800 daring the next aesaion of Parliament for making the bridle track between Ngatimoti and Upper Moutere via Rosedale, into a cart road. Resolved — That the narrow places on the Waiwero road be widened 10 feet. Letter from Mr C. Eyles read (in reply to one from Secretary) offering to sell land for road through bis property near the mouth of the Baton at the rate of £2 per acre. Resolved — That land be purchased from Mr Eyles where required for the road at £2 per acre. Letter from Smith and party read asking for an extension of time for completing their contract at Pocock's Bluff. Resolved — That two months extra time be allowed. Letter from Mr F. Ducker of Upper Moutere road, asking that a useless road, on one boundary of his property might be stopped. Resolved — That Mr Ducker's request be granted and that the Seoretary take the necessary steps for carrying it out. Resolved — That the worst places on the road be repaired, from the foot of Earthquake Spur to C. Remnant's Resolved — the road between Messrs. Ducker's and Ewer's property at Neudorf be laid out. Resolved — That the Secretary give the requisite notice to persons who have hedges encroaohing on, or shadowing, tbe roads to cut and trim the same. Letter from Mr W. Tunnell read, stating that be had at his own expense made a short pieee of road, leading to bis brick yard, and the carts employed by the Board bad-very much damaged the same. Resolved — That the Secretary have the ruts on the road referred to, filled up. The following .tenders were accepted : — For widen ing— road on bill near C. Remnants, G. Canton, £2 15s; for widening and lowering hill near Gay's Orinoco, G. Canton, £14 153; building bridge Lower Moutere, Trunk road, W. Satherly and R. J. Goodman, £18 5s ; making road near mouth of Baton, Andrew Marshall, £43. Tender for work by C. Green's upper land, and for making road to Green bill, were considered tod high, and none were accepted. Warrants were eigne 1 for £358 14s B'.