MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 223, 1 October 1879, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Mokthlt Meeting Sift. 27, 1879. All the members present. After the eonßrmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, and pas■iog tbe monthly aoooants, the Secretary made tbe following report : — As instructed, I appointed a day for the deputation to meet on th«"01d Hbuie Road " to oonaider the best plan in their opinion of diverting tbe course of the Moutere river, so that the' laid road might sustain lees injury through the overflow of water in time of flofrde. Owing probably to the unfavorable state of tbe weather ou the day 1 appointed, only one member of the deputation besides myself attended. Alter inspecting the place, we came to tbe conclusion that it was desirable to lam the coarse of the river by digging a channel for a distance of 3J chains from the fold way on thfe line of road to a ditch which empties itself into the" river lower down. By adopting this course a fall of s£ft will be obtained in thd distance mentioned (3| obain»), and shorten the coarse of tbe river at this place several chains. The cost I estimate at £7. Mr Senior (who was present) pointed oot another place higher op where tbe river runs much closer to the ditoh alloded to, aud where the cost of digging a channel only would be less ; but here the river would be brought very close to the road, which we did not think advisable, and • bridge with a very much wider Bpan would have to be built across what woald then be tbe river, at the junction of the main road atfd the one above referred to.' As the obannel recommended would have to be dug through Mr Thomas Hewetson'b land, I thought it necessary to write for his written consent to tbe work being done; be has written a reply stating bis willingness to give his written sanction on certain conditions, and purposes, I think, interviewing the Board to-day. I have prepared a plan showing approximately tbe course of the river, and tbe two proposed schemes for diverting it. I have made a plan and specification lor • cart bridge over tbe Brooklyn creek, and invited tenders for its construction. I have also invited tenders for nuking s new road through the late T. Heath* property. Tbe present owner suggested thst an alteration might advantageously be made in the line of road where it passes through the paddock and yard, but on again looking it carefully over I came to the conclusion tbat although his proposed alteration would avoiJ one short deep cutting, it would lead to to a considerable lump of. r>ck, and aUo into another deep cutting further on, and would also necessitate a re-survey of tbis portion of tbe line. I have been unable to set out tbe work fo' making a new roaJ on the west bank of tbe Motueka river, which is necessary before tenders can be invited. Messrs Bisley, Carter, and I have inspected certain places in Motueka where it is alleged sufficient provision has not been made for tbe escape of etorm water. We agreed that it was necessary to make a wider culvert across tbe road by Mr Green's property, and tbat further consideration was necessary, after levels have been taken with regard to outlets at the Poet Office corner. ) I have had about a thousand willow aUkss planted above the approaches of tbe Motneka bridge on both sides of the river, at a cost of £5. The bridge over the Company's ditch on Diggen's read having sunk at at one end through the water undermining tbe bank, I have given instructions for it to be repaired at once. A new bridge will be required at the north end of Missionary Valley with a much wider span than the present one. Letter from Mr Salisbury read, directing attention to the track at tbe junction of the Motueka and Graham rivers having been washed away, also that there was no way but through bis land, for th 6 settlers in tbe Graham Valley and for those travelling to the upper country, unJ that tbe opening of tbe quarts reef bad considerably increased the traffic. Resolved, Tbat the Secretary take •n early opportunity of inspecting the track referred to, make an estimate of tbe cost of,openiog a road where required and arraoge with Mr Salisbury for tbe traffic to continue through his land until the Board has an opportunity of considering and acting upon tbe Secretary's report. Letter from Mr Tucker read, staling that only foot passengers would be allowed to pass through his land. Letters from Messrs Wright, Macks v, Speocer, an Chapman tea^, having reference to the road ia P&ngatotara Valley. Resolved, That Mr Wright be informed that the Board, on aecertainiug from the purchaser of tho propeity referred to thai he will mako no dernanJ for compensation, will consider Mr Wright's claim. Letter read (rom Mr Drognouller respecting the survey of ao oid road in Supplejack Valley, such road basins betii promised to him as pjrt compeopotiou for land taken for road through his properly. The Secretary stated tbat lie had written to the Chief Surveyor respecting the same. Letter from Meeaia Rosa and Grooby read, asking for sn extemion of time for completing their coairaets on tbe Riwaka-Takaka Ranges, Resolved, That so extension of time be granted. Letter from the Chairman of the Waimea County Council reaJ, Btating thai £218 3j 61 Uu-J been placed to the

credit of the Board, aa its share of County revenue, ap to ibe 30th Jane last. Letter from Mr Thomas Hewetson read, in reply to one from tbe Secretary respecting a channel being dug through part of bis land in order to divert (he coone of the Moutere river. Mr Hewetson had an interview with the Board, and after explaining at considerable length his reason for advocating an alteration in the course of the river, at a different place to that recommended by a deputation of the Board, handed in his written sanction, stating that he would not stand in the way of a work being carried out of so much pnblic importance. Eesolved, That, having in view the desirability of at once diverting the course of the Moutere river (in order to protect the road) the recommendation of the deputation, as embodied io the Secretary's report, be carried out, and that the Board will contribute the sum of f 6 towards the same, on condition that the settlers interested expend a like amount on repairing the Old House Road, and completing the channel referred to. Resolved, That tenders be invited by next meeting for building a bridge on the north end of Missionary Valley, Moutere, and for forming and gravelling the road from Mr H. Fry's house to the Little Sydney stream, Riwaka. Tbe following tenders were accepted, viz : — Making new road through the late T. Heath's land, Fangatotara, No. 1, £. Brougham and T. Starns, £135 ; No. 2, E. Grooby, Jun., £76. Gravelling road by G. Remnant's, Ngatimoti, John Heath, 29s per chain. Building bridge over Brooklyn Creek, Riwaka, W. Ryder, Jun., £38 10s. Warrants were signed for £126 12s 2d.