MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 130, 2 June 1881, Page 4

MOTUEKA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Thb monthly meeting was held on Muy 28, when all the members were present except Mr Grooby. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed, and (he month's accounts paspcc-l for payment, tho Secretary mado tbe following report : — " Tho biilanoe-shecta of the account? fo" fhe past year, as audited, hove been published for the amount authorised by the Board. — Mr Jellicoe has grubbed up the'gorso growing upon tho road on the boundary of his pro-' perty, and the proceedings taken against him have therefore been withdrawn, ho paying the costs. — Tbe work of protecting the side of the ' road at Lower Moutere has been carried op as far as the amount granted by the County Counoil would allow. I should 'like to have bad the water-course (really now tho Moutere river) straightened in a few more places had there been a large cum to expend, but the •work done will probably be the means of preventing the road from being washed away. My attention has been directed to some little •work put in by. Mr Allan, but I think what lie has done is more likely to injure his own Vroperty than the road. — The worst plaoes OH the main line of road at Lower Moutere have been repaired, bu. I fear this part of tbe rcain road will beoome very bad beforo the Winter is ovor, unless 1 funds can be obtained for gravelling more of it tban is already done. —I have conferred with Mr Bobort M'Nab, of* Sandy Bay, respecting the read th oogh liis land, but ho etill thinks the Board should defray the cost Of erecting one fence.— l have , laid out the deviation of tbe track through " Mr Woolf's land, and invited tenders for the •work, but from what I have been able to learn Mr Woolf arranged with Mr Lightfoot, •when Superintendent of Public Works, to give land for a road through his land, on condition that (to avoid tho necessity of extra fencing) gates might be erected acrobs the road. The Board wili see the inconveriience of this, as the public cannot bo compelled to j shut the gates. Mr Woolf states that if the gates are not allowed he bIirII expect the Board to defray the cost of one fence. — I have also invited tenders for digging a portion of the ditch for draining Wells's road, £30 having been paid or promised (a portion in labor) towards the work.— There aro some . very soft places on the Pangatotara new road. I should bave invited tenders for gravelling them had there been available funds for the work." Circular from Manawatu County Council read, informing the Board that the meeting of the proposed Conference of delegates from local bodies had been postponed until the first Wednesday in June. Circular from the Chairman of the Bangitekeij County Council read, covering certain resolutions passed at a meeting of the Eangitikei County Council and the Eangitikei Highway Board sitting as one body. The resolutions were read and considered seriatim. Eesolved, That the Board thoroughly agrees with all the resolutions, except that in its opinion the 4th and sth resolutions would prove more beneficial with slight amendments, and that the Secretary forward to the Chairman of the Bangitikei County Council; a copy of this resolution, and all the amendments recommended by the Board, Copy of letter from Secretary to Chief Commisioner of Crown Lands read, respecting tlie road in Graham Valley, to which. the Secretary stated that no reply had at present been received. Besolved, That the Secretary ascertain whether the proposed new work at Sandy Bay passes through private property, and if so, obtain a written agreement from the owner that he will give the land required for the road, before the work is proceeded with. Besolved, That the Secretary apply to the Waimea County Council for a grant of £200 to bo expended in improving the main line of road throughout the district whoro most •required. Letter from residents at the Baton road, complaining of the state of the road between the crossing of the Dove river and the mouth of the Baton, and threatening that they will hold the Board responsible for any accident that may happen on such road. Besolved, That the Board has no funds to expend on the road ill question, and that the Secretary take an early opportunity of inspecting the , same, and if he find it dangerous for traffic, give notice that it is so. Letter Mr B. Fry, aud also one signed by several settlers in Biwaka read, in reference to clearing out the Swamp ditches. Besolved, That the Board recognises the justice of Mr B. Fry's claim for assisting in clearing out the road referred to by him, and regrets that the Board's funds will not admit of such assistance being granted ; that the Secretary inform Mr Fry of this resolution, and also tbe other settlers, and remind them that in consequence of the Board's revenue being very much reduced, very many works throughout the district, which were formerly undertaken by the Board have now to go undone. Mr R. Holyoake, jun., of Sandy Bay, had ap interview with the Board, and pointed out the necessity of something being done to improve tbe road near Mr E. M'Nabb's, which might be done for a small amount if a slight deviation were made into Mr B. M'Nabb'a land. Ee.olved, That the. Secretary examine 'and report to the Board respecting Mr Holyoake's application. Besolved, That those persons who have refused to obey the orders ' made by tbe Board for the removal of gorse from tbe roads adjoining their respective properties, be proceeded against. Besolved, That Mr Grooby having absented himself from three consecutive monthly meetings of the Board, Bnd thereby forieited bis seat, tbe Secretary convene a meeting of ratepayers in the Pangatotara sub-district for the purpose of electing a person to fill the vacancy. Besolved, Tbat the ; Secretary make an inventory of all the Board's property by next meeting. The following tenders were accepted :■— Making 'road in Blackbird Valley, Upper Montere — F. Benning, £2 10s per lot j making road afc Sandy Bay (subject to Mr Woolf Bl'gning an agreement giving the land for the road)— Joseph Cook, £5 4s per lot. . A tender from Mr R. Hyland for digging ditch near Wills's road, Lower Moutere, was considered too high, and the Secretary was instructed to offer him 80s per chain for doing the work, and failing his acceptance of auch amount, to offer it to any other parson at the same rate. Warrants were signed for £80 2s 4d.

After the conclusion of Highway Board business the Board sat as a Local Board of Health, when tbe Inspectors of Nuisances for the Motueka sub-district reported that Messrs Buchholz and E, Boyes had not removed the nuisances formerly complained of. 'Besolved, That Messrs Buchholz and L. Boyes hare 14 days notice (in accordance witb the provisions contained in The Public Health Act) to remove tbe nuisances referred to, and if tbey fail to comply with the notioe, proceedings be taken against them in accordance with the above quoted Act.