RANGITIKEI HIGHWAY BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4595, 11 December 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

RANGITIKEI HIGHWAY BOARD.

(from our own correspondent.) The usual monthly meeting of the Rangitikei Highway Board was held in the Board’s office, Marton, on Saturday, the 4th instant. Present : Mr. A. Milne (in the chair), Dr. Curl, Messrs. J. Bull, C. M. Galpin, A, Simpson, and K. K. Simpson. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. In the absence of the Secretary, the Inspector read the correspondence, which comprised : Letter from Mr. James McGregor, in reference to the road proposed, and stating that in his Crown grant mention was made of one road only to be taken through his property. He left the matter in the hands of the Board; at the same time be warned them that if they persisted in taking the proposed road through his land they would have to break through his boundary fence, and he should hold them responsible for the consequences. Letter from Mr. Dr. E. Campbell, in reference to his tender, and stating that he had omitted to mention in his tender that it was for two contracts together, one of which had not been accepted, and without this he could not do the work of the other for the price he had named. He was a poor man, and left himself in the hands of the Board, trusting that they would deal liberally with him. Letter from his Honor the Superintendent, stating that he had confirmed the construction orders applied for. Letter from Mr. James McKay, stating that as a road had not yet been taken through his property, he should prevent all persona from trespassing on the same, except for engineering purposes. Letter from the Provincial Secretary, in reply to a letter from the Board asking when the £3OOO voted by the Provincial Council would be al’oeated, stating that the Government were not in a position at present to pay over the. £SOOO, but as soon as they were that sum would be divided rateably among the different boards. Letter from the Provincial Auditor, drawing the attention of the Board to the Audit Act, and requesting them to comply with its provisions. Resolved that Mr. Campbell be called upon to at once proceed with his work in the terms of the specification, otherwise his deposit of £lO would be forfeited. Resolved that a copy of tho former resolu tion passed by the Board he forwarded to Mi McGregor. Resolved that the Chairman, Inspector, ana Warden be empowered to make arrangements with Mr. Cockbum with respect to the Po-rewa-road.

inspector’s report. The Inspector read his usual monthly report on the various works in progress in the several wards. BUSINESS. It was resolved that the sum of £5 be voted to the Inspector for expenditure on Mr. Lethbridge’s land, with the view of getting rid of the water on the road running through it. It was resolved that in future the names of the tenderers’ sureties, or the requisite deposit, be sent in with tenders. Captain Johnston applied in person for a title to an abandoned road running through his property. It was resolved that the Board will use its best exertions to facilitate every legal action taken by Captain Johnston, or any other person, to obtain a conveyance or right to abandoned highways running through their land. Mr. Campbell applied in person with respect to the contracts alluded to in his letter, but as he had nothing further to advance, it was decided that the resolution previously passed by the Board should be adhered to. Mr. Campbell then elected to forfeit his deposit of £lO rather than go on with the work. bryce's road. The Chairman stated that the deputation appointed at the last meeting of the Board had waited upon Mr. Bryce, who had expressed his unwillingness to sanction the road, and had also stated that if the Board determined to persevere in their purpose they would have to take the necessary legal steps to force a road through his property. It was resolved that the chairman submit a case in writing to the Board’s solicitor, asking for his opinion, upon due consideration of all the Acts, as to what would be the best and most legal course to enable the Board to take now roads through fenced and unfenced land, the Crown grant for which may or may not have matured, and distinguishing between the two. NEWMAN’S ROAD.

The Chairman stated that, at a previous meeting of the Board, the sum of £2O had been voted for the purpose of making this road, but that the expenditure of that sum had been postponed until the financial position of the Board was ascertained. It was resolved that the work in question be now proceeded with. THE TUTAENUI BRIDGE. Mr. Bdll stated, in handing in the account, that Mr. Paulin had originally agreed to waive all claim for compensation for any land of his required for the approach to the Tutaonui bridge. Ho had now sent in a claim for £5. He (Mr. Bull) would leave the matter to bo dealt with by the Board, as ho had told Mr. Paulin that ho should not support his demand. It was resolved that Mr, Paulin appear before the Board, and show to the Board on what ground ho is entitled to tho amount claimed. ROAD FROM BOLL’S TO TURAKINA. Mr. Bull drew tho attention of the Board to tho present disgraceful state of tho road between Bull’s and Turakina, which is under tho control of tho Provincial Government. It was resolved that tho secretary bo instructed to write to tho Provincial Secretary, calling the attention of his Honor tho Superintendent to tho very bad state of tho road leading from Bull’s to Turakina, as it has been impassable all the winter, and that unless prompt action be taken to re-motal tho same it will be utterly useless for future traffic. DEPOSITS WITH TENDERS. Mr. Bull drew attention to tho rather loose way in which persons tendered. Sureties, or a

deposit, were required, but neither the names nor tile deposits accompanied the tenders, and the contractors sometimes proceeded with the work without signing the specifications. It was resolved that a deposit on the estimated contract be sent with each tender, as a guarantee of good faith, the same to bo forfeited if the intending contractor fail to take up his contract, or does not commence the work within seven days after being called upon to do so. THE BRIDLE-TRACK. Mr. Coutts applied in person to have a portion of the bridle-track, which was now in a very bad state, put into repair. At a previous meeting of the Board it had been resolved to call for tenders for the work, but they had been forgotten, and the track was so bad that he could not get his wool out. The Board declined to take any steps in the matter, on the ground that they had not sufficient funds. BUSH AND CROSS-ROADS. Mr. Warren applied in person for assistance from the Board in draining the bush road leading to the Paraekaretu block, and for opening a road between the Jefferson and Warren lines. The Board declined, on account of the shortness of funds, to grant the application. treasurer’s report. The Treasurer read the usual monthly report, from which it appeared that there was at date a credit balance at the bank of £157 7s. Id. . ■ ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £273 19s. Dd., were passed, and ordered to be paid. TENDERS. Tenders for the undermentioned works were received, and disposed of as follows;—Bor metalling the McHurdie Line, at per chain— Accepted; J. Doughty, £2 ss. Declined; M. Keid, £2 9s. 6d.; T. Brolden, £2 17s. 6d.; and M. Blaunary, £2 X7s. 6d.—Bor the formation of the road through the Native Reserve, Turaldna: —Accepted : Mr. Cluny, at 16s. Declined: P. McLoughlin, 16s. 6d.; R. Marshall, 10s. od.; M. Coughlin, 175.; and M. Blaunary, £1 sa. —Bor reforming the Bridle Track;—Johnson and Braser, £3O; and J. Campbell, £37 10s. These tenders being considered too high, it was decided that the matter should bo left for the Inspector to deal ■with. —Bor re-metalling the Cliff Line : —G. Nitschke, at £1 4s. per chain. This was the only tender received, and as the Inspector considered the price reasonable, it was accepted. ROAD TO THE OPEN INTERIOR. Dr. Curl spoke at some length upon the importance to this district of a road through it, from the open country around Patea and Taupo to Cook Strait. The Government were desirous of finding a practicable road, and in his opinion the best route was along the watershed, between the Rangitikei and Turakina Rivers. On a motion brought forward by him, it was resolved that the Minister for Public Works be written to, asking him to have a sum of money set apart out. of the £20,000, voted as an extra sum for distribution among the road boards, for the purpose of having a line of road explored for, from the highways district road to the open country, and through the bush to Patea, Murimutu, and Taupo, as the Board knows the necessity of having a road from Cook Strait to the interior of the island, and believe that the watershed between the Rangitikei and Turakina rivers is the best site for a road that can be found on this coast. ADJOURNMENT. As the next usual day of meeting would fall on New Year’s Day, the Board adjourned until Saturday, the Bth January, 1876, at halfpast 10 a.m.