WELLINGTON DISTRICT HIGHWAYS BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4848, 5 October 1876, Page 3

WELLINGTON DISTRICT HIGHWAYS BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held at the Lower Hutt yesterday. Present Messrs. Mason (chairman), Taylor, Speedy, Smith, Dick, and Bayliss. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr. Smith asked leave to withdraw his motion relative to the amalgamation of offices of the Board. He believed that a great change would take place within the three months in the constitution of the Board, and he would move that the present officers be continued, in their positions tiff the Ist January. The Chairman said that the treasurer complained that his duties were already too heavy for the remuneration'received. He declined to carry out the audit as requested by the provincial authorities. Mr. Smith said it was absurd that it should take £3OO a year in official expenses, when the income was a little over £IOOO. If the provincial authorities demanded so much, they had better take all the money and expend it themselves.

Leave was given to withdraw the motion, and the treasurer consented to continue his duties as at present at the rate of £SO a year, but stated he would not without further remuneration carry out the audit as desired.; The clerk, overseer, and treasurer was also continued in his office at a salary of £lO a month.

A letter was read from the Deputy-Superin-tendent, granting the use of the old policestation to the Board until such time as it was required for other purposes. The following sums wore ordered to be paid; —Hooper and Hawkins, repairs on South Karori contract, £7 2s. 6d. ; Monk and Anderson, Karori-road contract, £22 65.; Wil-. liam Longhurst, £2O; H. Dament) £6 ; ■Thomas Morgan, £9 10s.; John Wilhelmburst, £8 13s. 4d.; Daniel Dealy, £4.; Charles Stewart, £1 145.; J. Gardner, £1 145.; David Cook, £1 145.; William Gosling, £4 ss. 6d.; Robert Hunter, £8 13s. 4d.; R. Prouse, £2O ; C. Riddiford, £10; Messrs. Collis, £3O ; A. Pringle, £4 195.; William Welch,' £2 10s.; A. Martin, £3 10s.; contingencies, £63 11s. 6d. Mr. Peouse made , a request to put a chain of tramway on the Whiteman’s Valley road. The tramway would not interfere with traffic.. Several other settlers attended the Board, and stated that none of the settlers in the district had any objection to Mr. Prouse laying down the tramway. ; Leave wai) granted, and in answer to Mr. Prouse the Chairman said that it was not in the power of the Board to grant the right for any length of time. It would take an Act of Parliament to do that. However, as most of the settlers in the district were interested in the tramway, he did not think that' Mr. Prouse need have any fear as to the right being cancelled. The appointment of collectors for the various wards was next proceeded with. Mr. Francis Greer was appointed for Noil ward, Mr. Thos. Smith for No. 2, Mr. Charles Collis lor No. 4, and Mr. Wi T. Burgess for Nos. 3,5, and 6. Mr. Underwood attended, and stated that some £3B had been collected by settlers for the extension of road in Whiteman’s Valley. - ■ Mr. BAyliss, the member for the' district, said that there was £3O to the credit of the ward, and he thought it desirable that it should be spent in the work asked for. Tenders were'ordered to be called for the work.

A letter was read from the Secretary of the Education Board, complaining of injury done' to school property at Wainuipraata. The clerk was instructed to inform' the Secretary of the Education Board that he has been misinformed relative to the supposed injury, and that the'Board declined to take' any action in the matter.

A deputation waited on the Board, complaining of the neglected state of the old Kaiwarrarbad. The Board promised to attend to the matter, but at the same time informed the deputation that the funds in hand were limited. ! The Board adjourned at 5 p.m.