PATEA WEST ROAD BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 63, 17 November 1875, Page 2

PATEA WEST ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly of the above Board was held at Mr Dale’s olltco on Monday afternoon last. Present ;—Mr E. R. Morgan, (Chairman), and Messrs Hunter, Honeyfiold, and G. W. Gane.

MINUTES. The minutes of Hie previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The Chairman, before proceeding to business, desired to bring under the notice of members the desirability of confining themselves strictly to the matter under discussion. The meeting heretofore had been conducted in more of a conversational style than in a formal manner,and ho trusted members would endeavour to .shorten the sittings of the Board hy carrying out his suggestion. The time lost in the first part of the meetings had the effect of causing members to hurry through the 2nd part of the business, which, as a matter of course was likely to he neglected. CO RRF.SPON 11ENCK. From Arthur Standish, Deputy Superintendent, informing the Board that the Government hold an unexpended balance of £319 out of the vote of £4OO. The Secretary explained that the works contracted would absorb that sum, and consequently the Board would really get nothing from that source. He further stated that the Board would receive from the General Government 13s 4d in the £. on the amount of last year’s rates, and no vote was likely to be obtained from the Provincial Go.'eminent this year. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened for the several works advertised. BALL HOAD. E. & F. Horner, £ls ; T. Dclomore, £l6 10s. On the motion of Air G. W. Gane, seconded hy Mr 1 lunter the Messrs Horner’s tender was accepted. OANE ROAD. J. Wright, £39 10s ; E. & F. Horner, £4l. On (he motion of Mr Hunter, seconded by Air Honeyfiold, the lowest tender was accepted. 3LANUTAHI ROAD. T. Dck-morc, £25. This was the only tender received fur this work, and it was considered by one or .two members rather high, being in excess of the engineers estimate. The Chairman was of opinion that the engineer must have made an error in his calculation, as there was considerably more earth to be removed than the Ball

road contract, which lie estimated at £1 less. There were also a large number of stamps, and their removal would, of course have a tendency to considerably increase its cost of construction. As far as be was capable of judging, ho considered the tender moderate. He was speaking to an experienced contractor that morning, and he informed him that ho would not undertake the work for less than £l5O. Mr Hunter considered that a good passable road might be made for .HI4, and considered that if the Board were to accept the tender so much in excess of the engineer's estimate complaint would follow. The Chairman considered that the contract in hand would he useless for general purposes unless extended, and proposed that Mr Delcmore’.s tender he accepted. Mr Honeyliehl seconded the resolution, remarking that it would be a pity to see the work delayed. The motion was carried. The Secretary informed the Board that he had received notices from Messrs Patterson and Gibson to the effect that their contracts were finished. The engineer, however, had not yet passed the works.

On the motion of Air Honoylicld, seconded by Mr G- W- (fine, it was resolved —“ That an application be made to the. Provincial Treasurer for the su u of £289 18s 4d to pay for the work now completed on receipt of engineers certificate. finance. The following accounts were passed for payment : J. Gibsou, timber ... 21 1 2 Patea Mail, advertising 5 17 0 DANE ROAD. It was resolved that, the Secretary be authorised to deliver sufficient timber to Mr G. W. Gane for tin l construction of a culvert on Gane road, on condition that the culvert be fixed free of charge hy Messrs Gane Bros. nuKfTffKi-; load. Resolved —‘‘That £5 be expended in (be improvement of the Hnkiderc road leading to Mr Hobertson’s farm.” PATTERSON ROAD. Resolved —“ That the action of the committee in accepting Mr Patterson’s tender of £l7, being in excess of the limit authorised by the Board be approved of. The Board then adjourned till Monday, December lid.