ROAD BOARD.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 50, 7 May 1873, Page 2

ROAD BOARD.

Saturday, 3rd May, 1873. Board met at 2 o’clock. Present—Messrs. Poynter (chairman) Westrup, and King. The minutes of the previous meeting werq read and confirmed, i The Secretary was instructed to open all letters addressed to (he Chairman, excepting those marked as Mr. Skeet’s reporfTin reference to works in progress was laid before the Bbard. The Engineer Was authorised to incur a further expenditure of £l5 in additions to the Muhunga bridge, so as to render it secure. Mr. Skeet was instructed, as soon as practicable, to ask for tenders for cutting a drain through the swamps to the end of Disraeli-street. The Engineer having reported, that to render the Matawhero Middle-road nassable, great expense would be necessary. It was resolved to let the matter stand over. The Board decided to make an outlet drain from the Ormond-road to French Bob’s Creek. The Engineer was instructed to prepare specification and estimate for the above. M. Boland s account £56 ss, being the first) payment on the Muhunga bridge contract, was passed. ' 1 ' Heber Pritchard’s account.£l9s 3d, fordrain in Pahnerston-road, was passed. ' Mr. Webb to be informed in reply, to his letter about native translation, that the matter is in Dr. Nesbitt’s hands, j . A letter was received from Hr. Eiffe asking for £7 the balance on extras for contract E rtsolved to stand .over till: Mr. Drummond returns. A letter was written by the Chairman to Mr Webb askingthe redsonWhy the Road Board during his Secretaryship, are delayed ui being submitted to the auditors. . A Mter ,was< received from Messrs. ( WaMh and Meldrum referring to the holes in tft# Bloomfield-road. Mr. Skeet was authorised to get the work done. T foT ’ ~ Lawrence Dunne for maintenance of road on account of contract No. 1 and 2, £lO passed. Sergeant Shirley's account under Dog Nuisance Act, shewing £5 12s 6d paid into the Union Bank, wife laid before the Board.

Messrs. Cooper and Ross’s offer to supply rp*<l-metal win declined. * Mr. Houghton requested permission to remove earth. The matter was referred to the Engineer. Board adjourned till Saturday the 10th inst. engineer’s report. . . . In accordance with verbal instructions from the Chairman, I have examined the various matters referred to in the minutes of the last meeting of the Board. In company with Mr. Tucker I examined the swamps along the southern boundary of the Township. The drain, as cut along Disraeli-st., ends in one of the swamps from which there is no outlet; it would be necessary to continue this drain into what is known as the big swamp, from which an outlet drain could, be cut into the Waikanai, a distance of about 14 chains. This would have the effect of draining the two swamps, and would relieve the drains along Gladstone-road. Owing to the quantity of water at present in the swamps I have been as yet unable to take any measurements or levels. In reference to the Middle-road referred to by Mr. Hall, it is in a very bad state, in fact, quite impassable. I am afraid the necessary works would be expensive, as not only a culvert and faeines would be necessary, but also an outlet drain through the property of Mr. Dalziel. I have inspected the Muhunga bridge and consider the work to have been completed by the contractor in terms of specification, in a very satisfactory manner, except the gravel on the approaches, which, owing to the flooded state of the river cannot as yet be obtained. The Contractors have been placed in possession of the work on the Gladstone-read (contract K), which is being rapidly proceeded with. The contract for cutting the drain in Palmer-ston-street is completed ; and I would recommend that payment be made for the same. With reference to the Muhunga bridge, I beg to recommend that some extra expense be incurred, the springing of the bridge not being sufficient; the extra work can be done at an exjxmso of fifteen pounds. B. M. Skeet, Engineer to the Board.