ROAD BOARD MEETINGS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 36, 18 October 1912, Page 4

ROAD BOARD MEETINGS.

Pukekohe East Tho monthly meeting was hoM on Saturday ; present: Messrs E. Allan (chairman), H. Wilcox, J. Tooman, 1) Fulton, G. Ingram, J. Hartley, W. Barnaby and 11. Craig. AI.LEOKI) NInSAXC. Concerning a communication received at the last meeting of the Board from tho Department of Public Health, which stated that the trouble complained of on tho Whan-garata-river real was due to conditions obtaining within the contiues of the BoarJ, Mr Hartley, member for the Whangarata division, gave a iurther version of the matter, attributing the conditions to bo duo solely to tbe drainage from Mr G. P. Ewing's stockyard. It was agreed that the full Bourd make an inspection of the locality. J. J. Dromgool's cluim for £ls, in settlement of his contract on McGahan's road, Tuakau (for which payment has been deferred by the Board at pievious meetings pending the completion of the work accordiug to specifications, but latterly hubmit ted to arbitration) again engaged the attention of the Board. A further letter fioiu Mr Dromgo'd's solicitors was received, stating that their client objected to the Board's arbitrator, and requesting that in lieu of arbitration the Board authorise such payment as they deem commensurate for the work done, at the same time cleaily defining what further work it consideied should be carried out, leaving their client free to accept such payment on account, without prejudice to his remedies as to the balance, it was decided to adopt this course and pay Mr Droingoul £l3 on account. The General Manager for Railways wrote stating that consideration had been given the Board's request to hand over the old railway track between Buckland and Tuakau to the local bodies free of cost, and that the Department had no objection to the track beiug vested in tho local road authorities, conditionally on the value of the ground being paid. The letter also stated that the superstructures of the bridges on this portion of the Hue are required for use on the railway elsewheie, and arrangements have been made for their removal. The piers, however, will he left in position, pending a decision being arrived at for the acquirement of the track or otherwise. In view of the fact that both Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon.- J. A. Millar (Premier and Minister for Railways respectively in tho late Ministry) had on two different occasions, the former at Tuakau and the latter at Pukekohe, given an unconditional promise that the track would bo vested in local bodies free of cost for purposes of a road, it was unanimously resolved to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister for Railways during his forthcoming visit to Auckland, and Mossrs Fulton, Barnaby and Craig were appointed a deputation for that purpose.

Consideration was given the matter of the new vehiculur over-bridge which the Railway Department intends erecting at Tuakau. Members < f the Board stated that the work is being unnecessarily deferred by the Department, and tho foregtiog deputation was authorised to also lay this matter before the Minister, and urge that tho bridge be commenced and completed with all expedition. A letter was received from *he District Traffic Manager for Railways stating that the Board's request to have water laid on to tho loading yards at Tuakau was being enquired into, and a further reply would be sent at an early date. Mr J. G. Rutherford waited on the Board and requested the acceptance of tho dedication of a new road through his property at Bombay.— Acceded to. Plans and specifications for earthwork and filling on the new TuakauWhangarata road, and also for similar work on road near Tuakau station, were submitted by the Board's advisory engineer. It was agreed to call tenders for the work at tho next meeting of the Board. It was decided to spend £lO in effecting improvements at Tuimata ; £5 on McGahan's road (Tuakau); £4 on Buckland-Hairisville road; to carry out improvements on the Har-risvi-Hc-Tuakau road; to order 21 yards metal for the Pukekohe EastDrury road; to purchaso 150 yards metal broken at Tuakau ; and to call teuders for certain works. Pukekohe West. Pukekohe West Road Board met on Tuesday evening to prepares a statement of allocations of money banded over to the Borough Council, for roads now included in the borough area. PRESENTAITON. A nice writing dusk and cabinet was presented to Mr W. Dunn by his colleagues on the occasion of his retirement from the Board. The chairman, Mr Johns, expressed the Board's appreciation of the very hard work which Mr Dunn had borne, and spoke in terms of praise of the cordial relationship which had exitted between the members of the Board, there being a complete absence of anything like frictioq. Mr Dunn, in accepting the gift, thanked them for the spirit which prompt d trie members. His work on th-j Board had been a pleasure, and between the members there had b;«n mutual confidence. Messrs Woods and Fin lay endorsed what the Chairman had said in praise of Mr Dunn's work.

Waipipi. Waipipi Road BoaVd met at Waiuku on Saturday; present—Messrs J. A. Kenall (chair), A. H. Barrib.ll W. C. Motion, 0. Kidgley and R Alexander. Tbe chairman reported having interviewed tbe Uneliunga manager of the Northern Steam Ship Company re increased berthage fees, and understood that they were to write to the Board agreeing to the increase, Ho a ever, as no communication had been received be would call on them again during the next week. A letter was receiv d from Mr J. T. McDonald, asking to have certain repairs doae on the road leading to bis property. - H was resolved that Mr Alexander have the necessary lepairs done when funds were available. Letters were received frjrr. R. H. Makgill and Mrs M. Flavell, objeiting to the closing of the road throunii lot 314. —lt was resolvid that tnc board inspect the road in qutstion 03 the morning of their next meeting, ard in the meantime that further consideration be deferred. One tender only was received for the sandstone cutting on the old Maioro-road, being that of E. Holmes at Is 9d per yard, which it was resolved to accept and to aMow three months for completion of the work. The strr tary fwas instructed to wiite t> tuj Public Works Departii ent aid ban them to erect the concrete culvert over Deed's creek, the Board agreeing to make up any deficiency over and above the Government grant. A number of outstanding rates, amounting to £l3 8a id, which were con'id to be uncollectable, were written off oy resolution. Accounts amounting to £74 were paid.