KARAKA ROAD BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 189, 24 April 1914, Page 3

KARAKA ROAD BOARD.

The April Meeting. Iherj present on Saturday: Messrs Batty (chairman), Sutton, Schlaepfer, Johnson atid Gisssun. Prior to the minutes being read a motion was carried sympathising with Mr Lockie Cannon in his recent bereavement. BLINDING.

"It's putting me, as chairman, in an awkward position," remarked the chairman, referring to the diversity of opinion that existed as to whether the metal shculd be blinded. Some ratepayers came along and said it was no ue; others held it was the correct thing to do. The engineer recommended blinding; he thought the Board should follow the engineer's advice. Other members wore unanimously in favour of blinding, though a suggestion that a few chains be left unblinded to test the two methods was generally approved. The chairman reported as there was no certainty when they cou'd get a roller he had airanged with Mr Comrie for the hire of a traction engine at £1 a day for the day and 10s for the num.—Action approved.

COUNTY ENGINEER'S VISIT

The' chairman reported that the County Council would advise him when their engineer was visiting the distiict and he would go into the tramway and other matters. NEW PAEKATA EOAD. The swamp on the new road to Paerata was referred to, the chairman stating that it had been decided not to proceed with the scheme suggested by the Board's engineer. It was thought that a drain 5 feet deop and with pipes at end would carry olf the water, and the Board's team could do the filling in.—This course was agreed to, and it was left to Mr Schlaepfer to make ariangements for the draining. AN EXPERIMENT. The Board in March decidod to procure a 6cow load of waterwashed gravel for blinding purposes, though the members were in the dark as to how many yards a scow load constituted. When at Saturday's meeting it was announced that a scow load was 140 yards members considered the experiment too expensive and decided to do nothing until tho spring. TENDERS. The chairman reported having accepted the following tenders : For carting Drury-Waiuku road, Brern- j ner 3 s 6d per yard; RuneimanPaerata, Bruce 3s per yard. TUHIMATA ROAD.

The member for the district, Mr Sutton, was empowered to attend to the worst places on the Tuhimata road. DRURY-WAIUKU ROAD. It was resolvod to request the engineer to inspect the formation work near Swann's prior to the metal being put on. RIDING BOUNDARIES. The chairman reported on the result of the deputation to the County Council in reference to the alteration of the riding boundaries.

RATEPAYERS' MEETING. It was decided to hold the annual meeting of the Board and meeting of ratepayers on May 2nd. KARAKA BRIDGES. " Is your Board prepared to take all responsibility as to stability of structure for purposes intended if plans are approved by Department," was a telegram received from the Marine Department.—The chairman had replied iu the affirmative and his action was confirmed. Mr T. Walker asked if it was correct that it was the northern part of the Drury-Waiuku road whiel} it was proposed to rate for the bridges. The chairman replied in the nega tive. He said it was uot proposed to depart from the original area and which had been set out in the petition signed by the ratepayers affected. The line would be north of Fitchett's road. MERGING PETITION. The clerk, who had been instructed to take round a petition in favour of merging with the County Council, stated that Hi had seen ratepayers representing nearly half the rateable value and only one ratepayer had signed in favour of merging. All the ratepayers would be seen prior to the annual meeting, but he regarded it as highly improbable that the signatures required would be secured. CLOSING A ROAD. It was resolved to take steps to closo an unused road betweeu sections 42 and 51, Karaka. PAERATA HILL. Mr Schlaepfer was empowered to attend to the metalling of Paerata Hill. WAIAU-DRURY ROAD. Tho bad state of parts of the main Waiau-Drury road, which is under tho County Council's jurisdiction, was referred to, and it was decided to put fascines in some of tho worst places.