DRURY ROAD BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 203, 12 June 1914, Page 1

DRURY ROAD BOARD.

The June Meeting.

Those present at Saturday's meeting of the Drury Road Board were:-Messrs Glasson (in the chair), Quinn, Brooks, McNaugbton and Bremner.

Mr W. H. C. Glasson was reelected to the chair for the ensuirg twelve months. It was reported that £36 4s had been lodged by the Department for the Waihouhou road. The bank balance was announced at £7O lis. J. Drew, secretary of the Drury euchre committee, aakcd permission to use the Board's cupboard now in the hall.-Granted. By. Watkinson, Papakura, wrote saying that A. McKinstry would supply broken metal, 24 inch, spread on the road for 10s per yard; if the weather was suitable ho would cart metal for 6s per yard. As the road was in a bad state of repair he hoped the Board would do something in the matter.—The chairman said they were in a difficulty with the whole of the Kiri Kiri district. Mr Willis, of the Papakura Town Board, had intimated that they would be sending in an account at any time now for £6O or £7O spent on Dominion road and elsewhere, In view of the smallness of the rates it looked as if the money for expenditure there would have to be taken from this end.—After a general discussion, in which it was said that a culvert was dangerous, it was decided to refer the matter to the surfaceman with authority to instruct, McKinstry to put on « quantity of metal not to zxceed 10 yards. Papakura Town Board wrote asking that Wellington street, running through Willis Bros', property, be opened to the public. This was in the Drury road district. In the past this road was regarded as a private one but legal advice bad been taken and it was claimed that it was a public road.—The opinion wasexpressed that action should not;, be taken until some ratepayers petitioned to have the road opened, and the matter was deferred. The Department of Lands and Surveys wrote saying that it was the intention of the Department to proceed with the standard surveys ot the roads which would enable sur-' veys for and transfers, etc., to be standardised. Blocks would be put in and the cost of these to the Road Board would be about £l7 10s.—During the discussion one member said the Board could get on without this at present, but others agreed it would oe uaeful for any settlers needing a survey of their properties.-It was resolved to reply saying that the Franklin County Council had control of the Great South road, which was especially referred to. The chairman reported what ha been done to the Hay's creek willows. (Ihe decision in this matter was explained in our last report of the proceedings before the Papakura Town Board). Mr Glaseon said he was pleased that the matter had been settled.

Regarding the culvert near Mr H. Coßsey's, Mr McNaughton eaid the committee were of opinion that the water should be taken across the road, which was the natural wateicourse.—The chairmaD said that Mr Horton objected to the proposed course, hut he was also of the opinion that Mr McNaughton's idea was right. If Mr Horton could Bhow a better way and one to overcome.; the difficulty, well and good.— agreed that Mesßrs Ulasson, - Bremner, Brocks and Quinn visit the place on Saturday next and discuss the matter with the parties affected. the half-chain road at Opaheke, the chairman reported that Mr Walker was very disappointed that money had not been spent en the culverts.—lt was resolved, That the settlers along the road be invited to meet the Board at their next monthly meeting to discuss the question of securing the land requiied to make the road a chain wide.—lt was again pointed out that the Board could not spend money on the road at present without accepting big responsibilities. There was nothing authoritative to say that the settlers would not give the half-chain required. A number of minor works were dealt with.

The chairman said that along the Rama Rama load across the concrete bridge there were high hedges on either side of the road, and ratepayers respectfully asked that

they be trimmed down to a reasonable height. One expressed his willingness to cut the trees, and if they were all cut it would be a good thing for the road, as it was doubtful if the sun got on to the highway at all at present.—lt wat» decided' to ask the owners to trim the trees down.

The chairman said another matter which would have to be tackled by this Board or by some future authority was the willows, which would perhaps have to be dealt with in the same way as Hay's creek.— Mr Brooks said it was no use starting at the Drury end and then have the cuttings coming down from Opaheke and growing again. "We were asked at the last meeting," said the chairman, "to say what was wanted in the way of Government grants. They might tave asked what we didn't want." "Better concentrate your attention on Sutton's bndge," said the clerk (Mr Fielding).-"We got nothing for that last year," said Mr JtfcNaughton, "and if we concentrate our attention there we may get uothing at all." Suggestions flowed ;in readily i"this being election year," as one member remarked), but it was finally decided to ask for the following:—Sutton's bridge, concrete, £3OO (Board to make up the balance); Sutton's road (main road Opaheke station to Drury), £SO for metal; Fitzgerald's road, £100; J. Cossey's road, £25, £1 for £l.

"The County Council made a frightful mistake going on with the job near Tubimuta," was an opinion expressed. "To cart this metal over the roads was another illustration of robbing Peter to pay Paul." The chairman said he was hoping that they would have been able to strike a lower rate this year. But a half-penny would only produce £330; what with the increased cost of everything, the quantity to be done on the roads, and the amount of money to be made up he did not see bow they could du with less than three-farthiiigs. He moved, That a Ihree-farthmg rate be struck.—Mr Quin seconded the motion, which was carried.—The chairman said that some people appeared to think that if they merged with the county the rate would be less, but it did not strike him that way at all.—Other members spoke of the high cost of the county's administration. "It's such a big county that so far it's been no good to Drury," was still another opinion.