WAIROA ROAD BOARD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 37, 14 May 1915, Page 4

WAIROA ROAD BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the Wairoa Road Boatd was held on Monday last, when the following members were present, viz., Messrs A. D. Bell (chairman), W. Duder, J. Luke, H. Walsh and the clerk, Mr A. E. Bailey. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr A. D. Ball was re-appointed chaiiman for the eneuing year. He thanked members for the assistance they had given him during the year and congratulated them on the harmonious manner in which they bad worked together. ELECTION RETURN.The clerk announced that Mr W. Duder had been re-elected unopposed. FARMERS' UNION REQUESTS. The clerk of the Clevedon branch of the Farmers' Union wrote that at a meeting of the Clevedon branch'of the Farmers' Union held on Saturday, April 24th, it was resolved that the Wairoa Road Board be requested to approach the Marine Department to suggest that beacons 01 buoys be placed to .mark the channel of the Wairoa South river, and it was also decided that the Board be asked whether it had power to subsidise the public library at the Wairoa public hall. The chairman was of the opinion that the proposition should be placed before the next meeting of directors ot the Clevedon Steam Navigation Company for their advice. The members concurred and Mr Walsh was appointed to Bee that this was done. In connection with the enquiry re the library it was decided that the Board shou'd not take any action. FRANKLIN COUNTY. The sum of 2s was forwarded by the Franklin County Council as their halt share ot coßt of repairs to bridge over the Wairoa river. Mention was made in the covering letter re tha noxious weed and rabbit nuisances, on absentee owners' properties in the Hunua district, that a large number of the properties were to be sold as the outcome of non-payment of rates. THE BABBIT PEST.

A letter dealing with a proposal of the Board that rabbit poison be laid on the Scenic Eeserve, Wairoa River road, was received from Mr E. flowan, Fields Inspector, stating that he would be expending £5 in the destruction of rabbits on the reserve. DAY LABOUE QUESTION. An authority to carry out the work on the Clevedon-Brookly road by day labour was received from Mr F. Bigg-Wither, District Engineer, Public Works Department. He further notified the Boaid that his Department could not give a general sanction allowing the Board to expend Government grants by day labour. CLEVEDON-BBOOKBY EOAD. Notification was received from the Public Works Department stating that the plans and specifications for work on the Clevedon-Brookby road had been approved. NEW EATE. The chairman gave notice of motion that he would propose at the next meeting of the Beard that the rate for the ensuing year be Jd in the £ (general'. A COMPLAINT. Mrs Cosgrave, Ponsonby, Auckland, wrote complaining that the Board had filled in a ditch in front of her property, on the old Wairoa road, and asked what the Board intended to do in the matter. The chairman explained that the work was only temporary and if water congregated at the ditch the Board would re-open it. The clerk was instructed to inform the correspondent accordingly. GOVERNMENT GRANT. It was decided to make application for the final payment of £125, for metalling done on the MataitaiHauraki Plains road, via Orere (£200).

It was also resolved to apply for the following grants, viz:—Kauri Clump load (forming and metalling) £SO ; Chrichton'a road (re-grading and forming), £IOO ; Parish Line (forming and metalling), £SO ; Maraetai-Clevedon road (regrading and metalling), £250 ; Ness Valley road (Campbell's Stream Bridge), £l5O ; Mataitai-Hauraki Plains Road (deviating, grading, forming, metalling, etc), £4OO ; Mountain road (widening and forming), £SO. OTaU SETTLEMENT. The following decision was arrived at in connection with tbe non-pay-ment of rates on properties iu the Otau Settlement, viz.:—■ "That the chairman obtain information re the sections with the object of the Board taking them over."

A TRANSFERRED RESERVE. Tbe action of a previous Road Board in returning to the Govern ment a reserve, situate at Otau, which had been vested in the Board, was considered "foolish," and the clerk was instructed to write to tbe proper authorities explaining the transaction and state that tbe present Board would be pleased to have the reserve vested in it. MISCELLANEOUS. It was agreed to re-grade a portion of the Parish Line road, the work not to exceed two days. Instructions were given to the clerk to make application tor progress pajment lor work finished on Brookby road, for which there is a Government grant. A proposition of Mr Luke's, viz , that the Manukau County Council he asked to approach the Government with tbe object of opening up a road to the Hauraki Plains, via Orere, was approved of. In consideration of a promise made by the Hon. Prime Minister, Mr W. P. Massey, re a grant for tbe Maraetai road, it was decided to write and ask him to adhere to hia promise. The chairman reported that the pipes for Brookby road were to hand and would shortly be laid down, and that metalling work on the Mataitai road had been finished.

Mr Walsh informed the members that he had arranged for a man to attend to work necessary on Moantain road.

Accounts totalling £l5O were passed tor payment.