Waitoa Road Board.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42771, 29 August 1905, Page 2

Waitoa Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of the Waitoa Road Board took place in the Council Chambers, Morrinsville, on Saturday last, 26th inst. Present: Messrs W. P. Chepmell (chairman), W. A. Taylor, T. Hinton, T. Bellamy and T. Hughes. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed.

CORRESPONDENCE. Metalling roads.—A letter was received from the public Works Department, acknowledging letter of 31st ult., and bringing under notice certain roads requiring metal, and asking whether a grant for a quantity of broken metal could be made, stating that the matter would have I the Department’s consideration. Mr W. T. Massey, M.H.R., wrote saying that he had supported the Board’s application for a quantity of broken metal, but it was doubtful if the application would be favourably considered as similar requests had been refused. He also applied to the Department some weeks ago for an overhead bridge at Morrinsville, but the matter had been referred to Auckland for report thereon, and, so far he had not received any definite reply. Te Aroha-Rotorua road. —W. Lockyer wrote offering to supply fascines at 10s per 100, to fascine about twenty chains of the Te Aroha-Rotorua road. Foreman Parr explained that about 1200 bundles would be required. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Hughes, it was resolved that Mr Lockyer’s tender be accepted. The foreman was instructed to arrange re carting and repairing road. Revenue. —The Receiver of Land Revenue advised that £22 lls 6d had been placed to the Board’s credit, being amount of “ Thirds ” due as per schedule of expenditure and approved of by the Land Board. The sum of £46 16s 4d, being subsidy due for year 1904-5, had been placed to the Board's credit by the Treasury. Bosson’s road.—The Chairman moved, and Mr Bellamy seconded: That the Clerk write to the Railway Department offoring £ls towards cost of making this road. Mr Herries, M.H.R., also be written to advising him of the Board’s action. Richmond Downs Estate.—A. L. Foster, general Manager of Assets Realisation Board, forwarded engineering plans for Board’s consideration, of the construction of certain roods on the Richmond Downs Estate, to be formed according to the Board’s usual requirements, viz., 15ft, of which 10ft Bhall be on the solid, together with all the necessary bridges, culverts and side drains. It was the opinion of the meeting that 10ft on the solid was not sufficient The Chairman moved and Mr Bellamy seconded Baker’s Road. —Mr Bellamy drewattentton to the bad state of about five chains of Baker’s road (near Mr W. S. Allen’s property).—Resolved that Foreman Mannion visit the place complained of and report at next meeting. Foremen’s reports. —R. Parr, foreman of the eastern district, reported that during the early part of the month the School Road drain, Manawaru, caved in a good deal. He considered that this drain would be very expensive to keep in good order, and had asked Messrs Bellamy, Taylor and Hughes what had best be done. After they had inspected the drain, it was decided to put in a set of pipes and let water away in the old course. These members had met the members of the Matamata Road Board re extra water turned into Te Aroha-Rotorua road drain. Works done: Put in 7 18in pipes on School road, cleaned slips out of eastern end of School Road draiu, graded road near Thomas’ gate, filled up approaches to bridges and sundry other repairs. Arranged wifli County foreman for road machine for forming the Te Kapra road at £1 8s per day. Advised that tenders be called for the works auehorised.— Foreman Mannion reported that he had repaired Hillary’s road, fascined about a chain and carted clay onto Campbell’s road. Walton road, up to station, is a good deal cut up, but all the rest of the roads are in good order. Roll. —Several applications were received to have their names substituted on the roll. — Resolved that alterations be made as far as the Board has power. Trees. —Mr R. C. Allen wrote stating that the trees near thr Methodist Church, Morrinsville had been removed. The Chairman said the stumps as at present were dangerous, and moved that the Church trustees be asked to carry out the work iiccording to specifications. Seconded by Mr Hughes and carried. Road Machine. —An account for £1 15s was received from the Piako County Council, for hire of road machine. The Clerk stated that the Board was not indebted to the Council for this item as some misunderstanding existing between the I foremen. Resolved that account be referred back to the Council. Alexandra Road Board, —From Matamata Road Board re letter of recent date asking for a contribution of £2O towards deepening outlet drains from the HungHunga block. Certain members of|the Board had visited the spot and a special meeting of the Board had been held. The members of the Matamata Road Board considered that they were not legally bound to contribute, but in order to avoid any friction, they would be willing to to vote £lO, provided the Waitoa Rood Board spend a sufficient sum to relieve the Alexandra road drain of water complained of, and take all responsibility for damage done. Mr Bellamy stated that he was one of the members who had visited this drain and considered much damage had been done to the road by water coming from private property, and was of opinion that £lO would be of little use. After further discussion, it was decided on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Taylor: That the offer of the Matamata Road Board be not accepted by the terms offered. Telegraph poles. —The Clerk reported the Inspector of Telegraphs had the telegraph poles shifted back 7ft. On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved to ask the Inspector to again shift the poles back to a less dangerous position.— Carried. School Road Drain.— Mr M. Cronin waited on the Board and asked for a refund of £3 contributed cost of making the original drain, in consequence of the Board diverting water into the drain running across his property. Mr Cronin submitted a plan showing the exact position of both drains. The Board was of opinion that the drain

through Mr Cronin's property was the proper fall. The foreman was instructed to make arrangements with Mr Cronin as to the work necessary in enlarging the drain. Striking Rate. —Resolved od the motion of the Chairman and seconded by Mr Hughes : That a fd rate on all rateable property in the Waitoa Road District bo struck. Proposed Works. —Mr Hintou proposed and Mr Bellamy seconded : That the foreman bo instructed to call tenders for the bulk of work to be done by the Board. The Chairman: The members must recollect that tho Board hits an overdraft of £7OO. We are all anxious to see good rouds, but I must consider tho finance, j Mr Hinton: If tho work is not started ’ early, it is no use doing it at all. The Board I had bettor do nothing for 12 months until it | is in a better financial position, and then got ! tho work carried out, Ho would like to see all works finished by Christmas, or not later than January, Mr Taylor: That Is all forming of roads. Gravelling and sanding could be left till the autumn. # i Mr Hinton : Yes : all forming bo gone on with as soon as possible. | The mottonwas then put and carriod. Rates, —It was decided that all outstanding rates be sued for. Resignation. —The Chairman, tendered hia < 1 $

resignation as Treasurer to the Board, after holding the position for the past twenty-six years. Mr Bellamy moved that a vote of thanks be passed to Mr Chepmell for his services as treasurer during his long term of office. This was seconded by Mr Taylor and carried unanimously. Accounts. —The following accounts were passed for payment: —Public audit account, £2 13s 4d; K. Parr, £9 12s: W. Swneey, £2 9s 6d ; W. Neeve, £1 4s 6d; T. Mannion, £10; G. Lancock, £2 14s ; A. Jahsen, 7s.