PARIHAKA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 338, 14 March 1910, Page 7

PARIHAKA ROAD BOARD.

-MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meetiinf •! the Board was held on Wednesday, riesent: Messrs J. Young (chairman), Deegan, Harvey, Jones and Wilcox Gregory Ttoad. _ T he chahnian moveu that Mr Wilcox and the foreman inspect the proposed track xo the church and report at next meeting. Seconded by Mr Jones' and carried. Rahotu lioad.—Resolved that the road be repaired as reported by the foreman; work to be done by uie Board's staff. Seconded by Mr Deegan and carried. Lower Kahui Road.—Mr Wilcox informed the meeting that Mr Morrow would cant out 50 yards of stone if t'sej were got ready for him. Mr Chapman and he (Mr Wilcox) would do their share, making the total about iUOyds. They only intended to cart as far as the bridge.—Agreed to.

Upper. Kaliui Road. A petition from about thirty settlers was received, asking for repairs to road, -which was in a deplorable state, not to say dangerous. They -asked that two membeio of the Board be sent to inspect *the road. Resolved that the Board supply the gravel if the Upper Kaliui settlers will supply half cost ot same. The Government Grants. Egmont County Council wrote informing the Board that tihe Government grants to <the Wiremu and Ngarild roads would be, given to the Board' to be spent at tithe county's expense. After a deal of discussion it was unanimously decided that the foreman bt instructed to prepare the necessary plans and speeifiea tions for a horse track from Newall Toad to Arawhata as requested in terms of Roads Department's -letter to the Egmont Council.

Deputations. The Upper Kahui ratepayers waited on the Board and asked -for assistance in having that part of the road repaired. Mr Stonex said it would be impassable in the winter if repairs' were not effected before the winter is over. Resolved, That tihe foreman repair the road in the cheapest way.

Petition. Upper Kahui Road Settlers forwarded to the Board a petition as follows: "We, the undersigned settlers and ratepayers on the Upper Kalnii road, herewith request that your Department will continue work on the Okahu Carrington roads, between we Ngariki and Newell roads, making ifcliem passable for wheel traffic, a~s at present they are impassable for even riding (from the Kahui to Newall roads at •present is a 22-mile ride). If the Carrington road was put in order us requested it would only be three or four miles."—Petition signed by about eighty settlers. Resolved, That as this petition is to be sent to the Department, that it be assisted by a resolution from t:he Board asking the Government to subsidise the road to a substantial extent, as' it was the only Public Works road in the district. The resolution >3 also to be forwarded to the member for the district. It was also resolved' that the Srst practical move in connection with spending the Government grant will be to have a horse track opened up 'from Kina road to Arawhata road, providing that the letter of instruction is co/.--i:t.

iiiaia Road Department—Mr MacReynolds and Mr Hickey waited on the Board respecting the Ihaia road.—Resolved —That the £■ for £ offer be accepted up to £SO, and the work be done by the staff.

The deputation were prepared to advance another £.50 if the Board wou.d subsidise it by another £SO, and make it a condition that the Board's staff do the work. This would be sufficient ior the road -for twelve months. Resolved that the ,£ for £ offer be accepted up to £SO, and tlhe wonc uv done by the staff. Surfacemen wrote asking for 0.--r----time and an increase in wages.—Owing to resolution on the books that the surfacemen receive 8s per day, wet or fine, the Board oould do nothing in the matter.

Mr Rua, Bishop (represented by Mr G. W. Rodgers) I waited on the Board in respect to a drain on his land.—lt was decided that the foreman inspect the place and report with a view of having the water taken clear from Mr Bishop's section. Newall Road Loan.—Mr Cassie asked for a refund to ratepayers on No. 2 Loan, Newall road, claiming t)hat an overcharge (had been made on £ooo' at 3% per cent. The net £2l should have been collected instead of £24 14s 4d.—ln reply to members, the clerksaid he had not exceeded the 10 per cent and charged on ,£O6O. The overcharge (if any) would not exceed one pound'.—lt was decided that the rate be fixed for next year to allow for the balance due.

Upper Puniho. Messrs Ducker Bros, wrote that the .settlers' are anxious to have the balance of loan spent. They had been over the road and agr-.-d where the money should be spent, liiey would like the foreman to go over the road io companv with one of them. Resolved, That the foreman go over the road with Mr Ducker with a view of having .the balance of loan spent. Opopurapa Road Deputation.—Messrs Diiggan and Symons waited on tne Board, asking for 10 to 12 chains of metalling on the road. They were willing to assist with work to the value of £lO. Resolved, That the Board accept the offer and subsidise up to ,£lO. Tenders. Contract Xo. 73, Kaweora road deviation—H. Graham and B. Larsen £1 12s (id per chain, A. J. Porteoiis £1 12s 6d, Langley and Co. £1 18s. R. Warner £1 Us. The lowest tender was accepted.

Accounts. Accounts amounting to ; £3OB (loan account), £479 (general ac count) were passed for payment. Notices of motion.—Cr. Willcox moved according to notice, that the Board go into committee to consider if there is not some better method of working the Board's staff in a more economical manner. was not seconded, and the matter was discussed in open Board. The second motion, that the ward system be abolished, and at the elections the Board revert to t'he old system of seven members'. —Motions \Vere not seconded, and consequently lapsed. Abridged from Opunake Times.