MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 331, 19 June 1911, Page 3

MOA ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Moa Road Board was held at the Board's office, Inglewood, on Saturday, when there were present: Messrs. H. Trimble (chairman), Bridgeman, Collingwood, J. Williams, A. Corkill, E. A. Lawrence, Chard, Anderson, and R. T. Williams. FOREMEN'S REPORTS.

Foreman Jones reported that 6ome willows on the Durham west road required clearing, as they were liable to block the water-tables. A bad culvert at Mr. Dodunski's entrance also caused the same trouble. A bridge on the Rugby road required repairs. He had patched up part of the Norfolk west road with the assistance of settlers. A culvert on the Norfolk road needed replacing with pipes. Various other repairs had been done to roads. —A committee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs. Bridgeman and Lawrence, was appointed to inspect the Rugby road bridge and report as to the cost, etc., of repairing or renewing with concrete. The repairing of the Durham road cast above the metal was left in the hands of Mr. Bridgeman and the foreman. Foreman Iloskin reported that the Hursthouse road required 30 yards ot metal for repairs and a nine-inch culvert was needed lit the junction with the Lepper road south. The Egmont road ■<>uth also needed a culvert. Work was a.so necessary 011 the Dudley west, Bedford (south of Dudley), Egmont north, and Upland south roads. He also reported that at a quarter to five o'clock one morning he had discovered twelve animals belonging to three different owners on the road.—The chairman intimated that lie had issued instructions for the owners to be .prosecuted ,and his action was approved. Foreman Ludeman reported that 40. yards extra metal were required on the' Bristol road west. Various repairs were' required on the Lincoln, Bristol, Davis, and Wortley, roads. —The supply of metal on Bristol road west was left in the hands of the chairman to arrange. RATE.

The chairman, in moving that a rate of %d be levied for the ensuing year, pointed out that the valuation was practically the same now as it was a year ago, when the rate was raised from 2-3 d to %d, and a small special levy to pay interest was done away with. There was no doubt that the money was needed if the roads were to be kept in good order, and he could not see that they could do with less money than n %d rate, which now produced £1097, as against £715 in 1890-97. The people expected better roads than formerly. The rates from sections abutting only on county roads were paid into a fund, the first charge on which was interest on the general loan, and the surplus, which amounted to £45, was paid into | a fund to replace small culverts and bridges in any part of the district. This j fund now had a credit of £270, and [ would, he considered, in a year or two be sufficient 1o repair all necessary cul- [ verts and bridges which did not require [ more than £lO expenditure. He also hoped to reduce the working expenses from 14 per cent, to 12y„ per cent. He also emphasised the fact that they should make each year pay for itself, and not accumulate an overdraft, which was only provided so as to enable the Board to carry on the work while the rates were being collected, or for cases of emergency such as repairing washouts, etc. Overdrafts had to be paid back, and if two years' income were spent in one it meant that for two or three years the roads would have to be neglected. Mr. Lawrence seconded. The roads were improving, and this improvement could only be continued by striking the 1 higher rate.

Mr. Corkill said that last year he was against any increase in rates, but the .ratepayers still wanted more work done, and he would support the resolution, which was carried. MANUAXUr BRIDGE.

The Board went into committee to consider Mr. Orbell's report on the .Manganiii bridge at the Bristol road, it was resolved that the chairman's action in instructing the engineer to take over and complete the bridge be approved.

it was also resolved that portions of the old road on each side of the bridge be closed, and that the land on the west side be given to Mr. Wilson in exchange for land taken from him, and that the spare land on the east side be offered _ to Mr. Leech, and that Mr. Haverbier he paid at the rate of £2O per acre for land taken from .him. GOVERNMENT GRANTS.

Ihe Public Works Department wrote asking the Board to forward particulars of any grants required. Members did not appear to take the demand seriously. Mr. Corkill said lie hoped the Board would ask for sufficient. The chairman thought the Department had given up asking, as last time tin y received demands amounting to between live and six millions. Othei members considered that as it was election year tliey might get a liberal grant. Mr. Brid,»eman suggested that tlley might get the Bedford road opened up. \A hen he took up his section forty years ago. be was told that would be his way to Fugbuvood, and so far nothing had been done. Mr. Williams also considered that they should apply for a grant for the Lepper-Egmont road, which was used veiy considerably for tourist purposes. No definite proposals, however, were discussed, and the chairman undertook to consider the framinc of a list of requirements.

TOT TOt ROAD. Mr. Corkill drew the Board's attention to the Toi-toi road, where a slip had occurred. He also pointed out that the river came round in a. half-circle and there was a boulder bank which carried tlie water on to the bank and scoured the road away. It would be a

difficult piece of road to deviate. Cutting through the boulder bank, might improve the position.

It was resolved that the whole Board should go and inspect the road on Wednesday next. Mr. Corkill remarked that a deviation was the solution, and he would be prepared to pay a special rate towards this, but there were only three settlers on the road. GENERAL.

In connection with the Upland road north loan it was decided that tho chairman meet the settlers and discuss the cost with them.

The chairman reported in regard to the culvert complained about on tho Richmond road that new pipes had recently been put in. The filling, however, had only been raised eighteen inches, so that in heavy rain the water overflowed the road about a chain away. He recommended that a nine-inch pipe should be placed above the present 18-inch pipe and the filling raised another two feet.—The report was adopted.

The monthly balance-sheet was adopted. It showed that receipts during the month had amounted to £59 16s Gd (rates £SO 5s fld), and expenditure had been £243 17s 2d. The bank balance showed credits £I2!)W 12s 3d (general) and £OOB 10s 8d (loan). Mr. A. E. Lawrence forwarded a report on the Salisbury road, .pointing out that it was necessary to have the fern cleared out of water-tables and outlets, and also to remove all earth from sides of metal to allow water to get off the roads. He could not see where the time had been put in on the work already done. Mr. Lawrence'pointed out at the meeting that lie understood that the work had now been satisfactorily carried out.

The Stratford County Council notified that repairs to the Surrey Road bridge had been completed, and asked the Board to forward £7 10s, the amount of contribution agreed on.