MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 20 April 1914, Page 7

MOA ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of llio Moa Road Board was held at Inglewood 011 S:>turd.i,*, when there were present: Messrs IT. Trimble (chairman), J. A. Bridgeman, W. (I. Shoemark, 0. Roldt, E. Gopperth, M. Hopson, W. P. Bishop, J. Williams and A. E. Lawrence. BEDFORD SUSPENSION BRIDGE. Foreman A. Wilmshurst reported that the heavy rain on Tuesday had caused the Ngatoro to rise considerably, endangering the northern end of the suspension bridge 011 the Bedford South Road. | The river had changed its course, and was running towards the bank on Broadmore's side. The breast work of stone had been washed away, and almost all the wire-netting carried away. A hole about sft deep had been made in front of the concrete pier, and he was afraid another flood would let the trestle down into the river, as same of the hank had been washed from behind it. The ford was blocked with 'boulders, and the river showed a tendency to cut a channel through the road in front of the pier. It would cost about £2O to effect repairs. The chairman said that the bridge had originally cost about £BO. and already a considerable amount had been spent in repairs. He thought that it might be advisable to re-erect it on another site.

Considerable discussion ensued over the erosion in that particular place and a suggestion that the Board's engineer should be asked to report was not sidered. It was finally decided that a committee, consisting of Messrs Bridgeman, Laurence and the chairman should visit the site and report at nexi meeting. FOREMEN'S REPORTS. Foreman A. Wilmshurt reported that contracts for boulders on Upland North, Dudley West and Bedford North roads had been completed. All stone 'had been napped on the Lepper road ami spread by the settlers. Several planks were required for re-decking the bridge on Bedford Road South. The contract of 1707 yards of shingle on the ICaipi road was completed. The Upland Road South contract was nearly finished. It had been delayed by the weather. Foreman R. Jones had been employed 011 the Surrey, Rugby, Johns and Durham roads. Boulder contracts on Durham East and Durham West roads (50 yards extra) had been completed. The Johns Road boulders had been broken and were 11yds lift short of the contract.

Foreman W. Bennett had been engaged in general maintenance work on the Ratapiko, Mana, Kupara. Toitoi, Moutakawa and Kaimata South roads. -The Kupara and Mana road contracts were completed. The small bridge on the Ratapiko Road required repairing, and he recommended that it should be replaced by a set of 2ft pipes. Foreman T. B. Knotflock had been occupied at various maintenance work on the Bristol, Mangaone, Wortley. Richmond and Lincoln roads. lie asked the Board to urge on contractors the necessity for pushing on with their contracts. If a start were not made soon they would do more damage than repairing. A drain was require.l 011 the '.Uungaone Road, at a cost of about £2, to prevent the water overflowing the road. A fence was also required the river ran close to the road to prevent cattle! tramping it away. A ditch/will he made 011 Mangaone Road as recommended, and a fence' will also be erected. Pipes will be forwarded for culvert at Ratapiko. EGMONT ROAD GRANT. The chairman reported that when in New Plymouth recently he interviewed the lion. .las. Allen on the dilliciiltv in securing from the Public Works Department authority foil- the expenditure of the grant of £1(J0 for tile Kgmont Road Upper. A reply was received from the Minister to the effect that he had communicated wit'li the Minister of Public Works on the subject, and that the position was as follows: A vote of £2OO was provided on the Public Work«.appropriation, of which .£ll7 lis 2d had already been spent, leaving a balance of £B2 10s lod unexpended. As soon as the Resident Road Engineer had approved of the Board's proposals for its expenditure, the necessary authority would be issued. Mr. G. T. Murray, Resident Road Engineer, wrote approving of the Board's proposals for expending the grant of £f>2 011 the Egmont Road South a* follows: 1 14 oiibic yards of -boulders between Lepper road and section li, block 7. Egmont, SO cubic yards of boulders 011 the first half-mile from the Junction road. ' GEN ERA I j. Tt was resolved to impress on foremen the necessity of paying strict attention to culverts and water-tables, with a view to preventing them getting blocked. It was resolved to charge foreman .lories with half the r#it of advertising to lill the vacancy earned by his resignation, which he had afterward.- been allowed to withdraw. Ten yards of boulders will b" provided for the end of the .Salisbury Road. -Mr. A. E. Mridgcman was appointed to sign cheques in place of Mr. (.1. iioldt, resigned. Accounts amounting to .1300 Ss od were parsed for payment.

A I'AKTIX*.! SHOT. IiKMAUKs i:y ni'SiCNjxc r.riAi) BOAHD MEM IJEH. In resume his position a-. a member of (lie .Moil lioad lioarii, .Mr. 0. lioldt made a lew remarks as a partiiiL: shot,. As a ratepayer of ten years' <'X|>oi ienco. and ai»o :\< a cdMtracier :\ll■ I one who had worked for contractor.*:. 'be \v,\< with 1 ho idea that at tiruos ilio Mnard had a to t-t ick too much to a, hard-and-fast Hue, of action. His twelve months' ovpf'nr'ihv on t*;. 1 Hoard had, liowver. shown him that tin.' ad'air.- were administered bythe Itoat<l with a.;- c-r'n-est desire to economi-e tin* funds of t'hc valqw yers. and at the same til:'.'' .:rVc a fair ileal to omploycw and ronlr.vtors. Moreover, lit! was pica-I'd to ;!■■!( there was not too inurli persecution of impecunious ratepayers. Men who were willing l>ut unable- to pay their rates were allowed a. little latitude. lie 1 bought that there was in some local bodies too much keeiine--, in this respect, to tlie detriment of tlx* dislrict. lie eon-iidered, however, tliat the Hoard mitrH show more finnuc.-s iu >lr ilin«t with the s!rayiii;{ stock nuisance, partieiil.irlv whore stock were allowed (o consistentlv jn'aze the roads to I to anf:o":ince of se(j]ers Sonera i! v. I! also fjlr !;|.|T -sil V nf ill,- !!■ >' ;'''■ t n in in ir iiioi-e modern imp'exr s for (.le 'li'i:; 1 w ii'» re-r! work. I!" u : ■ -orrv 1 if see the woi'o-a! for ih's !ir;'■!■::i; forward 111- Mr. iron-m def'a'eil -«,!•! he hoped liiaf iicv! (in:" ii was hv u■t I forward (><e members woubl see the error of their ways ami support it.

11l conclusion he 1 hanked l!:e chairman and Ins fe ■lueinherb te-r the cordial relations I'■ had alvva;. tx.sted between them.