MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 124, 19 October 1914, Page 3

MOA ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary 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), G. A. Bridgeman, W. G. Shoemark, Geo. Capper, M. Hopson, A. Smith, J. Williams and A. E. Laurence. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer (Mr. VV. R. Da vies) reported that he had built a wing for the protection of the bridge on the Bedford road, north of Dudley road, and had also completed the work of turning the Ngatoro river on Bedford road south. The total cost of both works was £ll 14s, and against this 21) yards of stone had been obtained for use on the road. Wooden culverts on the Toitoi and Surrey roads had been replaced with pipes. The additional 2ft pipes had been placed on the Ratapiko road. The tunnels on Durham West, Norfolk East and Surrey roads were in good order. Division No. 1: On the Bedford road, south of Dudley road, the new metal had been raked in and blinded, and also culverts cleaned. It was now in fair order. Bridge No. 2 over the Ngatoro river required repairs. On the Bedford road, north of Dudley road, the new metal had been raked in and blinded, also culverts cleaned.

Division No. 2: On the Norfolk road east a total of 28 chains 48 feet had been re-coated at a cost of Is 5y 2 d per yard. The cost of raking in and blinding was 4s 7%d per chain.

Division No. 3: A fair amount of work, j consisting of cleaning culverts, filling in ruts a'vl water-tabling had been done on tbfc unmetallcd portions of the Wortley. Richmond, Rimutauteka, Mangaone and Everett roads. Some raking in aiij blinding metal had been done on the Wortlev roa*-- . Division No. it On the 'lm.? 1 roru < water-tables and culverts had been clcaii' ed. The clay portion had been rounded up and the inetal portion generally attended to. This road was now in good order. General maintenance work had been done on the Kaimata Softth and Mana roads: At the junction of the Mangaotea and Tariki roads there was an old 3ft wooden culvert which required replacing with pipes. He bad arransed with Mr. .T. Julian, contractor, to maintain the portion of the Surrey road over which he was carting, and also to leave 15 cubic yards of metal stacked on the roadside.

I The report was adopted. The engineer's action re Surrey road metal was aprpoved. Repairs to the Xgatoro bridge will be effected.

WANDERING CATTLE. In the course of bis report, the overseer, referring to the matter of impounding of stock on the roads in the Moa road district, suggested that the Board should co-operate with the Taranaki County Council and the Inglewood \ Borough Council and appoint a ranger. If this could be arranged satisfactorily, it would give the foremen more time to cope with tbeir work. Mr Hopson ohjected. He thought that any settler who had any complaints on the score of wandering cattle should approach the Board. Mr. Smith stated that over 200 bead of stock had been wintered on the roads. The foremen were watched and had little chance of catching the offenders, whereas a ranger would. In reply to Sir. Hopson, it was stated tbat the cattle must do damage to tn.i roads.

A motion by Sfcssrs Williams and Smith tbat the Board approach the County Council and the Injlcwood Borough Council on the question of cooperating in the appointment of a ranger was lost on the casting vote of the chairman. Sfessrs Laurence, Rnoemark, Williams and Smith voted for the motion. PIPE SIAXUFACTURE. The overseer estimated tbe cost of manufacturing pipes as follows: —Oin, Is 7Vsd each; 12in. 2s -2d; IRin. 3s 7d; 2ft, 63 Oi/,d; 30in, (Is !) 1-fid; 3ft,-8s 10y»d. It was resolved, after some discussion, that ratepayers be charged cost, price of the pipes, plus 20 per cent. NORFOLK ROAD FAST.

Ten settlers on the above road petitioned the Board and asked that tbe unmctalled portion of trie road should 'be attended to. [ The overseer was instructed to have 'work done on the road at a cost not |to exceed £lO. ROAD REQUIREMENTS The question of metal requirements for the ensuing year was discussed. The list of road balances showed that after including the estimated rates for Die ensuing year 34 roads showed credits ranging from £3 Ss 2d to £2OO lis 2d, and eight showed debits ranging from £3 7s 7d to £O9 7s Sd. The chairman said that tbe overseer was of opinion that this year it would be better to put more labor and less stone on the roads. If more labor were put in, less stone would certainly be available, unless a higher rate was struck, as the Board did not favor workling on an overdraft.

Mr. Lirurence favored more, labor and less stone.

Tim overseer said that he propose;! widening some of the roads so as to ' enable traffic to get ofl' the metal in ' the summer time as much as possible. { After some discu.-sion, the Tioard as a - whole was appointed a committee to consider the policy to be adopted re- : frarding the coming seasons' require- ; . incuts. »

Tim committee met in (lie afternoon and worked out the amount of metal available for eaeli road. GENERAL. The Clifton County Council wrote offering to sell an Austin irrader for £'lo. Mr. A. Crooke, S.M.,' wrote to the ofl'eet that further particular* would he required re fne propesod Everett road loan before he could fix the date of hearinf» tbe, objections to it. The monthly statement showed receipts for the month to have been ,C2S 17s 3d. Expenditure had amounted to .t.WI ISs 3d (roa.ls and wages £2.14 .is 4d, Slate advances interest £.)2 10s !)d). Tbe bank balance showed a credit of ,-£124 Is 3d.

The chairman's action in allowing pouch to finish bis contracts was com firmed. Accounts amounting to £2,30 is 3.1 were passed for payment. REMOVAL OF OFFICE. The question of removal of the office tt- Curtis' buildings was discussed and was held over pending an interview witii Mr. Curtis re a sl ; ff ht reduction of dhe nnt, and the provision of an extra door, also as to the installation of an electric heater. Later a resolution that the office be removed to Curtis' building was lost on a division, only Messrs Capper, SmiitJi and Wioemhrk voting in its favor. Mr. HonBon declined to vote, and temporarily left tfoc table. ■ ' '