MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1916, Page 3

MOA ROAD BOARD.

—a*' MONTHLY MEETING. me ordinary meeting of the Moa Road Board was hold at Inglewood on Saturday, when there, were present: Messrs. H. Trimble (chairman), J. A. Bridgenun, W. G. Shoeniark, Geo. Capper, G. Clough, J. Hueker, J. Williams, E. A. Laureate, and M. Hopson. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer (Mr. W. R. Davie*), reported that he had let the contract for deviation of stream and clearing creek on Koliiti Road to Mr. G. H. Cleaver. Messrs Rowan and Thomson had completed contracts on Dudley and Lincoln Roads. Scarcity of labor prevented the spread of metal on these roads, so Foreman Luderman, of Jfo. 2 division, had been engaged there for a few days. The aame contractors had completed the Hiirsthouse Road for Mr. Marsh. A small,set of 0-in. pipes at the junctions of Johns and Meuntain [Roads are continually keing broken ihrough insufficient covering of metal. He recommended that the metal on the j south side be joined to the north side, and tht culvert would not then be necessary. The scarifier had not arrived and the overseer suggested that the Inglewood Borough Council roller be secured for the work of crushing and metalling. before the winter arrived. Tenders would be called for building Ngatoro Bridge when plans for same had been approved by the District Engineer. He had arranged with Mr. C. Lawrence to deliver the material for the Kohete Bridge. With the chairman's consent, and at the request of settlers, he had raised the filling and put me'iil at the junction of tin: Kupar.i and Ratapiko Road. During the month maintenance work had been carried out on the Hursthouso, York, Lincoln, Norfolk West, Durham East, Ratapiko, Kaimata South, Johns, Kuimata, Lopper North, Kohete and Dudley Roads. CLERK AND OVERSEER.

The question of the clerkship was brought forward. At last meeting a suggestion was mitde that applications should be called for the combined position of clerk and overseer. The chairman reported that he considered tlut it would not be to the Board's advantage to lose the services of Mr. Davies as overseer especialy as new machinery was coming to hand. Mr. Davies was willing to accept re-appointment for 12 months on the same conditions as at present. Mr. Buckley had also offered to continue the clerkship if the Board would appoint and pay an assistant, so that his constant attendance at the office would not be necessary. He would supervise the work and be responsible for its performance. Members agreed with this arrangement and it was accordingly resolved to re-appoint Mr. Davies as oVerseer for a term of twelve months. Mr. Buckley was reappointed clerk at. a salary of £25 per annum, the Board to appoint and pay an assistant. The appointment of assistant was left in (he hands of the chairman and and Mr. Buckley. RATEPAYER'S COMPLAINT.

In reference to a letter signed "Ratepayer," appearing in the Daily News of February 2K, complaining that the Moa Road Board Office was not open on a certain day for the receipt of rates, the chairman explained that Mr. Buckley had been called away on account of his brother's illness and 'had left his assistant in charge. The young lady in question did open the office on that'day and was In attendance all day, save for less than an hour at the luncheon interval. Office hours are from 10 to 12, and 2 to 4 on Wednesday and .Saturdays. The overseer stated that he was present in the ofllee from 11.30 to 12.3(1, and the assistant was present when he returned before 1.80 p.m. APPOINTMENT OF RANGER. Mr. A. J. Hueker reported that a conference had been held at Inglewood on the previous Saturday, to consider tlie appointment of a joint ranger. Tliore wsre present! Messrs, ,7, Brown and A. Morton (Taranakl County Council), A. E Laurence and ,f. Hueker (Moa Road Board), G. Young and T. Parkin (Inglewood Borough Council). After a lengthy discussion the delegates unanimously agreed that it would be useless to appoint a ranger to only Impound wandering stock,'and resolved that if anything be done an inspector should be appointed whose duties would be to prosecute owners of stock straying on the roads, without the necessity of driving thn stock to the pound, to see that the various by-laws were observed, and to collect the dog tax, ft was estimated that the salary would be at least £4 10s as the inspector would have to provide a motor cycle. This money would be financed as follows: Dog tax revenue (estimated) £O2, Inglewood Borough Council £2O. Mangorei Riding £3O, Moa Rond Board £4O, Tarauaki County Council £4(l,

The report caused some discussion. Several of tlie members considered that cattle did more good than harm at certain seasons, inasmuch as they kept the grass down. The chairman considered that the borough contribution was too small in comparison to the others. The J[oa Road District practically paid .tfli, against Inglewnnd'n £2(\.' The cattle were infinitely more likely to do dnmage to the streets of the borough than they would do to the roads of the Moa District. He would not like to see the road alongside his property all grown up with rubbish and if anyone found the cattle a nuisance, they had the power of impounding in their own hands. A proposal moved by Mr. Capper, and seconded Iv Mr. Bridge-man, was carried, thanking the delegates for their report and deferring consideration until the election of the new Board. An amendment by Messrs. Laurence and Hucker, that the Board is in favor of joining in with the scheme on the terms mentioned was lost.

MONTHLY STATEMENT.

The monthly statement showed receipts to have been £205!) 3s (rates .£lO4l 7s fld, Treasury refund duty on roller £l)"> 12s); expenditure amounted to £342 15s lid, and the bank credjt was £1374 ISs 2d. fiEXERAL.

The matter of arranging suitable terms with Mrs. Tarry in connection with the pipe depot was left in the hands of the chairman. The chairman and overseer were authorised to interview the Inglewood Borough Council re terms for the hire of the roller, pending the arrival of the Board's scarifier.

Messrs. Collett and Sons, Ltd., Dannevirke, notified that the six additional elevator buckets ordered would be put in hand at once.

H. H. Sharp (resident road engineer), advised that the amount appearing in the current year's appropriations for the Egmont Road South was not available for authorisation.

Accounts amountng to £314 8s 8d were passed for payment.