MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1916, Page 2

MOA ROAD BOARD.

'' MONTHLY MEETING. ) T'ie ordinary meeting of the Moa Road Hoard was held ai Inglewood on Saturday, when there were present: Messrs. 11. Trimble (chairman), A. E. Laurence, J. Williams, M. Hopson, T. Bowler, J. 11. Henwood, A. Corkill, J. Hucker, and 6. H. Harrison. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer (Mr. E. W. Davies) reported that, as instructed, the timber and ironwork for Motukawa Road bridge had been ordered, but owing to the Hardwood Company not having sizes of timber required in stoct, the matter is hung up pending further word from tho 'Hardwood Company. Dudley Road West.—The two sets of concrete pipes, one set of 7 x "2ft. Cin., and one set of 9 x 12in., have been put in, also one set of 1? x 12in. pipes thas been sent to Ra.ta.piko, and one set of 8 x 9in. to Mangaotea Road. These will be put in as soon as possible. The pipes for Lincoln Road have not been sent out yet, as Foreman Bovett has been assisting on Norfolk Road. Foreman Wilmslrarst has also been helping on this road. The crushing plant was shifted to Norfolk Road East on November 1, and the crushing there is finished, but, owing to wet weather, the work of Winding and rolling it is held up. Norfolk Road East. —Boulder Contract: The quantity of metal was in excess of what was allotted, but as it was there, and I thought we could not get cheaper metal, I took delivery of it, and it has been crushed and put on the road, and, if so desired, the difference could be deducted from this year's grant. About 12G cubic yards have been received, and there are still some screenings to be carted out. When the work is finished with a statement of cost will be given. Owing to the down: pour of rain on the Bth and 3th, damage was done on the following roads:— Toi Toi: Two slips came down near Mr. .Corkill's gate, and blocked the road. This has been opened for traffic. Two pipes were wished out of a filling on the Mangaone Road. Comparatively speaking, the damage to the other roads has been very slight, consisting of waterholes and culverts overflowing and scouring the metal slightly, A drain on the Surrey Road (length about 30 chains) badly needs cleaning out, a3 it has nearly silted up. Maintenance work has been done on the following roads:—York, Davis, Wortlev, Toi Toi, Motukawa, Dudley West, Egmont, Upland, Norfolk East, Mana, Ratapiko, and Kaimata. The matter of procuring timber for the Motukawa bridge was left in the hands of the chairman and overseer. The overseer's action in taking extra i metal on Norfolk Road East was confirmed. LEPPER ROAD GRANT.

The chairman wrote to Mr. Okey, M.P., in connection with votes for roads, stating that'nothing further had been heard from the Minister of Public Works in reference to the grants for roads. The Minister was favorably inclined towards authorising the expenditure of two votes, viz., £209) for the Ngatoro bridge, and £IOO for Lepper Road. In both cases the Board had received the loan money, viz., Lepper Road £2700, and Ngatoro bridge £IOOO. With regard to the Ngatoro bridge, there was a difference of opinion between the Board's engineer and the Department as to whether the bridge was of sufficient strength to bear the traffic. With regard to the Lepper Road, the district road engineer had approved of the specifications, but could not give authority to go on with the work. Mr. Trimble, therefore, asked Mr. Okey to bring these matters before the Minister, as the fine weather for doing work of this kind did not last very long. Mr. J. Williams said that as only £IOO was to be voted towards the Lepper Road, the settlers did not feel inclined to delay the calling of tenders, as the work would not be completed this autumn unless tenders were called at once.

Mr. Laurence considered that settlers were losing more than £IOO in wear end tear. He favored calling tenders, to close in a fortnight, and suggested that the chairman, Messrs. Williams and Corkill, and the overseer should be appointed to deal with tenders. The Chairman pointed out that if this course was adopted, there was a risk of the £IOO subsidy being lost. _ On the motion of Messrs. Williams and Laurence, a resolution was carried, calling for tenders in a fortnight. WAITARA ROAD MERGER. Mr. R. Ellis (Taranaki County Clerk) notified that the question of merging properties! of Messrs. P. Hoby, W. B. Langnian, C. H. Bennett, and McFetridge had been referred to the Waitara West Road Board for its approval. Hi further notified that the Waita-ra West Road Board objected to section 121 being merged. It would also be necessary to merge section 119, so as to include the whole of the area in the part to be merged. T

The Chairman stated that section I lit had been omitted by error. Mr. Henwood considered that these objections were being raised with the object of preventing the ratepayers fiom merging. They were trying to baulk the whole tiling. The Chairman did not kmw the reason of the objection. Mr. Laurence moved—''That the clerk be instructed to write to the Waitara West Eoad Board, pointing out that the inclusion of section 121 would enable the line of sections to be straightened, and asiking their reasons for refusing to allow this section to be | included in the rneiger." (seconded by Mr. Henwood, and cci'victl. MERGER ADJUSTMENT. The Minister of Internal Affairs forwarded copy of award made by Mr. A. Crooks, S.M., which showed that £1 ©s. 2d. was due from the Moa Eoad Board to the Taranaki County Council in connection with the adjustment of accounts over the merged portion of the road district. Mr. A .E. Laurence said that the committee of the Board were to be thanked for the stand they had taken. THE DAVIS ROAD The Clerk of the Waitara Road Road (Mr. E. Gilmoiu) notified that lie would advise regarding the position of the Davis Road as soon as word was received from Mr. Fussell i\a to what arrangements had been made regarding the same. The Chairman stated it was agreed between the two Boards that each should pay half the cost, Mr Henwood suggested a toll-gate

should be put oil the road. Three Wuitara lioad settlers used the road daily, as against only one from the Moa 'district. GENERAL, > The monthly statement showed that receipts had amounted to £257 2?. Td, (rates £73 12s. 9d.), Taranaki County Council £l2O 18s. Sd„ and expenditure £3S(i ]4s. 2d., Taranaki County Couniel £127 ISs. 10d.). Tho bank balance showed that there was an overdraft of £1771 10s. 2d. Foreman McDonald wrote, resigning his position in charge of No. 1 division. —Resignation accepted. The matter of filling the vacancy was referred to the chairman and overseer. Mr. Henwood asked whether the men were supposed to be at their work at 8 a.m., or whether they were paid one way, travelling time. The overseer explained that the men worked eight hours. The Chairman did not think any of the men were imposing on the Board. Tho (Public Works Department forwarded vouchers for £3B ss, being £ for £ on liohete Road, and £l'2, being grant for work done on the Tarilci settlement (Ngitro Road). Mr. H. J. M. Thompson, the Board's solicitor, notified he was entering the non-commissioned officers' camp, and had arranged for his business to be carried on by his present staff (Messrs. Parlow and Giant), under the supervision of Mr. F. E. Wilson, barrister and solicitor, of New Plymouth. Accounts amounting to £302 14s. sd. were passed for payment.