MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1919, Page 2

MOA ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Moa- Road Board Was held on Saturday at Inglewood, there being present: Messrs. A. Corkill (chairman), J. Hair, T. S. Bowler, It. Stuart, D. Todd, J. H, Ljon, J. B. Simpson, and A. Cowley. An apology was received for absence from Mr. J. Hursted. The chairman welcomed Mr. Simpson back to the Board on hls'election unopposed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Braccglrdle. Mr. Lyon endorsed the chairman's remarks, and expressed the hope that Mr. Simpson, who had always worked bard in lt» interests, would alsn have a seat on the new Inglewood County Council. Mr. Simpson suitably acknowledged the welcome. In the course of his remarks he referred to the thanks publicly expressed to thc3o who had given assistance to the proposal to form the new county, and regretted that the name of the chairman of the Board had been omitted in that connection. He said Mr. Corkill had done as much as anyone, and deserved the best thanks of the Board for his services. EGMONT STONE QUARRIES. The clerk of the Eltham County Council wrote forwarding copies of letters received from Mr. Wilkinson, M.P., and Sir Wm. Eraser, on the matter of continuing the WalpukU' line up to the Egmont stone quarries, intimating that the Minister was securing a report on the subject. The chairman reported having attended with others as a deputation to the Prime Minister St Eltham on the subject, and said the Walpuku line had been taken a certain distance, but stopped short of the quarries. He hoped the Government would be Induced to carry the line right up to the mountain, so that the stone could be made available to the local bodies of the district. Be thought if that was done, although they were not so badly off for metal as some councils, the now county would be able to talcs delivery of good supplies of stone by motor wagons at any of the railway stations, and metal right from Walongona to Walpuku at a cost much below the present one. INGLEWOOD COUNTT. The Inglewood Borough Council wrote extending its congratulations to the Board on the success achieved in conhcotioh with the formation of the Inglewoud County.' . The members had watched with interest the progress of the movement realising that the formation of the County would be of distinct benefit to the district and also to tho Borough of Inglewood. A copy of the Inglewood County Act was received from the Department of Internal Affairs, asking that the Board should suggest: (a) The number of ridings Into which the County should be divided; (b) the number of Councillors to be elected for ■ each riding; and (s) the name of .some suitable person to prepare rolls, and act as roturnlng officer for tho first election. It was decided to recommend that Mr. Buckley should bo the officer to prepare the roll snd conduct the flrst election. The chairman laid it was Impossible to adjust riding boundaries until a valuation roll of the district was prepared.

BRIDGE WORK. The engineer (Mr. C. F. Dowselt) reported that plans and specifications for the Makara Bridge, with slight amendments, had been returned approved from the Public Works Department. He intimated that the Department's requirements would Increase the cost by about £IOO. It was decided to call tenders for the work Immediately either for a straightout contract, or for labd£ only, or for building the bridge on the same conditions as those under which the Kurapatl bridge had been erected. Mr. Lyon raised the question of having a Standardised plant aud specification for ferroconcrete bridges, as there was for steel and and wood bridges. He said It would save a great amount of time and expense if the Government would accept some such standardised plan, as then engineers and local bodies would know exactly what would be required for a bridge of a certain span, and the work of roading and bridging would be considerably facilitated. General agreement with tho suggestion was oppressed by other members of the Board, and subsequently a resolution was carried to the effect that the Board should co-operate with other local bodies In demanding that the Public Works Department should adopt standardised plans for tho construction of concrete bridges. • IRRELAYENT LETTERS.

A letter was received from Mr Reesby. which the chairman said referred to a private "so.unbblo" between neighbours, and he intimated that if Mr. Reesby had any real grievance the Board would be pleased to hear him personally and consider any matters he might placo before them. Mr. CorklU told the members of the Board that it was his intention to have any further letters of the kind from Mr. Reesby consigned to the waste paper basket. DEPUTATIONS. Mr. Corbett waited on the Board to ask If something could be done towards metalline the portion of the Raiaplko Road in the vicinity of his property. He pointed out that nothing had been done on that piece of road for many years, and he did not see why the residents on the by-roads, who used the main road, should have all their rates expended on their own roads, and pay nothing towards Ihe upkeep of the main road. It was pointed out that the road was In debit. The chairman said the Board's funds ivoro never very large, and he did not think there was much chanco of getting anything done until the new county came Into force, Tho only chance of getting it done at an early date was by going in for a special loan, though even If that were done, he did tot know how the work could be done In tiew of what was at present In hand. Mr. Corbett said If the Board had supported the settlers in approaching the Stratford County Council he believed something could have been got from them towards the maintenance. He complained that while work (pas done on the by-roads, he and other settlers it tho end of tho main road could not get anything done to tho 58 chains of road which bad never been metalled. The chairman said the Government subsidy 'on the road was £3OO, but that could not be lifted until the settlors raised a similar amount. The best plan, he thought, would lie to wait until the new county was properly formed, and then the ratepayers who were now in that part of the Stratford County could be brought into the area for a loan. He promised that as' soon as a man was available the Board would send one out to get the ruta attended to. Mr. Corbett offered to organise some free lubor If that was done.

Mr. Hooper waited on the Board in respect to the state of the Mangaotes Road, and asked If anything could be done to It. He pointed out he would be a raatepa.yer of the new county, and hoped the Board would help him ■a getting some of the rates at present due on his property to the Stratford county spent ott his portion of the road. i GENERA!,,

Mr. R. C. Gray (overseer) wrote stat'ng that the state' of his health would not permit him resuming work at the present time, or for gome time to come, and he desired to give tb.e Board the opportunity of appointing another overseer. The Board expressed its sympathy with Mr. Gray, and a hope for his compete recovery. It was decided not to accept the resignation, and that In the event of Mr. Gray mak'ng a satisfactory recovery he should be reinstated In his position. Appreciation was exr.ressec of the manner In which he had carried out his duties. Correspondence was received from the clerk of the Taranakl Counties Conferenco !n regard to uniform by-laws, and also Intimating that a further conference would be neul at ac *arly date. The chairman reported that he had lot been aWe to do anything. definite during ih» month in regard to the purchase or hire of a traction engine. In reply to the Board's Inquiry, the Inglewood Borough Council wrote to the effect that the Council's roller would not be available for tho purpose for which It was required to secure its use. Several letters were received from owners of second-hand machines and dealers In such lilnnt, who desired to do business with the Board.—No action was taken. Formal resolutions were passed in regard to raising loans for the Motukawa and Bedford Roads. The chairman mentioned the matter of the advisability of the Board purchasing a motor dump truck. He though* they should look ahead. There was no doubt they would have to have such machinery In the near future, and he did not favor having anything but the very latest model. It was agreed that the Board members should pay a visit of Inspection, and see some of the trucks In the district while they we're In operation. *