TEMUKA ROAD BOARD

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 75, 4 September 1878, Page 2

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD

A meeting of this Board was held yesterday. Present : Messrs Talbot (Chairman), Ensor, Barker, Haylmrst, and Quinn. Minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr Nicholson waited upon the Board re the formation of a road to Ins place near the Rangitira Bush. As the road referred to runs througli the applicant’s property, he was willing to have the road diverted, in order to render the work easier. One cutting alone is estimated to cost LIOO, and this sum was voted at the last meeting for the purpose. A letter from Messrs J. T. Ford, and Co was read, asking the Board to consider favourably Mr Nicholson's application. Mr Elkis requested the Board to take steps to prevent further damage to his fences and frontage through overflow from the Raupo Creek. Referred to the Chairman and Overseer to look to. Martin Flaherty applied for an extension of time of two weeks to finish his contract. Some discussion took place upon this application, Mr Hayhurst objecting, on principle, to extensions being granted, except in cases of real emergency, as through accidents occurring. The extension was granted. The engineer was directed to arrange an interview with the engineer of the Levels Board; to examine and report upon the condition of the Opihi Bridge. A fresh application is to be made to the Levels Board for a share of the cost of repairs to the Opihi Brioge, and their attention is to be again drawn to the necessity of repairs to the Milford—Sea down Road. From Mr William Benbow, giving permission, on certain conditions, to make a cutting through hi* land for the improvement of a water-way, tenders to be called for the constructing a compound bridge over the creek, if Mr Benbow’s conditions do not form an obstacle, this to be ascertained before tenders are called for. On the application of certain persons interested, it was resolved to discontinue the formation of the western portion of Green way’s road, if the contractor do not object. Accounts to the amount of L 1607 16s 5d wen passed for payment. On the items for progress payments to Jas. Blyth for bridge construction at Milford, Mr Hayhurst stated that the work was not being well done in his opinion, much irregularity in the distances between sills and corbels at different parts of the bridge being observable. The piles, too, were not all driven deep enough, some of them not being driven below the surface of the water. The explanation of the Engineer being considered satisfactory, the items were passed. On the item of L7O to for concrete bridge at Sod Town, Mr Hayhurst drew the attention of the Board to the inferior character of the materials used

in preparing the concrete. Specimens of the concrete were shown, and admitted to be very muddy. It had too little sand in it. Although a fortnight old, the concrete was not set hard. It was believed that the faulty character of the concrete was due to the ignorance and not to the negligence of the contractor. It was resolved to provide and keep in the office samples of concrete of different qualities, and that in specifications for concrete work, reference shall be made to one or other of the samples, and contractors kept strictly to specifications. A letter was read from the railway department, referring to the interference with the Board’s men at the railway culvert. The department accepted the explanation of the Board, that it was a mere inadvertence that notice was not given to them, but deem it necessary in the interest of the public, that railway constructions shall not be interfered with, except under the direction, or at least under the supervision, of the engineers of the department. A second letter requested the Board to arrange for an interview on the ground, between their surveyor and one of the railway engineers, who, having the requirements of the Road Board pointed out to him, would complete the work, the cost thereof to be paid by the Board. The interview has been had, and the work is now being carried on. Messrs Pitt, jM'Callum, Ackroyd, and Braddick, applied for a road to be formed on the Arowhenua Estate. Referred to the engineer to report upon. The Chairman brought before the Board the case of contract No. 50—claying of Talbot’s road—on which the contractor, Martin Bunn, had received more as a progress payment than the whole work done was worth. The Engineer offered the only explanation possible—that the overpayment must have been made through a clerical error caused by the rush of business usual just before the meetings of the Board. In order to provide against a repetition of such mistakes, it was resolved that all vouchers should for the future be prepared and handed to the Clerk before noon on the day previous to the day of sitting of the Board, in order that he may look over and check them. Some conversation here took place on the question of a better division of the office work between the Surveyor and the Clerk. Eventually it was left to Mr Hayhurst to prepare and bring forward a scheme for the purpose. It was resolved to bring several persons to book for allowing their gorse . ences to overrun the road. A tender for compiling a map of the district on a ten-chain scale was received from Messrs Thornton and Bttll, Christchurch, for LIOO, or if supervised by the Chief Surve3 r or, LI 50. The latter alternative was accepted, on condition that it includes all fees and charges of the Survey Office. It was decided to offer to Flaherty, at present carrying out a contract on Clyne’s road, an extension of the contract by six chains, in order to carry off the water from Milford Swamp more effectually. The following tenders were accepted : For contract No, 105, H. Ormond LBO. No 112, J. J. Connor, L 55. No 114, W. Ormond, L 3 14s per chain. No 15, J. Wilkinson, L3O, taken to be for cutting alone, fresh tenders to be called for o'.her works under this contract. No 117, Mr O’Brien, L2 4s per chain. NollS, John Wright, 15s per chain. No tender was received for contract No 116, formation of footpaths in Temuka, and the tenders of contracts Nos 106 to 111, and Nos 113 and 116 were considered too high, and fresh tenders are to be invited. Three tenders for supply of 50,000 feet of timber in various sizes were opened, and that of J. T. H. Grimwood, West Oxford, for heart of black birch, at 20s 9d per 100 was accepted.