MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 147, 21 May 1879, Page 2

MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board ■was hold in the Road Board Office, Peel Forest, on Friday, 16'fch instant. Present—lion j. B. A. Acland (chairman), Messrs Wilson, Tripp, Henery, and Mackay. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following tenders were opened and accepted : —• No. 11 contract, improving road in Peel Forest —James Proudfoot, £l7 11s 9d (accepted). No, 13, forming near Eaincliff-—Patrick Burke, £9B (accepted). The following correspondence was read : —• From the Under-Secretary for Public Works, enclosing form to be filled up under sections of the Public Works Act. The Chairman informed the Board that the returns had been filled up and returned. From the Ashburton County Council, forwarding a copy of a resolution passed by the Council at its last meeting, to the effect that no further steps will be taken by them towards repairing the Eangitata Traffic Bridge until the Counties Act be brought into force in the Geraldine County, or until the Eoad Boarcfs in the Comity contribute half the cost of the work. From the Chief Surveyor, re gravel reserves at Sherwood Downs, From Colonel Packe, with reference to the alteration of roads on the Eainclrff run. From the Chief Surveyor, informing the Board that any cuttings made on the Upper Eangitata road will be covered by road reserve when the adjoining land is surveyed. From the Geraldine Eoad Board, stating that the Board had deferred the consideration of the grant for the temporary bridge until the report of the Engineer to the Ashburton County Council had been received. From the Steward of Public lleseves, with reference to the reserve at the Eangitata bridge. From Mr John Anderson, enclosing account for stone-crushing machine. From Mr C. W. Tailored, informing the Board that he had tendered his resignation as member of the Timaru Harbor Board. From Mr E. Worthington, stating the terms upon which he will allow a road to be taken through section 2995-1-, From the Colonial Secretary, with reference to public pounds, stating that under section 200 of the Counties Act the management and maintenance of pounds may be undertaken by the county in which they are situated. The Clerk was instructed to reply, and state that the Mount Peel Board wish to know' w'hether- —as it appears to the Board that the Counties Act is not in force in the County of Geraldine —Eoad Boards have pow'er to erect and maintain public pounds in their districts. The Clerk was directed to write to the Ashburton County Council and enquire if their Engineer has reported upon the work done by Mr Watkins at the Eangitata bridge, and the estimated cost of the same, and W'hether the Council had made any grant to Mr Watkins on account of work done, and to what amount. Mr Lorgelly had an interview with the Board in reference to the cutting at the end of the cross road in Peel Forest. The Overseer was instructed to meet Mr Lorgelly on the ground, and report upon the work required at the next meeting of the Board. Mr Berridgo had an interview with the Board relative to the piece of land purchased by him at Peel Forest, and laid before the Board a letter from the Commissioner of Crow'll Lands, requesting him to return the license to occupy and accept a refund of the purchase money. He left the license to occupy in the hands of the Board, together with an account of claim as compensation, on receipt of -which he agreed to return to the Government the license to occupy. Resolved—That the Clerk write to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, informing him that the license to bccupy section 33,178 is left in the hands of the Board, and will bo returned to the Government upon Mr Borridge receiving the amount of his claim, which the Board think just and reasonable, inasmuch as he has suffered inconvenience and pecuniary loss in consequence of an error made in the Government office. The Clerk was instructed to forward the District Map to Mr Morris, and request him to plot it up to date, also to mark the roads lately surveyed on the Eaincliff Run as the Board had been put to great inconvenience by the map not having been properly marked up when last in his office. To write to Colonel Packe, informing him that the Board accept of his terms for the diversion of roads on the Raincliff run, and will at once take the necessary steps under the Public Works Act for having the roads closed, and reqeest his permission to proceed with opening up the new roads so as to avoid any unnecessary delay. To wndte to Mr J. Anderson, asking him to furnish the Board with full particulars with reference to traction engines. Resolved —That the ; Clerk write to the various Eoad Boards in the Geraldine County stating that the Mount Peel Board is prepared to contribute towards the extension of the Eangitata Bridge, and asking then- views on the matter. Proposed by Mr Tripp, seconded by Mr Mackay, and carried, “ That it is not desirable that any rate should be collected this year owing to the extreme hard times.

The Overseer's report -a.is iva-i urn! considered. Resolved —That tenders be invited fur the following works ; 1. Ploughing gravel reserves. 2. Fencing gravel reserves, 3. Ploughing the remaining portion of the reserve at the Rond hoard office. 4. Forming Talbot’s road, Ra.inclilf. 5, Shingling the road to the Raineli.if bush. G. Making cuttings on the Upper Rangitata road. The Overseer was instructed to have a plough furrow drawn on each side of the road reserve on all roads surveyed, but not improved ; also to have all the big stones along the main road to Peel Forest carted into heaps ready for breaking into metal, and to widen out the sharp bend on the road on the Mount Peel road. After passing accounts to |the amount of LI4OB -4s 7d the Board adjourned till 21st Juno.