MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 158, 28 June 1879, Page 2

MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held in the Road Board Office, Peel Forest, on Friday, 20th instant, Members present —Hon J. B. A. Acland (chairman), Messrs Tripp, Mackay, and Henoy. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Tenders for the following works were opened and considered : Contract No. 14,'ploughing gravel reserves : S. Rae and Sons, £1 10s (accepted). Contract No. 15, fencing gravel reserves : R. Waghorn, 14s 2d per chain (accepted). Contract No. 16, ploughing x-eserve at Road Board Office : James Riordan, £1 17s per acre (accepted). Contract No. 17, shingling near Thew’s: R. Bennett, £l6 10s (accepted). Contract No. 18, forming to Rainclilf Bush : William Kennedy, £B9, rock Gs per yard (accepted). Contract No. 19, forming Talbot’s road : James Grcgan, £240, rock 8s per yax’d (accepted) . The following correspondence was road and considered ;

From Mr J. Anderson, quoting price of traction engine delivered at the Road Board Office, and stating that he had written to England for further information with reference to traction engines. The Clerk was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and to request Mr Anderson to furnish the Board witli an extract of the letter referred to; also to enquire the cost of a 12 horse-power traction engine. ;•

.From Colonel Packo, granting permission to the Board to proceed with opening up the proposed new roads through the Ruincliff property. From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, in reference to Mr W. Porridge's claim for compensation connected with the purchase of section 33178, stating that ho will forward the claim to the General Government if the Board desire him to do so. ' The Clerk was instructed to reply, and to request that Mr Porridge s claim bo scut to the Govoenment, as the Board considers that he is entitled to as he has received. damage by the action of the Government.

From the Colonial Secretary, vesting the control and management of public pounds in the Mount Peel Road District in the Board. From the same, forwarding a copy of the Public Reserves Act, 1877.

From the Geraldine "Road Board, with reference to the contract let for improving the Rangitata riverbed road. From the Ashburton County Council, re extension of the Raugitata traffic bridge, and enclosing a copy of a resolution passed by the Council in reference to the same. From the same, with reference to the grant to Mr Watkins for the temporary gangway erected by him at the Rangitata bridge, with the Engineer’s report thereon. From the Temnka Road Board, enclosing copy of a resolution passed re the extension of the Rangitata bridge, declining to contribute towards the repairs until a more definite scheme is laid down for the various Road Boards or Counties. From the Mount Cook Road Board, stating that as the Rangitata bridge is quite unconnected with the Mount Cook Road District, the Board decline to contribute towards the bridge extension. ■ From the Geraldine Boacl Board, stating that the Board has' decided to defer the consideration of contributing towards the Rangitata bridge extension until the railway scheme is brought out, as the bridge may probably be used for railway purposes. From Mr J. Watkins, in reference to the Government reserve at the Rangitata bridge, also requesting permission to plant trees on side of the embankment fronting his house. The Clerk was directed to reply and inform Mr Watkins that the Board cannot interfere in any way by asking the Government to sell him land, as it is solely his private matter, and with reference to planting, to inform him that the bank facing liis house is in the Geraldine Road District. From Mr H. J. Lewis, in reference to the survey of the upper Rangitata road. From tiie Geraldine Road Board, enclosing an account for work done on the Rangitata river-bed road. t The account was passed for payment. From Mr R. Worthington, offering to sell a line of road through section 2955-1- upon certain conditions. Mr Worthington’s offer was accepted. From Mr M. O’Brien, in reference to rock met with in his contract near Raincliff. The Overseer was instructed to report upon the amount of rock taken out. Tire Clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the letters received from the various Road Boards in the Geraldine County (re extension of the Rangitata bridge) to the Ashburton County Council, and state that though • the other Boards in the Geraldine County seem to deny their interest in the Rangitata bridge, yet as a fact the amount of stock sent from the’ Mount Peel Road District is small compared with the amount sent from other parts of South Canterbury. To ■write to the Temuka and Mount Cook Road Boards, stating that Mr Watkins lias informed members of the Mount Peel Board that, during repairs to the Rangitata traffic bridge, he was daily receiving letters from Oamaru and Burke’s Pass asking when sheep could cross, and that when the bridge was opened the first month 20,000 passed over the said bridge, which came mostly from Temuka. The Board hearing this, is sorry to see that the outlying districts —Mount Cook and Temuka —refuse to contribute to the repairs of the same. To write to Mr James Watkins, enclose cheque for £3O, and state that the Board having heard from the Ashburton County Council that they have paid him 60 per cent, of their grant of £IOO, the Mount Peel Road Board pay the same proportion of their grant of £52, in accordance with their previous resolution. The Board then proceeded to elect a member for the Timaru Harbor Board to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of C. W. Tancred, Esq., when it was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mr Heney, “ That R. Barker, Esq., be elected.” As no other candidate was proposed, Mr Barker was declared elected. The Clerk was instructed to forward to the Minister for Public Works a copy of the Board’s letter, re Berridge’s claim, with a copy of the account for compensation, and to inform the Commissioner of Crown Lands of the same. To write to the Steward of Reserves, enquiring if the Board has power to enter upon the Reserve on Sherwood Downs for the purpose of planting the same. To write to Mr J. Anderson, countermanding the order for a road roller, as the Board is of opinion that a steam engine will answer the purpose. Resolved —That in future when the Board considers tenders for work to be done, the Board wall always take into consideration whether the parties tendering have hitherto boon punctual in completing their work within the specified time, inasmuch as punctuality in some eases is of greater importance than cheapness, and hope that contractors will see and take notice of this resolution. Resolved that tenders bo invited for the following works : 1. Cutting on upper Rangitata road. 2. Cutting at end of cross road. 8. Forming from Cattle Valley road to Mount Michael road. 4. Forming through Worthington’s section, Raincliff. 6. Forming, Griffin’s road. After passing accounts to the amount of £1349 11s 3d, the Board adjourned till Friday, 18th July.