TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9416, 8 June 1882, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held last Tuesday. PRESENT. Messrs Talbot (Chairman), Barker, Austin and Paterson. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and cofirmed. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment. RATES. A letter from the County Council was read with regard lo striking a rate. The Chairman said that the letter did not refer to them but to such Boards as levied no rates. No further action was taken in the matte I ’. OPIHI BRIDGE. A letter was read from Mr Latimer claiming some money for extra work in connection with the Opihi Bringe contract. The Chairman said Mr Laing-Meason had recommended them not to pay the claim. He had seen Mr Latimer and he told him that Mr Landgridge had ordered him to do the work. Mr Barker thought they would have to pay if Mr Landgridge had ordered it. The Chairman said they had nothing to show that Mr Landgridge had ordered the work to be done, and consequently they could not pass the account. The matter then dropped. BUTLER AND DEVINE’S CONTRACT. With regard to the above contract the Surveyor said he could not certify to it, ] t was resolved to pay the contractors the sum of £l7, the Board reserving themselves the right to withhold the doposit money until the work had been certified , CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr Thomas Hobson asking that the drain between Hobson and Wheelband’s corner along the new Milford road be cleaned. The application was not entertained. Prom Mr S. D. Barker, asking that the canal reserve drain, and Marshall’s road to old boiling-down drain, both ’on south side of reserve 1211, end dyne’s road drain across the same reserve be cleaned. Tenders were laid before the Board for dyne’s road drain, and the Surveyor was instructed to report on the other drains referred to in the application. From Mr Upton asking for the formation of shingle footpaths through Goodley street and Birkelt street. The application was granted, and a few chains of Drummond street was ordered to be shingled. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Barker gave notice that he will move, at next meeting—“ That in future all cheques given by this Board be crossed. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. A circular from the Government with regard to their local government proposals, and asking for suggestions (was road. The following answers were given 1. Should County Chairmen be elected as Mayors are 1 No. 2. Should counties be enabled to split up or amalgamate, or otherwise alter their boundaries, without the consent of Par-

liament, as is now required 1 Yes, subject to the consent of the majority of the ratepayeis. 3. Should the road districts in each county form the ridings of the county 1 Yes. 4. Would you suggest any alteration in the mode of electing the councillors 1 The present mode is the most suitable. 6. Should the counties be enabled to create new road districts or alter existing ones of their own motion, or only on a petition of the majority of the ratepayers ? No, only on petitions. 7. Should the counties or the road boards have the power of altering the divisions and the numbers of the members of road boards 1 No, 8. What rating powers should counties have 1 The same as now in force. 9. What rating powers should road Boards have 1 The same as at present. 10* If the operation of the Counties Act is suspended in any county, should road boards be authorised to exercise any of tha powers of the county, and, if so, which 1 All. 11. Should Road Board members hold office for a fixed time, and, if so, whft, or should a proportion retire every year 1 The present system works well. 12. Should .Road Board chairmen be elected as mayors are 1 No. 13. Is it desirable to allow of road board elections being held in open public meeting, like those of school committees, • in districts where the road board, by special order, adopts this plan I No. 14. What alterations do you suggest in the Rating Bill as sketched in the circular enclosed herewith ? The Board agree that to use valuation under the Property Tax would be very desirable, as being likely to be more uniform. The Board also agrees with the provisions of the Crown and Native Lands Rating Bill as sketched in circular. 15. Please state whether the provisions of the Roads Construction and Crown and Native Lands Rating Bills would suit your district, and, if not, what alterations would you suggest which would make these measures more useful ? The Board do not agree with the provisions of the Bill, as they think the present means of construction sufficient, MISCELLANEOUS. On tenders being opened, it was found that the rule adopted last Board day, viz, that all deposit cheques must be marked for eight days by a banker, had not been complied with, It appeared, however, that sufficient publicity had not been given to the m tter and in consequence it was decided not to enforce it on this occasion. The surveyor was instructed to add the rule to specification in future, and also advertise it when calling for tenders, as the Board intend to adhere to it henceforth. With regard to Greenaway’s application it was resolved —“ That the road from the proposed bridge be formed, and that the road from the creek, Upper Swamp road, be cleared of thistles and put in order for light traffic.” It was resolved— “ That Mr Cos be again written to and iufoJined that a settlement re Cox’s drain must be made at once, or the Board will be compelled to l;o take other steps to bring it about.” Out of several applicants Mr Hobbs was appointed scavenger. A letter complaining of a nuisance that has been accumulating for the last seven years was read and referred to the inspector of nuisances. The following tenders were opened : Contract No 11—A. Ackroyd Is Id (accepted) ; R. Edgier, Is 6d ; C. Flynn Is lid ; F. Molloy, Is sd. Contract No 12—Latimer Bros, £2l (accepted) ; McAuliffe, £25 ; Francis, (informal). Contract No 13 —C. Flynn, £6B (accepted) ; Latimer Bros, £73 10 ; T. Small, £OS ; F. Molloy £77 10s. Contract No 14—M. Flaherty, £l2 7s (accepted) ; McAuliffe, £l4 10s ; W. Fawdrry, £lB Is 8d ; T. Davis, £ls. The Board then adjourned.