TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1145, 6 September 1883, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held last Tuesday. Present— Messrs J Talbot J Paterson, J Austin and R A Barker. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. DEPUTATIONS. Messrs Douglass and Burke waited on the Board to request that something might be done to Dawson’s creek. It was overflowing through dams being put on it, and causing much damaige to them. The Surveyor was instructed to rspor t on the matter. Mr Christmas waited on the Board in reference to a drain near his place. It was overflowing on his land, and it would prevent him from sowing anything in the place. There were some dams in the creek which blocked up the water. The Overseer was instructed to have the drains cleared and the dams removed, Mr Ohi'igtmag also asked that a few

chains of road near his place might bo formed, r;

The Surveyor was instructed to report on the matter. Mr Toner waited upon the Board to urge that a few chains of Marshall’s road down to Park’s might be made passable. Tenders were ordered to be called for the work. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from Mr Greenaway, complaining that the man who was clearing a drain near his place was letting the water-cress, etc., run down a creek in his land where it was forming dams, and asking the Board to have it cleared. Mr Greenaway waited on the Board in support of his letter, and also asked to have certain drains near his laud cleared, The Surveyor reported that he had seen the man who was clearing the drain, and that he said a man who was working for Mr Cox had also let some things flow down to Mr Greenaway’s land. It was decided to keep the cheque from the man who was clearing the drain until he had removed what Mr Greenaway complained of. Also that the drain referred to by Mr Greenaway on the upper side of the road be cleared, but that the drain on the lower side be not cleared unless it was damaging the road. It was also decided that when letting the clearing of drains in future, the Surveyor should stipulate that contractors should not allow watercress, etc,, from them to float into people’s private property. From Mr Lavery asking for waterpipes.

The Surveyor was instructed to see the place, and grant the pipes if he sees fit. From the contractor for the Butter, Cheese and Bacon-curing Company’s (Limited) works, asking for leave to take gravel out of the gravel pit for making a road at the factory. The request was granted. From Mr Hamersley stating that he had been instructed by Mr Oldfield to point out that the value and usefulness of Mr Oldfield’s land hAd been seriously affected by some land taken by the Board for road purposes. Mr Paterson was appointed to inspect, the place with the Surveyor and report at next meeting. From the Geraldine Road Board stating that Mr Postlethwaite was getting information in Wellington re the amount due to the Temuka Road Board for the part of the Geraldine district recently added to the Temuka, district. From Mr J H Baker, Chief Surveyor, giving information to the effect that 106 copies ot a map of the district, 40 chains to the inch scale, would cost £lO, and £45 fo r lithographing. It was resolved— ‘ That the offer ot the Chief Surveyor be accepted, and that 200 copies be obtained, the Surveyor to give all information in getting them prepared.’ TENDERS, The following tenders were opened Contract No. 75—Clearing drain, Springfield : J Davis, L 5 5s (accepted); G Gibbs, 2s per chain ; J F Douglas, 2s 6d per chain ; M Flaherty, 2s 9d per chain ; R Latimer, 3s 8d per chain. Contract 76—Clearing and widening drain, Trevenna ; M Flaherty, 11s 4d per chain ; Greenaway, 11s 6d per chain ; Taylor 18s per chain. All the tenders were considered too high, but Flaherty’s tender was accepted, subject to the approval of Mr Guild, who is to pay half of the cost. A tender from G Gibbs was informal, he having tendered lor contract 74 instead of 76, and for so much per yard instead of so much per chain. His tender, however, was about 8s per chain, and would have been accepted if formal. Contract No. 77—Clearing drain near Hullen’s, Waitohi ; South by, Is lid per chain (accepted). overseer’s report. Sir—l have the honor to report that the late dry weather has dried up the roads, and they are now in very good order considering the severe winter. The late snow floods have done some damage to the fords but they have been put r’ght. Works ordered last Board day have been attended to, Contracts in hand have made good progress. 1 recommend that Messrs Bruce and Holctwcll’s drain be cleared, Mr Blyth’s footpath bo formed from Henry and Findlay’s corner to Main South road, Mr Lavery’s drain cleared and larger pipes put in at the outlet ; but this is on private property, and I would ask you to decide who is to clean it, as I do not know what arrangement, if any, the

Board lias with the occupiers of sections through which it runs, about 40 chains. With regard to Mr Young’s application I would recommend the footpath along the main road to be formed, and the channel to bo filled where low. I cannot recommend the pipes asked for as these run through his property, and would be of no special benefit to the Board in the road, and there is not sufficient fall to carry off the water of the channel. The concrete kerbing asked for would principally benefit his property, which, if granted, would act as a precedent, and specially to those who have to pay double taxes on the other sideof the road. Par more urgent works are required at present. The channel opposite Taylor’s store wants easing, as it has too sharp a grade and is dangerous. I have assessed Mr Dunn’s extras at £5 15s, applied for by him last Board day on his contract, .Mill road. I would recommend all the new formed roads be sown down with grass, which would greatly prevent them from being scoured away in times of freshes if the grass had a good root. As there is only a small quantity of timber on hand, I would ask permission to get about 200Cft to keep the contract going with the bridges. I have tried to get it from the contractors, but it will not be here in time. I would recommend that a tender box be placed in the porch which would be more convenient. We are out of two sizes of pipes, which are required. I have marked roads on the map which were proposed to be let for tenders for maintenance. I would point out that if the drains were left till after harvest, they would be in a better state for clearing. I have given notice to owners re gorsa cutting, some of which had been complied with, but stronger measures will have to be taken in some oases to have the roads cleared of this nuisance, P. Sinclair. In reference to the Overseer’s report, it was agreed that Bruce and Holclw.ell’s drain should be cleaned and Mr Blyth’s footpath formed. With regard to Lavery’s drain, the Overseer was instructed to have the drain cleaned out if all parties concerned were agreeable; and with regard to Mr Young’s application, to form the footpath and also to asphalt the footpath in front of his hotel along the south road, provided ho pays half the cost. The channel opposite Taylor’s store was ordered to be attended to. The recommendation re Mr M: Dunn’s contract, giving him ±.5 15b for extras, was agreed to. The recommendation re laying the roads down in grass was also agreed to. Tenders were ordered to be called for maintaining the main roads, as recommended by the Overseer. WINCHESTER. A letter from Mr Blissett, statin g that the wheels of the night cart were broken and asking that they might be repaired, was read. ‘ The Board decided to reply that they had nothing to do with it, as the people of Winchester refused to recognise the Board’s arrangement, Messrs Austm and Barker brought up their report with regard to an application made by Mr Deßenzie, to the effect that the Waihi river, below Mr Cliff’s place be put back in its original course. They recommended the Board t,o do nothing in the matter, as the place around there was a riverbed. NEW WORKS. It was agreed to form and shingle Braddock’s road ; also to lower the Swamp, and shingle Ackroyd’s road. The Board then adjourned.