GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1159, 11 October 1883, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was held on Tuesday last in the Road Board office. Members Present— Messrs W. Postlethwaite (Chairman), W. U. Slack, Kelland, Deßenzy, and Flatman. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and passed. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION. Mi Flatman, as the mover of a resolution passed at the last meeting of the Board, asked the Chairman why the meeting to consider the drainage of the township, had not been called, £ he Chairman explained he could not do so without first calling a special meeting of the members of the Board so as to make some arrangements as to the steps to be taken at the meeting. If the meeting had been called at the request of the inhabitants, it would have been for them to move in the question. The Board had arranged to carry the drain into the creek, and when he was in Wellington he got a section reserved for that purpose. It would be an awkward matter to go before a public meeting without being able to lay something before it. TnVre was no actual plan and he thought it best to, wait till the regular meeting of the Board so that they might consult together on what was best to be done. Mr Slack remarked that the Board had requested the inhabitants to make a suggestion on the matter but they had not done so. The Chairman said there were two courses open to them to adopt from. One was to request the Inspector of Nuisances to order all nuisances be done away with, or for the Board to get it done and charge the parties concerned for it. As the townspeople had not taken the matter up, would it not be best to request Mr Taylor to abate the nuisance ? Mr Flatman suggested that as Mr Taylor had been \\)o prince mover in the matter it would be as well to ask him to interview the Board during the afternoon. The Chairman read the two clauses in the Act bearing on the matter. Mr Flatman remarked that if the Board went into a drainage scheme foy a scattered township, it would be as preposterous as Temuka getting a Mayor. It was decided to ask Mr Taylor to attend the Board later in the day. LEGAL OPINION. The Chairman stated that on the pfevioqs cjay be bad waited on Messrs White and Smithson, solicitors, Timaru, for a legal opinion on the liability of the Board re encroachment of the Waihi rher by Mr Kelman's and other properties. That firm had considered the question as well bb the time at tbejr

disposal would permit. Ho would lay the opinion before the Board. The matter was held over till next Board day, to allow Messrs White and Smithson time to consider the question more fully aud forward an opinion by that time. TENDERS. The following tenders for works were opened and considered : Contract No 82. Shingling road near Tripp's gate : A McCool, L 69 ; T Sugrue, L 56 13s ; D Gulden, L4B ; J Fyfield, L 43 8s (accepted). Contract No 83 Drains, etc., Barker's road, Waihi Downs : D Gulden, L2B ; B Trumper, L2B ; L Coogan, LI 5 ; Granger and Fly, Ll 4 (accepted). Contract No 84—Concrete culvert near G Hepworth's : T Herlihey, L 5 14s 6d (accepted). Contract No 85—Reforming and improving the Geraldine Main Road. The work to stand over for one month till arrangements be made for overflow of the river. Contract No 86—Shingling, etc., Bray's and Dili's roads, Gapes's Valley Bush : Joseph Webb, Ll2B. As the tender wan considered too high, fresh tenders are to be called for. CORRESPONDENCE. From the Steward of Reserves, Christchurchj dated 13th Sept, with reference to obtaining a gravel reserve in reserve 1191, informing the Board that the only way was under the authority of ' The Public Work's Act, 1876.' Resolved— f That the Board will take steps under ' The Public Reserves Act, 1876.' From Mr 0 G Bradley and a number of ratepayers, requesting the Board to open a road from Connolly's to the Kakahu school house ; also, to make the Redcliffe road good. Resolved—' That the work stand over until next month to allow the members of the Board to view the road.'

From Mr J . Muller, dated 9th October, asking payment of LlO for damage done to his dray in the Kakahu river.

The account was read, but the Board resolved that they do not recognise their liability. From Mr E. Wooffindin, dated Sth October, asking for the water to be taken into the river-bed at the stone receive at Pleasant Valley Point, which comes off the downs.

Resolved—'That the Overseer avty out the suggestion.' Mr Brophy's and' others' application, held over from the last meeting, re T O'Connor being kept on as a surfaceman, was next considered. The Board decided that it could not comply with the request of the petitioners, as it is not desirable to continue employing extra men when not required. DEPUTATIONS. After the usual adjournment, Mr Taylor had an interview with the Boardin regard to the drainage of the township. The Chairman explained the reason why a public meeting had not been called, and what the Board considered should be done.

Mr Taylor remarked that be wished the Board had come to that decision before,

On Mr Taylor retiring, it was resolved —' That the luspectoi of Nuisances attend to his duties and report any causes of complaint, when the Board will take immediate steps in accordance with the Act to remove the same.'

Oaptiin Bailey interviewed the Board re overflow of water ou his land. It was decided that the Board should view the land, with the Overseer,

Mrs Stonehouse. on behalf of her husband, Mr W Stonehouse, had an interview with the Board with reference to a rate notice for 12s that had been served on him which was due in September, 1882, when Mr Bryce occupied the property. Her husband did not come into possession till about eight months ago. Mr Sherratt, rate collector, stated that Mr A Sherratt was the mortgagee of the property. He had spoken to him on the subject and he asked him not to go to aay expense in the matter and he would see it paid. The rate of 12s 6d was for half an acre, of which Mr Stonehouse had a quarter of an acre. Mr 0 E Sherratt was instructed to obtain the 12s 6d from Mr A Sherratt, and Mr Mrs Stonehouse was told that the matter could be arranged between her husband an I Mr A Sherratt CORRESPONDENCE. The reading of correspondence received was then continued : From Mr J Sperry, dated 7th Sept, enclosing list of properties assessed on the Geraldjne Road District, which through the recent alteration of boundaries are now in the Temuka Road District, and asking the Board to strike the entries enumerated off the roll. From Mr Fitzgerald, re tree planting. Resolved—' That as the planting is unsatisfactory, no further payment be made till the same be filled up.' From Mr McLeod, Orari, dated Oct, Ist, stating that his section of land in the township ot Orari is so full of water that he was unable to fenca it, and asking the Board to do sqm,etb}n». in the matter. The Board recommended Mr McLeod to apply to the Railway Department. From the Receiver of Land Revenue, enclosing a list of sections sold upon deferred payments within the Road Districts of Geraldine and Temuka as they at present exist,

overseer's report The following report ot the Overset-r wa9 read : " The Chairman Geraldine Road Board. " Sir, —I have the honor to report that fair progress has been made with the various works in hand since laH meeting of the Board, " The contractor for repairing Maw's road has exceeded his time. He has been prevented from working, owing to the shingle pit being flooded. He will be able to make a start again in a da; or two. "The following works have been completed and passed for payment this day : Woodbury Crossing, Daniel Guldan ; Holwell and Finlay's road, James Beckley. I have also had the large trees delivered and anchored at the north terrace near the Orari bridge. "Re Middlemiss' road—l have got a reply from the Stewaid of Reserves, stating that a gravel pit on the reserve can only be obtained under the Public Works Act. I have also seen Mr Macdonald and he offers no objection, providing compensation is paid to the tenant for any damage done. "As a large number of the trees planted last month have suffered by the frosts, Ihavepassedno further payments on this contract, as I consider they ought to be made good without delay or the season will be past, " I am having the old plantations cleaned, and the trees shortened where the growth is too rapid, This prevents the trees being blown over by high winds. The pinus insignis suffer most on this account, especially in good land. " I am informed that Mr Howe has dammed up a natural watercourse, which runs through his land on the Rhubarb Flat. This will throw the water down the formed road, and be the means of causing considerable damage to the road in time of heavy floods.

" William Shiers, " Overseer to the Board. " Geraldine, Oct. 9th, 1883." The excuse of the contractor for Shaw's road was deemed sufficient.

The matter re plantations was dealt with during the reading of correspondence, The cleaning of the old plantations was approved of by the Board. Re Mr Howe damming up a natural watercourse, the Overseer was instructed to arrange the matter with Mr Howe. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES' REPORT.

" Sir, —I have again to state that my attention has not been called to any prsventible nuisance during the past month. I believe that there is still a considerable amount of sickness in the district, but no deaths have very recently resulted from this cause ; the two that have been registered Bince my last report (11th Sept.) being as follows, viz., that ot an elderly female, Mrs Huband, residing on the Geraldine road, cause of death being stated as chronic disease of brain and exhaustion ; and that of Mr Thomas Millard, aged 50 yeara, by falling nff a horse on the Kakahu road. The births registered during the same period have been two. " W, C. Andrews . "Geraldine,9th October." MISCELLANEOUS. Proposed by Mr Kelland, seconded by Flatraan, and carried— * That the Overseer examine the old footbridge over th« Kakahu river at Bradley's, and report whether it would not be preferable to build a new bridge suitable tor driving sheep and riding over in flood time, instead of repairing the old structure,' Mr Postlethwaite laid before the Board a plan adopted in the river Hutt, Wellington, to prevent encroachment of the river. He obtained it for the purpose of showing it to the Board, and he thought it might be applicable to the river Orari. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £434 lis lid having been passed for payment, the meeting terminated.