GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1124, 10 January 1884, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the H A ard was held on Tuesday last. Members present—Messrs Postlethwaite (Chairman.) Kell and, Slack, Deßenzie. Flatimn.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement.

The Chairman stated that since last meeting be had again written to the Chairman of the Plantation Commissioners, as requested, in regard to refund for planting, eic., the reserve. He also reed the resolution passed at the public meeting re Oran Bridge, held on 15th December last. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened for acceptanceContract No, 95 — Shingling near Hanson’s, Oran : P. Burke, L4B ; Ellery and Brenton, LBS 4s 7d ; F.

Mulm.-, L3B 17« 6d ; Stephen Courtney, L3b. The tender of Ellery and Brenton was accepted. Contract No. 96—Pile driving, near Sharpe’s : Huffey and Pi**ey Ll 5 5i ; A. Coles, LIS. (Accepted.) Contract No. 97—Forming Brown’s Road ; H. Courtney. L 23 ; F. Mulloy, L 23 ; B. Trumper, LlB 15s, (accepted). Contract No. 98—Racecourse Road ; J. Fifield, L lB ;S. Courtney, Ll 6 ;J. Beckley, Ll 5 7s 6d; Ellery and Brenton, LIS (accepted). CORRESPONDKNCS. The followingcorrespondence was read and considered :

From Mr Cook and others, requesting that instead of the road near their property being shingled from the creek near Goulden’s to Mr Tripp’s gate, they would rather have the bridge. Mr Tripp had stated that the majority of the ratepayers would rather have the road shingled. That was not the fact. The Clerk was instructed to reply to the effect that at the last meeting of the Board it decided to shingle the road and improve the ford so as to allow the water to get away quicker. From Mr Fitzgerald, staling that he had a quantity of gums transplanted into boxes which would be ready in about two or three weeks. He would i then go through the plantations and go kgam in about three weeks after and, if necessary, early in March, so that there would be every likelihood of the trees all taking before winter.

Resolved —“ That if carried out, bis will be satisfictory.” From Mr J. Sperry, Commissioner of Property Tax, stating that the rolls for Crown Lands had been posted, for the Gcrald'ne Road District. The Clerk to attend to the same.

From Mr J. H. Baker, Chief Surveyor, stating that when Reserve 849 was subdivided into sections the surveyor did not continue the road ob which section 27870 fronts,considering it unnecessary, as there was another road witnin 29 chains of i!, Consequently section I has been sold without this back road, and therefore it would be no use to reserve the road the Board asked for unless the Board was prepared to arrange with the owner of the section not to take it through his property.

Resolved—“ That the Overseer tee Mr Shaw and ascertain how he received his information, whether from the Land Office or Government Surveyor.

h'rom the same, asking the Overseer to hand Mr Dunford enclosed cheque for the Orari drain contract.

From the Sectctary of the Treasury, enclosing statement showing amount at credit of the Geraldine Road Board on account of land disposed of on deferred payments. The total amounted to L 719 13a 4d. From the Clerk of the Temnka Road Board, ashing if any arrangement had been made re moneys coming from sales of reserves, etc.

The Clerk was instructed to write in reply to the effect that farther moneys had been received and the matter would be attended to at once.

From one of the tenants of the Board, enclosing cheque for rent. Clerk to acknowledge same. From Middlemiss and Pishka, asking the Board for extension of time to complete contract re shingling Middlemiss road, owing to wet weather retarding them in their work.

One month’s extension granted. From the Poundkceper, enclosing return of cattle impounded from Slack’s Valley, from January sth 1881 to Oct, 22 nd 1888—18 cattle and S horses. From Orari from Nov. 7th 1880 to Dec. 21st 1883— 9 horses, 101 cattle, 50 sheep. He stated there was very little cause for complaint, and at different times he had spent days on various roads in the district, accompanied with various persons, to assist him in im pounding stray cattle. On one occasion they found 3 horses and 6 cattle, and on another day 8 bead of cattle near Oran settlement. He had not found anything on any road outside the Geraldine township except that on one day he found 4 cattle on a road near Mr Bayley’s.

Resolved— “ That the Board does not consider the letter satisfactory as the roads are full of stray cattle. Ibis refers to the whole district,"

From L. McCormick, stating that if the Board required to make a road through bis land at the head of Waitohi Flat, they could purchase it at L2O per acre.

Resolved—“ That the Clerk proceed at once with the road and inform Mr McCormick that they will take the land required under the Public Worka Act, 1876..” Prom Mr Wigley, in regard to cleaning out the road drains near his station. Resolved siders it is unnecessary to clean ont the drain next the river.” From VV. S. Raine, asking that Mr J. Mundell’s name might be substitnted for Mr Thos. Knight’s, on the Geraldine rate roll, for a piece of land consisting of 26 acres. To be altered as per request. From W. Langdown and Co, re price for iron bark piles. From P. Burke asking for extension of time for his contractor one mouth. Two weeks extension of time allowed. From Messrs J. Mundell and Co, drawing attention of the Board to tftf state of the crossings in the Wajbf river-bed on Peckham’s road leaping 1 ,: fco the Orari Railway Station. The were soft and clad with boulders. ; '

Resolved—“ That this Board is not | aware that any large boulders are. 'ift l the river crossings.”

From Messrs Priest and Holdgate enclosing prices for iron piles. DEPUTATIONS. After the usual adjournment, Mr W, Scott had an interview with the Board regarding the erection of a tew footbridge across the river at Waihi Gorge, at the bead of the Waihi Bush. Resolved—“ That the Clerk report on same by next Board day. Mr W, S. Maslin, also interviewed the Board, requesting that Mr N. Dunlop’s name might be substituted for his on the Geraldine rate roll for property on the main road, Granted.

Mr Flatman spoke in regard to the necessity of erecting a footbridge over Cooper’s Creek for foot passengers and ■beep.

The Clerk was instructed to report on same next meeting. overseer's report. The Overseer’s report for the past month wss as follows

“ Owing to the holidays and very broken weather experienced sines last meeting very slow progress has been made with tbe works under contract. On two or three of the contracts the time hss expired, and 1 understood tha contractors intend asking for an extension of time.

“ The following have been completed since last meeting and passed for payment :—Stone culvert, Valley P« int ; shingling, K> mpe ter’a road ; Coil’s mad ; Waitohi Downs ; Upper section, Rnngitata Station road ; shingling Wells’ road ; ford and culvert, Bankapnka Flat. *• Bradley’s bridge.—l bare made enquiry as to cost of solid iron piles fur a stock biidge at this croosirg and ■ found they are not to be obtain'd in New Zealand. If imported the cost would be about L 126. I hive also written to obtain tbe cost of piping but have not yet received a reply. “Mi Moore’s applica ion.—As Mr Patrick refuses to let the water from Mr Moore’s water race through his freehold I have been unable to do anything with the surplus water, until an understanding is arrived at between tbe parties interested. “ New road, Waitohi.—l have made an inspection with a view of obtaining a new line of road through Coilett’s and McCormick’s freehold at the Opihi. A very good line of road can be set out under the terrscs. As the amount for compensation demanded was considered exorbitant, I have given both men notice that the Board would proceed under ‘The Public Works Act, 1876.’ This work ought to be proceeded with as early as possible, as on account of the dangerous state of tbe crossing I have had to close tbe road, which is a great inconvenience to tbe public. “.Bridge at Sharp’s. Since the bridge was built a large quantity oi wil ows hare been planted in the riverbed, and have confined tbe flood water to narrower limits, thus causing a cousiderable scour under the bridge. Tbe Kakahu changed its course during tbe late fresh, and carried down a large amount of flax and debris, which accumulated on the piles of the bridge, which have had wires stapled across the riverbed to form a fence. This ought not to have been allowed, as it gathers up all tbe rubbish in flood time, and seriously endangers the bridge. After consulting with the Chairman I called for tenders for driving five extra piles, which will render tbe bridge quite safe. “ Bnsor’s Creeks. —I have lengthened the footways at both creeks, so that people can get over dry-sbod. “ Mr Preston’s application—l have taken levels at the place complained of, near the Woodbury Church. Aa tha road runs across at right angles to the lino ot drainage, the water is not easy to dispose of without injuring Mr Flatman, as tbe water would be thrown on to his back yard. To avoid this and carry the water out on the main road would cost to raise the roadway say——, and this would not be altogether successful in flood time, as owing to tha sm ill amount of fall to be obtained the water would back op to a certain extent on the property on tbe upper side of the road.” Floating dam—l have taken out the quantities and cost for a. floating dam of ;>oUfr long at tbe Orari bridge with iron bark piles and 50ft white pine beams. Rangitata Station road—The upper section of this road is completed, and I have forwarded the account to tha Mount Peel Road Board. I should advise that a surfaceman be placed on this road, to keep it in good order and clear off the large stones, which are sure to work up as the traffic increases., “ Ironwork—The contract for the ironwork for the present year has expired.—lam, etc., William Skiers, Overseer to the Board.” Re Mr Moore’s application—Mr Flatman to see Mr Moore. Re new road, Waitohi—The Overseer to have the road done without delay. Re bridge at Sharp’s. Satisfactory to tl« Board. Re Mr Ensor’s creek—Also satisfactory to the Board. Ke Mr Preston’s application—All required are a few pipes across the gateway into the Churchyard. Re floating dam—Wood to be ordered without delay, and tenders for tha work to be in on the 29th January.

Re Rangitata Station road—Approved of by the Board. Re ironwork—Tenders to be called for.

ACCOM TB.

• Accounts amounting to L 607 Os Id E‘ «re passed for payment. The Board befr adjournedkill Tuesday, January SfWaltlt. -