TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1160, 3 April 1884, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above Board took place on Tuesday last. p resen t _ Messrs Talbot (Chairman), Paterson, Austin, R. A. Barker, and Quinn.

MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £157 5s 8d were passed for payment. During the passing of the accounts Mr Quinn asked whether one of the contractors for roads was still employed as a day-man. The Overseer said he was.

Mr Quinn thought that in this way the man was receiving a regular screw from the Board. He thought the work should be divided, if possible. There were many ratepayers in the town, with large families, capable of doing a good day's work, and he thought they ought to have a chance.

The Chairman said the man in question was a very good man, one of the best they had on the Board, and they alt knew how difficult it was to get good men. It would be only right—if the' Overseer was not to employ him—next time the maintenance of the roads were tendered for, to notify that it would debar the successful tenderer from getting work under the Board. Mr Quinn said he meant no such thing. Mr Barker said he thought they could not lay down a bard and fast rule, but if the Overseer knew of any really good men he should give them a share of the work. DEPUTATIONS. Mr Totton waited on the Baard in reference to Railway Bridge over the Rangitata being rendered suitable for crossing sheep and pedestrian traffic. He stated that he believed the Geraldine Road Board would grant £950 and he now wished to know what' tiie Temuka Board would grant. He had prepared a i.aper, and it had reived a good many signatures in the Ashburton and Ge-aldine Counties, which would be presenled to the Ashburton County Council at its next meeting askin« for their favorable consideration In reply to a question Mr Totton said he believed the estimated cost was £lloU.

At first he had the impression that the amount was £950. He had also believed at first that the Government were willing to pay half the eost, but it now appeared that they expected the local bodies to make up most of the money required, they agreeing to keep the bridge in repair afterwards. He might now say that they proposed to floor the railway bridge, and make a light traffic bridge of it, so that buggies, traps, etc., could pass over it, instead of carrying out the first proposal. The Government would erect a ganger's cottage at one end of the bridge, who would take charge of it.

Mr Barker moved—'That £l5O be granted as the Temuka Road Boards share towards the cost of the bridge.

Mr Austin seconded this,

Mr Quinn moved as an amendment — ' That the Board grant £IOO towards the bridge.' He should not have objected to £2OO being gr«nto 1 ha! :m' the Board been short of funds.

Mr Paterson seconded the amendment. The Chairman gave his vote in favor of the motion and it was carried. Mr Bissett waited on the Board in reference to some complaints made by him previously as to gorse being allosved to remain in the drain adjoining the property of Mr W. Stewart, of Oran, thereby stopping the water from flowing, and damaging his property ; and against Mr Geo. Stewart for blocking up a creek. He wanted to know what the Board intended to do in the matter.

After a long discussion, in which it appeared that part of the Diiisances complained of od last Board day had been attended to, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Quinn—' That Messrs W. and G. Stewart be given formal notice to clear the drain and creek of obstructions ; and failing their compliance the Board will be compelled to do the work at their expense.'

Mr Bissett also complained that Mr Stewart had made a cutting in the middle of the road, without the authority of the Board, and this was dangerous to life and property. —The Overseer was instructed to inspect and report on the matter. [Mr Talbot left during the consideration of Mr Bissett's complaint, and Mr Barker took the chair]. CORRESPONDENCE.

The following correspondence was read and considered :

From Mr J. E. Ackroyd, Waitohi, drawing the attention of the Board to the state of the road by his property, starting at Mr Edgar's corner, and stating that in wet weather it was impassable. Also, asking to have his name inserted on the rate roll for rural sections 9222 and 17169, lately occupied by Mr Geo. Cross.—The Overseer to report on the application re road ; applicant's name to be inserted on rate roll as requested. From Mr J. C. Smithson, aaking permission to put up a horse trough in front of his hotel—Granted. From Mr J. Sperry, Property Tax Com-mis->nev. stating that the Colonial •■ >vould pay rates ©n Native Lar. 's, on receipt of a demand in proper form.—lt was resolved that the formal claim be made.

From Mr AY. Hawke, complaining that some drains he had written about on the north side of the Orari road, near Mr Stewart's piopeity, had not been attended to, and stating that a great deal of water was in the drain, and if not seen to it would go right across the road. The Board decided to reply that they could take no action till the creek on his own land was cleared out. From Messrs J. and R. Bowie, of the Maori Hill Nursery, Timaru, soliciting the Board's support should they do any planting this season.—Read. From the Overseer to the Levels Road Board forwarding the copy of a resolution passed at its last meeting re the Opihi bridge, to the effect—' That ihe Overseer be requested to advise the diversion of the stream in the Opihi riverbed as per sketch plan, so as to throw it over to the centre, and to arrange with the Temuka Road Board to carry out the work'—and stating that he should be glad to meet the Overseer at any time he might fix to consult. Mr Quinn reported that Mr Talbot, Mr Mr Wright (Overseer of the Levels Road Board), Mr Sinclair and himself had met and agreed to divert the stream into the centre of the riverbed while the repairs to the South end of the bridge were being effected. They did not expect the diversion to have any permanent effect. From the levels Road Board enclosing cheque for £BJ 7s 6d, being half cost of repairs to the Opihi Bridge, to July 3rd, 1883, and stating that they defined to pay the cost of supervision by the Temuka Board's Overseer.

The Board decided to accept the amount offered in this case, but in future half cost of supervision must be guaranteed before the Board will undertake to do the work. From the Lyttelton Times Co., dated March 27, stating that the copies of the new map of the district would be ready by the end of next week. From the Overseer to the Geraldine Road Board, asking the Temuka Borrd to place a footway over the creek cr ford on the boundary road, between Mr Deßenzie's house and the bridge near the Smithfield gate. The Overseer said the mctter had been attended to.

From Mr W. Shiers, Overseer to the Geraldine Road Board, in reply to an application made to him for a copy of a bye-law on the maximum weights allowed to pass over bridges in the Geraldine Road district. He said that the Board had had a bye-law drafted by Mr Foster on the subject, but it had never been printed, and referred the Temuka Board to the Clerk for the original opinion. He had put up notice boards at the ends of the old bridges warning people not to pass over them with more than 12 tons. All the bridges the Geraldine Board now built were made to carry 20 tons. From Mi George Bolton, stating that he had paid into the credit of the Board £9 7s, being balar.ee of rates collected by him on behalf of the Boardt From the same enclosing account for j receiving small birds an eggs. Mr Bolton stated that very few birds and eggs had been received since last meeting, nud

asked for authority to award the prizes to the largest collector of eggs and birds, —Authority was granted. From Mr W. Rers, Sheep and Cattle Inspector, etc., asking for a set of the new maps. —The Overseer said that he hud replied stating that there were no L maps yet to hand.

THE RETURNING OFFICER AND THE BOARD,

From Mr W. Wills, Returning Officer for the Temuka Road District, acknowledging receipt of a letter be had received from tue Clerk to the Temuka Road Board stating that lie (Mr Wills) had been appointed Returning Officer at a salary ot £2 2s for the election in May next. He wrote that either the Board had undo a mistake, or the Clerk had misT'-derstood the Board's instructions, as he had been appointed their Returning Officer years ago. The only information he required was the names of the members retiring and the date of the election, so that he could take steps to advertise the same He further said the letter he had received from the Clerk contained none of the information he required. The Clerk then read the letter to which the above was a reply, which was a very short one ; and after a few remarks by the members on the subject, he read the letter he had written in reply to the one from Mr Wills, in which was set forth the information desired. overseer's report.

The following report was read and con sidered :

' The Chairman Temuka Road Board

' Sir, —I have the honor to report for the month ending March 31. ' The roads during the late rains have become very soft, especially among the Downs, which in many cases will require; to be repaired. ' Some of the drains among the Swamp roads are full of watercress, unci should also be cleaned out before the winter sets in.

'The crossing near Smithfield is in a bad state in consequence of so much water getting into the creek from the Waihi river. It would be desirable to bring the creek under the bridge instead of letting it run in a deep gutter at the side of the bank, which requires to be repaired after each fresh.

' Water at Oran. - -There is a steady stream of water running the Main South Road at the Orari Township, which is injuring the road and property nearer Wiuchester. To remedy this the dram along Mrs Johnston's property should be cleaned, also the creek through Mr Cole's land, and the water led into the Ohapi creek. The railway men alsu are bringing more water than they ought to do along the line. Part of the water should go into the swamp above and thence into the Ohapi creek. Works deferred from last month : ' Langridge's Road.—Part of this work has been let and is in hand ; the rest of the road requires to be re-formed and the low part shingled. 'Binley's Application. The water complained of runs along the Main South road and gets into his yard by the natural watercourse, and to remedy this a ditch would be required to be made along the front of his house to the bend of the creek where it comes to the road again. This the applicant would rather be without.

' Uprichard's Complaint.—The stagnant water complained of is on private property, and the low place in the sections should be filled up. Ido not think it comes under this Board's work to do this, ' Dickinson's Request. —That the creek south of the Milford road should be cleaned out. I figree is necessary, but it is for the Board to say who will do the same. 'Bissett's Application.—Mr Barker and myself visited this creek, and if the adjoining owner would clear out part of his creek the water would get away from the creek above. 'Mi Cox's Road.- I have found the correspondence and forwarded copies to Messrs Hall and Meason to get the road conveyed to the Board, ' There are some works sanctioned some time ago. The first of these I would recommend is Campion's road and the remainder of Braddock's road. ' Tenders have been called for a part of Allan's road which will be before you to-day. 'S. D. Barker's Application for Canal Drain to be cleaned out. —This is required to be done from Upper Swamp road to the concrete culvert on cross roads.

'We are about out of 8 x 4 decking, and require about 10,000 feet. 'Lamp Lighting. —The present contractor's time has expired some time ago. Will tenders be called for this, or shall he be kept on at same rate 'I '1 have the honor, etc., ' P. Sinclair.' Tne Board passed the following resolutions on the report: — lie Watercress in Drains on Swamp Road. —Tenders to be called for those urgent. lie Crossing near Smithfield. The Chairman (Mr Talbot) and Overseer to inspect, and report at next meeting. Eo Water at Orari.— Left to Overseer. Railway authorities' attention to be drawn to the matter, and requested to discontinue running water in that direction. Re LangricWs Road.—Work to stand over.

Be Mr Uprichard's Complaint.—Notice to bo given to ownor'or occupier of sections on which the nuisance exists to abate tho same.

lie Mr Dickinson's Request. —Not entertained.

Be Mr fc>. D. Barker's Application.— Tenders to be called for the work. Me Timber. —Tenders to be invited. Be Lamplighting. Tenders to bo called for the work,

PENNY'S BOAD. At the request of the Board, the Overseer stated that lie had seen Mr Rees Thomas, who wanted the drain on Penny's road cleared out the same as last year. There was a lot of water coming down there and it might do the road a little damage. He wanted the Board to pay for it the same as before. Mr Thomas had also told him that he was going to ask the Board to dig another drain. —After some discussion it was decided that the Overseer attend to the work.

ROAD MATTERS. The Chairman brought under the notice of the Board the fact that the road known as Paterson's road, lending from Temuka to Winchester past Mr Job Brown's residence, ran through some railway reserves at Winchester. These reserves were now for sale, and the officials in tho Land Office stated that there was no road through them, though he (the Chairman) was certain that some time ago the Board had applied for, and been granted, a road through them. He also brought under the notice of the Board another road, atOrari, which although surveyed and paid for had not been dedicated, although it had bean

placed in the hands of their brokers to be seen to. The Overseer was instructed to see to both matter". Allan's road. Only one tender was received for the re-forming and shingling of 70 chains of Allan's road, Waitohi, aiv.l the Board after carefully considering the matter decided to return it and call for fresh tenders, to be in by next Board day. TIMBER FOE CROSSINGS. Mr Paterson applied for timber to make crossings over the big drains around his property.—As the Board make it a rule to grant a crossing to each section, the request was granted. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES' REPORT.

The Inspector of Nuisances' report was read. It gave a very favorable account of the sanitary condition of Wallingford, Arowhenua, and Winchester. tie had only two complaints to make, both in Wallingford, and the causa of one of these the lessees of the premises had promised to have removed. After consideration of the other, the matter was adjourned til! the next meeting to see if the Overseer could not make some arrangements about it. The Board then adjourned.