ROAD BOARD MEETINGS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1175, 8 May 1884, Page 2

ROAD BOARD MEETINGS.

TEMUKA. The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held last Tuesday. Present —Messrs J. Talbot (Chairman), Barker, Quinn, Austin, and Paterson. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, DEPUTATIONS. Mr Parke waited upon the*'Board with regard to the road near his place. The water was flowing over the road. In another place the road was low and wanted raising. He also wanted some pipes. He would do the work himself if the Board paid him for it. Mr Parke retired, after having been promised that his request would be considered. Mr McCallurn waited upon the Board with regard to a road which had been washed away, near Mr Hayhurst’s place. He had potatoes there and could not get into the paddock to bring them out. The Boax-d promised to sea into the matter and Mr McCallurn retired. Mr Bissett waited upon the Board whh regard to Mr Stewart’s,[Creek. Nothing had been clone since. The notice sent t,o Mr Stewart ta clean the drain was then read; Mr Barker said Mr Stewart deniedjjthat the Board had anv right to compel him to clean it and would not do so. The Chairman said the proper notice had not been given, as no date had been mentioned. The Clerk had legal notices in the office, and a legal notice should be given. Mr Bissett wanted something done to the road by Hawke’s. Mr Bissett was informed that all this would ba considered, after which lie retired. Mr Ackrojffi interviewed {[the’ Board with regard to the Canal Reserve drain. The drain was not half large enough to take the water. Mr Barker said he had seen the place, and the water had been diverted to the creek, evidently to draw water to the mill. After some further discussion, Mr Ackroyd retired. ■ Mr Langridge said he actodjj’for four yeais and a half as CLrlc of Works for the Board, and as his services had been dispensed with he would ask them for a testimonial. Mr Langridge retired, after having been promised that his request would be granted,

Tommy, the Maori, waited on the Board with regard to the toad through the Maori Reserve to Georgetown. It was decided to make inquiries from the Chief Commissioner and the Native Commissioner respecting the matter. With regard to Mr Parke’s request, it was decided to instruct the Surveyor to call for tenders for such work as he deemed necessary. With regard to Mr McCallum’a request, the matter was left in the hands of the Chairman and Surveyor. With regard to Mr Bisaett’s request, it was decided that the Overseer should sea the place, and, if he found it as represented, give the legal notice, to Mr Steward. As regards the drain, it was decided not to take any steps in the matter. With regard to Mr Ackroyd’s request, it was decided te divert the water to its natural course. Mr Quinn drew attention to the state of the road from Winchester to Mr Deßenzy’s place. Mr Deßenzy had told him he had called the Surveyor’s'attention to it frequently, but nothing had been v done. It was decided that the Overseer attend to the matter. Mr Paterson drew attention to the place near Pratley’s. The Overseer said the culverts wanted making bigger. It was decided to attend to the matter. Mr Woodhead, junr., directed the attention of the Board to the ditch by Toner’s, which was blocked up by watercress. The Chairmen promised that the matter would be looked into. Mr Rees Thomas asked the Board to have something done to Penny’* Road. He could hardly take a dray over it. The Clerk said the only thing that could be done with it wae to make another drain. After Mr Thomas had retired, on the motion of Mr Barker it was decided that the Surveyor see Mr Thoinae and ascertain what he would contribute towards making the drain. ANNUA! RETORT. The annual report and balance «heet ' were read and adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr R. Latimer, stating that there were three trestles belonging to him in the Board’s yard, and asking for payment for them. It was decided to give them back to him. From Mr O’Halloran, asking that certain improvements be made to the road about St. Saviour’s Church. The request was granted. From Mr Williams and other ratepayers in the Waitohi district, asking the 1 Board to supply them gratuitously with poisoned wheat. The matter was deferred. . From the Crown Lands Office, enclosing a list of names of persona to whom land had been sold. Some other letters of no public impor--1 tance were read. The ann,ual meeting was then held, after which the following business was ; transacted : overseee’s report. . The following report was read !C At the beginning of last month a heavy flood took place, which did considerable damage to the roads, fords, and , some of the bridges. About 60 feet of the [ approach to the Opihi Bridge was carrird away, and has since been temporarily repaired. He was in favor of keeping the river in the centre of the river bed, or , else it would go into Georgetown. A span of the footbridge on Palmer’s Road i was washed away with 15 feet of embankment. The river would continue to widen the breach. It had been temporarily repaired. Ha recommended that tenders be called for. Campion’s Road and Ackroyd's Road require repairing, and there were some bad places on the Rangii tata road which might be let privately. ; The water coming down the Waitohi Road ought to be kept in the Raupu Creek, and the drains asked for by Mr , Hawke ought to be cleaned.” Some other matters of no importance were also dealt with. It was decided that the work on the Rangitata Road be done ; also, that Ackroyd’ sßoad be repaired and Hawke’s Drain cleaned. TENDERS. Tenders were opened ns follows: Contract No. 107—Shingling and Reforming Allan’s road ; W. Hopkinson L 175 15s (accepted) ; F. MolloV, L 232 10s. No. 108—Timber, 10,000 ft Decking 18 x 4; J. Blyth, 16s 6d (accepted) ; • —Dawson, 21s. V . No. 110—Cleaning Canal Reserve Drain: —Flanagan, 2a Id ; M. Flaherty, 2s 5d ; Broderick, 2s Mcßratney, 3s 9d. No. 111 -Cutting Approach, Palmer’s Road ; M. Dunn, L 7 9s (accepted) ; I —Flanagan, Lin 14s 4d ; W. Hopkinson, * Ll 7. THE LAMPLIGHTER, Tenders for lighting lamps were opened, the tenderers being Mr Boulter at £ls a year, Mr Davis £l7 a year. Mr Quinn asked when Mr Davis’s terra had terminated. The Clerk replied that he did not know, Fie rep >rted the mutter last Board day and was ordered to call for tenders. Mr Quinn asked the Clerk to produce his report of last meeting. He did so, and from this it appeared that Mr Davis’s contract had terminated some time ago* Mr Quinn asked the Clerk to produce the original contract between the Board ami Mr Davis, the lamplighter. The Clerk did so, and from this it appeared that the contract commenced on the 4tli of October 1881 ; that it was a yearly contract, and that .therefor# it would not be up until October. Mr Quinn said in that case they could not get rid of Mr Davis until the 4th of October next. The Clerk said (hey could, because the terms of the agreement rendered it possible to terminate the contract by giving Davis fourteen days’ notice. That notice qad been give'n to him. Mr Quinn asked whether there were any complaints against Mr Davia. The Clerk said there was not. Tire Chairman said that in that case it would be manifestly unfair to dispense with the services of Mr Davis until the end of the term. All the members having agreed to this it was decided to allow Mr Davis to go on as he was nnlil next October. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES’ REPORT. “To the Chairman Temuka Board of Health, “ Sir, —1 have tire honor to report that during the past month several cases

have occurred requiring improvement. My attention has been called to a serious nuisance in this town on the premises adjoining Mr Boyd Thomson’s butcher’s shop, lately occupied by him. The premises are now being pulled down and the nuisance partly removed, I hope to report favorably of the total removal without further trouble. “ I am sorry to say that after repeated assurance from Mr Kirk, on behalf of himself and Mr Hayhurst, that necessary steps had being taken to remove the nuisance ■which 1 mentioned in a former report nothing has yet beeu done. My wish is to get such nuisances abated without going to extreme measures, but I consider I shall not be doing my duty if I allow this to remain any longer. I trust therefore the Board will approve of the course I am prepared to take. Two cases have come under ray notice of persons depositing closet soil in their gardens (without burying the same at a proper depth), detrimental to the health of themselves and neighbors. I have personally seen these removed, but there »re many others, and it ia quite impossible for me to detect all. I would suggest to the Board that some measures be adopted to rectify this evil. —I have etc., “ J. M. Popplewell, “ Inspector of Nuisances. “Road Board Office, May sth, 1884.” It was resolved that the Inspector of Nuisances give notice to the tenant of the Crown Hotel to abate the nuisance complained of, and in the case of nuisances buried in gardens to summon the offenders. The Board then adjourned. GERALDINE. The monthly meeting of the above Board was held in tha office on Tuesday last. Present —Messrs Postlethwaite (Chairman), Deßenzy, Slack and Flatman. minutes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened and considered; — Contract No 114—Formation, Streets and Footpaths, Lower Township, Geraldine : F. Molloy, £32 10s ; A. Coles, £3O ; D. Guldan, £3O ; D. Gregan, £27 ; J. Webb, £2B ; J. Beckley £24 10s (accepted). Another tender was received without a signature. No. 115 Building Stockbridge at Cooper’s Creek : J. Mclnnei, L 52 ; A. Best, L3B 10s ; Huffey and Pizzey, L3B IDs ; J. H. Deans, L 34 10s ; R. Kae, L 33 7s 6d (accepted). No. 116—Shingling, near Bouchers, < Gapes’s Valley: G. Piekey, L2O; D. Guldan, Ll 9 5s ; J. Beckley, Ll 7 15s ; i F. Molloy, Ll 7 ; J- Webb, Ll 7; D. 1 Gregan, Ll 5 ; J. Bray, Ll 3 (accepted). ' No. 117 —Repairs to Rae’s Road, ] Raukapuka Flat: S. Courtney, LB7 ; 1 J. Webb, L 77 10s ; G. Hammond, L 76 ; . F. Molloy, L 72; R. Rae, L 7 2; D. - Guldan, L6B; W. Hopkinson, L6o 17h i - j bury Township ; J- Webb, L 45; F. < Molloy, L 45 ; F. Bierck, L4l ; G. Ham- 1 mond, L4O ; D. Guldan, L 36 (accepted, conditionally that competent workmen are employed to pitch the crossing). CORRESPONDENCE. _ ‘ From Messrs White and Smithson, J asking the Board to obtain a license to ’ occupying R.S. 18389 from Mr Sharp, and < forwarding declaration as to date of con- < veyance herein to be made by the Board < as witness thereto. 1 From the Secretary to the Treasury re tha L 519 13s 4d advised by the Treasury < as having accrued to the Geraldine Road ‘ Board on account of lands sold on ‘ deferred payments, and stating that the < amount was credited to tha Board under < a misapprehension, and expressing his regret that the error should have oc- i ° U The Chairman remarked that in looking 1 the matter up he found that the other ’ Provincial Districts received one third of the amounts received for sales of land [ on deferred payment, but Canterbury did not receive any. When he went to Wellington ho would apply for the sum of L 519 13s 4d to be placed on the Estimates to meet the circumstances. From Messrs White and Smithson, stating that they had received a requisition requesting them to state for what purpose R.S. 31050 had been transferred ■ from the owner, Mr Collatt, to the Board; whether for a road, building site, or otherwise. _ ', ~ ... The Chairman stated that tha letter had been replied to, to the effect that the land was required for road purposes. From the Commissioner for Crown Lands, in regard to the Board’s ranger (Mr W. Shiers) behjg gazetted as Crown Ranger, and stating that the SurveyorGeneral was of opinion that it was not desirable, as his duties as Crown Ranger would not coincide with the Board’s works; also, that it was proposed to appoint Mr Fussell, of Timaru, to do the •work south of the Rangitata. From Mr J. A. Quinn, asking to have his name placedjon the roll for the district for Lot 1, being part of R.S. 6382. The request was granted. From Mr W. King, requesting that his name be placed on the roll for the district for dwelling house on Section 3153, the area being two roods. The application to stand over till next meeting, ae section 3153 is in the possession of Mr A, Sherratt. From Mr J. H. Deans, m reply to a letter from the Board, stating that as ■the Chairman of the Woodbury School Committee, the Board could have the use of the schoolroom on Wednesday, May 7th, as a polling place, on the usual terms, viz., £l. The terms were accepted. From Mr Kelland, Chairman of the Hilton School Committee, stating that the Committee would grant the use of the schoolroom on Wednesday, May 7th, for a polling place, free of charge. From Mr Stubbs, Clerk to the Geraldine County Council, enclosing copy of the electoral roll ; also plan of proposed water race at Waitohi Flat, with copy of petition, declaration and description of the proposed district. It was decided that the plan be returned as requested, and the Overseer was instructed to make up a correctrollj the one forwarded to the Board being Messrs J. C. Whittaker and others, asking for a road to be formed end metalled, the whole side of R.S. 1008. The Overseer to report on same at next m From* Mr T. H. Taylor and others, -asking the Board to purchase strychnine to

be distributed to different farmers in the district for them to poison grain for the purpose of destroying small birds. After a short discussion on the matter it was decided to ask Mr Cook to interview the Board in regard to the purchase of the material asked for. Mr Cook attended, and offered to supply strychnine to the Board. The farmers could take their own wheat to him and he would mil it at per bushel. Resolved—‘That the ratepayers on applying to the Overseer will get an order from him to get their grain poisoned.’ From Mr Cook, Orari Flat, re removal of large stones placed alongside his fence. The Overseer to report at next meeting. NOTICE OP MOTION. Mr Flatman brought forward bis notice of motion tabled at the last meeting of the Board, re rescinding that portion of the minutes of the Board of its meeting of the 11th March last re ilk..gitata Riverbed road. After a short discussion it was decided that the Overseer should report on the same. TUB AUDITED ACCOUNTS. The Chairman laid before the meeting the Auditor’s certificate of the correctness of the accounts of the Board. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report as prepared by the Chairman was read and adopted, preparatory to their being laid before the meeting of ratepayers. MISCELLANEOUS, The Chairman stated that in regard to Mr Alexander Macdonald’s complaint made last Board day (in regard to the gorse being cut from his fence without his consent) he had-seen the workman who had cut the gorse, and as he gave quite a different version of the affair he had requested him to give his statement to the Board. Mt Tozer, the workman referred to, was then called in, who stated that he was instructed to cut the gorse at Macdonald’s fence. Mr Macdonald came □ p to him and asked by whose authority he was cutting the gorse, and he told him. Ha at first objected, but afterwards said the gorse could be cut inside the fence. He (Mr Tozer) told him that no damage was being done so long as the roots were not cut. Mr Macdonald then made no objection. The Board then adjourned till after the annual meeting of ratepayers. overseer’s report, “ I have the honor to report for the information of the Board, for the month mding 6th May, as follows : “Owing to the very fine weather wo lave experienced, a large amount of work las been got through, and many of the nitstanding contracts hare been comileted. The following have been passed for final payment this day : “ Redcliff road, shingling ; formation McCormick’s road, Waitohi; Bradley’s ■oad, Hilton ; formation, etc., Townsend’s •oad ; McMaster’s road, Beautiful Valley ; klcKenzie’s road, Raukapuka; floating lam, Orari ; filling approach, Orari j ridge ; and loaning McCormick’s road. “Re C dvert at Mundell’s— The end of ;his old stone culvert having fallen in, I rave had it taken out, and 16fb in length if stonework built in. The culvert is low capable of carrying all the water that vill come down the old course, but if the ihannel is to be diverted an extra culvert icross the main road will be required to sarry off the water in very heavy floods inch as have been recently experienced. Re D. Gregan's Application—l have jxamined the ground near the Valley school where the river has encroached, md found it advisable to trespass slightly m Mr Gregan's freehold by making a jutting. As Mr Gregan claims more land ;han is shown on his deed, I should not idvise the Board to purchase, as this vould necessitate a survey plan and iransfer, thus entailing a heavy cost tor ;he small benefit to be obtained. I think ;he beat course would be to grant him a small sum for a right of way, as the land :s unfenced and of little value. Re Boucher’s Application —To pitch .he crossing at Russell’s Creek with lammer dressed bluestone pitchers would mst £ —. To pitch both creeks and ford would cost £ —. “ As this is our annual meeting, I take bhe opportunity of stating that the whole if the roads in the district are in very good irder. —I am, etc., “William Shiers.” The report was adopted. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES’ REPORT. “Sir, —During the past month my attention has not been directed to any nuisance. “ The births registered in this district luring the same period are 14, and four deaths have occurred, as follows : —An idult male, at Fairfield, from heart disease; m adult female, Pleasant Valley road ; an infant aged 17 days at Geraldine, and one of 12 days at Scotsburn Flat. —I am, etc., “ W, C. Andrews.” financial. Proposed by Mr Flatman, seconded by Mr Slack, and carried— 4 That the sum of £3OOO, falling due on May Bth, 1884, be deposited with the Bank of New South Wales, Geraldine, for twelve months at 6 per cent, interest.’ VOTE OF THANKS. Proposed by Mr Slack, seconded by Mr flatman, and carried —‘That the thanks of tlie meaibera of this Board to their retiring Chairman, Mr Postlethwaite, be recorded on the minutes, for his valuable services as Chairman and the energetic manner in which he assisted in conducting the business of the Board.’ ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £4OO were passed for payment. The meeting then terminated.