TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1250, 9 October 1884, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Temuka Road Board was held last Tuesday. Present—Messrs J. Talbot (Chairman), Barker, Paterson and Smith.

MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. INTERVIEWS. Mr Haar waited on the Board to complain of Mr Wright (of Rangitata) being continually cutting down his fences and making a road through his land, and asked whether the Board could not prevent him from doing so.—After some conversation it was decided to instruct the Clerk to forward a tracing of the sections to the Chief Surveyor, and ask what provision is made for entry into Wright's ; also giving particulars of tlie dispute between the parties. Mr C. McAuliffe applied for pipes to enable him- to take the stagnant water from his house across the road to the creek. —It appeared the stagnant water was caused by clay having been dug out of his section for the purpose of building a house, and the Board decided not to grant the application. j Mr William Ackroyd waited upon the Board in reference to a road to his farm being obstructed by Mr F. Oldfield in fencing off a piece of land.—After a long discussion it was decided that the Overseer should look into the matter and report to the Chairman; the Chairman, if hd deems it necessary, to give Mr Oldfield notice under the Public Workß Act that the land in question is required for public purposes. Mr Pilbrow waited on the Board, on behalf of Mr Hayhurst, in reference to gravel reserves. —The Chairman said he had seen Mr Hayhurst, and what he wanted was to exchange a gravel pit site for another site near the cemetery. He then read Mr Dyson's report on the matter. —The Overseer said one of the tenants on the property of Mr Hayhurst refused to allow any of the sibn<:le to be taken away.—The Chairman said that the reserve of the Board was five acres, but the land offered by Mr Hayhurst covered only three acres.—ln reply to the Chairman, the Overseer said the pits offered by Mr Hayhurst were in very good positions. -Mr R. A. Barker moved, "That the Board will allow Mr Hayhurst to get possession of R.S. 3677, provided that he convey to. the proper authorities the following parcels of land in exchange, viz., 2 acres on ft.S. 4155 ; 1 acre on R.S. 4154; 2£ acres on R.S. 6724; and 2£ acres on R.S. 6723 ; the exact position to be subject to the approval of the Board's Surveyor.—Mr Paterson seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Geo. Dyson waited on the Board in reference to the arbitration case left to himself and Mr Bourn. He had seen Mr Bourn and told him the Board would allow the amount of his valuation, but they had not come to any agreement.— The Chairman said there was nothing for it now but to wait nntil they saw what Mr Oldfield would do after he got notice that the land would be taken under the Public Works Act. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £l9l 14s od were passed for payment. COKKESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read From Mr P. Sinclair, in reference to auditing the accounts, and handing j over the charge of the office to Messrs | Archer and Bolton. From Mr R. Thomas, asking leave to put a gate on a road near Parkerson's, and also asking that something should be done to Penny's Road.—The gate was granted, subject to no objection being raised to it. The Overseer was ordered to re-port on Penny's Road. From the Temuka Town Board, slating that it is the intention of the Board to lay 9-inch pipes across Cass Street. —The action was approved of. From the Charitable Aid Board, enclosing returns. From Messrs Perry and Perry, stating that they had been instructed by Mrs E. Johnston that water had been turned in on her land by works done by the Board, and asking that the matter should be remedied.—The Board disclaimed any liability, but at the same time instructed the Overseer to see Mrs Johnston on the matter. From Mr W. Palmer, complaining of his property being valued too high.—lt was decided to reply that the Board had nothing to do with the valuation. From the Secretary to the Education Board, asking for a map of the district.— The request was granted. overseer's report. The Overseer's report was read as follows : "The Chairman Temuka Road Board. " Sir, —I have prepared specifications and tenders have been called for the works authorised to be done by the Board, with the exception of forming the piece of road near Parke's. I found it was not necessary to form it. If the flax was cleared and pipes pat in it would meet all requirements. The kerbing at Winchester I deferred at the request of Mr Gimpson, as he thinks the Masonic Lodge will have a piece adjoining his done on the same terms. " I have attended to the work required to be done near Mr T. Talbot's, and also to Crocker's drain, with the exception of a piece he had not cleared of gorse. " As directed I met Mr McCallum and inspected the crossing on Smithfield road. I found it was very bad, and not crossable for a load. The river sets directly on to the north corner of the road, and so causes a scour along the bank. It would be necessary to cut down the bank after every fresh. Mr McCallum wishes to haveStheJriver turned.about three chains above the road so that it will run under the old footbridge. To do this an old watercourse would have to be deepened and widened, and a dam made across the stream. I would suggest that piles be driven about 10 feet apart across the stream and wired close on each side. " The footpath near Mr W. Hayhurst's eouid be let alone for the summer. It was made bad by cattle going in and out through the gates at the Board's cottages. I have fastened them up. " Some of the water-tables about Winchester will require cleaning out this summer. I would suggest such work be left to me to do when convenient. " I examined the North Orari Road and found that about 30 chains of the end next Cooper's Creek requires shingling (30 yards to the chain for about 18 chains, the rest about 20 yards to the chain.) About one-third of the shingle required can be taken out of the cutting on the ,

east side <»!' (.!><■!. i'.s Creek. If permission can If <)'<iaiii«d to tret the remainder from tiitj creek in Mr McDonald's, the cost would probably be about —per yard. There are other places iu this road that require some slight repairs. " The upper ford of rhe Opihi was rendered impassable by the late flood. I engaged Mr Pi entice to repair it. The ford at Penny's Road I have repaired.

"The end "of Hawke's Road next the river is washed away. I would ;>sk the Board's instructions as to cutting down the bank, as I believe some of the owners of land there say they receive damage through the bank being cut down. Ido not see how they can be injured by it, as the scour commences three or four chains above the road. As the stream has left the bank now, I would recommend willows to be put in on the sides of the embankment ti at mnst be made. " Part of the road between Winchester and the railway crossing requires shingling for about 35 chains with 15 yards to the chain, and about 12 chains with 10 yards to the chain. It wou'd cost about per yard. "Several wooden culverts want replacing, namely—Two at the south end of Allen's Road (one of them requires 9-inch pipes and the other replacing with timber), and one on the Boundary nt.id replacing with timber. This work belongs to the maintenance contract.

" The wooden culvert at the cemetery does nor, take the water fast enoueh durheavyrain. It backs up on to the road, and into the cemetery ground. It requires taking up and enlarging, and more fall given. " The 9in. pipes in the drain at Mr Waddell's gateway on the Middle Swamp road are too small. During rain the water backs up and crosses the road opposite Mr Burrows's. They require taking out and 15in. ones put in. " The fence by the aide of the Board's cottages is broken down and requires repairing. All the windows and part of the sashes in one cottage are broken. " I beg to ask the Board's instructions in regard to the footbridge at the end of che Oxford railway bridge. The span on the east end has been washed away for some time. It is now conuected with the bank by a temporary bridge consisting cf planka laid on a trestle standing in the river. If it remains so it will require a piece of hand-railing and fastening to the bank with wire. There is also some timber lying on the bank there. " Mr Parke complains that the road on each side of tke culvert at his house is very low, and requires raising - . '' Mr Lee also wants the road from Epworth road towards Ulliver's mado good by filling a hollow near its junction with the Epworth road. It would cost about £—.

" I have passed Lewis's contract for maintenance of roads for payment, the cheque to be held over until the stones are broken.

"In regard to the future maintenance of roads let by contract it will be desirable to alter the specifications. I propose, if necessary, to draw out a specification for maintenance, and submit it to the Board next Board day for their approval.

" If maintenance is done by day labor it would, in my opinion be necessary to get a horse and dray or strong express. Tbe supply of shingle for repairs could then be let by contract, and one man constantly employed with, occasional help would, 1 believe, do as much repairing as is done on the contracts let by tender besides doing occasional jobs for which express hire has now to be paid.—l have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, "F. Archer."

It was decided to divert the river as requested by Mr McCallum, the work to he done as cheaply as possible ; to adopt the suggestion to call for tenders for 18 chains of the North Orari Road ; to cut down the bank at the end of Hawke's Road ; to call for tenders for shingling the road between Winchester and the railway station ; to repair the culverts referred to ; to offer to exchange pipes with Mr Waddell, provided he does the work ; to make the necessary improvements at the Oxford Railway Bridge ; the Overseer to inspect and attend to what Messrs Parke and Lee complain of. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened : Contract No. 18—Shingling Road near Mr Job Brown's : M. Dunn, £5 15s 8d (accepted) ; F. Hooper, £7 6s 8d ; Flanagan and Co., £B. Contract No. 19—Forming road, Rangitata Island : John Buck, £ll 18s (accepted); Joseph Buck, £l3 12s; Flanagan and Co., £l6 lis 6d ; J. Sheehan, £l7 ; Thos. Small, £23 16s; John Crowley, £44 ss. Contract No. 20—Forming Road, Rangitata.: Flanagan and Co., £55 2s 6d (accepted) ; Thos. Cleary, £56 : John Buck, £66 3s ; Thos. Small, £72 i7s 9d ; E. Counihan, £139 13s. NOTICE OP MOTION. Mr Smith gave notice that at next meeting he crould move that the contracts for the maintenance of roads be discontinued at their expiration. THE THISTLE NUISANCE. Mr Barker stated that some roads on his brother's property, not much used, usually got overgrown with thistles, and suggested that if tbey weie hurdled across and a ni(.b of sheep put on them sometimes it would probably keep down the thistles. —It was agreed to give Mr Barker permission to try the experiment. The Board then adjourned.