GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1253, 16 October 1884, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Tuesday last. Present—Messrs Slack (Chairman), R. H. Postlethwaite and Kelland.

A telegram was received from Mr Deßenzy, apologising for absence owing to ill health.

A letter was received from MrFlatman, stating his inability to be present till the afternoon sitting. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. chairman’s statement. The Chairman stated that since the last meeting of the Board he had seen Mr Cook in regard to the poisoned wheat supplied to the farmers in the district, and also Mr Wells, who had complained in regard to the inefficacy of the wheat to destroy the small birds. He had purchased some of the wheat, but had not noticed that any birds had been destroyed. He laid It for swamp hens. Mr Kelland said he had spoken to some farmers, and found that they had no complaints to make in regard to the wheat.

Mr Shiers stated that he had got Mr Cook to put some poisoned wheat in the church grounds, and he noticed several dead birds lying about. The matter then dropped. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened and considered : Contract No. 134—Formation and shingle, Clark’s Road, Geraldine Downs ; W. Bennett, £B9: P. Burke, £BS; T. Sugrue, £7B 15s ; A Peid, £7B (accepted). Contract No 135—Drains and culverts, Mee’s Road, near Four Peaks : B. Trum-

per, £29 10s ; D. Gm.lden, £29 10s ; J. Sutherland, £27 ; Fly and Gaiger, £26 5s (accepted). Contract No. 136—Shingling near Love’s, Slack’s Valley : James Miller, £52 10s ; D. Goulden, £6O ; A. Reid, £SO ; T, Oregon, £49 10s ; D. Gregan, £44 19a (accepted). Contract No. 137—Formation, drama and culverts, North Orari; D. Goulden, £232 10a ; W. Ellery, £195 ; A. Reid, £l6O ; P. Burke, £135 ; B. O’Connor, £125. —The te n der of P. Burke was accepted on the ground that in regard to that of O’Connor, the work could not be properly done for the money. Contract No. 138—Cutting channel, and erecting stop banks at Peckham s Crossing, Waihi River : Richards, £3O ; A. Cole, £27 ; D. Gregan, £24 ; Huffey and Pizzoy, £2O 6s 3d ; M. Lawlor, £l9 10s (accepted). CORRESPONDENCEThe following inward correspondence was read and considered ; From Messrs White and Smithson, stating that the plans of land belonging to Messrs Williams, Stud holme, and others required to be in duplicate before the Public Works Department would pass the same ; also stating that the County Council had met and made the same mistake, and that they must have overlooked the declaration of the Chairman of the Road Board, looking only at the plans which do not show roads to all adjacent lands. They offered to attend nex< meeting of the Council, and point out that they are unnecessary. —The Overseer was requested to attend to the request, and ir, was decided that Mr White he requested to attend the Council. From Mr W. Ooppin, urging the necessity of making a portion of the Mount Cotton road, from Beautiful Valley road to his property .—The Overseer to report thereon. From Mrßooke and others, asking the Board to put in a drain of 12in. pipes across the road a chain (more or less) lower than the culvert at Scobie’s cutting. —The Overseer 'to report.

From the Acting-Manager Bank New South Wales, Geraldine, stating that the Paymaster-General had forwarded on 15th Sept, last (he sum of £B3 to the credit of the Geraldine Road Board. From the Secretary to the Geraldine Dairy Factory, asking that Dr Fish’s name might be inserted on the ratepayer’s roll for their propelty.—The request was granted. From Messrs White and Smithson, re date fixed for arbitration between the two Boards.—A telegram was sent to Mr Ollivier, asking the exact date on which the arbitration would be held.

From the Agent for the Bank of New Zealand, Geraldine, forwarding renewed deposit receipt for £SOO for six months, bearing interest at 4 per cent. From the Secretary to the Education Office, Timaru, asking for a lithographed copy of the district traversed by Board's authority. -The Overseer to forward same.

From the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, stating that Mr Ollivier would fix the date for the arbitration, and would no doubt advise the parties interested. From Mr W. Ashby, requesting the Board to shingle a short length of road leading past his farm from the corner of his fence to the Rangiiata bridge. —The Overseer was authorised to call for tenders for the work.

From Mr M. Coombs, requesting the Board to deepen the ditch opposite his land, as the water overflows and runs across his garden.—As it was understood that the Town Board boundary passed through Mr Coombs’ land, the Overseer was directed to ascertain the boundary line.

From the Clerk to the Geraldine County Council, enclosing copy of resolution passed by the Council with reference to the application sent in by the Board, through Messrs White and Smithson, to close certain roads in the Geraldine Road District.

From the Colonial Sacretary, informing the Board that the Government had appointed Mr J. OlHviar, R.M., to make an award under section 12 of the “Town Districts Act, 1881," between the Geraldine Road and Town Districts. From the Secretary General Post Office, Wellington, requesting the Board to inform him whether it would consent to vest in the Queen, for postal and telegraphic purposes, the section in the town of Geraldine (continuance ef Cox street) now occupied by the Postmaster, as a paddock for the telegraph line horse, it being understood that the piece of ground was not required by the Board either for street extension or for other purposes.— The Overseer was requested to inform the Postal authorities that the Town Board was now in existence, but on the Road Board’s part they have no objection to the application. From the Clerk to the Geraldine County Council, stating that the subject ef stoppage of certain roads in the Geraldine district, applied for by Messrs White and Smithson on behalf of the Board, had been again before the Council, and that a resolution had been passed to the effect that the road line plan No. 121 b# declared closed ; and that Nos. 120, 122 and 123 be deferred for a month, until the consent in writing be obtained, as provided in clause 93 of the Public Works Act 1882, and in the case of 144 the application to close the said road be refused.—The Overseer was instructed to obtain the written consent of parties interested in the closing of the roads in plans Nos. 120, 122 and 123. From the Paymaster-General, Wellington, intimating that the sum of £B3 had been remitted to the credit of the Board at the Bank of New South Wales, Geraldine, being amount of grant for the construction of protective works, North Orari.

overseer's report. The following report by the Overseer was then read : “ Sir,— l have the honor to report for the information of the Board asunder ‘ 1 The contract time has expired on three or four of the works in hand. They will, however be completed during this week should the weather be favorable. “ The following works have been completed since last Board meeting ; —Waihi Bush road, Woodbury ; drains, etc., on Brown’s road, Ornri ; willows at Sharps bridge, Kakahu ; footbridge near Scott’s, Waihi Bush ; Fairfield road, near Camp- “ The stone crushing on the Rangitata station road has also been finished and the crusher returned to the Mount Peel Road Board. As instructed, I obtained a new set of ]aws from Mr Anderson, but we had no occasion to use them.

“ Jte the bridge for school a’ Kakahu Bush, I have written to Mr Parr and have also seen JMr Wigleyin reference to constructing a bridle track on the river terrace. Mr Wigley informed me that 1m has purchased the land and could on no account consent to a track being made through it. I should therefore advise that a stock bridge be erected at this crossing in preference to a footbridge. “Be Hammond’s road.—As directed, I have made tin inspection of the bush in the gully which this road leads to and find tt e re are a few thousand cords of firewood, and also some fencing material, which would be available it the road were opened up and improved, and in the interest of the settlers in the neighborhood I think this ought to be done. “Re Russell’s creek.—Some time ago the Board decided on pitching the crossing at this creek ; also, the ford. Owing to the short dava and obstructive nature of the work, I have not as yet called for tender*. I am of opinion that this would not be the best course to pursue. I have therefore brought the matter before the Board for further consideration prior to calling for tenders. “Be Geraldine Traffic Bridge.—l would again draw the attention of the Board to the deck of the Geraldine traffic bridge, as the deck ought to be renewed sometime during the summer months. “The road from the Orari Bridge to Cooper’s cross roads also requires to bo formed, as the traffic on this road has increased very much during the past year owing to the land being cropped, “ I would ask authority from the Board to erect a close fence from the office to the yard gate, fronting Cox street. “ A supply of 12 and 9-inch stoneware pipes are also required for the contracts ia band.—l am, etc., “William Sbibes, “ Overseer to the Board. “To the Chairman Geraldine Road Board.” In reference to the new set of jaws for the stone crusher, the Overseer was instructed to write and ask tor. reductions in the account from Mr Anderson, and to write to the Mount Peel Road Board for half cost of the new jaws. Be the bridge for school at Kakahu Bush, the Overseer was directed to prepare plans for same. Be Hammond’s Road, tenders to be called for the work.

In reference to the pitching of the crossing at Russell’s Creek, the Overseer to interview Mr Findlay. Regarding the re-decking of the Geraldine Traffic Bridge, the Overseer to draw the attention of the County Council to the necessity of the work. The road from Orari Bridge to Cooper’s cross roads to be formed.

The close fence at the Road Board Office to be done.

The Overseer was directed to obtain a supply of 9 and 12-inch stoneware pipes. INSPECTOR OP NUISANCES 1 REPORT.

“ Sir, —Since my last report (9th September) there have been fourteen births registered in this district. The deaths during the same period have been two, viz., an adult female living at Rangitata, from phthisis, and a boy aged six years, at Orari Flat, from congestion of the brain. I have no nuisance to report, and believe the public health continues to be satisfactory.—l am, etc,, U W. C. Andrews. “To Chairman Geraldine Road Board.” MISCELLANEOUS, Proposed by Mr Flatman, seconded by Mr Postlethwaite, and carried —“ That the Overseer obtain the names of all owners or occupiers of land in the district who have not cleared the gorse off the roads adjoining their properties, and that legal proceedings be taken at next meeting of the Board against the first six names drawn by ballot.” Proposed by Mr Postlethwaite, seconded by Mr Holland, and carried —‘* That owing to the Christchurch show being on the second Tuesday in November, the next meeting of the Board be held on the first Tuesday in next month.

ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £41217 were passed for payment.

ADJOURNMENT. , The Board then adjourned till the first Tuesday in November next.