TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1262, 6 November 1884, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held last Tuesday. Present— Messrs J. Talbot (Chairman), Barker, and Smith. minutes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. accounts. Accounts to the amount of £289 5s 6d were passed for payment. deputations. Mr A. Russell waited on the Board as a deputation from the residents of Wilkin Street, to ask for wells to be sunk in that street for fire brigade purposes. He also asked for the footpath to be formed, ana referred to a letter he had sent to the Board some time previously, which had not been taken notice of. —The letter was produced, and read, and it was decided that the footpath should be formed where necessary, but that the ■ sinking of the wells would not be entertained. Mr W. Ackroyd waited on the Board with reference to the road in dispute between himself and Mr Oldfield.—The Chairman said he had visited the place, and found it impracticable to come to any terms with Mr Oldfield. He wanted £2O. He (the Chairman) thought cattle could be taken across as it was, and also sheep.— Mr Ackroyd ; Sheep ! Drive sheep down the hill! Whoever heard of it j By giving access to this ford you would be opening up a way across to all the district. It is the best ford m the district, The Chairman said it was a question whether the Board would be justified in goincr to so much expense in the matter.—Mr Ackroyd said he paid rates and he had a right to a road to his land If he got this he would never again ask for anything.—After a lengthed conversation it was decided that the Board would contribute £2 to £1 if the residents in the district pay towards making a road to the f ° r< Mr Fletcher, contractor for road maintenance, waited upon the Board. He said that now when his contract was nearly run out he was called upon to break some of the stones which were coming up through the road. He was willing to break such as were over the surface, but he asked to be relieved of having to break stones which were only on a level with the surface of the road.— It was decided to leave the jnafter in the hands of the Overseer,

CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read and considered; — From Messrs H. Nicholson and C. Nicholson, applying to have the road across Dinda Farm opened, as it was obstructed by gates and caused them con-: siderable inconvenience. —The Overseer was ordered to report. From Mr J. G. Bnddenklau, stating that the south branch of the Rangitata River was damaging his property, Lately the water had turned into the 1 south channel, and several of the fords had become impassable. He was afraid the road to his homestead would be carried away. He had spent a considerable amount in protective works and thought he was -justified ip asking the Board’s assistance.—lt was decided that if Mr Ruddcnjdau complete the protec. tive works he has begun the Board will contribute £ for £. From Thos. Palmer, stating that the foot-bridge at the Oxford railway bridge was dangerous, —The work had already been attended to, From Messrs Mundell and Co., calling attention to the dangerous state of the road opposite Mr Grigg’s estate at Orari.—The Overseer was instructed to report whether it can be remedied by filling up the place. From Mr W. Wheelband, stating that water from the Main South Road flowed pn fp his Jfind rendering it unfit for cultivation. From Mr John Downes, w‘th regard to the same matter, —It was decided to call for tenders for the work provided the material can be got conveniently and that

Mr Wheelbanil "ill undertake to fill up his land at the same time.

From Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst, in reference to the exchange of gravel pit sites as agreed upon last Board day, and stating he was willing to transfer the land.—The Clerk w as instructed to ascertain the body in whom the reserves ought to be vested. From 'fir M. Quinn, enclosing a letter he had received from Mr Parsons, of Wanganui, about the payment of rates. —The Clerk was instructed to u.qu:io into the matter.

From Mr W. Palmer, objecting to give a site for a gravel pit and asking for leave to fence temporarily his crops. —The request was granted provided the Overseer seo no objection to it. From Mr W. Kitson, enclosing tracings showing the loads through some disputed lands in the Rangitata district. From the Ternuka Town Board, in reference to the appointment of Mr Davis in place of Mr Hobbs as nightman.—lt was decided to sell the night-cart to the Town Board. RANGITATA BRIDGE. The following letters in connection with the proposed sheep bridge at the Rangitata Railway Bridge were read : “ The Chairman Ternuka Road Board. “Sir, —Enclosed I beg to hand you copies of correspondence received from the Minister for Public Works re information in connection with the proposed bridge for foot-passengers and sheep running along the railway bridge at the Rangitata. “A tracing has also been sent, which can be seen on application to the Council office, Timaru. “ I may state that the roadway is only two feet wide, side rails 3ft 6in, and 4ft wide at the top. “The Council would be glad if you can afford the information asked for; also, your opinion as to its suitability.— I am, etc., “F. W. Stubbs. “ Clerk to the Council. “Oct. 13th, 1884.” “ Mema. for Hon. Minister Public Works. “ Re footpath for sheep, men, etc., proposed to be built alongside the Rangkala Railway Bridges. “ Hon. Mr Rolleston, when Minister for Lands, desired that a plan and estimate should be prepared for the above ; I now forward herewith the estimated cost for each bridge, being £550 to £6OO, on the assumption that the foot-bridges will be of the full length of each bridge from bank to bank, viz., 1980 feet. “ I understand that the applicants for these bridges are prepared to subscribe to the cost should the erection of them he approved. In such case there is no doubt that the Working Railway Department would require that special arrangements be made foi the use of such footpaths. “The question of maintenance is one shat should be considered if such erections are allowed. “ John Blackett. “ Public Work’s Office, Wellington. “ Sept. 12th, 1884.” Sept, 24th, 1884. “ Proposed foot, bridge over Rangitata River. “ Sir,—l am directed by the Minister for Public Works to forward to you a design for a bridge for _ foot passengers, horses and sheep, which it is understood that you wish to have attached to the Rangitata Railway Bridges, together with a copy of a memorandum by the Engineer-in-Chief thereon.

“ Mr Rolleston, M.H.R. for your district, at whose instance the tracing and report are sent to you, suggests that you may be able to furnish an estimate of the probable traffic over the proposed bridges, snd the Minister would be glad if you would, at your convenience be good enough to supply him with such an estimate ; also a statement as to whether or not you would be willing to pay _ the cost of the construction of this foot-bridge in the event of the Government permitting it to be erected.—l am, etc,, “ 0. Y. O’Connor.

“ Under Secretary for Public Works.” ‘ The Chairman Geraldine County Council, Timaru,

It was decided to reply that the Board could not give any reliabable information as to the traffic which would go over the bridge ; that 2ft was too narrow ; and that the Board was prepared to contribute £l5O towards it. TENDERS. The following tenders were received : Contract No. 20.—Forming road, Rangitata : E. Couniban, 12s per chain ; T, Small, 11s 6d ; T. Cleary, 13s. No tender was accepted. Contract No 21,—Shingling, Main South Road ; E. Connihan, per yard (accepted) ; M. Dunn, Is lsd; T. Cleary, Is 6d. Contract No. 22. Shingling, North Orari Road ; M. Dunn, £36 8s (accepted) ; E. Connihan, £37 10s ; T. Cleary, £46 17s 6d ; W- Lewis, £SO 1% ?d.

overseer’s rbpqrt. The Overseer’s report was thpn read, as follows; —

“ To 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. Flanagan and (Jo. having declined to proceed with contract No, 2Q tenors have again been called. In regard to this work I may say that it will be worse to do now, as the ground ha? got hard and dry since it was let. “ The contracts on hand (with the exception of No. 18) are all nearly completed. The formation of the footpath, Main South Boad, 1 have extended £| chains, so that it completes, the frontage between Cass Street and Brown’s Lane. Mr Blyth has completed his contract for supply of timber. “The most prgept of the other works ordered by the Board I have done, the rest I am attending to except the diversion of the river at Smithfield crossing, which I have not yet started. I had to put new girders under the bridge op Penny’s Road, “■ A popcrete culvert authorised by the Board to be put in near Elkis’s might be done next month.

* £ Many of the unshingled roads in the outlying parts of the district will require a considerable amount of attention this summer. Some of them are badly waterwashed .

“ 1 have inspected Penny’s 'Road, and find it would want a large ditch made on the east side to complete the formation of it. This work would probably cost about The road may be made passable by filling the ruts with shingle, about SO yards would do. Iff the Board

I approves of this I can ha- e it dona by the contractor of the North ( 'viui Road. “In renewing some of the worst planks in the Tentuku Bridge I found the decking unsound. Ido not think it safe for heavy traffic. . . “In approving of the v>‘ si turn ol gravel pits to be obtained from Mr Hayhurst I do not consider it necessary to take one acre in section 4154, as throe acres can be got in 4155. “There are no six-inch pipes in stock. —I am, etc., “ F. Archer, “ Overseer to the Board.” It was decided to call lor tenders for the culvert near Elkis’s ; to fill up the ruts on Penny’s Hoad, and to call the attention of the County Council to the state of the decking of the Temuka Bridge. MAINTENANCE OF HOADS. Mr Smith brought up the motion re raaintainance of roads, but as the Board had unanimously agreed they should not be let again in the same way, the motion was withdrawn. adjournment. The meeting then adjourned.