TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1273, 4 December 1884, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Temuka Road Board took place on Tuesday hv-t. Present Messrs Talbot, (Chairman), Paterson and Quinn. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs Barker and Smith. MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £lB3 6s 3d were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read and considered : From Mr J. G. Ruddenklau, dated Chrisfchurch, Nov. 14, stating that he had received from Iheir Clerk a resolution passed by the Boaid to the effect that up to £5 the Board would contribute £ for £ to the amount expended by him in protective works. He thought the Board must have been misinformed as to the probable cost of the work, as he hud already expended between £l2 and £l3 and there was still a good deal to do. He asked the Board to grant £ for £ towards the cost of these works without limit, and the Board could either let the work by tender if they pleased or he would have it done and charge the Board. —ln reply to Mr Paterson, the Overseer said the river ran alongside the road at that place, and if the road was not protected it might be washed away at any time, and a piece of land would then have tobegotfromMrßuddenklau for road purposes.—After a discussion it was decided—- " That the Board are willing to reconsider their previous proposal, which appears to have been based on a wrong estimate of the works carried out by Mr Ruddenklau, and to contribute £ for £ up to a total cost of the works not exceeding £2O, the Overseer to sanction the works before they are undertaken."

From Mr Henry Grainger, asking for timber to construct a bridge ncrnss a creek on the road lending from the Kangitata Island to the North River. He ofl'ored to fetch the timber from Tcinuka, nnd put the bridge up, provided the Board would supply the timber. - It was decided that the matter should be left to the Overseer to ascertain what timber

is required, and the Chairman was empowered to grant the application on the rec'immendntion of the Surveyor. From Mr T. R. Cromptou, drawing the attention of the Board to one or tvo boggy places on the road leading from his farm to the Stumps. —The Overseer was instructed to attend to the matter. From Mr Peter Sinclair, late Overseer to the Hoard, applying for a testimonial of character and ability as Clerk and Overseer to the Board. ' The Board decided to wive Mr Sinclair the following testimonial : "Wo hereby certify that Mr Peter Sinclair acted as Clerk and Surveyor to the Temuka Road Board for a periodof years ; that he was always most attentive and diligent in the discharge of his duties, and that he kept the accounts of the Board in a highly satisfactory manner. The reason of his services being dispensed with was the decision of the Board to separate the duties of clerk and surveyor and to appoint a working overseer or ganger at a greatly reduced- salary." From the Chairman of the Unemployed Commission in regard to the sitting of the Commission in Temuka, and from the Secretary to the same on behalf of the Commission thanking the Bosrd for allowing them the use of the Road Board office, etc.. and personally thanking the Chairman (Mr Talbot) for his attendance on the Commission.

From Mr A. D. Austin, District Engineer, stating that the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the condition of the unemployed in Canterbury had informed him that there were a number of unemployed men in Temuka who were willing to proc-ed to Government work at Kaikoura, Waiau Road. He said that if the Board would send die names of thoHo really desirous of goinp« to the work, the necessary passes and orders for work would be sent down.—The Chairman suggested that it would bo as well to see if work could be provided in the district.—Mr Quinn concurred, and the following resolution was carried : "That the Board are willing to ascertain who among the unemployed are willing to proceed to Kaikoura, and to distribute passes when forwarded, but the Board would point out that it is desirable that work should be provided for married men nearer home, as it will not benefit them in the least if they have to leave their homes."

From Mr Walter Kitson, Commissioner of Crown Lands, in reply lo a letter.from the Board in reference to the exchange of gravel pits with Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst, and stating that a complete description and valuation must be furnished by the parties interested. On receipt of this the necessary steps would be taken.—From Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst, in reference to the same subject. From Mr Geo. Bolton, receiver of small birds and eggs, stating that during the month 1354 J dozen eggs, and 35f dozen birds had been brought to him.

From Mr George Cross, stating that he had now no interest in a farm at one time occupied by him at the Waitohi, and asking to be relieved of the payment of rates for the same.—The Board decided that the rates should be collected from the Dresent owners.

From Mr W. Fawdray and a number of residents in the Arowhenna Township, requesting the Board to clean out the creek running through the Township, as the water was becoming unfit for use. —Resolved—" That the Overseer inspect the creek, and, if it requires cleaning, have the work done in small sections." INTERVIEW. Mr Ackroyd waited on the Board in reference to a road being got to a piece of land occupied by himself and Mr Quinn at Milford. He wanted to know if anything bad been done for them. —In reply to the Chairman the Clerk said that a resolution had been passed by the Board at its last meeting authorising the expenditure of Board funds up to £lO on condition that a like amount was subscribed by those interested.—Mr Ackroyd said that he had spoken to one or two, but they were quite insulted. — Mr Quinn said there was no one there except a few Maoris.—ln the course of the interview Mr Ackroyd stated that they had been unable to make but little use of the land for twelve months, and it cost them £75 per annum without rates. He considered that they hud been very much illused by the Board. —The Chairman said the Board were prepared to do anything reasonable to to get a road to the land, but a good deal of money had already been expended in that locality, and he did not think they would be justified in going in for so large an expenditure.—ln reply to Mr Quinn it was stated that the sum asked by Mr Oldfield for a right-of-way through Ins land to the section in question was £2O, which he said would not more than cover the cost of his fencing.—On Mr Quinn remarking that he thought the Chairman had only to see Mr Oldfield and some arrangement would ba come to, the Chairman replied that he had seen Mr Oldfield but lie could not come to any agreement with him. —It was finally decided that steps should be taken within the next week or so to arrange the difficulty if possible. Cope (a Maori) waited on the Board in reference to a road leading from George Town to the Main South Road, which runs through Maori property. He said he watted a cheque for the value of the road, The matter was before the Board some time ago, and Mr Quinn was then instructed to see wli.it terms ha could make with the Maoris in reference to the same.—Mr Quinn said he had seen Tommy (who had recently died) arid other Maori:) and the amount wanted was £.25. —The Chairman said that all the Bo ud waated to know was to whom the money was to be paid, and the Clerk was instructed to write to Wellington for that information. This was explained to Cope, who said he would give Board one more chance, and if tha mouey was not paid ot next meeting he would dose the road. He explained that as Tommy was now dead lit) was the right person to jeceive the money. UVEKSEBII'S KKrOET. The Overseer's report for the past month was read as follows : "The Chairman Temuka Road Board. " Sin, —1 have prepared specifications for the work ordered to bo done by the Board, and tenders arc before you for your consideration to-day. " In regard to filling gnlly, etc., Main South road, applied for by Mr Wheelband, I have suen him, and he stated that if he did not fib the part <uf his section adjoining the work ho would pay for the quantity of stuff that would otherwise go 1 on his land. The material for this work

cr.nnot be obtained nearer . than the railway pit, consequently it will, if done, be expensive. " Fletcher's contracts for maintenance of roads Winchester division, also Waitohi and Kakahu division—aro completed, with the exception of stone breaking and some slight repairs. Vouchers for balance of contracts have been drawn, less amounts £3 7s 6d and £1 6s 3 A for errors in specifications re mileage. " The contracts in hand are making fair progress. The gravel from the reserve at Winchester is of an inferior description, being very sandy. " I have had the creek at Smith field crossing cleaned out and widened, and the water let into it. Eather more than half the water in the river now goes down it. I have made the crossing passable. I have not driven any piles across the stream, for I think the water will enlarge the channel sufficiently without them. Altogether there has been £6 12s expended on this work. " I have inspected the road through Dind-i, Farm. The work requested by Mr Nicholson to be done would probably cost; about £ —.

"He Road—There are altogether 73 chains of this. About 15 chains of this requires forming ; the remainder is pretty sound ground. "He Main South Road—There are altogether 110 chains of this road between Winchester and Orari that have never been formed. This ia a work that requires doing, but should not be undertaken until after summer. If once formed it would not be any further expense. " Some of the main roads are getting bare, but, I think, may be left now till after harvest. —J am, etc., "F. Archer."' It was decided that Messrs Nicholson and Greena way's applications should stand over. rates. . The Clerk reported that rates to the amount of £6Bl 17s had come inland rates to the value of £B3l were still to be collected" TENDERS. The following tenders were opened and considered : Contract No. 23—Forming footpath and filling gully near Wheelband's : W. Hopkinson, £26 ; T. Cieary, £23 2s ; T. Small, £l6 10s; M. Duud, £ll 19s (accepted). Contract >io. 24—Forming footpath, Wilkin Street : T. Olearj, £l2 15s ; W. Hopkinson, £l2 ; M. Dunn, £4 17s 6d ; Thos. Small, £4 14s (accepted). Contract N<>. 25—Erection of bridge, Waitohi Road : W. Fletcher, £B3 10s; R. and G. Latimer, £74 ; E. Counihan, £57 (accepted). The Board then adjourned.