GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1314, 12 March 1885, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board w as held on Tuesday in their office. Present—Messrs W. U. Slack (Chairman), B. H. Postlethwaite, W, Deßenzy, F. R. Flatman, and J. Kell and, junr. Mr Shiers, Overseer to the Board, was also in attendance. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened and considered : Contract No. 148— Thaw’s Road : J. Beckley, £3O 10s ; Fiefield and Cook, £24 ; R. Sandford, £24; J. Mulvahill, £2O; J. Webb, £l6 (accepted); A, Gulden, £ls. Contract No. 149—Jansen’s Road ; J. Mulvahill, £63 ; J. Webb, £54 10s (accepted) ; A. Gulden, £4B. CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence was read and dealt with ;

• From Mr O. E. Sherratt, Returning Officer for the Road District, asking for information respecting the election in May, when three members of the Board retire.—The reply was left over till next meeting of the Board. From the same, informing the Board that Mr J. Kelland, junr., had been the only person nominated to serve on the Timaru Harbor Board and ha had been duly elected. Ho also enclosed an account for one guinea, returning officer’s fee. —Mr Kelland informed the Board that the Harbor Board boro the cost of their elections, and the account, after being cartified to by the,Road Board, was ordered to be forwarded to the former Board.

From Mr Sperrey, Property Tax Commissioner, dated 16th February, in reply to the Board’s letter of the 13th February, in which was forwarded a list of omissions and inaccuracies in the valuation roll lately forwarded to the Board. Mr Sperrey stated that the roll was made out in accordance with the Assessment of 1882, and the inaccuracies must be .amended by the Board as provided by Section 10 of the Rating Act, 1882. From the same, dated February 26, in reply to the Board’s letter of the 23rd, informing the Board that the roll was properly made out in accordance with sections 6,788 of the Bating Act, 1832, upon the basis of the assesment made in October, 1882.—As Mr Sperrey refused to correct the roll it was resolved on the motion of Mr Postlethwaite, seconded by Mr Kelland—“ That the Overseer make the necessary alterations in the rate roll, and report to next meeting.” » From the same, forwarding rate roll of t*iie Crown lands in the Road District. from Mr W. Badger, Christchurch, informing the Board that a copy of the Niw Zealand Statutes had been forwarded to the Board. Fiom Messrs White, Smithson and Raymond, in reference to stopping certain roads.

From the same, in reference to items in their account contracted when Mr White was ia partnership with Mr Jameson, which the Board had objected to.— A cheque w« ordered to be drawn for the amount of the account less those items, and it was arranged that Mr Postlethwaite should again see Mr White on the subject, as the Board were under the impression the items referred to had been settled. From the sanje, stating that an arrangement had been cpipe to by them with the Town Board’s solicitor in rgaard to matters referring to the late award, and forwarding a copy of th# deed drawn - up by them, which the Board were to sign, the Town Board’s solicitor having drawn out a similar one which his Board would sign.—The matter, after a short discussion, was allowed to stand over till the Town Board met the Boanl at the afternoon sitting, EOAD AT THE E^yqiTATA. An application was made at the January meeting of the Board by several residents at Belfield, asking the Board to ease the terraces from Taylor’s to the Rangitata, The Board did not then see the necessity of doing tjie work so long as the surveyed road was hot formed, Mr Postlethwaite now informed the Board that he had visited the place and said the residents would be satisfied if .the terraces were eased without forming the road.—it was resolved that tenders be called for next meeting for the worjt.

JIiANTATION RESERVES.

Mr Flatman brought under the notice of the Board that the contractor for planting the reserves was not attending to them properly,—The Overseer was instructed to visit the reserves and report on them at next meeting.

INTERVIEW.

Mr Wigley waited on the Board at the morning sitting in reference to the gorse complained of on the roads through his property. He was willing to clear it .if the Board would inform him whefe it waj a nuisance,—The Overseer said that the number of the'sectiong abutting on the roads in question had been given in the notices eent to Mr Wigley, Mr Daßenzy said it was against the mles and regulations of the Board t* have interviews before the proper time, two o’clock, but ha would have no objections to Mr Wigley asking questions, Mr Flatman said Mr Wigley must admit that the Board had beSn ‘ tp a lot of trouble and expense through his refusing to clear the gorse when requested to do so. What would small holders say if a large landholder like Mr Wigley did not poipply with the Board’s notices, Mr Wigley said fie had put a man on to clear the gorse but he fiad Jeft tp go harvesting. He wanted to known why be had been requested to clear his gorse off when his neighbors were allowed to go free. # . I4r Postlathweite explained how it was that Mr Wigley had been sewed with a notice that proceedings would be taken if sb» roajia wpre not cleared. He was one ot six who were for put of a number to be served with similar notices.

Mr Flatman said the other five persons Had cleared the gorsa off their roads. Mr Wigley said there was a new Act, the Public Works Amendment Act, which 'simplified matters a good deal.

Pbe Overseer said the notices had been Ber'ved under this Act, Mr Wigley said if the Overseer 'would point out to his shepherd, McKay, where the gorse wanted clearing he would see to It.

' Dcßenzy thought the Overseer had quite enough to do without waiting on Mr McKay. It was bis place to wait on the Orenser.

Mr Postlethwaite said Mr Wigley had been requested months ago to clear off the gorse, and he had not done so. It was usual to make test cases to save the expense of summoning everyone, as others would probably then comply with the notices. In reference to the proposed road near the Kakahu Bush, the Chairman said the Board had decided to take the land required, under the Public Works Act, ail y instructions had been given to have it surveyed. , ... Mr Fiatraan asked Mr Wigley if he would not compromise the matter and sell the land at a reasonable price to the Board, instead of putting them to the expense of two bridges or taking the land under the Public Works Act. Mr Wigley said he had never thrown any impediments in the way of the Board. The proposed road would cut off the water from his land at that point. It was the only water on 900 acres of land when the block would be all fenced. Mr Flatmau suggested that a bridge could be built for stock to obtain access to the water. Mr Wigley then withdrew, TOWN BOARD MATTERS. Mr Pearpoint interviewed the Board in reference to a settlement of the difficulty between the two Boards. He said that he had that day received a letter from his Board’s solicitor, Mr Hamersley, who said that he had drawn out an agreement with Mr White, a copy of which Mr Pearpoint expected by next post, and which his Board would sign. After a long conversational discussion it was proposed by Mr Fiatraan, seconded by Mr Deßenzy, and carried—“ That on the completion and exchange of the deeds between the Geraldine Road Board and the Geraldine Town Board, a cheque be handed to the Town Board, payable on the Bth May, 1885, for balance due.” Mr Pearpoint agreed to this course, and then withdrew.

The Chairman and Mr Flatman signed the Road Board’s copy of the deed.

MISCELLANEOUS

Moved by Mr Flatman, seconded by Mr Kelland, and carried—“ That the deposit for £SOO falling due on March 15th, 1885, with the Bank of New Zealand be placed to the current account with the Bank of New South Wales,” Mr Kelland spoke in reference to the creek near W. Patrick’s.—This was dealt with in the Overseer’s report. Mr Flatman said a few loads of shingle were required in the crossing at Finlayson’s creek.—The Overseer was instructed to attend to it.

overseer’s REPORT,

The Overseer’s report for the month ended March 10th was read, as follows; “ I have the honor to report for the information of the Board as follows ; f ‘The continuous weather experienced during the past njopth has interfered considerably with the progress of the works in hand. The contract time for two of those works expired on the 3rd inst, Findlay’s Ford,—Mr Findlay declines to have the ford near bis place deepened, as suggested ; and also withdraws his permission to divert the creek through his land near Mr W. Patrick’s, “ Bridle Track.—l have communicated with Mr Shaw in reference to the line of road at the Limekilns, but ho has not yet been out to make the necessary survey, “Gorse. -With the exception of advertising for tenders, no steps have been taken to clear the gorse from tbo road in the Kakahu Yalley.

“Mr Kelman’s Application,—As instructed, I have examined the riverbed at Hawke’s crossing, Waihi, and find that in time the water flows through the cutting, noith terrace, and through the gateway into Mr Kelman’s paddock. The willows planted on the south bank below the bridge are encroaching very fast on the watercourse, and consequently are forcing the stream on to Mr Kelman’s land. “Valuation Roll. —The Properly Tax Commissioner has forwarded an amended copy of the roll, but there are still a large ambunt of inaccuracies and omissions that require to be rectified. “ Gravel Reserve.—l find on enquiry that no land purchased by the Board in 1877 out of Reserve 1191. The money paid at that time was for compensation to the lessee during big time, consequently no survey has ever been made. “Iron Safe.—l have purchased one of Milner’s fireproof safes, for the safe custody of ihe Board’s most valuable books and documents.

Law. —1 have received a copy qf The Whole Law ot New Zealand, ordered sonie time since from Mr Vf. 'Badger.

15 The Mount Peel Road Board has for* warded a cheque fop jections of stops crusher,—l am, etc., “W, Smarts, ‘‘Overseer to the Board.” The following resolutions were passed on the report: — Be Findlay’s Ford.—Shingle to be carted iuto it, to fill the hole scoured out by flood water. Be Bridle Track. —Letter to be written to Mr Shaw, asking him when he would be out to survey it.—The Overseer said that he had had a letter from him some time ago, in which ha stated tfiat he would he out m a few days, but he had not been yet. Be Gorse.—Two members to inspect the places, and notices to be sent. Be Kelman’s Application.—The willows encroaching to be removed, and the road on the north side to be Be Valuation Roll.—The Oversear to rectify the inaccuracies'. The purchase of the safe was approved.

ACCOUNTS,

Accounts to the amount of £254 7s 10d were passed for payment. Tjiis aqiouxit included two accounts for small birds and eggs, for £9 9s lOd.and £7 Hs 3d, from Mr Flatman and Mr Deßenzy respectively. This being all th* business the Board adjourned.