GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1328, 16 April 1885, Page 2

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday last. Present—Messrs F. R. Fiatman (in the Chair), J. Kelhmd W. Oeßenzy, and R. H. Posllethwaite. Mr Slack took his seat in the chair after the luncheon adjournment. Mr W. Shiers, the clerk and overseer, was also in attendance. MINUTES. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed, TENDERS. The following tenders were opened and considered ; Contract No. 150 Cutting fences, Taylor’s Road, Rangitata : Geo. Rae, £l9; Thos. Markham, £3B 10s; Jas.' Beckley, £l6 10s ; M. Luvlor, £l3; P. Burke, £l3 ; Jos. Webb, £l2 10a ; Eugene O’Connor £9 (accepted). No. 151—Cuttings, etc., near old Sawmills, Geraldine; G. Piskey, £lO 10s; Thos. Markham, £10; Jus. Beckley, £9 10s; Geo. Hammond, £9 10s; John Dean, £9 5s ; Jonas Fifield, £8; Jos. Webb, £7 15s ; Thos. Gregan, £7 10s; R. Rag, £7 5s ; M. Lawlor£7 (accepted). No. 152 Carting shingle, Hawke’s Road, Waihi River: Jas. Beckley, £9; Jos. Webb, £8 10s ; Thomas Markham, £8; G. Piskey, £8 ; Eugene O’Connor, £7 30s ; P, Burke £7 10s; M. Lawlor,. £7 5s ; Thos. Gregan, £7 3s ; Geo, Hammond, £7 (accepted). CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr Hamersley, asking for information in reference to the notices sent by the Board to Mr Wigley re clearing goree off the roads—Held over till Overseer’s report was read. From the same, asking for copy of notice sent to Mr Wigley.—The Overseer explained that it had been forwarded. From Messrs White, Smithson and Raymond, in reference to the stopping of certain roads, and informing the Board they had obtained certificates from the Chairman of the County Council and the roads were duly stopped. They also informed the Board that the transfer of road line through Stud holme and others property had been completed.—The Overseer was instructed to take steps to have

this road gazetted. Mr Shiers explained that it had taken eight years to complete this transfer. From Mr Fitzgerald, Parkside Nursery, Timaru, in reference to his contract for planting under the Board, and asking for an allowance, as a large number of blue gums had to be renewed with English trees owing to the severity of the winter season.—Held over till Overseer’s report was read. From Mr J. " Ollivier, Provincial District Auditor, -asking the Overseer to have the books ready for bis examination on the 10th inst. — I The Overseer said Mr Ollivier had been down on that date. From the Registrar-General, requesting the Board to furnish certain heads of information for statistics. —Overseer was instructed to supply same. From the Colonial Secretary in reply to the request that the Board’s office might be used as a polling place, stating that lie was directed to point out that the Road Board Elections are either conducted under “ The Local Elections Act, 1876,” (sec. 14), when the Returning Officer appoints the polling place, or under section 49 of “The Road Boards Act 1882,” when “place of meeting” fixed by the Returning Officer is the polling place. From Mr C. G. Tripp, Orari Gorge, in reply to a letter from the Chairman of the Board, stating he would like to see the gorse question well argued, as he did not think the hw correct on tha't point. He had told Mr Wigley that if he would engage Mr George Harper he (Mr Tripp) would give £5 towards such engagement. Mr Tripp also made the same offer to the Board if they would retain Mr R. Stout, bis object being to get the matter set at res t. —After a short discussion, it was resolved that the Overseer write to Mr Tripp and inform him that the Board had made their arrangements, and begged to decline his offer with thanks. RE TOWN BOARD SETTLEMENT. A letter was read from the Manager of the Bank of New South Wales, Geraldine, stating that the Town Board had presented the Eoad Board’s cheque for the balance of the late award, but he had refused to cash it, as per instructions not to do so till the Bth May. Mr Postlethwaite said the Chairman of the Town Board bad told them several times that the cheque would not be presented, but that promise had not been kept. He (the speaker) considered it put the Board in a false position to have their cheque dishonored. The other members coincided with Mr Postlethwaite. A copy of the letter sent to the Chairman of the Town Board was read, which was to the effect that the cheque for the balance of the award was not to be presented till the Bth May. That portion of the deed between the two Boards stipulating the same was also read. The following resolution, proposed by Mr Postlethwaite and seconded by Mr Deßenzy, was unanimously carried “ That this Board record their disapproval of- the action taken by the Geraldine i Tewn Board in presenting their cheque for payment at the Bank of New South Wales, Geraldine, when it had been previously arranged between the two Boards , —not only by mutual agreement, but by deed, duly executed by the above-named Board—that the said cheque for £1215 4s ( should not be presented before the >Bth May,” , PETITION. A petition was placed before the Board signed by Mr Joseph Webb (Woodbury) , and 15 others, praying the Board to open ' the road through Mr Donkin’s property, | Waihi Bush. ! Mr Slack was of opinion that the road ; asked for was unnecessary. The road hud been inspected by several ; members of the Board some months ago, and they were not in favor of it being opened. ( After consulting the map, and discussing the question, the following resolution was moved by Mr Kellaud, and seconded by Mr Deßenzy pro forma'. “That the road asked for by Mr Webb and the other petitioners be at once opened and ( formed.”—On being put to the meeting it was lost. Mr Flutman considered the Board had done a great injustice to the petitioners ; in not granting their request. INTERVIEW. Mr Fitzgerald interviewee! the Board in reference to his plantation contract. He , explained that the severity of the lust two , winters had been against the successful ( growth of the trees planted by him in the reserves. In many cases the trees were unsuitable to the soil, and the climate near the hills was also against them. After Mr Fitzgerald had withdrawn, the Board resolved that if Mr Fitzgerald should make good all trees dead, with quickgrowing sorts, and the work is faithfully carried out by August, he be paid the balance of his contract. THE ANNUAL ELECTION. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Postlethwaite, seconded by MrKelland—“That Geraldine, Woodbury, and Hilton be appointed l polling places fdr the next election.”—The Overseer was instructed to obtain the use of the schoolrooms at the two latter places. overseer’s report. The Overseer's report for the month ending April 14th was read is follows “ Str,—l have the honor to report as under; — “ Having experienced fine working weather during the month, Ihe various works have made good progrees, The following have been completed, and passed for final payment this day ConCrete culverts, Hilton Road ; maintenance, Rangitata Station Road ; repairs to Thew’s Road, Orari ; formation, Burke’s Road, Geraldine Flat. “ The contract time for shingling Pye’s road has expired. iThe whole of the’ shingle is out on the road ; the stones only require to be broken to the specified gauge, to complete the work, “ Survey, Kakahu Bush, —Mr Shaw has made the necessary survey under the “ Public Works- Act ” for road deviation and forwarded a plan for the inspection of the Board. Gorse.—l have twice visited Mr Wigley’s farm to see if the gorse had been cleared from the road, and on the last occasion found that a start had been made and a short length cleared from one side •£ tbe road, “Stone.—l iiave had an offer of £5 for the white stone taken out of the old j 'rcuiverts which have been replaced by concrete, on the Hilton Road; would the Board accept it 1, “Valuation Roll.—As d rected I have revised the ratepayers’ roll, and made the necessary alterations, which have come

within my knowledge and observation, in travelling through the district. “ Accounts.—The Board's accounts for the year ended 31st. March have been examined by the Provincial Auditor, and certified as being correct.—l am &c., “ William Shxers, “ Overseer to the Board,” The following resolutions were passed on the report:— In reference to the gorse question the Overseer to instruct MrHamersley to take proceedings. Eg the offer for stone, it to be accepted. The Overseer’s action in regard to the ratepayers’ roll was approved of, and a new copy of the roll was ordered to be prepared. THE FOOTBRIDGE OVER THE WAIHI, WOODBURY, Mr Flatman drew attention to the dangerous state of this bridge. It was very high and only wired on one side, and it was therefore dangerous for children to cross. —It was resolved to call for tenders for putting up more wires, NEXT MEETING OF THE BOARD. As the annual meeting of ratepayers must be held in the first week in May, it was resolved to hold the next ordinary meeting of the Board on Tuesday, May sth, at half-past nine, so as to allow of the annual meeting being held at noon. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £312 7s 9d were passed for payment and the Board adjourned.