TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1337, 7 May 1885, Page 2

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held at 10 a.m, on Tuesday. Present—Messrs J. Talbot (Chairman), Barker, Quinn, and Smith. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. • ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £42 16s 6d were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read from the Rev. J. W. Stack giving information re the dispute with the Maoris at George Town. From Mr W. G. Rees, Timaru, Sheep and Rabbit Inspector, calling attention to the spread of gorse in the riverbeds of the district, and pointing out that it would be a harbor for rabbits. Resolved—- “ That Mr Rees be informed there are no rabbits at present in the riverbeds so far as the Board are aware, and deem it very unlikely, in view of the district being so thickly populated that any rabbits will be allowed to exist.” From Mr M. Moore and seven other ratepayers asking the Board to shingle a portion of Seatons road, Waitohi.—Resolved—“That the petitioners be informed that the application cannot be entertained at present, the season being unsuitable for suck work.” From Mr E. Hall, Orari, asking for timber to make a bridge over the drain on Penny’s road, —Granted. From Mr E. Brown, asking that Studholme street, from High street to Denmark street, should be shingled.—Granted. TENDERS. Tenders were opened as follows ; Contract No. 30 Cleaning drain, dyne’s: G. Latimer, 9d per chain (accepted) ; R. Flanagan Is 7Jd per chain ; P. Francis, Hid per chain; James Morgan, 1s per chain. Contract No. 31 Cleaning Drain, Toner’s road : James Morgan, Is 3Jd per chain ; W. {Fletcher, Is lid per chain. P. Francis, Is 3d per chrin (accepted). DEPUTATION. Mr Bissett waited on the Board to ack for two planks to make a drain.— Granted. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The Overseer’s report was to the effect that Malarkey’s drain was nearly completed, and the contractors had started shingling on the Boundary road. Tavender's Bridge had been redecked; the Orari drain was cleared out, and the road neat Friel’s nearly finished. He had seen the Overseer to the Geraldine Road Board but no definite arrangement could be arrived at until after the meeting of the Geraldine Board. A new wooden culvert was required at the Orari Railway Station, and 600 yards of shingle on the main road near McOallum’s ; about 150 yards on the Epworth road, and about 600 yards on the Waitohi main road between Allan’s and Point Road. The drain near Cliff’s required

widening and deepening. The Bridge required re-decking, as it was unsafe in its present condition. He would recommend the ford to be opened if the bridge could not bo redecked at once.” It was decided to shingle the main South Road and Epworth Road provided ’ shingle could be gut so conve-nient that the roads would not be cut up in carting it. Also to clean out the drain near Cliffs; and open the ford at the Waihi. WINCHESTER. Mr Barker called attention to the state of Winchester. He thought if pipes were pat do ivn by the forge all the water could be tuken down to the river. xakahh coal deposits. Mr Barker thought it was time Kakahu w was tested as to whethet there was any coal in it, and he would suggest that they should request the County Council to ask ths Government for the use of a. boring machine so as to test it. If this were done, and they had the use of a boring machine, he was sure there would bo found plenty of people to subscribe sufficient money to test whether good coal could be got in the district. After some further conversation Mr Barker moved, and Mr Smith seconded—- “ That the Board being of opinion that it would be a desirable thing for the district that the Kakahu coal deposits should be thoroughly tested, and understanding that in all probability sufficient funds could be raised by those interested ) provided the use of the Government boring machine could be obtained ; the County Council be asked to make an application to the Government for the loan of their drills in the event of a company being formed to test tiie district.for coal or other minerals."—Carried, COMPLIMENTARY. Mr Quinn moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for the able manner in which he had carried cut the business of the Board, 'and paid a high tribute of praise to the care and attention he had bestowed upon it. The motion was seconded by Mr It., Smith. MrjTalbot, in returning thanks, said anything he had done bad been always a pleasure to him. He had found his _ duties very pleasant owing to the agree- ■ able way in which the other members of 7 the Board had assisted him. Mr Quinn said there was another duty to perform. Through an inadvertence they were severing official connection with two old members of the Board, and he wished to place on record the Board’s appreciation of their services. He must say that it was with great regret, and the regret was general throughout the district—that be learned both Messrs Barker and Patersou would no longer be members of the Board. Mr Barker said be believed he was an older member than even Mr Talbot. He v was in the Board in the days of Dr Bayner, when they were a very small body, but thought a lot of themselves. He thanked Mr Quinn for bis expressions of good will. When he found that he had made a mistake as to the time of nomination he felt that it was so mnch trouble off his* bands, but now he must confess he was sorry to sever his connection with the Board.

ANNUAL MEETING OF RATEPAYERS.

The annual meeting of ratepayers was held at noon. Only about 16 were present. Mr John Talbot presided. > The minutes ot last annual meeting were read and confirmed. After having read the advertisement calling the meeting, and the clause of tbe> Act authorising the meeting, the man read the annual report and balance* sheet. The report was as follows chairman’s report. “ Gentlemen,—This meeting is convened in accordance with the provisions of the Road Boards Act, 1882, as an annual meeting of ratepayers. The business to be transacted wiil be, to receive the report and balance-sheet for the past year, and generally totgire an opportunity to ratepayers to discuss any questions of public interest. “In the first place with regard to finance. We commenced the year with a credit balance of £998 7s 7d ; our receipts from all sources, inclusive of this, amount to £2668 9s lOd ; onr expenditure for the same period has been £227? lls lid ; thus leaving a balance to credit of £390 17s lid. The outstanding liabilities ut present are about £23 as against £3OO at date of last report, and the assets in the shape of uncollected rates are £426 10s as against £274 lls 5d last year. “The accounts and books have been duly audited by Mr Oliivier and certified to as correct. A recommendation made by him at previous audit, via., that the practice of keeping the general and the rate account separate at the bank should be discontinued, has been given effect to. ■ “ The town of Temuko having availed V' itself of the Town Districts Act and effected a severance from the Road District became thereby entitled te a share the property of the Board in proportion* to the rateable values, A division was amicably arrived at, the Town Board accepting the sum of £IOO in full discharge of all claims. “ The Board, in view of its now reduced and limited scale of expenditure, deemed it necessary to readjust and reduce the official expenditure also, and in order to do this the requisite notice to terminate their agreement with Mr P. Sinclair as Clerk and Surveyor was given to' him almost immediately after the last annual meeting. Aftercareful consideration of the question it was decided to separate the duties of Clerk from that of Surveyor, and thus relieve the latter officer from , any necessity to attend the office at except on Board days, the object aimed at being to appoint someone as a working Overseer, who might, while giving more attention than had obtained hitherto any work required to be done by day labor, also lend a helping hand himself. The arrangement has in practice fully met the expectations of the Board. The salaries offered were £l2O (year with free house for the position ot Overseer, and £4O a year for the clerical work. The Clerk, however, is expected to devote y. only an much of his time ip |he• Board’s ' service as be may find to do the work efficiently. A cash saving of £7O a year is saved by this arrangement, and there is besides to be taken into account the value of the labor by the Overseer, which is a considerable item, for being an intelligent and handy man he is able to to undertake work that would otherwise

bo costly, such as repairs to or building small bridges and culverts. The clerical work is more efficiently done also, as Mr Bolton, who was appointed, is well qualified for the duties, and, being resident in the town, he is always at hand to attend to any requirements of ratepayers. “ A rate of one halfpenny in the £ was struck for the period ending March 31st last. It has been decided to strike one of three-eighths of a penny only for the current period ending March 31st, 1886. The depressed times has induced the Board to endeavor to make the amount that will he realised, therefrom do for the year’s service and having Li view the efficiency and economy of the present system of working it is confidently expected that it will do so. Ratepayers, however, must not be too sanguine that the present low rating can be maintained. We have an immense amount of metalled roads to keep up, and the scarcity of metal in some portions of the district renders this very costly. A good deal ra-raetalling will require to bo done during the next few years. “The contracts for road maintenance

which were m force at the last annual meeting having expired, the system was not deemed to have sufficient merit to warrant its further continuance.

“ The negotiations which were reported to be then going on at the last annual meeting re the erection of a proposed stockbridge alongside and attached to the railway bridge across the Rangitata river, has,, we regret to say, not been brought to a successful issue. The failure is attributable to .the fact that the local bodies on the Ashburton side declined to contribute anything towards the cost. “The warfare against the bird peats has been carried on during the year, the sum of £BB 6s 4|d having been expended, chiefly in the purchase of eggs and young birds. Soma poisoned wheat was also distributed to farmers free of cost. 97,663 eggs and 8,682 young birds have been purchased. These measures may possibly have some effect in the direction of checking the .nuisance, especially when it is borne in mind that every Road Board in South Canterbury hae been engaged in a similar crusade. It seems that in return for this heavy expenditure we can only claim the problematical assertion that we are possibly keeping it in check, for it is quite certain the nuisance is not at all diminished.

“One of the most troublesome questions the Board has to deal with is that of the roadside drains in what is known as

the swamp districts. These drains were originally made as being necessary to the formation of the roads. Landowners, however, find them of great use to carry off the drainage from their adjoining properties. Applications are constantly being made to have them cleared of watercress, etc. It has been decidad that unless, it is made to appear clearly that the cleaning is necessary to prevent injury to the road the application will be refused, and in cases where it is shown that the benefit to be derived from cleaning will be shared both by the applicant and the Board, the cost must be shared also. .

“Mr Hayhurst being desirous of acquiring an old gravel pit reserve near Green Hayes, offered the Board to exchange it for other land where it would he more useful to the Board. The land offered in exchange having been examined and found suitable, it was decided to accept the offer, and the necessary transfers are being effected. “The residents of Georgetown are in trouble for the want of a road. A portion of the Arowhenua Native Reserve cuts them off from access to the main road, and the Maoris decline to allow them to use the old track any longer. There is a roadway shewn on the district map, but the Natives say it was never purchased from them, and they will not allow it to be opened except they are paid £25 for it. The Board were willing to do this, but the question arose as to who was entitled to receive the money and give a title to the land in question. In the meantime the Chief Surveyor was written to for any explanation he could give as to how the road line was shown on the 1 map. He replied that the roadway was evidently purchased from the Natives at tba same time as the Main Road was; that it was, in fact, a part of the purchase, as the acreage corresponded exactly with the particulars given on the payment voucher dated 1862. The Natives, however, deny this, and state that they only parted with sufficient land for tba Main Road. Mr Stack, who was one of the Native Commissioners at the time, has been written Ho, and he states he is of opinion the disputed ground was not paid for and that the matter may be settled by obtaining a copy of the agreement which was made at the time from the Native Lands Office. The Chief Surveyor was in the district a few days ago, and be promised to look more fully into the matter. From his statement, however, ns to the slow, rate of-speed business is usually done by the Native Lands Department, it may be feared that if the settlement of the question depends on information to be supplied therefrom, it may be obtained in time only to be of use to a succeeding race of Georgetown residents. “Anew Impounding Act was passed at the last session of the General Assembly, and its provisions so far as relates to action by the Board have been complied with. ,

“You were informed at our last annual meeting that the County Council were • contemplating the rebuilding of the old portion of the Opihi Bridge, and were > also considering the question of taking , orer the HHinteonnce of all large bridges on ibe Main Roads. It was also stated

that the Tetnuka bridge required redacting, but that, pending the action of the Council in the matter, the Board were endeaToring to keep the bridge open by replacing planks as they gave way. As you are aware, the rebuilding of the Opihi Bridge has been carried out, and the river is now spanned from bank to bank by a uniform and capital structure. The contract occupied a somewhat lengthy time in its carrying out, and as freshes kept continually occurring in the river the public. were caused a good deal of annoyance thereby but the remembrance of, this is* now probably lost, or serves : only to came a keener appreciation of the benefits conferred by this useful work. The. Council ultimately accepted the maintenance of all the bridges, and a contract for redecking the Temuka Bridge was let some time ago: and the work will be commenced as soon as the contractor can get the timber.

Ratepayers will probably have obttffed from what is taking place in some

parrs of the County that the presen t double system of County and Road Board government does not give universal satisfaction. The discontent manifests itself chiefly in the Levels district, which some time ago made some efforts in the direction of bringing about a suspension of the Counties Ac. This ha*, however, ap- ( parently been abandoned, and a new departure taken, viz., the effecting of a severance of the Levels district from the Garaldine County and forming i. county of itself, into which it is proposed to merge the Levels Road Board. There seems no reason to doubt that this movement will be successful, and, if it is, the question will then arise as to whether it will be desirable for the other Road Board districts to keep the Counties Act any longer in operation. The chief value of County government to this district in the past has been the construction of the Opihi Bridge—a work which the Levels Road Board could not be got to assist in. So far as can be judged, our ratepayers’ interests will not be prejudicially affected by the formation of the proposed new County, and in the event of itn being decided hereafter to suspend the operation of the Counties Act, and each Road Board thereby undertake the maintenance of its own bridges, our share of them would not be ont of proportion to our resources compared with the other two Boards—viz., Geraldin* and Mount Peel. As the maintenance of these bridges must for the future fall principally upon the rates, the following information as to the areas and rateable value of each district may be interesting, as serving to show the proportion each .Board would contribute to any general County fund for main works supposing the Counties Act were not suspended: Tamuka ; Area, 80,000 acres ; rateable value, £73,6681. Geraldine ; Area, 119,000 acres; rateable value, *£420,000. Mount Peel : Area, 351,840; rateable value, £392,491. These figures may be taken as approximate only, but they are correct enough for all practical purposes. It will thus be seen that our resources from a rating point of view, and'consequently our liability to contribution, are nearly double the Geraldine district—although we have one-third less area—and are nearly as great as the other two Boards put together, although we have but little more than one-sixth of their combined area. It may be stated, however, in explanation of this that probably two-thirds of the Mount Peel district are mountains. In considering the question of the desirability of continuing the double system of County and Road Board government, there is, of course, another aspect of it—but it is hardly likely to receive serious consideration, — viz., that the different Road Boards should go out of existence, aod their functions exercised by the County Council acting for the whole district. This course is not practicable at present, and it is doubtful if ever it will become desirable. Each Road Board has widely dissimilar interests to maintain, Neither of the Boards would care to join us while they possess large credit balances, and when they have spent these it would not be desirable on our part to join them. Besides, it is very doubtful if the gain to the ratepayers in the shape of a less number of offices to maintain would not be more than counterbalanced by their present direct control, and the destruction of their economical and efficient system of working. “ In accordance with a ballot taken at the last election, the members to retire this year are Messrs Barker, Paterson, and Talbot. All the members go out of office next year, and a general election will be held. “ John Talbot, “ Chairman.’’ BALANCE-SHEET. He also read the balance-sheet which showed the receipts to have been from all sources £2668 9s lOd, and the expenditure £2277 lls lid. The receipts included a balance in the bank on April 1, 1884, of £557 10s Id, The rates amounted to £176916s lid ; refunds from County Council, etc, £269 7s Id ; rents (of pound, cottages, and reserve), £43 7s ; sales (dray, impounded horse, and maps), £l7 9s ; forfeited deposits and sundries, £ll, The amount expounded on roads, drain and bridges was £124219s 4d. Of this sum the Waitohi and Kakahu division received £441 18s 9d ; Milford, Orari and Winchester division, £419 Jls Id ; Rangitata division, £237 lls ; Arowhenua and Wallingford division, £76 0s 9d ; and the sum of £67 17» 9d went on the Opihi bridge ; salaries and wages absorbed £512 15s lid ; timber, pipes and cement £144 4s 4d ; Terauka Town Board (division of funds), £100; small birds, £B4 18* fid ; maps, £53 5s ; printing and advertising, £52 18a Id ; and purchase of shingle, £24 16s. The remaining items were small, and totalled £6114s 9d. This leaves a credit balance of £390 17s lid.

In reply to Mr Gray, the Chairman said the item £53 for maps, was for new maps of the district they had got. The old one was quite useless. They were selling these maps'at 10s each,buthad only disposed of five of them. In the course of conversation it was suggested that an effort should ba made to dispose of these maps, some suggesting that their price should be reduced to ss, and others that a commission should be given to some booksel'er for selling them, and others suggesting to put them up by public auction. After some further remarks Mr Brown seconded the adoption of the report, which wus carried unanimously, ELECTION. The Chairman then explained that there would be no election, as there were only three candidates nominated, and those three were decalred elected. CHARITABLE AID. Mr Gray said he desired to draw attention to the great amount of distress which existed in this dis'rict and thought the public bodies might devise some means of finding employment. The Chairman said business and charity would have to be kep* separate, or the Board would find itself landed in difficulties. It was quite light that work should be given in tinges of distress if possible, but public bodies wore no more under obligations to provide work than private individuals. He believed the Road Bonds might be made like Boards of Guardians at. Home if they got power to rate, but as constituted at present they must spend the ratepayers’ money as judiciously as they could. Mr Gray thought they might allow woik to stand over until the time of the distress came. He believed they would

get £ for £ from the Government if they raised any money. Mr Twomoy said that a meeting lin'l been called for the purpose of forming a Charitable, Aid Society, and no one attended it. Mr Gray said that was a denominational affair. Mr Twomey ; It was not. I was working with the Rev. Mr Hamilton in it ; I advertised the meetings for him free of cost. That does not look like denominationalism. Mr Gray said he thought it was denominational. Mr Quinn said the Road Board could not undertake to employ men. If they gave 5s or 6s a day to man and they- did only 3s 6d worth of work that would not do. Mr Talbot said that Mr R. A. Barker must get credit for having made them try that before. At his sugestion they used to put men on for a time, and then put them off and put others who were in heed in their place, but it did not work at all. The only thing that could bo done was to form a Charitable Aid Society. Mr Twomey : If I call » meeting will you give it your countonancs and support, Mr Chairman 1 The Chairman ; 1 think it would be better if called by the Chairman of the Town Board, Mr Gray said that at present charitable aid was distributed by the police, and that was objectionable. Mr Quinn said that he knew the clergymen to coma to the police and recommend people for charitable aid, H f> thought it worked well. Mr Gray said the clergymen recommended to the police, who made an . inquiry, then send their report to Mr March, who reported to the Government, and thus it took a long time. Mr Brown thought the best way was that suggested by Mr Twomey, that was to form a Charitable Aid Society, A widow, who had children and whoso lm*hand died some time ago, had come to himse f, and she actually had nothing. Mr Guild thought it would be better if anything could be done by the Board to stave off the present distress than form such an organisation as that, as it would only bo shooting sparrows with cannon. After some further conversation to the same effect an understanding was come to that Mr Gray should call a meeting to form a Charitable Aid Society.

On the motion of Mr Gray seconded by Mr Guild a hearty veto of thanks was passed to the Chairman and Board for their past services. The meeting then terminated.

THE NEW BOARD,

A meeting of the new Board was then held. Present—Messrs Talbot, Quinn, Smith and Brown. The Clerk took the chair. On the motion of Mr Quinn, seconded by Mr Brown, Mr Talbot was re-elected Chairman.—The Chairman thanked them. They had no cause to regret the past for, though they bad no groat balance to their credit they had good roads : there were none better in Canterbury. One thing he might say ; He had never heard it whispered even that any membars of the Board had worked for their own interest. OFFICERS. The officers for the past year were reelected.