GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1400, 10 September 1885, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday. PresentMessrs R. H. Postlethwaite, J. Kelland, nnd F. R. Flatman. Mr W. Shiers, the Clerk and Overseer, was also in attfn<Jtince. A letter wis read from Mr Slack, the Chairman, apologising for his non-attendance. In his absence Mr Flatman was voted to the choir.

minutes. Th<* minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS. The following tenders were opened and considered : Contract No. 165—Forming and shingling at Hilton township—B. Burke, £65 (accepted). No. 166—C»rting shingle, etc., Geraldine Road —W. Hopkinson, £7B ; John Leary, £69 15s 6\ (informal) ; P. Burke, £65 ; D. Qrestan, £6O (accepted). No. 167—Shingle repairs, Orari Bridge Road—U. Gnldao, £B7 ;P. Burke, £79 ; W. Hopkinson, £75; G. Pisckey, £SB 10s (accepted"), No. 168- Shingling, Rhubarb Flat Road, Pleasant Valley—P. Burke, £BB ; Thoß. Gregan and J. Mulvihill, £B3 Is 8:1 ; A. Lyaaght, £BS ; D. Guldan, £57 (accepted). No. 169—Formation and shingle, Guthrie's Road, Pleasant Valley—Jas. Bechley, £l6 ; T. Gregan and J. Mulvi- i hill, £ls (aceepted).

CORRESPONDENCE,

The following correspondence was read and considered : From Thoß. Palmer and 13 others, asking the Board to form Belfidd Road from the railway crossing to Section 6, Old Railway Reserve 349.—1 t was resolved that the Overseer report on the work asked for at next meeting.

From Mr G. Jeffries, Peel Fcrest, asking permission to fence in Gravel Reserve No. 2153.—Granted, on condition that a gate is erected to allow of shingle being got out when required From Mr J. D. Jones, Winchester, offering to exchange a piece of land with the Board, and also asking- the Board to lease him Reserve No. 3459. —The Overseer to report to next meeting. From the Chairman of the Rail ivny League, Christchurch, forwarding boot; of member's ticket forms. From the Temuka Road Board, in reference to the Boundary Road, and suggesting thnt the clause " That any expenditure amounting to £2OO should be sanctioned by both Boards " should be altared to read as follows : —" That any work requiring an expenditure above £2O to complete shall be first sanctioned by both Boards before being undertaken ; also that the total expenditure of either Board for a year, except Buch as may have been sanctioned, shall not exceed £IOO. —lt was resolved to accept the above alteration on condition that the Winchester end of the Boundary Road be in charge of the Geraldine Road Board. From the Geraldine County Council, offering the Board what old timber they required from that taken off the Geraldine Bridge for the purpose of patching any Council works in the district. The Council also urged upon the Board the necessity of inspecting and cleaning bridges uoder the Board's control. —To be acknowledged. overseer's repgbt. This report was read as follows : " I have the honor to report for the information of the Board as under: The contracts in hand have made fair progress during the past month, with the exception of the bridge contract at the Kakahu. This work has not yet been commenced, and the contractors state they cannot obtain teams to cart the material. One load has been taken to Hilton and thrown off there. As I am requiring the pile driving engine atotherplaces itcauses delay.—Woodbury Crossing—The work at Woodbury ford not having been carried out as specified, I have declined to certify for payment in full.—Timber—l have selected a quantity of the old decking from the Geraldine Traffic Bridge ; this will come in very useful for repairs to the deck of the Orari Bridge, which requires constant attention.—Gapes' Valley Road —The unnaetalled portion of this road is about 110 chains in length. I have inspected the ground in the neighborhood, and find that the only metal available at a reasonable cost is limestone, which is not a very suitable material for road metal. A reserve could be obtained on Government land some distance back from the road. The cost with this stone at 12yds per chain, would be for the distance mentioned about & . —Taylor's Road, Raukapuka—There are two places where shingle could be obtained and one of red gravel. The latter is on Mr Taylor's freehold. The difference in cost is very much in favor of the red gravel, but the laud would have to be purchased, and there is also an uncertainty about the pit turning out well when opened out. I have had some trial holes sunk, but the indications for a good pit are not very satisfactory.—Shingle could be got from the Education Reserve near Templar's jjy Mr Taylor's permission and takiug one or two acres of land under the Public Works Act, und this would be in a good position for other roads also. I think that would be the most desirable course. Plantations—As instructed I have inspected the reserves which have been planted under Mr Fitzgerald's contract, and find that he has replanted the trees which had failed to grow with good, strong, healthy plants of various kinds, which appear to be doing very well so far, but I have no doubt that a few will have to be renewed in the Autumn months. Had trees of the same age and quality been put in at the first planting a great deal of trouble and expense would have been avoided. —Shingle—A short length of road leading from the Orari Bridge to the Plains requires to be shingled. The traffic here has increased very much lately, owing to the quantity I of Crown lands which have been taken up and are now being fenced and broken up.—Redeliff—The land slip, over whioh the road is made at Redeliff near Skinner's, has settled down considerably, owing to the creek cutting out the foot cf the slip. The roadway will require lowering shortly, or fencing off at once, to prevent accidenkn. —Brown's Road, Belfield—As the Trustees of the Orari Estate are not willing to have the water from B-own's Road carrieii through the paddocks to the creek, the only alternative w ill he to make a ford across the road and cut an outlet drain along the Mde of the road to the creek at the bridge. The cost of doing this and deepening the draiu would be, say, £- .

Maori Gnlly—l have examined tin* creek aod liud that it will necessary to maka a safe crossing in flood time ; that piles will have to be driven for a footbridge, if sunk they would be liable to he Bcoured out by the first heavy flood.— Rates—l have collected on account of general rate the sum of £446 5s Id to date.—A new set of shaft harness is required for the Board'H cart horse. I should advise this to be obtained and the old set sold by auction.—l am, etc., " William Shikrs, "Ovetseer to the Board." The following resolutions were passed on the repoit : Be Woodbury crossing and timber— The Overseer's action was approved.

Be Gapes' Talley Road—Five acres of land to be applied for. Be Taylor's Road—Two acres to be applied for out of the Education Reserve. Be Plantation —The balance of Fitzgerald's contract to be paid. Be shingling the road from Orari Bridge—Tenders to be called for next meeting. jRe Redcliff—To be fenced, aod a contract let if necessary. He Brown's Road —Tenders to be in vited for next meeting. It was resolved that the work suggested at Maori Gully be done, and that a new set of cart harness bo obtained, RATES. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Poßtlethwaite, seconded by Mr Keliand —" That all rates unpaid on the 30th day of September be sued for without further notice, irrespective of persons or amount." THB OORSE NUISANCE. Mr Kelland moved, Mr Postlethwaite seconded, and it was carried—" That the lU'ines of those owners or occupiers who have not clenred the gorse from their road frontnges be balloted for at the next meeting of the Board, and legal proceedings be taken." ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £232 9s 6d v?ere passed for payment and the Board adjourned.