TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1616, 4 August 1887, Page 4

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Tuesday, August 2nd. Present—Messrs John' Talbot (Chairman), M. Quinn, 0. Bisset, and J. T. M. Hayhurst. MiNDTES. The m ; nutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. .ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £132 15s 4d were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read Prom Mr George Barney, Rangitata, applying for information as to what arrangements the Board would make for a footbridge over the Canal drain to give {[access to applicant's sections.—Timber was granted for tbe purpose. From Messrs Geo. Cliff and Wm. DeEenzy, applying to have the road between BS. Nob. 21096 and 11475 opened up. From Mr D. Cunningham, in reference to the damming of a watercourse in Mr Aitken's land.—The Clerk to write to Mr Aitken, requesting him to remove the obstruction. From Mr A. M. Clark, in reference to the necessity for connecting the road through section No. 4019 with the main road to the Beach.—The Overseer to enquire into the matter. From the same, Btating that in the event of the Board deciding to increase the amount paid to the eontractor for the Canal drain, who appeared to have taken the contract at an unremunerative price, that he (Mr Clark) would be prepared to supplement the amount he had already agreed to contribute towards the work.

From Mr James Morgan, the contractor for the Canal drain, asking for an extra allowance for the contract, also for an extension of time to complete it in. Applicant further stated that Messrs Eolleston and Clark were prepared to hare a share of the extra cost. —Some discussion ensued on the matter,, the Board being unwilling to establish a dangerous precedent, but in consideration of the exceptionally low price at which the contract had been taken, the unfavorable weather, and unexpected difficulties met with, it was agreed to supplement ..the original price by £4O, to be paid on the due completion of the work, and subject to the concurrence of Messrs Clark and Eolleston. From Mr Archibald McClelland, Eangitata, in reference to flood water on his land.—The Overseer stated that the work was heing attended to. From Mr Rees Thomas, applying to have the name of Mr Young substituted for his on the roll in reference to Longlan d's Farm.—Eef erred to the Clerk.

From Mr H. H. Pitman, Steward of Reserves, acknowledging receipt of the Board's letter of the 25th, and stating that the matter referred to would lie laid before the Commissioners.

From the same, denying the liability of the Commissioners to pay rates, they being only the agents of the Crown. —It was stated that the whole of the reserve was now let, and tenants would therefore be liable for the rates. From Mr John Naughton, applying for a plank over Cooper's Creek, near Palmer's.—Overseer to attend to it. From Mr W. Stewart, and others, asking that Stewart's road be made passable for dray traffice.—The application to stand over for a month, pending the Overseer's report on similar works that would be required during the year. From Mr John Murray, Orari Station, asking that a drain near Hawke's road be cleaned.—The work to be done, applicant to pay half cost. From Mr R. A. Barker, asking that the name of Robt. Burnett be substituted for his in reference to section No. 548, part of R.S. No. 3151. Referred to the Clerk.

From Mr P. MeCaskill, in reference to repairs needed to the road leading to his wool works —The Overseer to attend to the matter, the cost not to exceed £3. A circular was received from Mr J. H. Brker, Commissioner of Crown Lands, drawing the attention of the Board to the provision made at the Immigration Office for Labour Exchange, and pointing out its value in finding work for the unemployed;— The Clerk to acknowledge. From Mr C. M. Brooke, Kaiapoi, giving quotations for poisoned wheat and strychnine.—lt was decided to obtain any wheat required. From Mr"W. Gr. Aspinall, enclosing certificate of title of land purchased from Mr Young. From Mr Arthur Logan, applying for a road through reserve 1400. The matter was allowed to stand over until next meeting pending a reply from the School Commissioners in rei ference 1o a subsidy for the work. From Mr C. J. Rayner, applying to have the name of Francis Franks substituted for thit of T. Hewlings in reference to a section of 5 acres (part of R.S. 2482) near Pilbrow Street.—Referred to the Clerk to obtain Mr Franks'consent. INTERVIEW. Mr Cliff waited upon the Board in support of the application of himself and Mr Deßenzy for the opening up of a r ad. It was decided to have the .natter attended to by next Board dav: MrGreenaway applied to have the joad from Hadham's road to his farm formed.—lt was deci led to call tenders for the work.

OVEIiSEEII'S REPORT. The Overseer's report was as follows : "I have the honor to report for the past month as follows : "The following contracts have been completed and passed for payment :—No. 9, clearing drain White's road ; No. 11, clearing drain Toner's road ; No. 12, reducing cutting Palmer's road ; and No. 7, forming and shingling Sniithfield road. Owing to the continued traffic on Smithfield road it hag taken more shingle than wus anticipated. Contract No. 1 enlarging Canal drain, is not nearly completed, although the time allowed for the work has expired. Sheehan's contract, keeping Rangitata fordß in repair, will terminate this month. I would ask the Board's instructions as to calling fresh teuders for this work. A decayed wooden oulverfc on the Upper Swamp road has been taken up, and replaced with 12in. pipes. A wooden culvert near McCabe's, on the Waitohi road and one on Crammond'o road haye been temporarily repaired. They both want replacing. The river crossings and other small -jobs hare be?n attended to during the month. Some alight shingle repairs are required on various roads, but very little can be done on roadß that have not been shingled until dry weather sets in.—Re Mr Waddell's application : During the laßt flood I visited the place referred to in Mr Waddell's letter and found the water was running over the Middle Swamp road, Mrs Mackenzie's paddocks being covered with water. The chief cause of this is that the creek overflows its banks in Rural Section No. 3153 through being choked with watarcress and other rubbish. The culvert that lets off the bulk of this water is situated on the North Town Belt at its junction with the Middle Swamp road, and is in the Arowhenua Town Board District.—Re Mr Norton's application : There are two ways of remedying this matter—one is to lower the roadway, and lot the pipe culvert remain ; the other is to put in a culvert and take out the pipes.— Re turning river near Oxford Railway Bridge: I estimate the cob( of cutting a channel and turning the river under the north span of the Oxford Railway Bridge at £,—. I do not, howeyer, think that this would keep the river from Mr Thomas' land, as I believe it would again work in towards the high bank. About £,— expended at a plaoe nearer to the factory- paddock would, I think, be of great service in keeping the river from washing away the road.—The Temuka River is almost certain to again come round the north end of the Temuka Footbridge, unless something is done to prevent it. .The best thing I can propose is to put a wing dam, composed of piles and wire, about 40ft. above the bridge. As there is some timber in the yard that is of no use unlets for some such purpoae, the cost would probably not exceed £ —. A number of gorse notices have been served, and others required will be served this week. The time time staled on the notices has expired in the case of the notiooß served last month. "F. Abcheii."

In reference to repairs to fords at Eangitata, it was decided to call for fresh tenders at the expiration of the present contract. A long disevssion ensued as to whether it was advisable to attempt to divert the river near the OxfordTemuka Bridge. Mr Thomas waited upon the Board in reference to the matter, he being a heavy sufferer from the encroachments of the river.—Mr Hayhurst thought the river could be effectively diverted into its old course at a place some distance above the bridge.—Mr Talbot was afraid that to do the job well would be a costly undertaking, and more than the Board were jnstified in expending for the sake of protecting their immediate interests.—Mr Thomas urged the increasing danger of the river encroaching, and said he was prepared to pay a share of the cost of protective works,—The Board did not see their way to take much action in the matter. It was, however, agreed that the Overseer should take steps for the protection of the cutting by the Linseed Factory. Mr Thomas to be informed of the course proposed to be taken.

Me the Temuka footbridge, it was decided to adopt the Overseer's suggestions on the subject. The other works required were lefb to the discretion of the Overseer. YACANT SEAT. The seat lately occupied by Mr Canayan was declared.vacant. The meeting then terminated.