GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1619, 11 August 1887, Page 4

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of Ihia Board was held in the Board’* office on Tuesday last. Present—Messrs W. Postletbwaito (Chairman), F. R. Flatman, d. Kt lland, W. Deßenzy,and W. U, Sleek. minutes. The minutes of the pretious meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS. Tenders were opened and dealt with as follow : Coniract No 227—Repairs to Rangitata Station Road: T. Sugrue, £l4 (accepted). Contract No. 228—Formation, etc., Markham’s Road, Cooper’s Creek ; P. Burke, £2O ; T. Sugrue, £ls ; J. Beckley, £l4 (accepted.) Contract No. 229—Repairs to Public Pound, Geraldine : J, Dean £27 10s ; D. Olouston, *23 ; R. Richards and G0,,£21; J. Kaiaugber, £l4(accepted.) Coniract No. 230—Repairs to Woodbury and Pleasant Valley Road : G. Hammond, £l9 ; D. Gregan, £l6 (accepted. chairman's statement. _ , The Chairman stated he had written to the Hon. Mr Wigley in regard to application made for a road to the Kakahu Bosh School. He (the Chairman) had not received a reply from Mr Wigley. It was decided that the Chairman should write to Mr Wigley and request an interview with him in Timaro on Saturday next. The Chairman also stated that in regard to the encroachment of the Waihi river causing- demage to Mr Kelman’s land, he went to see, the place accompanied by Mr Kelraan and Mr Kellend. He explained the nature of the encroachment, and the Board went into Committee to consider the matter, CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows From Mr J. H. Baker, Commissioner Crown Lands, Christchurch, re several matters.—ln reply to the Board’s letter re Mr F. Brown’s application to the Board for a drain at Belfield, he suggested that the Board’s Engineer should make out an estimate of cost of the work, and he would recommend Government to defray the same.—lt was decided that the Overseer forward to Mr Baker an estimate of cost of work as requested, From Mr James Barnett, Assistant Engineer, in reply to a letter written by the Board re the carting of stone now being done on the Rangitata Station Road, stating that as winter was the best time for the work to be done he could not arrange to discontinue the carting, but had written to the foreman of the work instructing him to do as little carting as possible in wet weather. —One or two members spoke as to the manner in which this work was being earned out, remarking that in their opinion a great waste of money was taking p)ace.-i-It was decided to write to the Minister of Public Works, pointing out the great waste of money at the Rangitata River Protection Works, and asking for an enquiry into the expenditure.

From the Paymaster General, advising the Boad that the sum of £62 10s, subsidy under the Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act, had been remitted to the Board’s credit.

From Mr C. M. Brooke, Kaiapoi, enclosing prices for poisoned wheat and strychnine,—The Board were not in need of wheat.

From Mr T, Tolleff, asking the Board to lease him their reserve at Cooper’s Creek.—Decided to cal! tenders for the same.

From Mr A, Coles, offering £1 for the lease of the reserve lately occupied by Mr Buckley at Orari. From Mr Buckley, giving up the same.— Decided t 6 call tenders for this also.

From Mr M. : Brophy, requesting to have Mr W. Bennett’s name substituted for bis own on the rate roll for section No 1709, Fairfield Bosh, as hd had sold the same.—As Mr Bennett’s name was a’tached it was decided to do to. Prom Mr G. J. Wrealball, request* ing the Board to see that the gales on the public road between his house and Mr Birrell’s be properly hung as they were at present a'nuisance to him.—lt was decided to send a copy ct the letter to Mr Wigley, asking him' to attend to the request. , From Messrs White and Co,, Timaru, re the Board’s plans, 120, 122, 123. — Attended to.

From Mr J, Cunningham, Manager of the Bank of New. Zealand, Geraldine, acknowledging the receipt of the Board’s fixed deposit of £SOOO, and stating that £3OO, amount of interest due (o the Board, had been placed to their current account,—Acknowledged. From Mr A. E. Hawkina, acknowledging receipt of fixed deposit of £SOCO. Acknowledged,

From thrt Mon. T. Wigley, rrqnpgting to have the crossing: over the Opihi gtlendrJ to, sis lia had nearly lost bis lif.* at the same recently.—The Cl*rk girled that the crossing in question was not in the Board’s district and be was directed to alien I to work in the district and not go beyond it, From Mr W. Ensor, Winchester, drawing the Board’s attention to the damage dene to his scouring works through!the action of the Board some years since Tuning a channel through private prnprr'y and connecting the main fl >od' water, which comes frocn the ! Orari, with his creek,. He was’quite? willing ( tfi meet the Board’s surveyor upon the matter.—The Overseer was instructed to meet Mr h nsor by appointment.

From Mr Edward Yernall applying to lease four acrfes situate near the Opihi Road and adjoining Mr Story’s.—lt was decided to call for tenders for the same. From Mr G. King, offering to clean the road on the west of section No. 3289, «nd to give £5 for the manuka growing on the roaJ, — The Overseer was instructed to enter into the agreement re the road and to accept the offer for the manuka.

From Mr A. Kalman* enclosing an account for the damage, etc., done to h’s property by the Board directing the river to his property and intimating that he wo«ld hold the Board responsible for all future damage.—The Board decided not to acknowledge any liability sad could not entertain the demand made by Mr Kelman. overseer's report. The Overseer’s report was read and dealt with as follows - “ I have the honour to report for the information of the Board at under: — “ The contractu in hand hare made fair progress during the month with the exception of Denoon’s Road, Eaugitata. This work has had to stand over on account of the wet and severe frosts rendering it undesirable to cart on the road. The contractor has, in the meantime, been employed on his contract on Cook’s Road, and repairing tbs Peel Forest Road with broken meUl.

“ The following works haye been completed and passed for final payment, viz.:—Broken metal, Rangilata Station Bead, J. Fiefield ; broken meial, Cook’s Road, G. Hammond j pbughing reserve at Cooper’s Creek, J. Back ley. In reference to the latter, if the Board do not intend to plant it with trees it could be let for cropping. “ Bepairs —> Owing to heavy rains experienced lately the roads in several places have been cut up by the traffic, and require a good deal of attention in repairs. The road leading through the Belfield Flat requires shingle repairs, as there is a large amount of heavy traffic in that neighborhood in csrting potatoes to the railway, etc. There are also two short lengths of road which require to be formed, and now would be a favorable time to let the work. The road known as Bennett’s also wants forming for a short distance, and some shingle put on at Stover Creek.

“ Quantock’s Application—As this work was urgently required to give access to the river and Quantock’s house 1 am having the work done by contract. “Ford’s Application—The river is en* oroaching very fast at this point and scouring away the terrace. As a temporary measure 1 have anchored a few spars at the terrace, and fenced off the side of this road to prevent accident.

“Dsnoon’s application—l have visited the place and find that the sheep traffic (which has been very extensive of late) has worn away the edges of the approach to the direct road leading oyer the bridge. The embankment wants widening about six feet on each side and a very fist slope to prevent the sheep raking it down. Some shingle is also required. The cost would be, sty, about—'.

Beckham's crossing and the Wathi river —1 have with the Chairman and Mr Kelland examined this crossing and the river-bed as far as Hawke’s Bridge, and find the watercourse to be much improved in some places. Ii is, however, setting up very fast at the bridge named and the immediate neighbourhood, and as there is a large quantity of shingle available it oould be utilised for repairing the .road in the vicinity. Bridge at Hawke’s—While dealing with this 1 might mention that the tep of the footbridge is very much decayed, so much so as not (o be worth spending a large sum in repairs. If the bridge is kept open for traffic 1 would suggest that the top be taken off and a single plank footway be' substituted. The deck and bearers of the traffic bridge also require to be moved, as in its present state it is unfit for heavy traffic. ■ Ford—Mr Kelman asks for a ford across the main Geraldine Boad to allow the storm water to escape. Sates—l have in accordance with instructions prepared the Bate-book in readiness for striking a rate this day,—l am, etc,, W. Shieeh. Re repairs—lt was decided that the work should be done.

Re Quantock’s application The action of the Overseer was approved of. Re Ford’s application—-The Overseer was instructed to attend to the road.

Ra Denoon’s application —lt was decided to draw the attention of the County Council to the work required. Re Peckham’s crossing—The shingle to be removed and used as suggested. Re bridge at Hawke’s—The work to stand over for the present. Re Kelman’s ford—Mr Deßenay to report on the work. bate. Mr Holland moved, Mr Flatman 'seconded, and it was carried—“ That a rate of £d in the £ he levied upon all the rateable property in the district for the period ending March, 1888, the same to be payable in one sum at the Road Board office, Q-eral* dine, on! or before the 10th* of September pros.” BLACK CHEEK. Mr Helm an urged upon the Board the necessity of doing something to the crossing at Black Creek, near Mr Findlay’s. The Overseer was instructed to attend to the same. ACCOUNTS, Accounts amounting to £l9l Is 6d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned.