TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1786, 6 September 1888, Page 2

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the Ternuha Road Board was held on Tuesday last. Present Messrs Talbot (Chairman), C. Bissett, M. Quinn, and J. Eraser. Mr J. T. M. Hayhurst wrote to apologise for unavoidable absence, MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £66 3s 3d were passed for payment. INTERVIEWS. Mr Meyer waited upon the Board, and made application for some drain pipes to convey surface water past his roadway.— The Overseer reported favorably upon the matter, and the request was granted. Mr Ledgerwood, of South Eangltata, drew the attention of the Board to the fact that he was suffering an injury through a neighbor fencing across an old watercourse. He had twice lost some crop in consequence. —The Chairman thought it a matter that the Board could not deal with, as the watercourse in question was on private land. He promised that the matter should be considered.

Mr Ledgerwood also asked that something might be done to the road near his section. A knoll or two wanted easing. He also pointed out that there was no ford across the water-race near his farm.—The Overseer stated that he had drawn the attention of the Engineer of .the County Council to the matter, who had promised to have the ford rectified. Mr Ledgerwood then withdrew. —It was resolved that the Overseer be authorised to effect the required improvements on the road near Mr Ledgerwood’s. The Board did not see its way to interfere in the matter of the water-course.

Mr Badham waited upon the Board, and asked that it should exercise its power and sell a 20-acre section adjoining his property at Rangitata. Che rate* on this section had not been paid, and there was virtually no owner to the land. —The Board declined to exercise its power at present.

Mr Joseph Wareing applied personally to have the road formed from his gate to the Main road to Milford, a distance of 10 chains.—The Overseer was requested to report upon the matter.

Mr Wareing also asked that the Board would remove the gates from certain roads on the Rangitata Plains. The adjoining properties were mostly freehold, and he thought it time that the nuisance was done away with.— The Board were of opinion that gates across roads were in many instances a nuisance. The Overseer wa«' requested to take note of any such cases, when the Board .would take action if necessary.

Mr W. Hayhurst wailed upon the Board, arid asked that a culvert across the road near JJliss Hayhurst’s farm at Eangatira might be removed or enlarged. He also applied for pipes to form a crossing at his gateway.— The Overseer was instructed to substitute a ford for the culvert at the place pointed out. The application for pipes was refused. : CORRESPONDENCE. ■ Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: — From Mr W. Erew, who stated that there was at present no ford at the Manse, and the Ep worth road, near Elkis’ was in a very bad condition. There was also a considerable scour in the ditch on the road near his farm, and he requested that the several matters might be attended to.—The Overseer stated that a ford as good as possible at present had been made at the Manse. To get a really good ford a considerable detour would have to be made. The ford was not safe at night. The road near Elkis’ would have attention as soon as possible.— The Board thought that there was no necessity at present to alter the ford. It might be advisable, however, to notify to the public that it was not a safe crossing at night, Messrs Harper and Harper, in two letters, asked for an adjustment of the rates in respect of E.S. 6927, which was at present let to the following tenants Messrs Swaney Bros. (411 a 3c 24p), J. Grow (190 a Or 14p), Bees Thomas (45a lr 8p), and E. Smith (70a 2r). —The Clerk was authorised to apportion the rates as requested, provided that the occupiers were willing to agree to the arrangement.

From the Property Tax Department, notifying that a voucher for the payment of £23 IBs lOd, balance of subsidy, had been forwarded to the Treasury Department.

From the Treasury, intimating the payment of same to the Board’s credit at the Bank of New Zealand.

From Mr P. Wareing, enclosing account for the Board’s share towards cleaning drain,—-The same to be paid. From the High School Commissioners, covering cheque for £ls, their share of contribution towards cleaning drain on reserve 1400. From the Charitable Aid Department, covering return of changes made m the distribution of aid.

From Mr E. Taylor, applying for the formation ef a road" through Eeserve 1400.—*The consideration of the matter was deferred for the present.

From Mr W. Hawke, drawing attention to the damage done to the cutting near his farm by the Orari liver, and- stating that he had sustained loss to the amount of £2O through the previous action of the

Board.—The Board saw no reason to interfere in the matter, the Overseer reporting that the shingle had banked up in the riverbed, and there wai in consequence a stream of water running close under the bank.

A number of ratepayers at South Rangitata wrote applying for the formation of a road to the railway station by way of R.S. 31. —The Overseer was instructed to report.

From the South Orari River Board, intimating the steps, taken by them for the striking of a rate.—-The Chairman explained that at present nothing could be done in the matter. As soon as the River Board had formally passed the resolution levying their rate the Road Board would in their turn notify the same, and also that the roll was open far inspection. From the Lyttelton Times, giving particulars of an account for 6«* payment of which had been deferred. —The account was ordered to be paid. From Mr K. F. Gray, stating that an error had been made in apportioning the rates of land let in the Park. He had paid an amount in excess of what he was entitled to. —The Clerk explained that a clerical error had been made in the former roll. He was authorised to refund the amount> overpaid. REPAIRS. Mr Bissett made application verbally for some repairs to the road to his farm.—The request was granted. Mr Quinn also desired that something might be done to the bridge leading from the Milford road to Rhodes’ Island, i t had been damaged by the recent floods, and was unsafe. —The Overseer was authorised to attend to the matter as soon as convenient.

otebseee’s bepoet. The Overieer’s report was read ai follow*

To the Chairman and Members. Gentlemen,—Tenders have been invited for contracts Nos. 31 and 32 cleaning drain and building concrete culvert on Kolleston’s road.

The river crossings have again, been upset bylhe recent- floods, and a good many holes have been washed in the roads in various parts of, the. district. The Kakahu river has further- encroached on the boundary road beyond Mr J. Kelland’s., ; There is now only about 10. feet in width of the formed road' left available for traffic. The roadway could be widened. to, 20 feet, but this would entail lengthening an old wooden culvert, and cutting down the banks on each side of it, I would not recommend this to be done, as the first" flood will further encroach on the road unless it iis. protected, and that would probably be as. cosily as purchasing and forming a new piece of road. The. Kakahu river overflows its benks about 20 chains on the south side of the K«kihu bridge, and runs-across the road and into the riverbed on the east side of the road. If.not prevented there ; is little doubt but that the river will makeUitself

nn entirely new channel at this place*-and leave the riverbed dry at the placewhere. the bridge is- built. -.ii;;: h

Cooper’s creek overflowed the bridgd by Badham's and again carried away the approaches, It is evident this’ bridge is not large enough to carry the waterof thls creek during flood time, espmi*lly,/when part of the Orari breaks into; itv, «s I believe was the case the last flood. The bridge is built in two spans of 16 feet each; there are no wings, and the desk is at'bast 18 inches too low. Seeing The quantity of water that comes down this creek, I am of opinion that it is necessary to lengthen the spans to 24 feet-epcb, build wings at the approaches, andmake the bridge higher, i'or the present .MrBadham has allowed traffic to go through his paddock and cross the creek below tbo bridge, where there is a passable ford ; as, however, it is very inconvenient to him, owing to persons leaving his gate open, it is necessary that a fence should be put from the road round the lower aid* of the ford.

The Orari fords have been badlyjsoonred and are not yet repaired on the, read line.

Me road by Rangitata School—There are about 26 chains of road referred to in this application. Several gullies run across the road line, and during wet weather the water lies in them. To form the worst

parts of this road and put pipes in'the gullies would cost about £—. If this is done it will meet the present require meats.

Be cutting, Hawke's road-—This cutting has been made from time to time at the end of Hawke’s road, and at right angles with the river. A large quantity of shingle has accumulated in the centre of. the riverbed, and the water invariably flows close to the bank. As the banks are of a soft nature they are taken away every flood, not only where the cutting Is made but for the whole length of the * river. 1 have had no opportunity since last meeting to put willows on the upper side of the river.

The private road through Aodrewville is impassable owing to the water laying on it. Forming (he footpath in front of Messrs Rutland and Walker’s would bo a benefit to them, and ceuld bo done.for about £—. Mr Grant has pointed out to me that the water is blocked in bis’paddock near his sheep yards by the formation of the road. To remedy this a pip# culvert would require to be piit in the Main road, when the water would flow on

to the private road through Andrewville. The term for which Sheehan had tbs fords at Rangitata has expired.

F, Aechbr. £« encroachment of the Kakahu river near Holland's—The Overseer

was instructed to arrange an inter-

view with the Overseer of the Geral-

dine Eoad Board, as the damage done was on the Boundary road. - Me overflow near bridge—Any needful repairs to be effected. lie bridge at Cooper’s Creek—After some discussion; it; was resolved to

invite tenders for a new bridge, the same to be considered at next meeting.. * Eoad near Eangitata School—l hiswork was ordered to stand over for a. few months.

The Board did not see its way a* present to take action in the matter of the footpaths, etc., near Andrewfille. TENDERS. Only one tender was received for contract No. 31 —cleaning drain near reserve 939—J. Hamilton, 2s 9d per chain (accepted). For building concrete bridge no tender was received. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Bissett drew attention to the damage done on the road from Badham’s to LeCren’s by overflow from the water-race. — The Clerk was instructed to write to the County Ceuncil on the subject. The Board then adjourned.