GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1815, 13 November 1888, Page 2

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Board's office, yesterday. Present—M«ssrs W. Pusiletbwaite (chairman), J. Kelland, P. McShane, and W. U. Slack. An apology for noa-al-tendance was received from Mr Flatman.

KDXVTBt, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, chairman's statement. The chairman stated that he had, in company with Mr Ke)lin«l, viewed the site of the proposed drain through Mr McShanb's property, when Mr McShane informed (hem that if the Board would give £l2 he would do the work—some 24 chains—and would keep it clean at his own expense, the Board having the right to übs the drain for the overflow water from the road, but guaranteeing not to divert any more water than in flood tim». However, it waß for the Board to do as they (bought fit to protect their interests and relieve Mr McShane of fbod water. The chairman, with Mr FlatmaD, had also irspectad the encroachment of the Kikahu river near Mr Kelland's property, and thought it would be muoh batter for the Board to protect the road in a similar way to the protective works at the Orari than to buy property adjacent and divert the road, whioh they thought would cost considerably more than would the protective works. TENDERS. Tenders were opened and dealt with as follows: Contract No. 270—Carting shingls and cleaning out drum near Opuha sUtion; M. Lawlor, £1910s; J. Copping, £1910s; J. Beckley, £lB 10a; - Mulyahill, £lB (aocepted). No. 271—Rook protection at Pleasant VaMey Point: J, Beckley, £lO 10j; P. Dierck, £10; R, O'Neil, £9 18s (acceplod), OOKRESPONDENGE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows :—From Messrs W. Oarston and W. W. Campbell, enclosing tenders for constructing a tip dray for the Board. —The tender of the latter was accepted. From Mr R. O'Neill, asking for an 1 extension of time to complete his contract at Woodbury.—The Overseer pointed out that this state of things was constantly occurring. Plenty of tiuie was allowed to do these contracts, but the contractors did not begin them at once, and consequently they were alweys applying for an extension of time.—The Board decided to put a stop to the praotioe by refusing to graat the application. They objected to be made a convenience of by contractors, nod hinted that in future such applications would receive very little consideration.

From Captain G. J. Temple, remonstrating that a groyne put in by tha Board w>ia throwing the river on to his land.— The Overseer was instructed to take atepe to prevent damage.

From Messrs Priest and Holdgate, Tiraaru, enolosing price for iron piles.— Not accepted. From Messia J. Jackson and Miles, Archer, nnd Co., Tituaru, quoting prices for cement.—The tender of the former was accepted.

Three of the Board's employees wrote requesting the Board to reconsider their decision to reduce their wages from 6s to 5i per day, urging that they had to keep a horse to ride to their work.—The Board decided that they could not entertain the request.

From Mr J. Mee, Timaru, advising the Board of the disposal by him of certain sections, and requesting the Board to collect the rales from the present owner. —Mr Mee to be held responsible. Mrs J. Tindall forwarded a similar request, which was not acceded to,

Mr R. Rue wrote giving the Board liberty to cut the flax for the purpose of clearing Rao's Cretk, the surface of the soil not to be disturbed,

From Mr J. Hay, solicitor, Timaru, on behalf of Mr Breen, Kakahu, objecting to any of the latter's property being taken for river diversion purposes. From the Railway Department, respecting the supplying of iron rails for the protection works at Orari.

From the Manager Bank of New South vVales, Geraldiae, enclosing receipt for fixed deposit of £SOO for twelve months. From the Manager Bank of New Zealand, Geraldine, enclosing receipt for fixed deposit of £250. oteeseer's repobt.

The Overseer's report was read and dealt with as under :

" I have the honor to report for month eliding date as follows:—The works in hand have made but flow progress during the month, owing to the various contractors endeavoring to do the work themselves without employing any additions! labour. The contract time has expired on * one or two contracts, and expires on the others this day. All are ia a forward state, and one or two on the point of completion. The work near the old saw mills is finished, and Mr J. Lewis has also completed his contract for supplying wilIjwb at the Orari. : In connection with the last mentioned work I have obtained ten tons of iron rails from the Railway Department. The post and wire work under the terrace will be completed in three or four days, and the pile driving can be proceeded with as soon as the rails are catted from the station. They have been delivered at the Orari ready pointed for driving. Boundary Road ; As instructed I interviewed the Temuka Board on Tuesday last in reference to the encroachment near Air John Keihnd's. The decision arrived at will be forwarded to this Board in writing. Mulvahili'a application: Since the farmer meeting I have examined the riverbed and overflow complained of by > Mr Mulvnbill. I can point out on the W map what he considers is necessary to be done to protect his property. Water-race culverts at Woodbury: As directed I have inspected the culverisat the township, end found only one culvert had been built the full width of the road. I drew the attention of the Engineer, to the complaints made, and on my last visit some few day* ago the culvert near the church h'»d hoeo extended across the footpath wiih pipds. The filling over culverts, fords, and earih*excavntod i> J.ft in a very rough uufiuished state, nut being properly levelled down, or large stones broken or carted off. Me

J. Stewart complains of beiDg flooded by the western race, no being provided, the water having been turned on the road. Rae's .Road : 1 have obtained permission from Messrs Rae and Cochrane to clear the flax from Rae's creek, with a Tiew of allowing the flood water to escape more readily. I have also obtained prices for a new spring dray suitable for the Board's work. Rates: I have received on account of general rate the sum of £347 13s 6d, to date.—l am, etc., " W. Shxeks, " Clerk and Overseer." I

It was decided to enforce the penalties for noncomplotion of contracts within the specified time, to call for tinders for the pile work at the Orari, and not to entertain Mr Mulvahill'a application. The matter of the Woodbury water-race was left to the member for the district on the Geraldine Council, A OAWAKB. Mr Kelland said be bad heard in mentioned outside that he had made use of his position as a member of the Board for the purpose of getting the river diversion at the Kakahu carried out. He begged to point out that he had not done so. Had he done so he should consider himself unworthy to occupy bis seat upon the Board. He weuld not willingly do any- { thing tbit might injure his neighbors, anrl if bis constituents were diss«tisfied with his actions they had only to let him know of it, and he would resign his seat. He had never gone off his own property to speak to anyone about the matter. The members denied emphatically that Mr Kelland had in any way advocated the diversion. The Chairman pointed out that when the matter cam* up for discussion Mr Kelland said that as he was an interested party he would take no aotive part in the matter. OUTt-ET DItAIN. It was decided on the motion of Mr Kelland, second by Mr Slack—" That an agreement be drawn for cutliDg outlet drain in reserve 1199 between Mr McShane and the Qeraldine Road Board." IMTERTIEWS. Mr J. Lewis waited on the Board with reference to a drain through his property. After some discussion the Board came to the conclusion that the drain applied for would be of service to and protect the road, and decided to ?ive Mr Lewis £llos to do the work himself. Messrs Bstty and Brooker waited on the Board with regard to the drainage near their sections at Orari. It was decided that the Chairman and Mr MeShane should visit the spot on Wednesday morning next. Mr Ford waited on the Board to know what they intended doing with the road ■ear his property. He was informed that the Board would be constructing the neseasary works at an early date.

BOAD KEVIATION. On the motion of Mr J. Kelland, ■econded by Mr P. McShane, it waa resolved—" That Mr Shaw be asked to survey aad prepare plana of road deviation and exchange of gravel reserve situated on Mr Slack's property, Woedside, io order that the necessary transfers may be made to the Geraldine Road Board." It waa also decided—" That the Board take the necessary steps to abolish the road in Mr Slack's valley, running between sections 23342, and sections 23343, 18656, and 14260, Woodside estate, GeraUine." SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE. A short discussion took place on the question of purchasing small birds and eggs. Members considered that it was very desirable that some steps should be taken to reduce the number of small birds. At the same time they did not feel inclined to purchase eggs and birds, as the other boards were not doing so, and consequently the Board would most probably have to pay for eggs, etc., from other districts. The matter then dropped. fIOBBE TOON EOADS. The quantity of gorse growing upon the roads came under discussion, and it was decided to give those neglecting the gone one more notice, and if the fault was not remedied within a month to take legal proceedings against the parties. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £286 93 4d were passed for payment. The meeting then terminated