TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1839, 10 January 1889, Page 2

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the abevo • Board was held on Tuesday, last. Present —Messrs Talbot (Chairman), Quinn, Bisaet, Fraser, and Hayhurst.* MINUTES. T The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £lßl la 6ct wore passed for payment. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT. y , The Chairman stated that before proceeding with general business he desired to make the members acquainted with tbs condition of certain roads and fords which had been visited by a Committee appointed for the purpose. They were aware that Mr Hawke had claimed certain damages for encroachments made by the Orari river. The Committee had visited tho spot, and found that the river had encroached in a similar way to .whioh it had in many other places. The cutting made by the Board was in no wise responsible for the damage done. With regard to making the road passable, the Board were placed in a difficult position owing to Mr Hawke’s action in'the matter. Protective works of iron rails and wire might meet the case, but viewing Mr. Hawke’s action it might perhaps be as well to defer proceeding with any such work at present. He had suffered nothing from any action of the Board. The Committee also visited the bridge at Winchester, whioh they found quite unfit for traffic. They recommended that steps shouli at once be taken to close the bridge, and the County Council had cop- ‘ sented to this course. Cooper’s Creek was visited with the view of making a recommendation as to the alternate propositions of a ford or raising tho bridge. One course was about as costly as another. The Committee considered that the bridge should be raised. He (the Chairman) bad inspected the damage done at Holland's, where about two-thirds of the road had, been washed away. The Overseer oMhM, Geraldine Road Board had personally mitted to the Board a plan of protective works, to cost about £6O. They would remember that it had than been arranged that if the Geraldine Road Board decided to construct protective works that the Temuka Board would Jgive their consent. Since then it had been resolved that Mr Postlethwaits (the Chairman of the Geraldine Road Board) and himself should -, meet and confer. He (the Chairman) could not see much danger e£ further encroachment, and was of opinion that in the plan of protective works there was a decided element of doubt as to their efficacy. A small deviation, requiring the taking of some half acre of Mr Holland's land, he thought would meet the case, but Mr Postlethwaite was of opinion that the protective works would be best. He (Mr Talbot) had promised to lay the whole matter before the Board, and would not recommend them to deviate from the original resolution. Messrs Fraser, Quinn, and Bisaet, the other members of Committee, coincided with the Chairman’s remarks as to the roads, etc., visited by them. It was resolved, in connection with the report, that the Overseer be authorised to have the bridge at Cooper’s Creek raised, as opportunity permitted. Me the encroachment at Kelland’s—The Board were not disposed at present to consent to protective works. They preferred a deviation, but would await a further report. It was agreed that Mr Hawke’s solicitor be informed that the Board could not accede to the request for payment of damages. DEPUTATIONS. Messrs James A ustin and Rees waited upon the Board in reference to the | encroacbmont of the Orari at Badham’s road an A PeSOf l fOStl] The fords at present were passable, but the next flood would undoubtedly destroy them. Mr Austin was prepared to pay a share of the cost of any protective works that might be done.—The Overseer was instructed to report upon the fords and confer with the parties interested as to what, works should be undertaken, _ . Mr Orr, representing Messrs Orr and Chapman, waited upon the Board, sup? porting a written application for a grazing right over a planted reserve in the Opihi riverbed, which adjoined their respective properties, and which at present was a source of annoyance to them, owing to it sheltering stray stock.—lt was resolved to grant the application, subject to proper restrictions as to the maintenance of fences, etc. Mr Parka made application for the shingling of road from his house to Brown’s road.—lt was agreed to shingle the portion of the road most id use. Mr McCullough made application for certain alterations at Rhodes’s creek, which he complained was receiving more than its natural share of water.—The Overseer was instructed to report upon the matter at the next meeting, Mr Bisset suggesting that the difficulty might be met by allowing the applicant to deepen the drain, and paying him a certain amount for the shingle removed therefrom. poundkebrer’s resignation. y Mr John Lawson tendered his resignation as ponndkeeper at the end of current quarter. He enclosed rent due, and asked for a testimonial to the effect that his duties had beeu carried out in a straightforward way.i

It was decided to deal with the letting of the pound at the next meeting. The Chairman was authorised to give the required testimonial, CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received From Mr A. Macdonald, stating that ha failed: to see the necessity of a legal intervention with respect to the guarantee to the Board against damages possibly accruing through the maintenance of gates on Orafi run. He enclosed a letter from Mr A. M. Clark upon the same subject.— The Board saw no reason to alter its -previous resolution, the Clerk Geraldine Road Board, repotting upon the condition of the bridge near Sraithfield Wool Works, and upon the cost of repairs.—lt was agreed to consent to the expenditure. From the Chairman of the Geraldine County Council, authorising the Board to close the Winchester bridge,—Some brief discussion took place as to whether any further action should be taken as to repairing the bridge, but it was decided to leave the matter in abeyance at present. From the Clerk to the Geraldine County Council, acknowledging receipt of a copy of a resolution from the Board re amendments in the Public Works Act, and stating that the same should receive the attention of the Council. applications. Mr Hayhurst stated that he had an application to make to the Board. He was prepared to make a road from the Main South Road to the Terauka Flour Mill, and from thence to the Kakahu road, lately formed by the Board, and he asked that the Board would take over the same. It would be a great saving to people from the Kakahu district. A plan of the road was submitted. —It was decided that the mgrthbers, with the exception of Mr Hayhurst,'should visit the spot before making any decision upon the matter. WATER-RACE FORDS. Mrßiaset drew attention to several water-race fords on the Rangitata plains, which were in bad order. He desired the matter brought before the Council. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The Overseer a report was read, but was of a technical and confidential character. In connection therewith it was resolved to invite tenders for shingling about od chains on the Waitohi main road. WASTE RANDS. The Overseer reported upon the amount of waste land on. the Canal road. Some discussion ensued as to the desirability of letting the grazing of this land to the adjoining owners, but no decision was arrived at. . Mr Quinn proposed that the land bo offered to the adjoining owners at a rental of 20s per acre. ..... „ Some difficulty occurred m this connection, as there were complications with adjoining owneis as to fencing, and the matter was left in abeyance. It was decided to offer Messrs Ackroyd, Warning, and Lynch the epportumty of leasing certain pieces near their properties to which the former restrictions did not apply, at a rental of 20s per acre. The meeting then terminated.