MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1882, 23 April 1889, Page 4

MOUNT PEEL ROAD BOARD.

A meeting of tlio hoard was held iu the road hoard office, Peel Forest, on Thursday, the 18th inst. Present— The Hon. J. B. A. Acland (chairman), Messrs Tripp, Mackay, Thew, and Dennistoun. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. COEEESPONDENCB. The correspondence was read and dealt with as follows From the District Survey Office, Christchurch, enclosing copy of correspondence in reference to closing the road along sections 24,588 24,306, and stating that part of the road cannot be abandoned as it is the only means of giving access to section 85,933. From the Geraldine County Csuncil, giving a statement of the amount to he contributed by the council to the South Canterbury Hospitals and Charitable Aid Board, and requesting that the board’s share of that contribution be paid before the Ist June next. From the same, enclosing forms to be filled up showing the receipts and expenditure of the board for the past year. —The clerk stated that the forms had been filled up and returned as requested. From the Auditor - General, in reference to audit of the board’s accounts, and giving a specimen form in which the balance-sheet should be made out.

Prom the Q-eneral Survey Office, Wellington, forwarding maps of the Canterbury runs for public inspection. HOAD AT BETHUNB’s CUTTING. Mr Dennistoun brought under the notice of the board that the road leading down the Eangitata terrace at Bethune’s cutting had been washed away by the river, thus causing danger to traffic, and in consequence the overseer had fenced across tho road at the top of the cutting to prevent accidents, and as the road was rendered perfectly useless for public traffic be would propose that it be closed from the corner of reserve 1803 to Eangitata river, The clerk was instructed to write to the owners of the land adjoining the road, asking their consent to its being closed, ard he was instructed to take the necessary steps for having it stopped, in the event of their reply being favorable. poundkeeper’s returns. It was resolved—“ That the poundkeeper at Peel Forest be requested to furnish a statement of the number of animals impounded and the amount of fees collected during the past year, and that for the future he send in returns every six months.” OVERBLOW OP CREEK. Mr Tripp requested that the overseer inspect certain works done by him in preventing the overflow of the creek near bis house getting on to the road, and to report at the next meeting* ELECTION OP MEMBERS. The clerk was directed to take the •necessary steps for the election of members of the board in the first week in May, as required by the Koad Board Act. ANNUAL MEETING. It was resolved—“ That the annual meeting of the ratepayers be held on the 2nd May.” TRAIN ARRANGEMENTS. It was proposed by the chairman, seconded by Mr Dennistoun, and carried—" That the following memorandum be sent to the Eailway Commissioners : The members of the Mount Peel Eoad Board, as representing the ratepayers of the district, view with alarm the changes said to be in contemplation in the railway passenger trains between Christchurch and Timaru. While admitting that increasing the speed of the express train would be an advantage, it has not been generally called for, and tho object would appear to be more for the sake of appearance than any great practical good. The members, however, wish to point out the special hardship which will be inflicted on the ratepayers of this district who use the Eangitata railway station in respect of their communication with Christchurch, As the trains run at present they can leave Christchurch at 8.10 a.m. or 1.15 p.m., reaching Eangitata in the first case in about 3hrs 20mins, and m the second in shrs flOmins. Under the proposed arrangement they would be obliged to leave Christchurch at 7.25 a.m., reaching Eangitata in about shrs SOmins, the only chance, unless as stated in one paper tho express stops to set down passengers if required. The real grievance, however, is going to Christchurch. It appears that on three days in the week a tram leaves Timaru at noon, and reaches Christchurch at 7 p.m., which is about hours from Eangitata. But on the other three days the only available tram leaves Timaru at 7.30 a.m., Eangitata about 9.10, and reaches Christchurch at 7 p.m., that is to say in 10 hours. This resembles more nearly the old coaching days of Cobb and Co. than what might be expected of a railway. It is to be hoped that this at least may be remedied. , Why should not the 12 o’clock train run daily ? ”

accounts. Accounts amounting to £SO 14s 4d were passed for payment, and the board then rose.

A GHOST-HAUNTED ROOM. The following extraordinary story in connection with the MaxweliPreller murder was recently telegraphed to New York from St. Louis, where the murder took place;—The terrible tragedy enacted on April sth, 1885, in room 144 of the Southern Hotel, is again revived by the strange experiences of the guests who have recently occupied the apartment, It was in room 144 that Maxwell chloroformed Preller to death and then packed the body in a trunk. The room was not occupied for many months, and the hotel people found it necessary to change the number to 132. The experience of a guest one night recently was told on the following day. The gentleman is a prominent business man of well-balanced mind. “I knew nothing at all about the room when I took it,” he said. “In fact, the Maxwell-Preller tragedy bad wholly escaped me. I went to bed at my usual hour, and was awakened with a start by hearing a strange tapping against the head of the bed. There was one tap and then two others in quick succession. I was aroused in an instant, but heard nothing more. The same tapping occurred several other times during the night, but I took little notice of it. The next evening I noticed that the drawers of tha bureau would always open however often I closed them. I pushed them in whenever I passed near the bureau, but they would invariably open again, as though forced out by some unseen agency. Still I was not alarmed. The most startling occurrence of all, and that which decided me to quit the room, came on the third night. I ordered the fire to be discontinued, because it was warm enough without one, and retired for the night. I had noticed that the chambermaid had entirely cleared the hearth of debris , and not so much as a scrap of paper was left in it. About 1 o’clock I was awakened by an explosion on the hearth that sounded like a big fire cracker. I was scared you can bet. A second explosion, a little louder, followed, and then came a third which capped the climax. It was terribly violent, and the detonation was fearful. I arose, lighted the gas, dressed, and looked at the hearth. It was completely filled with a slaty substance that looked like ore of some kind, and one of the large cubes that made up the hearth was torn from the brickwork or tiling. Pieces of slate were thrown across the room. I went downstairs and told the night clerk to come right to the room, passed a sleepless night, and changed my room next day. I then learned from a friend they history of the room.”