GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1902, 11 June 1889, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of this board was held yesterday. Present— Messrs F, R. Flatmnn, J. Kelland, L. Grant, and W. Deßenzy. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS, Tenders were opened and dealt with as follows: — No. 288—Diiving iron piles lower side Orari traffis bridge ; Fifield Bros., £l6 10a; W. Gaiger, £l6 10s ; P. Billings, £l6 4s (accepted). CORRESPONDENCE, Correspondence was read and dealt wLh as follows From Mr E. H. Twomey, consenting to buy the land on the road proposed to be abolished adjoining his property, —The matter to stand over for the present. Mr R. P. Wells again wrote asking for the gates on the road leading to his property to bo removed, and pointing oat that the road was m bad repair.—Overseer to report on both complaint*. From the Colonial Office, Wellington, stating that the result of the recant election had been gnzatted. From the Property Tax Commissioner, Wellington, forwarding for signature a declaration which would entitle the board to roceivo the amount due fur the year 1888-9. From Mr Metcalf, calling the board’s attention to a stream cf water running round the end of the bridge near Groundwater's crossing, and suggesting a small breakwater to keep the water in the channel, or the bridge would be useless. —• Wo:ck to be done if the consent of those whoi own the adjoining land be given in writing. F*om the Property Tax Commissioner, advising the board of £125, amount of subsidy due to the board, having been lodged to their credit. From Mr A. Rao, Rangitata, offering £1 per annum for the Tease of the shingle J reserve No. 2158.—Decided to accept the offer, subject to the board having the right to tiike shingle whenever they may want it. t From Mr John Henderson, Jones Gully, Opihi, asking the board to make a road to enable him to get to bis section No. 126,797.-Decided to dll tenders for the work. From Mr A, Foster, asking for a road to be made through sections No. 30,869 and INo. 7291 to allow him to get wood from his bush, Gapes’ Valley, on section No. 19566. —The overseer to report. From a ratepayer, asking to be allowed to stack some stones on the cross road! between sections No. 4® and 41. Tliel overseer reported that the stones went not wanted, and the request was not acceded to. From the Property lax Commissioner, advising the Board that the valuation roll for the triennial period coßemenoing Apffil let, 1889, had been forwarded. From Mr B. P. Bartruro, asking to be sho wed to plough up the side of the road’ in front of his property, for the purpose ©f destroying gorse saed'ings.—Granted. , From C. W. Fisher and Co., stating; that they bad taken over the business of Meet ra Ford and Ogden, aad requesting a ; sharu of the Board's patronage.— n 0 be asked to quote prices. From Mr H. H. Pitman, Steward Education Reserves, Chris'church, stating his Board had accepted the offer of the Board of £9 for the piece of land required for road deviation, the laud not to exceed 1| acres of Lot 3of Reserve No. 1210. Cheque to be sent. From the Crown Lands Office, Christchurch, forwarding a lithograph plan of Reserve No. 349, Orari, and asking the Board to shew on the same the road* on which they intended to expend the money accruing to them under the provisions of the Land Act, The money would be set aside as it accrued, and paid, when the statement was returned.—Received. From the Commissioner Crown Lands, with regard to the exchange of sections! by Messrs Howey and Grant to the Board.

I'rom Mr J. Robinson, asking the Board to clear the fax and manuka scrub along his frontage to allow of bis grubbing the gorse growing there.—Work to be done. WATER-BACK CJEW)SSIN«S. Mr Flatman brought before the board the fact that there were likely to be a number of water-race crossings in the district, and he thought the board should be more strict in seeioig that these were properly put in, ns after twelve months the county council were released from all responsibility. It was necessary to see that the culver Is were properly put in at first the full width of the road. He did not think it right in the event of an accident happening in o>oe part of the district that the other should pay for it. Messrs Grant and Slack thought the county council should be notified that the erossings and culverts would have to be made the full width of the road. The overseer being asked said be had suggested that the ends of the culverts should be properly covered in near the township especially, and at other places the sides of the croaking. After a little further discussion Mr Slack moved, Mr UeHenzy seconded, and it was carried—“ That notice be sent to the county council that proper culverts or fords be made the full width of the road where the water-races cross the road, or this board will hold the county council responsible for any damage which may occur. ’ 60KSE UPOtf ROADS. Mr Slack brought up the question of gorse upon roads. He considered that the board were simply being laughed at for sending out notices and threats And not carrying them out. The value of the district, he contended, was being deteriorated by the carelessness of the board in this matter. A good deal of discussion took place, and members were of opinion that the board should take a firm stand, and compel the ratepayers to keep the roads clear. A list of those who had gorse growing upon roads was read over. A discussion as to the best means of making the ratepayers clear the aorse took place. Mr Slack thought that the portions of the road formed and shingled by the board should be cleared at the expense of the board. The chairman thought that would hardly be fair to those persons who had property fronting on roads that were formed but not shingled.

Mr Slack said that the shingled roads were the roads that cost the money to repair. Members thought that gorse was often carted on to the road with the shingle, and it would be a hardship if the ratepayers had to clear inch gorse. Finally, it was proposed by Mr Grant, seconded by Mr Kelland, and carried unanimously—--11 That those ratepayers who have been drawn by lot be served with a final notice that unless their gorse is cleared on the roads adjoining tbeir properties within one month from date a summons will be isaued against Ibem at tha next sitting or the board.” Some twenty names of those who had gorse growing upon the roads were put into a hat, and the following ten names were drawn : —S, Braadley, A. McDonald, C. Waller, B, Cochran*, A. Kelroan, , Mrs Bell, W. JDeßenzy, J. Bsckley, W. Earl, and P. H. McShanr. retiring members; Lote were then drawn for those members who shall retire during the year, as provided by the Act, and Messrs L; Grant and J. Kelland were chosen. INTERVIEWS. Mr W. Patrick wailed on the Board with regard to the abolished road at Kakahu, and was informed the matter was allowed »o stand over for the present. Mr Ford again waited on the Board with regard to the road to his property, and complained that no steps had been taken with regard to the same. He hoped the Board would construct the road, as the old Board was in favor of it. The minute re the some was looked up, a»d it was found that Mr bugrue, who owned the land, required £l2 for the same, whereas the old Board considered £7 a goad price for the land.—Members said that it was just possible that the protective works already put in would not stand the next fresh. The price asked for the land represented about £l2O per acre, and the Board was not inclined to buy the land, with the risk of the road being washed away the next fresh. They suggested that Mr Ford let the matter stand till they saw the result of the next fresh. Xt was finally decided to wait and see the result of the next fresh in the river on the protective works. Meaers A. McLean and W. Hewson waited on the board with regaad to a creek oveiflowiog into the latter’s paddocks, passing through Mr McLean’s land, and scouring the road for a considerable distance. They asked to have the matter attended to.—lt wae decided that Mr Sbiere should look at the spot and do what was found necesaary. overseer’s report. The oyorseoi’a report wae read and dealt with as under : “ 1 have the honor to report for the information of the board as follows: Owing to the favourable weather the whole of the works in hand have made good progress. The undermentioned haye been completed nod passed for final paymeat this day, viz :-No. 284—Ford and shingle, Ford’s road, Jonas Fiefirld; No. 285—Ford and shingle, near Findlay’s, Kakahu, M. Lawler; No. 286 —Feed oats, J. Lewis; No. 287—Ford and cuttings, Hilton road, J. Fiefield. Belfield works i’he protective work) at Belfield village settlement, about 50 chains in length on the face of the river terrace, have also been completed during the month in a satisfactory manner. “Closed Roads—The advertised lime having expired, it will be necessary to call a public meeting to deal with the roads proposed to bo abolished. “ Tworney’s Road—l have, as directed, offered the land contained in this road to the adjoining property-owners. The decision will come before the board this day. “Poisoned Grain—l have obtained a a small quantity of poisoned grain from Mr Brookes, of Asbburtoo. A portion has been issued to ratepayers, but sufficient time has not elapsed to leirn the result. “ Ropaire—Two old culverts gave way during the month. One has been repaired and the other replaced with pipes instead of timber. “Orari Bridge I have also had to place several new planks in the Orari Traffic Bridge, as the holes in the deck rendered it dangerous to croas in the dark. As there were many complaints from persons crossing sheep, 1 also repaired the side and wing rails at the approaches to both bridges, doing as little as possible to render them safe. “ Shingle Repairs—Very little damage has been done to the roads by graincarting, but there a are few places that require a little patching. The men are now at work on Rae’a road, which is one which requires attending to. _ “ Reserve Fences—The time has arrived when it would be desirable to call tenders far trimming these fencee. “ Plantations—ln one or two of the plantations, I think it would be advisable to remove the blighted trees, as this would give more room to the healthy ones, which in the end would give more timber. “ Rates—The whole of last year’s rates have now been collected, with the exception ot £1 Us fid, the principal part ot which is owing by absentees, who cannot bo got at. As instructed, 1 applied for the rates due on Grown lands ; also for subsidy on rates collected. The former has been received, and the latter may be expected in a few days, “ W. Shirks, “ Clerk and Overseer.” It was decided to call a meeting for next board day at 3 p.m. to consider abolishing the road near Kakahu ; to allow the matter re Twomey’s road to remain in abeyance for the present; another bag of poisoned wheat to be obtained ; tenders to be called for cutting the reserve fences. The report r« the rates was considered highly satisfactory. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £199 18s were passed for payment. The Board then adjourned.