GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2449, 10 January 1893, Page 2

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above board was held yesterday. Present— Messrs F. R, Flatman (chairman), Deßenzy, Kelland, Metcalf, and Brophy. THE NEW YEAR. Being the first meeting of the board for the year 1893, the chairman took the opportunity of wishing the board and overseer the compliments of the season, TENDERS. Tenders were accepted for works as under : The chairman stated that T. Sugrue had been given the contract for shingling at Cooper’s Creek for £l2B.—The board approved of this. No. 273, Galakoski’s road, Waihi Flat—P. Burke, £45 ; John Sugrue, £42 10s; Maurice Lawlor, £34105; James Davis, £3l 5s (accepted). No. 371, earthworks and culverts near Rangitata Station James Davis, £l4 10s ; Maurice Lawlor, £9 10s ; Patrick Burke, £8; John Sugrue, £7 da (accepted). No. 372, cocksfoot on reserves—Wm, Ford, £1; James Proudfool, 30s (accepted). CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows : From Mr D. L. Inwood, Winchester, re the state of the boundary road. That at the request of the board he attended on Monday, October 17th, with Mr Meason and solicitor, and regretted that Mr Deßenzy was the only member of the board that was present. He enclosed a report from Mr Meason, C.E., showing that no works or drains of his have any connection whatever with the bad state of the boundary road but that, on the contrary, tne road is better for the millraces, which, if closed down raise the water at least 4J inches on the road.— Members explained that as the weather was very wet on the day in question they did not think it would be worth while to be present.—The letter was read and endorsed as follows—“ Matter has already been settled by inspector, members, and overseer, of the Gei’aldine Road Board, and chairman of Temuka Board on November 28th, when it was agreed to allow water to run at level as running on that day, each of the party consenting to this verdict.”

From Messrs Smith, Denuistoun & Co., stating that Messrs Ashby, Andrews, Brown, and themselves, had obtained permission from the County Council to form a branch water-race, but they had carelessly neglected to apply to the Geraldine Road Board for permission to form two fords across the roads close to Mr Ashby’s.—Granted. Overseer to see that the work is properly done. From County Council, re road applied for by Mr John Campbell on the boundary of section 21209, South Rangitata ; that the Council will refund the cost of pipes that will be required for crossing ’one of the water-races on the road as desired.

From Mr W. P. Studholme, stating that the Government had made alterations, as requested by l|jm, re the property held by hitp, and asking the board po make alterations on the rate roll.—The board urp sorry they cannot allow further delay in this matter. From Messrs Meason & Marchaut, civil engineers, reporting pp the damage done to the Boundary road and adjoining land by the damming back of the twq creeks from which Mr Inwood’s mill-race is supplied. The tests made proved conclusively that under no conditions could )?ack ot the creeks be attributed -■sf

to Mr Inwood’a works, but that the millrace lowered the water-level at A on plan one inch below the level which would exist if no races had been cut in Mr Inwood’s land.

From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that consideration will be given to the board’s applicatson to have lots 2 and 3, block 1, South Ilangitata township set apart for a gravel pit. From the Chief Surveyor, forwarding lithographic picture of the swimming pool at the Hanmer Baths, and requesting that same be placed in a conspicuous position. From three ratepayers in the Woodbury district, asking that shingle be put on the road at the back of Waihi bush from where it joins the existing metalled road that runs through Mr Donkin’s property to the entrance of Messrs Evans’ land.—The board cannot afford to do the work at present, but will keep the ruts well filled. From Mr A. Dunford, surface man, re his application to have a house built for him to live in at Kakahu. —The board declined to entertain the idea of building the house. INTERVIEW. Mr John Thatcher waited on the board with the following petition :—“ We, the undersigned ratepayers in the Geraldine Road Board District, would ask your board to construct a stock-bridge over the creek on the upper side of the road on the Woodbury and Rangitata road, between the Waihi and Orari rivers, we considering that creek to be a dangerous place in time of flood.”—Signed by nine ratepayers. Mr Thatcher, in reply to the chairman, said that there was no advantage in having the bridge on the upper side of the road. Mr Tripp was the only rate-' payer that had expressed a wish for it on that side. The work, however, was very necessary, as the creek was dangerous to people crossing in time of flood. Mr Deßenzy thought that if it was a matter of preventing danger to life the bridge should be erected) but if it was only for sheep traffic it was not necessary as sheep owners could keep their sheep at home in flood weather. Mr Thatcher said that if the board could not see their way clear to erect a proper stock bridge they should erect a crossing by which people could cross without danger to life, and horses could be led over.

Mr Kelland said that if this application were granted there would be no end of similar applications from all over the district.

The board left the matter in the hands of the overseer to report at next meeting. From Messrs Hay & Postleth waite, Timaru, applying for payment of £2O compensation for injury done to Mr Alexander Macdonald’s land through the action of the board in erecting an embankment in the natural sourae of the stream.—On the motion of Mr Deßenzy, seconded by Mr Brophy, it was carried — “ That in reply to Messrs Hay & Postlethwaite re Mr Macdonald’s claim, the board refer them to the board’s solicitor’s, Messrs Smithson, Raymond & Smith. RATES. It was carried on the motion of Mr Deßenzy, seconded by Mr Brophy—- « That the clerk of the board be authorised to sue in the Resident Magistrate’s Court for all outstanding rates due to the board —action to be taken at once.” FIXED DEPOSIT. Mr Brophy moved, and Mr Kelland seconded—“ That the sum of £SOO, fixed deposit, falling due at the Bank of New Zealand, Geraldine, on Jan. 21st, 1893, be placed to the current account at the Bank of New South Wales, also interest accrued from the above deposit. overseer’s report. The overseer reported as follows : « The works in hand have made good progress during the past month. Contracts No. 371,t ford and cutting, Cross’s road, and No. 372, repairs to boundary road, have been completed. No. 366, broken metal, Gapes Valley Road, the time expired on December 20. The work is nearly finished. No. 369, shingling Beautiful Valley Road, and No. 370 shingling near Cooper’s Creek, are just commenced. The daymen have been employed in spreading metal and shingle on contracts, repairing roads, and protective works, and in painting drays and buildings. General Rate: I have collected and paid in to date £765 4s lid. Small Birds: Since the school holidays a large quantity have been coming in for sale.—l have, etc., « Wm. Shibbs. “ Overseer.” The report was read and considered satisfactory.

THE PAY-SHEET. The pay-sheet amounted to £299 7s, The board then rose.