KAUAERANGA HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 192, 21 May 1872, Page 3

KAUAERANGA HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

A meeting of the Kauaeranga H’glnvay District Board was held yesterday at the office of the Secretary, Sealey street. Present —Mr Burgess (in the chair), and Messrs Scott, Mill, Walnutt, Cameron (Engineer), Perston (Secretary). the government grant and the recreation ground. The Chairman said, in reference to the Government grant, that the depntat'on had not been to Auckland, but had seen the Superintendent here, and pressed him /ery hard for the balance of the £ISOO. His Honor stated, however, that the revenue was not coming in so as to enable the money to be paid in the present state of the funds. lie (the Chairman) had tried to get a promise from the Superintendent, but lie said “ Don’t calculate upon it in any way whatever.” The following letter was read in reference to the subject : Superintendent’s Office, Auckland, 17th May, 1872. Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the Ist inst., specifying certain works most urgently required to be carried out in your district, and inquiring if Government ean promise payment of the tliiid—£so0 —of the Provincial vote, at a definite time, so that an advance of the same may he granted by the Bank. In reply, I beg to state that the Government cannot see how, in the present state of the funds, any such promise can be given.—I have, &c.,

H. H. Lusk, for the Superintendent. To the Chairman, Kauaeranga District Roard.” In reference to the recreation ground, there was an offer of 33 acres of land from Mr Spencer, at Parawni, the price of which was £1,500 or £I,OOO, wiih the right of pasture for ten years. There was another that might he selected. Spencer has purchased a strip of land of eielit acres, opposite to the land under offer, between the Knuaeranja and Thames rivers. He (the Chairman) had pointed out to the Superintendent how very small the proposed area was for the purpose of a recreation ground, and he would not recommend the purchase of this sight if a larger area could he secured. MrMnckay was expected at the Thames in the course of a day or two, and perhaps it would be well for a deputation to wait him on the subject. Mr Scott thought if they-could get no larger area, that it would be well to take the offer. Mr Mackay had been endeavouring to negotiate with the natives for the purchase of a larger plot of ground, and if this could be obtained, it would be the most desirable, hut if this could not be got, it would be well to take the other. Mr Mill said it was desirable that something should be done, and he would propose that a deputation, jointly with the Waiotahi Board, should wait upon Mr Mackay on the subject. The Chairman suggested that the old members of the Recreation Committee, Messrs Scott and Lipsey, should form a deputation to wait upon Mr Mackay on the subject. This was agreed to. PARAWAI ROAD. The Chairman said the Parawai Road Board had taken steps to get the Government grant in aid spent on the main road to Parawai. The road had not been gazetted. He did not think in the present state of the funds that the Superintendent would consent to the request of the Parawai Board. It would he for the Board to say what should be done. The Secretary said £125 had been spent out of borrowed money on the Parawai road under Mr Cameron’s supervision. The Chairman asked was this a main road in the proper sense of the term, or only a road to a few suburban residences, and perhaps it was not too late to prevent it’s being gazetted as a main road. Mr Scott said he did not consider it a main road, The main road was intended

to go along Rolleston-sireet and Bowenstrget to the banksof the Kauaeranga "river. Tins Mr Maekay pointed out on the plan. The Chairman said, if there was to he a main road, it ought not to be taken by way of Parawai, but in a straight lino from Bowen-street up the country. , Mr Mills said the Parawai Road came to an end at the Maori settlement. The line by way''o'f“Bowen-street, aud on in a straight line, was the best. it was resolved that Mr Maekay should be consulted on the subject. The Chairman said there was another line, which might he taken by way of Fen-ton-street. There were influences at work in reference to the Parawai Road which required watching. MR GROVE’S TRAMWAY. The Chairman said lie had seen the Superintendent about tramways, and that his Honor said that ho could, concurrently with the Board, grant permission. If MiGrove were to write to the Superintendent for permission to lay down a tramway, he would grant it if the Board concurred.

The following report from Mr Cameron on the subject was read :—“ Relative to Mr Grove’s application to construct a tramway in Mills and Richmond streels, I have the honor to inform you that I accompanied Mr Grove along the proposed line, and consider that no disadvantage could arise to the public by the Board granting the permission, provided that proper crossings be made and maintained at the intersections of the several streets and thoroughfares.” bella-street bridge. Mr Vickery applied for permission to put a bridge across the creek in Bellaslreet temporarily, for the conveyance of quartz, &c., and to have power to remove the same. Mr Bcott suggested that the bridge should be substantially put up, with a view to* the Board taking it at a valuation* It, was resolved that the Engineer and two members of the Board should visit the locality next morning. mackay-street. Mr Ileldt requested permission to construct a roadway across the drain and footpath into his premises, in Mackaystreet, which was gianted. lambert-street. Mr D. Wilson applied for leave to remove smface soil from the road near his property in Lambert-street. The mailer was left to Mr Scott and the Engineer to report upon. FINANCE. The Chairman said the overdraft at the bank was £355 Cs 8d ; amount of rates re be collected, 1871, £IBB 6s lOd ; 1870, £4B. The Secretary said the Magistrate’s Clerk had not found time to make out certain distress warrants, and that the attention of the Magistrate should be called to the matter. The clerk had stated to him that lie had 100 much work, more in fact than he could get through, in consequein e of the increase of business lately. THAMES MUNICIPALITY. It was agreed to pay £ls towards the pebrninary expenses of the Thames Municipality Committee.