KAUAERANGA HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 252, 30 July 1872, Page 3

KAUAERANGA HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

A MEETING of the Kauaeranga Highway District Board was held last evening at the office, Pollen-street. Present : Mr Burgess, in the chair, and Messrs Lipsey, McCormick, Scott, Hollis (engineer), Lechuer (secretary). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Finance. —A promissory note for £SOO as security for overdraft at the bank was signed by the members. Karaka Road. —Mr Perry and Mr QuiuHvau waited upon the Board, asking if anything could be done to repair th>* Karaka Road.—Mr Hollis, the E.igimer, said it would cost £6O or £7O to put the road in repair. There were two pieces of road which much required doing on thu Hape Road.—ln reply to the Chairman, Mr Perry said he would contribute £lO Mr Quinlivan said he had lost his best horse on the road, but nevertheless he would assist.—The Board said they would do what they possibly could in the matter, and would consult with the Engineer on the subject.

Hill and Cook-street. —Mi Grove and Mr Dave waited upon the Board with a list of subscriptions in money and labour, estimated at £42, for the repair of tlill street and Cook-street to the Hape Road, commencing at the terminus of the Hape Creek Tramway.—The Board said they would take the matter into consideration, and return an early answer to the deputation. The Board would be willing to supplement the subscriptions to the extent of £42, provided an intervening piece of grouud be dedicated to the public.

Valuation. —It was agreed to expend £5 in checking the valuation roll now being made by the assessors, it being left to tiie Chairman to appoint some competent person to discharge this duty.

Grant in Aid. —The Chairman said he had lately waited upon Mr Hurst in Auckland (in the absence of tho Goldfields Secretary) in reference to a further instalment of the grant in aid, and that Mr Hurst had intimated that the wishes of the Board would be complied with so far as possible.

Fire Brigade. —The Chairman said it would be necessary’ to havs the Fire Rate Act extended to Bhortland, otherwise they would not be justified in expending the money of the ratepayers in aid of the Fire Brigrade, which must be left for the present to voluntary subscriptions outside the Board, who could not appropriate a general rate for the purpose. The Government would supply plugs, &e.

Municipality. —The Chairman stated that the Waiotahi Board had appointed Tuesday, the 3Utli instant, at 3 pan. (this day), to receive reply to telegrams sent on Thursday last to tlie General Government, and to decide what steps shall be taken in reference to the Municipality question. The Chairman said he trusted that as many members of the Board as could make it convenient to attend would do so.

Hape Creek Tramway. —The following letter was read from Mr Grove. The conditions referred to have been already published : —“ To the Chairman of the Kauaeratiga Highway Board. Sir, —In regard to my application (on behalf of self and partners) for leave to construct a private tramway between our battery and claim via the Terrace and Richmond streets. I beg to state that there is no traffic whatever on such. That the street levels are not cut, and are therefore impracticable to be connected with any general svstein of tramways, such as wuiilci suit the Hape Road, Sealey-street, and the Karaka Creek. The gradients being so precipitous, in comparison small waggons made to contain about 12 cubic feet being the class of trucks we could work best, and the guage about 2ft or 2ft 4in. In the event of the Board ever cutting a level along the terrace to connect such with the levels of Hape Road and Sealey-street, we are prepared to alter the line aud gauge should we then consider our mine worth the expense, if not, of course, our line could be moved 1, therefore, submit that the general conditions propounded by the Government are inapplicable to this case ; and that No. 1 condition should bo suspended, except so far as wckmauship is concerned, or the drainage of the route on public grounds. The 2ud condition is suitable. 3rd. As the line leads into our own land, from whence there is no traffic excepting our own, this clause is also unsuitable. 4th. We have no objections should the condition ever become practicable. si.li. No objection whatever. Gtli. Average horse speed, say rate of four miles per hour. 7th. Certainly. Bth. Ditto. I beg to remind you that our traffic when drays could be used cut up the Hape Road and such other roads as the Board expended money upon between such aud the Hape tramway. The new route, as per application, will dispense with such. As the battery is now idle in consequence of the roads being so bad, I trust that you will cause this application to be forwarded, so that we may get the consent of the Provincial Government.—l have the honor to be your most obedient servant, D. Grove. —J. Burgess, Chairman, Kauaeranga Highway Board, Shortlaud." —The Board recommended the letter to the favourable consideration of the Government.

Engineer’s Report. —The following f report was read : Shortland, 29th July, 1872.Sir, —I have the honor to submit for your consideration the following report upon the principal roads in your district:— Pollen-street: This roadway has sustained extensive injury from the accumulation of liquid mud causing disturbance to the foundation, as evidenced by tne numerous ruts and holes on “the surface. I should recommend the mud to be removed without delay, the standing portions reduced, and a coating of threeinches (3 inches) of metal evenly distributed. After this has become consolidated, an additional three inches of metal should be spread, to maintain it during the next winter’s traffic. The large culvert crossing the roadway from Rich-mood-street requires attention. Being considerably below the level of drainage, this culvert holds a large quantity of dead water, which is injurious to the roadway. 1 should recommend it to be filled to the line of drainage, and a false bottom of timber fixed thereon. The entrance to, and exit from, culverts should be floored lor a distance of at least eight feet. Willoughby-street: With little outlay, this street can be kept in a tolerable state of repair from Pollen-street to its junction with the Hape Road. Hape Road will require considerable outlay. Fruin unaccountable neglect, about three chains of this roadway were neither pitched nor metalled, and, in order now to make it passable, a solid foundation will have to be made. The mud must be re-

moved, and the roadway built up with fascines, coarse gravel, pitching, and a six-inch coating of broken metal. The condition of this road is unsatisfaotoy throughout, and will require considerable outlay. R.dleston-street will require the services of a labourer or two occasionally to fill up

die nUs ami distrii ule the meta'. One of

the culverts crossing the roadway requires alteration, in order to relieve the watertables from the drainage of the Karaka Creek Road, etc.

Karaka Road requires to be connected with Rolleston-street (a distance of about chains from the foot of the hill). This road is also in a very bad state, and should be at once attended to, or traffic must cease. I have given instructions for tempoiary repairs. A culvert injudiciously placed at right angles across tin* road must be removed and properly laid.

Mary-street requires levelling, and the ruts filling in. In this report, I have noticed only those streets which are formed, and constitute the principal traffic routes. I would suggest these should be the first objects for the consideration of your Board. I will, at the next meeting of your Board, furnish another report upon your unformed roads, and suggest for approval certain small works in the shape of footpaths and drainage conducive to the comfort of the inhanitants.

Water Tables, &c,: I would suggest to our Board the necessity of laying down

timber water races in all cases where (lie volume of water is large. On the Karaka for instance, the rush is so violent that the course is worn into deep irregular holes destructive alike to roadway and

footpath. I will also lay before the Board a simple form of water table which will facilitate the drainage. Footpaths: I have been applied to by many citizens upon this subject, who have promised liberal subscriptions, in aid of their formation. Upon receiving instructions I will furnish the estimate of cost. I would also suggest the expedieny of removing the large screen lying against the old office wall to the Karaka Greek, and that two men should be employed to screen the coarse gravel, which lies there in abundance, the screenings would in.ike excellent footpaths &c., ana the metal lie

very useful and cheap tor the roads. Iwo men could screen 20 or more yards per day.—l am, &c.,

E. W. Hollis, Engineer to the Board,

To John Burgess, Esq., Chairman, Kauerauga Highway Board

Hape Road. —It was resolved to call ! or tenders for repairs to Hape Creek load, to oe sent in on or before Monday lext.

Pollen-street and Karaka Road.— It was resolved to call for tenders for repairs on Karaka Road, and to expend £SO in labour, aud £SO in metal for Pollenstreet.

Native Rates. —in reference to the native rates, the Chairman suggested that an application should bo made to the Parawai Board to bear half the expense in legal proceedings to recover rales. — The Secretary was instructed to write to the Parawai Board oil the subject. Mary-stkeet. —The Engineer received instructions to make the footpath in Mary-street from the church to Mr Wilson’s corner, provided the funds were paid by the residents, which they had undertaken to subscribe.

THE AUCKLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE LICENCING OF QUARI’Z MACHINES}. Yesterday’s Herald publishes the following petition from the above-named august body to the House of Representatives touching the licensing of our batteries. We should think that the batteries were already heavily enough taxed, aud under heavy enough expenses without having to pay a fee for tne right of working. Clause 3 is not a bad one at all. How will the banks like having a detective banging over the couuter all day long watching those who come in to sell gold. A pleasant state of affairs it would be altogether. The whole idea is certainly a novel one, but we imagine that the Government will rather object to make a new department for the purpose of watch-

ing that no gold-stealing is going on. Should tlmy, however, agree to the prayer of the memorialists and appoint an inspector, we should suggest that the best person tor the billet would be our mining reporter, as he would thus be able to compile a very correct list of gold returns, aud to be doing a public service at the same time being well paid for it. We commend this suggestion to the committee of the House, who may be appointed lo consider the memorial :

“ To the Honourable the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The memorial of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce humbly shewetli :

1. “ That great loss is suffered by this community, and especially by the owners of iiiiumg property, through the absence of any reliable means of testing the truth of leports as to the result of quartz crushing operations. 2. “That the facilities with which dishonest persons can at preseut avail themselves of crushing and smelting appliances, aud afterwards dispose of the produce iu gold, acts as a direct and strong temptation to robbery aud inalservatiou of trust, and seriously retards the development of the mining interest, by discouraging the investment of capital therein.

3. “That in the opinion of this Chamber a system of Government inspection ought to be adopted ; and such system might be made effectual and self-sup-porting. 4. That after fully considering the couise which seemed to them most likely to remedy the evils referred to, your memorialists resolved to make the following suggi stions, which they now accordingly make, and respectfully submit for the consideration of your Honourable House. I. “ That it be unlawful for any person to extract gold from quartz unless he be duly licensed to do so. Licence fee to be, say, £lO per annum. 11. “ That all persons so licensed be required to keep correct accounts of all operations conducted by them, or by use of their machinery, and to furnish to the Government Inspector monthly returns af such operations, including particulars of (1) the quantity of stuff crushed ; (2), j whence derived ; (3), when and from | whom received ; (4), product; and (5), how disposed of. That they be required to keep duplicates of all receipts given b}* them, and to issue certificates (in a form to be prescribed) with all gold or amalgam delivered from their batteries. That all their accounts, as well as the premises in which they early on business, be open at all times to the inspection of the Government Inspector. That it be a misdemeanour to neglect any of these particulars, and felony to falsify any entry or duplicate, or wilfully to include any false particulars in auy certificate or return. HI. “ I'hat it be unlawful to purchase gold (other than alluvial gold) or amalgam, unless such gold or amalgam is accompanied by the presscribed certificate from the battery owner, or other person, by whom the ore was reduced ; and, in the case of any intermediate process, such as retorting, having been used, from the licensed person who applied such process. IV. “ That a Government Inspector, with suitable salary, be appointed : bis duty being to visit and inspect, whenever he may deem expedient, all licensed crushing plant ; to examine and compare the books and vouchers there kept, and to receive and verify the monthly returns. That he have a competent staff of detective police under his orders, and have power to require the produclion of certificates from any person found with gold or amalgam in his possession ; and that it he part of his duty to lay informations for breach or neglect of the regulations. 5. “ Your memorialists, therefore, pray that your Honourable House will pass an Act to provide for the licensing and proper inspection of all batteries and other machinery—public or private—employed in the reduction of gold ore in the province of Auckland, such Act being framed either in accordance with the suggestions contained in clause IV'. of this memorial, or in such other plah as to you may seem best calculated to protect t lie interests of the owners of gold mining property. “ And your memorialists will ever pray. “ Dated in Auckland this 26th day of July, 1372. “On behalf of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, “ G. Von dek Heyde, “ Cnairman ”

The above-mentioned will bo presented in the House of Representatives by the II >n. Julius Vogel, member for City of Auckland East.