WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 279, 30 August 1872, Page 3

WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY DISTRICT BOARD.

A meeting of the Waiotahi Highway Board was held on Wednesday at the Engineer’s office, Owen-street. Present—Messrs Davies (chairman,) Anthony, Gudgeon, Hazard, Simpson (Engineer,) and Dean (Secretary.) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Upper Albert-street. —The Secretary stated that the repairs and alterations of Upper Albert-street were being proceeded with. The Engineer was instructed to peg out a road on the hill so as to meet one of the streets on the other side, which would obviate difficulty in respect of residence sites. The Engineer was instructed to inspect the locality, and peg the road out. BELLA STREET. The Chairman said it was necessary that something should be done to get Bella-street finished. The Engineer Baid the contractors had been hindered in consequence of the tramway works. INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. In reference to the appointment of a first-class sergeant as Inspector, it was said that the expense of having such an officer would be £l4O. The Chairman said under the Public Health Bill an officer would be required. It was resolved that the matter should stand over until the Act came into force in the district KIRKWOOD STREET. The Engineer reported that the expense of a footpath in Kirkwooil-street, from Albert-street to Karaka Creek, would be about L2O, of which Mr Graham would contribute LlO. It was resolved that Mr Graham should be consulted in the matter before proceeding any further. ‘ TENDERS. The following tenders for water-tables in Owen and Brown-streets were opened : R. Martin, L 194; J. Macandrew and J. Giles, LI2B ;W. R. Harvey, L 149 18s. The lowest estimate was more than had been expected, and the Board resolved to let the matter stand over until they had got some more funds iu hand, when they would accept Messrs Macandrew and Giles’ contract. WAIOTAHI culvert. The Board gave instructions to the Engineer to have the Waiotahi Culvert cleaned, which was now choked up near the Caledonian Battery. The Chairman observed that a satisfactory job would never be effected here unless tiie same plan was adopted as with the Moanataiari, for which purpose they had not sufficient funds. GRAHAMSTOWN GOODS WIIARF. The Secretary reported that he had written to the Provincial authorities relative to the excessive charges at the Goods Wharf. BELLA STREET TRAMWAY. The Secretary stated that he had written to the Company to lessen the speed at which the trucks were being run near Mr Kneebone’s house in Bella-street., which was stated to be dangerous. It was resolved that two of the Board should ascertain if the terms of the Secretary’s letter were being complied with. Mr Gudgeon and Mr Hazard were appointed to attend to the matter. NIGHT WATCHMAN. Mr John Graham’s letter, asking for remuneration from the Board for services as night watchman, was read. It was resolved that the letter should stand over until it was seen what assistance the Insurance Companies were likely to gjve. SCRAPING TIIE STREETS. Mr Hazard stated that the contractor for scraping the streets was not carrying out his work satisfactorily, and the contract should be annulled. The other members concurred. It was resolved that notice should be given to him that the Board considered that lie had broken his contract, but that he would be paid for what he had done. METAL. Mr Gudgeon said a person had made an offer to fetch metal from Tararu in a boat to the wharf at 3s per ton. The Engineer was instructed to make enquiries on the subject, and a sub-com - mittee was appointed, consisting of Messrs Gudgeon and Hazard, to make a report on the best and cheapest method of obtaining metal for the roads. tramway extension. The following important letter was read: Grahamstown, August 25, 1872. The Chairman of the Waiotahi District Board. Sir —On behalf of the Grahamstown and Tararu Co. I beg to apply for permission to construct a branch line commencing near the Goods Wharf, extending up Burke, Owen, and Golden Crown streets, to join the Moanataiari line in Coroinau-del-street ; also, a line from Owen-street along upper Pollen and Campbell streets, connecting to the Bella-street tramway, with the necessary connections to the batteries and mines on the route. I remain, William Souter, Managing Director Grahamstown and Tararu Tramway Company. The Board thought the idea a very good one, but that a decision should not be arrived at until the Tramway Bill was received. The Secretary was instructed to reply to the above effect. The Secretary stated that he had telegraphed three times to Wellington for a copy of this Bill, and was expecting to receive a"copy. He believed ’that there would shortly be other applications. TiG nuisance. A letter was read from Mr J. Weeks, complaining of a nuisance caused by a quantity of pigs being allowed to run at large near his house at Shellback. The letter was referred to the SubInspector of Police. ASSESSMENT LIST. The Secretary laid before the Board an elaborate plan of the Waiotahi District prepared by Mr Eyre, and also the assessment list, which was as follows : highway rates, L 1458 18s 7d ; fire rates, LlB9.

The Chairman signed the list, and the meeting for hearing appeals was fixed for Wednesday, October 2nd, at two o’clock p.m., at the Governor Bowen Hotel. BEACH ROAD. A letter was read from Mr R. N. Smith, of the Pah store, for permission to make two permanent crossings over the footpath in Beach'road for the purpose of cart traffic. The Board granted the permission on the usual terms. ALBERT-STREET. Mr Hazard pointed out that the footpath at the entrance to Ivirkwood-street in Albert-street was being very much cut up. ’lt was resolved to put in a short culvert, and to fill in on either side. BEACII FOOTPATH. An account from Messrs Barrow and Pearson for £26 for forming footpath from the Wesleyan Church ground to the Karaka creek. The Chairman suggested that the Board should inspect ttie work, as he considered it was a badly executed job. The Engineer said it had been greatly improved since the previous day. The account was passed subject to the approval of the Board. The work had been passed as satisfactory by the Engineer FIRE-RATE BUSINESS The Secretary stated that tenders for hose reel were returnable on JWednesday. It was stated that 25 helmets had been secured for the Brigade at 15s each, and half cash had been paid, and the Chairman and Mr Anthony had become responsible for the balance, £l2 10s. Mr Wiseman waited upon the Board, stating that he had telegraphed to Auckland in reference to the uniforms, and was waiting an answer. A letter was read from Mr J. C. Young, honorary Secretary to the Brigade, calling attention to the necessity which existed for the appointment of a Fire Inspector in connection with the Board. It was resolved that this matter should stand over for the present until there was a full attendance of the Board.

The Secretary stated that a light express cart had been obtained for carrying the hose, and that the Insurance Companies bad been communicated with in reference to their giving subscriptions. The Engineer said it would cost £0 or £lO to lay a pipe from Albert-street to the Engine House. It was resolved to have the work done if the funds would permit.