THE FEATHERSTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 175, 3 June 1879, Page 2

THE FEATHERSTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

The Featherston Highway Board met at the Institute, Greytown, on Saturday last, when the following wardens were present, viz., Messrs. Donald, Russell, Jackson, Matthews, and Walker, Mr. Donald presiding as acting Chairman. Before the proceedings commenced, Mr Donald, in a few suitable remarks, introducedMr John Tully, who had'recently been elected a member of the Board, in tho room of Mr Richard Barton, resigned. The minutes of the previous meeting ■were then read and confirmed, and the Board proceeded to the election of a permanent Chairman. Mr Donald moved, and Mr Russell seconded—That Mr John Tully be elected Chairman. The resolution was carried without a dissentient voice, and Mr Tully accordingly took the chair, thanking the Board for the honor conferred upon him, 1 of which he was all the more sensible, as he succeeded a gentleman so universally respected as flfr Barton; he trusted that he would do his utmost to further the interests of the Board, and conduct the proceedings in a, business-like manner. The Treasurer then presented his report, which read as follows To tlie Chairman and Wardens Of the Featherston Highway Board, Gentlemen,—l have the honor to inform you that since last meeting, I have received aucl caused to be paid into the Board's banking account the total sum of £1,06G 7s sd, made up from tho following sources, viz. General rates for current £ s. d. year 754 8 2 Lease Waiht mga toll gate, two months 2210 0 Refund of rates short yaid last year... ... 18 0 Paymaster- - General tor Tanherei likau bridge 19210' 0 West County Council I balance, of cost of plat- " form 9511 3 Out of this si mi the doficioncyof £220 2s W, existing at the close of the financial year, and the cheques isi med at last meeting had to be provided for, i;o that there is now a credit balance of £sl >9 'ls 2d, As you will observe from the com spomlence no tenders for the Board's accoui it have been received from tho local Wits. The Rate Collector reports that he .has no difficulty in collecting, ■ and that the sum?. due are generally paid on first application, . In addition to the sum of £192 10s Od, aire® dy retci ved from the Colonial Treasurer, a fi'.rtlier sui.n of £lB7 10s Od will be paid to th'e Board from the same source upon production of proper vouchers, certifying that the sum has been expended in repairing and protecting the Tanhcrenikau bridge. In conclusion, I beg to suggest the advisability of apportioning at an early date the various sums to be expended in each ward during the current year, and of setting aside the necessary amount for district works and management expenses,—l have, etc., John P. Russell, Treasurer.

The, above report was adopted, and accounts amounting in the aggregate to £BOI 3s, 9d. were passed for payment. The Engineer then wad his report on the progress of the works, which ho considered satisfactory; he had sheathed the high bridge, north of Greytown, with 2-inch planking; that the contract for !Tinui road Western Lake, was progressing, and that tho metalling on the Western Lake road near Featherston had been completed; lie proposed next month to re-metal the main road near Tauheronikau, and suggested that the lower Tauherenikau bridge be.'sheathed with white pine planking. 1 He reported that four chains of land h ad been taken from Mr Ward at Morrison's Bush, and suggested tha,t Mr Ward lie compensated for the same. On the 'motion of Mr Jackson, it was resolved that a fev.r cratcs.be constructed at the lower Tanl'iorenikau bridge, and that it be coated with a floor of 2-incli white pine; a simih ir coat to be provided on the inclines of the) upper Tanherenikau •bridge, •. The Engineer's suggestion re Mr Ward's land was' adi ipted, and the Clerk was instructed to coi umunicate with Mr Ward to that effect. The consisting of the following, was .then read':— ■; ~ ' ' 1. Letter from Banl c of New Zealand declining .to tender for Board's account. 2. Letter from Bank of Australasia, the same. 3. Letter from the Ctross,. asking that Mr Wilkinson be compelled to rcmovo obstruction off the road .at; Western Lake block, and requesting th; it the timber on the road bo removed. : 4, Letter from Colonial Secretary, stating that Mr Tully had b-een gazetted as member for East Oojvst Wprd,

6. Letter fi'om Messrs/Pjiyton ahd C 6., asking for a share ot the Board's advertisements.

■ 6.. Letter from W. H. Smith, soliciting "orders for printing. \l. Letter from West County Chairman, forwarding cheque for £95 lis 3d. 8. Letter from Surveyor-General, sending a number of- letters and memoranda, referring to the line of road at Western Lake block, through Mr Williams' land, and enclosing tracing of road, _ It was resolved—That the line marked in red on the .tracing, accompany the Surveyor-General's letter be adopted, and that the Engineer forward a copy of the tracing to Mr Cross. Resolved—That a river rate of Is in tllO £ on tho property situate within the Waiohine River District, and Featherston Highway District. The Clerk was instructed to invito the Waip.aeapa Daiiy and Standard to tender for the Board's advertisements at per inch. A select committee was appointed to arrange for terms in reference to the Board's banking account. The Clerk was directed to remove the principal documents and books of the Board to the Groytown office. It was, however, arranged that suitable accommodation be retained at Featherston for tho accommodation of wardens in committee or special meetings. The Clerk applied for a slight commission on the rate 3 collected, stating that he was under considerable expense riding throughout the district, and an increase of £25 on his salary'was voted. The business then terminated,