MASTERTON HIGHWAY BORED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 960, 28 December 1881, Page 2

MASTERTON HIGHWAY BORED.

A meeting of the Board.was held on Saturday'last. Present-.—Messrs Bu-. chanan (Chairman), Bennett, Yallance, Macquarie, and Chamberlain. The minutes of the two previous meetings were read and confirmed. t The following correspondence was then read:—From Messrs Beard and Gray re road through Miss Jean's property asking advice as to whether the Board would consent to submit the matter td'arbitration.' Reaolved—That the Board approve the action of Messrs Beard and Gray refusing to consent to act in Diafcriot Court, and that the Board refuse to' submit.- the matter to arbitration; also, resolved that the Governor be petitioned to extend the width of the road from half-aohain to one .chain. Mr Beetham waited on the Board to represent Mr Donovan's claim for road aicess to bis property. Resolved—That the Clerk communicate with Mr Donovan and ascertain the terms per acre upon which he will allow the line to be con-, tinued; through his property; also "to write to the Chief Surveyor representing the importance of this lino of road as a communication for the Government' lands at the back with the Forty Mile Bush, Road, and asking whether they will be" prepared to meet the aniouut of compensation required by: Messrs Donovan and McKay, through whoso properties the line must pass. From Mossrs Beetham Bros., re Wainuioru road, asking that steps be taken to lay off and finish the road with plans of informed portion. From Carter-

ton Highway Board declining to assist in sheating Waingaw'a Bridge. From Featherston Highway Board agtoeinn to survey portion of Gladstone and Pahaua road whioh leads through the District, From Mr Wiugate giving numbers of sections throngh which the road for which he has made application must pass. Mr Macquarie also asked that another section be located while the Engineer was in that

locality. Eeaolved—That the Clerk communicate with the Chairman of the

Wairarapa West County Council, and endeavor to procure the services of one of the County officers for the carrying out of the work ; also to reply to Mr "Wingate that the Board will at once endeavor to procure the services of a County officer to push the matter on at once. From West County Counoil euolosing copy of resolution re distribution and proposed

expenditure of County subsidy. Resolved—That the Clerk acknowledge receipt of letter, and express the willingness of the Board to comply with the

conditions of the resolution, but at the same time to call attentiun to claims, such

as extension and deviation of Kahaumingi road, against these funds. From Messrs Beard and Gray relating to leases at Te Ore Ote and Hurunuiorangi tolls. Re-

aolved—That Mr Beard be requested in

Lang's case to get sureties to sign the bonds at once, and in re Sexton's case that matter has been settled. From Mr Marchant in re Government contribution to formation works on Brandon's line,

stating that tho Government wero not yot in a position to nuko any definite offer. From Mr Stuckey and others referring to the line of road leading to Rangituinau by Brandon's aud Kokouta,, requesting the Board to use its influence to persuade Government to adopt this line. It was decided that a deputation of the Buard should visit the sites uf the roads, and determine their decision upon their inspection, E rom Mr Holdsworth giving dates of issue of grants 1,19, and 20, of Taueru block, From Mr Holdsworth, enclosing schedule of lands sold in district from January 1881 to December 1881. Mr McLeod called re right of road to his property, Resolved—That the Clerk ascertain what the West County Council are doing in this direction, The Engineer's report was given in and read

In referenco to matter contained therein, it was decided to deal with the Ruainahunga overflow at Te Ore Ore by planting willows and wattling metal on road, and that the tenders for Mauriceville metalling be left with Engineer to lot to best advantage. Mr Carman waited on tho Board re the rood leading through his property at Bowlands. It was decided that the matter be deferred until an area, defined as No. 7 Ward, becomes a portion of the Masterton Highway District. That the Clerk write to the Masterton Borough Council, pointing out that the levying of the scale of fees fixed by the Borough Council being doublo to thofce prescribed by the Impounding Act will prevent the Highway Board making use of the pound, and they suggest the reduction of onehalf on animals impounded from outside the Borough boundaries, to enable the Board to legally impound.

engineer's report. Sir,—l beg herewith to lay belnre you my report on the works in the District for month ending 241 h Eecember, 1881. No. 2 Ward-White's Upper Taueru Oantraot.—Has made but little progress since last meeting. Hie talent for muddling his work and consequent small progress-payments have run his funds short, and caused many of his men to desert him. If no more satisfactory results are forthcoming by next meeting, I fear it will be necessary to exercise moro stringent measures to have tho work pushed forward.

Sbeating Te Ore Ore Bridge,— Owing to some unaccountable delay on the part of Mossrs McGregor Bros, in delivering the planking for'this work, nothing as yet has been done, I hope, however, that during the next fortnight things maybe made a start with.

The Ruamahanga liiver.-Dut'ing last flood it again washed over the Te Ore Oro road, carrying away the metal. To prevent the recurrence of this I will suggest that a small embankment be thrown up ou the river bank, at a cost say of £2O. No. 3-Mauriceville Road Metalling.Tenders for this work were received by me on the 20th instant, but as the lowest one exceeded the amount which I was authorised to expend by £9, I have deferred acceptance until the mattor has come before the Board, Waipoua Bush Felling Contract.—This has been completed and payme'it made. The work on the whole is satisfactorily performed. Waipoua Eiver Overflow, —I visited the site of overflow during tha late heavy floods, and was pleased to find the main body of water had become diverted more towards the old channel, although a very large proportion of the flood water was inundating the Pairau flats and flowing down along the main Opaki and Masterton roads, gutting out the watertables anil overflowing the metal in several places. Although the main body of water has taken this favorable turn, I fear it ii only temporary, and am convinced that no permanent safety from destruction to the main road can be secured, except by. diverting the river into its old course by protective works. Opaki-Rangitumau Road.—l would remind the Board that as yet I have received no definite instructions relative to the expenditure of money on the above line, an estimate of which I gave at the last meeting. '-.,■■ No.- 4—Kaumingi Road Deviation.—. The works on this deviation are proceeding in a very satisfactory manner. The line will be open for traffic within three weeks. ■ '."'■". ( *. Wainuioru Eoad.-I am anxious td have the deviation at the junction of this .■Hn«-,«iiHli<i-I«M' Taueru road; under-

available in the Ward for its execution. Pians and specification are prepared, tenders oan be invited any day. ' No 5 Ward.—Tupurupuru Road Works. -Mrßuokeridge with charaoteristio de> latoriness is dawdling along with these werks in a most lamentable mar/her, and if any oredenoe is tojhe placed in his statement, every oneJMng cjpection with the works* is to blame. I hope that the stipulafl date for the infliction of the penalties may have the effect of upsetting this fallacy of his, and tend to show him that at least in this direction, his share of the amusement will have to be recognised. Abiaruhe Boad Contract.—Streaa ~t»f oiroumßtances, the particulars of which L am not in possession of, and have compelled Messrs Palmer and Kitchingham to abandon their contract and leave the eolony. This is to be regretted as they have always proved themselves moßt straight forward and peraevering men, and at all times given satisfaction when employed by the Board. I will suggest r that the work be re-advertised.

I have arranged with Mr Farkes for lopping and burning the East Coast road bush according to a specification whioh I have drawn out, at the rate of It per acre.

Survey operations ■ko.—l have visited the properties of Messrs Christiansen and Peters, with a view to ascertaining if reasonable rights of road could be given them from the Main Upper-Opaki Line. In the case of Christiansen Ihave roughly indicated for his guidance where the road will run, but until Borne done and culverts constructed the line will be of no use for anything but horse traffic. Mr Peters having bought his land from Mr Tuck, with.the knowledge that no road across existed to the section, is placed in the uncomfortable position of having to purchase a right through Mr McLood's property across the Ruatnahuu« ga River, and failing this, to uccopt a line making a detour through the Govt, land, at present under survey. I have also markod out the deviation of the Upper-Opaki road through Mr Welches in re whioh he will wait on the Board this afternoon. The estimates of the works required by Messn Faloouer and others on the I'ernridgo road is enclosed with this report, lam, &c, 0. E. Bkkmnek.