MASTERTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 2 September 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

A meeting of the Masterton Highway Board was held this day. Present: Measrt Meredith, Macquarrie, Dagu, and W. H, Beetham, Mr Meredith was voted to the ohair in the absence nf Mr Buchanan detained in Wellington on Parliamentary business, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, t ,""" CORRESPONDENCE. : From Mr F. Moore, thanking Engineer for tracings supplied; from Mr R. S. Hawkins, stating that the rains had damaged the Upper Taueru, and asking for assistance of Engineer; from Smith & Hogg, asking for a share of advertising and printing; from Commissioner Crown Lands re Crown grants not issued; from the Featherston Highway Board, stating that the Board's Engineer, had been instructed to proceed with the survey of the Pahaua-Gladstone road; from Ji Bucket ridge, Hurinuioranui, asking for compensation for loss sustained on his contract through the delay of the Board in supplyin timber and gravel; from Wairarapa West County Council, granting application for plans of roads laid off in the Alfredton district; from the Clerk of Works to theCastlepoint Highway Board) objecting to alterations in the Blairlogie line , of road without consent of Board, and offering to meet the Engineer of Masterton Board to consult re proposed alterations; from Mr Hutchison, on behalf ot Messrs Morison, Renall and others, re the publio nuisance caused by a line of fenoe across the old main road, and threatening proceedings unless the obstruction was removed; From Mt Booth re a cheque for Buckeridge's timber. Referred to Chairman. ' ALTERATIONS, BLAIRLOGIE ROAD. . ; The Chairman Baid part of the County subsidy hod been allocated to this road, and they could not expend it within the boundaries of the Oastle Point Board who would have to be consulted. The Engineer reported that he had arranged to meet the Clerk of the Oastle Point .Board on Tuesday. MR BUCKERIDGE'S APPLICATION. ' The Chairman thought this mattor was disposed of. The Engineer said Mr : Buckeridge.ba.d been paid in full " minus" Mr Booths

>rdor, The Cluurumii bjl')^-acljii>ited-.Mr. : Bomb's claim, i 'I Mr Dagg said he understood tlvkt iimber.;'? iad been ordered from'Mtf Booth fbr Whichi $ ihe Board was not responsible, ' 1 < | The. Ohairman-.said thej time of the., $! Board had previously, heefi ve%, ifptfoh' nccupied with/ this matter. He,was of the opinion that the olaim could not., he , entertained, • Mr Dagg thought the Board had a 1 claim on MrJiuokeridge for not-oom-pletinghis work to time. ; : ; . .; ; t Resolved that the olaim be'not entep tained. , WAIRARAPA WEST COUNTY.. Letters were read fromlhe Watrarapa Weßt County:stating; that it'had ho funds available for the Te Ore Ore! overflow and the Matirieeriile road repair., . Mr Macquarrie thought that Mr Bremper Bhould be authorised tojput the Maurioeville road in repair. He thought less than ten.pounds would do all that was necessary. He moved that-; the 'engineer be authorised to expend seven pounds. —Carried. .. APPLICATION FOE ADVERTISING. • The chairman did not recolleot why a similar application was formerly refused. The Clerk atated that an arrangement I had been made with the Daily office till October next for the Board's work. ' Mr Macquarrie proposed that the question be deferred till the next• meeting when there would be a fuller attendance of members.-Carried. ' 1 , EXTENSION OK GLADSTONE 'ROAD. A letter was, read from the Crown Lands Office, statin? that the Crown grants of Mr, A. MoMaater'a ;property had not,matured.,: Mr Heetham, referring to Mr MoMaster's objection -to''the road; passing through his land, recommended that ' the best line should be taken regardlesß of private interests. The Chairman stated that they adopted such a principle , in dealing: with a similar case,, leaving, the location of the line to the-discretion nf the Engineer.,, The Engineer reported that heVhad' already .laid off the road. , . THE UPPER TADEro ROAD. Mr Hawkin'B stated in his letter thai to'! repair the road itwould takejen men a month, and hoped the work would be began at once so that it might jbe completed by shearim< time. V'. The Chairman saidiMeflawkins was a Castle Point, ratepayer ', applying for work to he done in the Masterton District. ' The Clerk reported that the Masterton Board spent £225 on this road a -year ago from money belonging to the Ward. Mr Dagg said this expenditure made Nn. 2 Ward bankrupt. I ; The Clerk stated thai Meßsrf'Hond' Rutherford and Gibs.in were interested in the road, and their properties were in the Masterton Distriot. . Mr Macqunrrie said it was a shameful thing to allow bullock driiys -to out up the road till the middle of winter. The bueh road was painful-hut he' did not sep how the Board c mid spond money nil if. This would be a bad time to spend it. ■' * Mr Beetham: We cannot spend money .without robbing some oilier portion of the district. . ' ": The Chairman Baid thoy; could do nothing till the boundaries were altered, so that the applicant contributed rates ttftfie Masterton district. Resolved tlint the application could not ut present be entertained. Mr Macquarrie thought it might be wise to permit the Engineer'to 1 visit the road, Mr Beetham agreed with that suggestion, and it was adopted. a lawyer's letter. •, .... Mr Hutchinson's letter re obstruction on old main road at Manaia was condered. The Clerk reported'that some time ago the Board authorised the removal of the fence, but subsequently the resolution was rescinded. Then Morison chopped-, down the fence and was sued by Mr E. Donald in tho E.M, Court and compelled to re-erect it, Mr Dagg said it had been a standing quarrel for sixteen years. s ■;, The Clerk stated that, the Board Wa' former occasion decided that if-they ' moved one fence they would have to rei move all. • The Chairman thought they should exercise their right to keep .all roads . open. -:r. ;' ' Mr Beetham thought that where no public inconvenience existed they need not assert their right.' ' The engineer said it was a road leading to the river, and was only used by Mr' I Morison, who carted grain occasionally [ along it. The chairman did not seo why they should be bullied by any ratepayer if there . were no'public ground for the removal, It was explained that the road WAS.ipeoj : half a chain in width, and the applicant desired ii to be-.made a chain wide, its width as shown on the map. i i' Mr Dagg thought the fence should be i removed to put a stop to this quarreling. Mr ' Beetham suggested that the engineer be instructed to report whether the fence should be removed on the publio interest,' Mr Macquarrie said that if it wore a , matter o'f quarrel he would not interfere, j There were fences on roads all over the | district, and it was not' desirable to take action to move them without good ground. Mr Beetham thought Mr Donald should I make periodical applications to the Board for permission to retain the fence ■oh' the 1 , road line. The Engineer was instructed to report and further consideration postponed till next sitting. (left sitting.)