MASTERTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1216, 28 October 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON HIGHWAY BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Masterton Board was held to-day. Preient— Messrs Buchanan (Chairman), Dagg, Boetham, Chamberlain, and Macquarrie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ' CO-OPERATION, A letter was read from the Castlepoint Highway Board re repair of road betweon Kahumingi and Blairloeie, and suggesting the appointment of a man to work for both Boards.—The Chairman said they could keep a man going at their end, but tho Castlepoint Board could not find enough work for a man at thoir end.— Mr Beetham was in favor of co-operating with the Oaatlopoint Board.—M°r Chamberlain thought Castlepoint would have tho boat of tho bargain as it had five miles to keep in repairs, and the Masterton Board had but three —The Chairman asked who would direct the man. —Mr Beetham: That is a difficulty. On what Ward would this expense rest, aB the road is declared a main line.—The Chairman: On No. 2 and 4 Ward. The main question is would it be an economical use of a man's time for the benefit of the Board, Which is O'Connor's district 1 ——The Engineer: FromK-ibumingito To Ore Ore. —Mr Beetham thought it would le better for O'Connor to have occasional assistance, and take sole control within their boundaries.—The Chairman suggested that the Castlepoint Board be told that the permanent man of theßoard being fully employed, the' Board did not see its was clear to fall in with the svggestini—Mr Beetham believed in the principle of districts working together, irrespective of exact boundaries, but in this instance it would not be convenient to apply it.—The Chairman thought it well to localize labor but to adjust as a matter of acconnt any combined operation.—The suggestion of tho Chairman was adopted,

HANDBOOK. A circular was received from the Daily Times, Dunedin, stating that a handbook for Counties and Highway Boards was being compiled at that office and applying for a subscription to it. The chairman thought sn office copy would be useful, anil a copy was ordered on the motion of Mr Beetham.

APOLOGY. Mr E. Meredith wrote that he was unable, on account of shearing, to attend tbo meeting, and stated that while up the country he would call a meeting of ratepayers, re the question of amalgamation, MR H. TANCRED'S APPLICATION, Mr H. Tancred wrote applying for a road in his neighborhood, and offeriug to wait upon the Taratahi-Carterton Highway Board to ask for an equal grant to that which might be given by the Masterton Board,—The Chairman proposed that a Bum of be voted for the.mid in question, Such a sum was fully due to the ratepayers represented by Mr Tanored, He also asked for discretionary power, as Warden for the Ward in question, for expending the amount to the satisfaction of the applicants,—Mr Beetham seconded the proposal,—Mr Dagg wished to insert a proviso that the Taratahi Boavd should give an equivalent sum.--The Chairman thought the Board would refuse to give an equivalent, Mr Beetham said the applicants were entitled to the Bum named.— The Chairman caid he would . endeavor to obtain assistance from the Taratahi Board, but it would not bo reasonable to expect much.—The motion was carried.

. PROTECTIVE WORKS, . A letter was rend from Mr Caßelberg, enclosing a subscription of : for protective works at TeOre Ore. The engineer reported the work was progressing well, but the money voted was nearly expended.

HO. G WARD. ■ " !; A letter was read from the Cashpoint Highway Board, stating that it had vo'ed ten pounds for repairs ■ between tyom-

son's homestead and the Mungapakfcha lection, and that the Board. was willing for, the Msßterton Board to carry out the 1 work.—The chairman said No. 6 Ward ' had been overrunning the constable, and expenditure in this neighborhood would have to be watched,——The engineer rn? ported that the cost of repairing the road would be £so.——'The chairman stated that the amount available for the work was 181.—The engineer stated thatthe road was not passable for traffic.—-The...... chairman: The question is whether the Ward, is to add £2O to its Mr Beetbam said the Ward for a long"' time had a credit balance whioh was used :by' other Wards, and 'Mr Meredith thought it had a.claim for interest.Mr Chamberlain thought they might raise money, all round on this plea.—Mr Bee-',v tham thought a road should be lent open but.:no new work undertaken\:whiie . a Ward was overdrawn. -—•- Chairman asked if the cost _ could be reduced.—The Engineer said : the road could, be opened for 130, but the slips could not be removed for this ■ ' sum.—lt was resolved that work to the extout of J!3O be authorised. : -

quain's bridge. The Castlepoint Board wrote declining to. contribute towards the repairs of Qaain's Bridge.

MAURICBVILIiE WEST ROAD, An application was read from eighteen settlers asking for the engineer to survey' the road in order to bring it under the Roads Construction Act.—The Chairman : What is their ratepaying power ! The Clerk: About six shillings each.Mr Dagg; About £5 the lot.—The Engineer reported that the road work required would coat £4Bo,—The Chairman aaked if there ' was any means'of increasing the f5, if not it would be useless makius! a survey. He suggested that Mr Chamberlain look into the matter ?nd report whether a larger amount of rate could not be obtained,—Agreed te.

URITI ROAD. . . . • Mr Donald Donald wailed on the Board re the Uriti road,. The road ha required to use fur his wool was closed, being on Mr Meredith's private pro- - perty. —Mr Beetham supposed ' that M.r Meredith's object in cloain? his road was to force the Board to repair the Uriti line The Chairman read the conditions under which Mr Meredith opened his road, one of which was that a certain bridge in repair. He pointed out that the agree, ment expired in February next, and it was a question whether it was worth while to erect a new bridge for that period,Mr Donald said the bridge was carried away by a flood, and did not know whether the Board should replace it tinder . theae circumstdnces.——The chairman, " The bridge I suppose is on his private property, would a bridge on the proper line of road suffice."—Mr Donald ro-, ' plied that it would entail fencing.—The Engineer reported that the cost of a bridge ■" would be at least £Bo. Mr Donald stated that Mr Meredith claimed that • he had a right under the agreement to force the Board to re-erect the bridge.—■ The chairman did not see that any . obligation rested on the Board to re-erect the bridge. The waid was overdrawn con- • siderably. Tho whole of the diffiouliy was caused by the failure of the Provincial • Government to lay off proper linea of • road.—Mr Donald thought the settlers '' would have to get the road even if they paid for it themselves.—The recommended Mr Donald to getup a meet*'; ing of settlers on the subject,

MATAHIWI ROAD, A letter was read from Messrs Holmes, stating that the ratepayers were willing to pay a specia' rate under the Roads Construction Act if the road could not otherwise he made.

UROWN lAND 3, Tho Chairman Btated that the session before last a grant waa apportioned to two' lines of road and spent principally on survey. He thought that on one of these lines. Wainuioru to Flat "Point, sideling cuttings should be made and the lino oleared for a stock road, Sufficient funds were available for the cost of tho work. He recommended that tenders be called for the work, Tho labor market was I'iigh, and it might be difficult to obtain eligible tenders, but it was hard forsettlers to be without a road when money was available for it,—Mr Dagg thought Mr Bremner would have to increase his estimates for roads on aocount of the state of the labor market.—The Engineer was authorised to call for tenders for this work.

lONQBUSH. The Chairman suegested that fresh tenders be called for work at Longbush. —The Engineer thought no tender could be obtained.—Mr Beetham asked if the Maoris would not undertake the work.—The Chairman said that would depend upon the state of their finances. —Mr Beetham believed the natives would, if asked, put in a tender.—Mr Dflfis thought Mr Bremner would have to acquire a knowledgeof the language.—The Chairman undortook to open negotiations' with the natives]

INCREASE OF WAOES, McCormaok's application for increase of pay was considered,—The engineer stated that 63 6d was paid, formerly 7a. —Mr Beetham did not aeo why they should have any fixed rate.—Mr Ohamberlaia said the County declined to fix a rate of wages at its last meeting, but left it to the engineer.—The chairman said that if they fixed a high rate they must stipulate that none but the best men be employed.—The Engineer said the men in the employ of the Board were as a whole aa good as could be obtained in the district. The Chairman suggested that the inoreaso to 7s be extended to all men employed by the Board with such exceptions as theEngineer might recommend. The Boards concurred. (Left sitting.)