MASTERTON ROAD BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1567, 24 December 1883, Page 2

MASTERTON ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Saturday last, Present—Messrs Meredith (Chairman), Macquarric, Dagg, Beetham and Chamberlain. The uunuiea 'jf the previous meeting were read ami confirmed. L'ORItESPOHDENCE, From the Property Tax Department, re levying rates on Crown Lands, From the Treasury office, re payment of rates on Crown Lands to Board. From same stating that a sum of £494 4a 2d had been placed to tlio credit of the Board, on account of Crown Land rates. From Thomas J. Allen, calling attention to the gravel pit on Upper Opaki road, and stating that he was debarred from taking metal from the Waipoua,—(Mr Beetham said the neighborhood was one mass of gravel. Mr Macquarrie thought the contractor was putting difficulties in his own way), From Mr Stuckey, Btating that Mr MoLachlan agreed to permit him to use a road through his ground, From Sheep Department, accepting offer of Board to let two rooms for the sum of £lB is per annum, From W, Heroock, expressing opinion that a narrow wheel wagon with springs should he allowed an additional weiglit.—(The. Ohftirman re« ported that Mr Hercock had procured new spring drays, and if he objected to the by-law, he should lodge an objection with tho County Council which had charge of the load ore? whioh he carried. From the Fublio Works Offioe re applications under theßoad and Bridges Construction Act and Btating that the Bum applied for would bo wanted. / Mr Dagg said the works should be put in hand at once ho that they might have the benefit of fine woather, A considerable discussion enauod as to the details of the respective works, and of the polls to be taken with respect to The Finance Committee recommended

that in future aU applications under the \ Boaas and Bridges Construction Act \ should include a sum for'survey and •: owncftl wort, and that sixty p cent of tho ordinary expenditure of the Board shouldl be charged against special works, -• Mr Dagg moved that the reoommendalion of'the Committee he adopted. Mr Beethara suggested fort in future the exact amount should be oharged, he seconded Mr Dagg resolution which was carried. 7 V . ,7: , i i ;; <;7 TEE BRIII CROSSING, ■ A letter was read from Mr T. Tathim re Uriti fencing, stating that the demand, for compensation had increased to JBQ, and the beat" arrangement would be for settlers privately to settle with Mr Edwin Meredith junr. for crossing with their wool, . ; . .. ; 7.;. T

Tho Chairman; said the engineer had made an estimate, of coat of bridging the Waironga, but the question of compensation had not been included, and there would be a considerable defioienoy. Mr Tatbam took a contract for fencing, but now' understood that the matter: was dropped, There was a right of road half way through the property, but that was useless, If Mr Tatham's suggestion was adopted the Battlers would be left without a road, He suggested a fresh application which would cover all charges, or to abaudou the whole work. Mr Beetham thought the settlers should pay the compensation and hare done with it. Could their engineer pais an account for compensation? The matter was not a pressing one. The Chairman said it was necessary to deoide the question before the interest on the debentures fell due in May. . Mr Macquarrie asked how the dillorepsnoy arose,

The Chairman replied that the engineer was not informed that compensation was uecessarjr . Mr Beetham proposed that the moAj.i available be spent in fencing and compew sation. . • : Mr Dagg pointed out that the estimate sent in and approved by the Government contained no provision for compensation, The Chairman snggeated that a oireular be sent to the settlors asking them how an estimated deficiency of £6O was to be made up. This course waa agreed to, THE ALFREDTON 800. A letter was read from John Rutherford asking for assistance as the Boad Board was now relieved of many of the roads it had hitherto maintained, and that a Bum 1 of from £8 to £lO would make his bogs passable, so that he could get his wool, ont and compensate the district for past neglect. The Ohairmau said Mr Rutherford was placed in an unfortunate position, having been left out in the cold by the various road lines constructed in his district. The Clerk stated that when Mr , Butherford was a member of the Board;: there waa a considerable expenditure in his neighbsrhood. Above Bowlauda about £IOO more had been expended than had been colleoted in rates.

Mr Macqnarrie said the money had been spent'in patch work, and it was very diffioult to traoe it for this reason,' Mr Beetham held that the district had received more than it was ontitled to. Mr Dagg 6aid this contradicted ; the statement that the Board bad been unjust to Mr Rutherford. On the motion of Mr Beetham seconded by Mr Dagg, Mr Ruthorford'i application was refused.