MASTERTON ROAD BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1588, 21 January 1884, Page 2

MASTERTON ROAD BOARD.

AFTERNOON SITTING. Mr A, Elkins waited on the Board at their request with respect to putting a gate on the line of road leading to Mr Donovans properly. After haying thp matter thoroughly explained, Mr Elkitjs daejcjed to make the usual application to the Hoard, for permission to erect the gate, BANOITUSIAU ltOAl), Messrs Stuckey, McLachlan, and three others made an application with reference to the above road, ' Mr Stuckey explained that the settlers had made an application under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act. for a loan of £IBSO, being under the impression that the Governrae.it would havo made a grant of £6OO towards the Road, as it would go through certain Crown Lands, As there was now no chance of obtaining a grant from the Government, the settlers find the loan required to complato the road, too heavy for them, and wishod for

some assistance from the Board towards it, the settlers being against borrowing more money. The Chairman said the Board were at present in a bit of a fix- oboat promising more assistance, the' boundaries of the] new boards would be decided shortly, and the aspect of affairs considerably altered,] Mr Stuckey stated that they had paid the county rate under tho idea that some of the money would be spent in the district, and thought tlioy were entitled to some of the £4OO refunded by the County to the Board. He paid •£4l this year for rates, and during tlie past soven years had had nothing spent by the Board for his benefit. Mr Chamberlain said that the ward was heavily in debt, and they could not be expected to increase it.: The Chairman thought they were not in a position to promise any assistance. Mr Stuckey said that on account of getting no assistance trom the Board districts were seceding from them, and they would find • that he would do all in his power to get another district formed, and get away from the Masterton Board. Mr Dagg; All applicants make the same remarks'; " Nothing spent in our ! ward, Where does the money go?" Mr Stuckey: That's what people want to know! Mr Dagg: The returns are made annually and are open for the inspection of ratepayers, and tliat is the time for theni to make their complaints. If all tlie applications, were entertained, the Board would require £17,000 instead of. £I7OO a year at their disposal. The Chairman stated, that when MiBennett was in the ward, there was a debt of £I9OO hanging over it. This had been reduced, and was now '£739 19s 7d. : Mr Beetham thought it advisable to get returns of the receipts and expenditures for the purpose of seeing how the ward stood. Mr Stuckey would like to know whether they could expect assistance from the Board, as it might influenco the voting, for some of the settlers were against it, as it stood at present. • Mr McLachlan asked whether they could devote tho whole of the loan fgr the formation of the road, and apply to Board for the Retailing, The Chairman explained that this could be done,'' After the' question had been iliscussed'on all its points, the deputation withdrew, to hold l a' meeting among themselves-• ' WESniERE ItOAD. Mr Beetham was requested to make a formal application to have the cost oi the survey in: connection with the works oi). this j-oad charged to the Ward as in nil qther cases, instead oi having it taken from the special grant for the work, THE GRAVEL PIT KUISASCE, Mr Chamberlain reported that Mi James Welch required the sum of £7 10s for the amount of gravel to be used on Mr Allen's contract. As 'the Board had no alternative it was resolved to pay the amount, TENDERS, Tho following tenders were accepted Filling and metalling, Taueru road— T. P. Oirdwood, £9B 8s 8d; bridge on Taueru road—Messrs Keese & Dawson, £BG; formation Piurau swauip, Upper Opaki—O, Larson, £152 Cs Gd. NE)\ r pttKS, It was resolved that the Engineer be authorised to calf for tenders for any works as soon as 'the poll 'has been declared after the 29th inst. SJMCE. Accounts ffiul ipigQg aiiiotii)ting tf £571 6s 9d were passed for payment. The Board then adjourned.