KIRIKIRIROA HIGHWAY BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1291, 7 October 1880, Page 3

KIRIKIRIROA HIGHWAY BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Royal Hotel yesterday afternoon. Present — Messrs Primrose (chairman), Gillett, McLernon, andSwarbrick. The minuted of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr Benzoni, pointing: out that in future, by the Public Works Act Amendment Act, it would not bo necessary to carry out road olosiug operations through the Government, as the Chairman of the County Council would in future be vested with powers hitherto enjoyed by the Governor. Mr John Runcimau, Cattle Inspector, wrote that he was directed by the South Auckland Cattle Board lo draw the attention of the various Boards to the fact that cattle were allowed to run on roads in infected places, and as there was danger of their strayiny beyond infected places, he intimated that any places on to which they strayed would be declared infected. It was decided that the Board could take no action in the matter. Mr H. Reynolds, Manager of the Waikato Land Association, wrote, stating that the work on the bridge on the Ho-kouui-Towhai road would be pushed on at once. With l'egard to the communication from Mr Chitty regarding the bridge at Crosbies Gully, he pointed out that as the Company had paid the cost of the construction, it was veiy strange to ask them to contribute towards repairs. The Chairman said the bridge was rotten. They had come to the conclusion that on bye-roads the settlers would have to give a certain amount of assistance. J Mr Swarbrick thought a new bridge would cost a considerable amount. The present one had cost £30 or £40, and Mr. Coates had told them that it was only a temporary affair. The chairman said they could make a small culvert, which would do much better, and would not cost so much. It was resolved to expend the sum of £8 under the supervision of Mr John Davis. The Secretary of the Newcastle Board wrote, drawing the atteution of the Board to the state of the cemetery on the Taupiri road in the Kirikiriroa district. The Secretary reported that he had replied stating that the Board had no jurisdiction, and pointing out that such matters were generally left in the hands of Trustees. Capt. Runciman waited on the Board as a deputation from the Tamahere Road Board regarding the proposed bridge connecting' the Tamahere District with the Piako road, at Hinton's gully. He attended to ask them to contribute towards the cost of the work. His Board had armed themselves with all the necessary information, and the Kirikiriroa District's share of the cost would not be more than about £50. It was one of those works on the boundaries of two districts which Boards generally had to agree about. The Chairman had no doubt that the work was one of great importance to the Tamahere District. It was not however, of much importance to the ratepayers of Kirikiriroa. It was not a boundary on a main road and this Board had ro funds to spend on mere by-roads. They had 40 miles of main road to maintain for which they had received no assistance whatever. They had applications every day from r tepayers in their own district to make roads to which they had to turn a deaf ear for want of funds. They were absolutely unable to make them At the present time the indebtedness of the Board was within Is 9d of L2OO. After sotne further discussion, in the course of which Capt. Runciman pointed out that the road was the main road through the Tamahere district, that gentleman laid plans of the district on the table. The Board fully recognised the necessity for the work, but at the same time when they were unable to make provision for roads in their own district they could not undertake this work. Capt. Runciman said they would have to do something. He then thanked the Board and withdrew. It was then decided that the Board could give no assistance. The following accounts were passed : — J. Davis, £8 14s ; E Johnson, £9 ; Secretary, £5. An account from Mr A. Campb°U was deferred The Chairman pointed out that there were two or three very nasty little hills near the Company's fence on the Hokonui road which 'stood badly in need of repair. After some discussion it was agreed to call for tenders for the work, to be in by next meeting ; the Chairman to meet contractors on the ground, to show the work, at 10 a.tr. on the 27tlt. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Cambridge Highway Board to the dangerous state of the southern approach of the bridge at the foot of Steele's cutting. The Board shortly afterwards rose.