LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 44, 6 January 1880, Page 2

LONGBEACH ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held on Saturday, the 3rd of January. Present—Messrs. Grigg (Chairman), Clark, Dawson, and Taylor. A financial statement was read by the Clerk, from which it was seen that the debit balance at the Bank was L 1602 15a. lid., which would be still greater when the pay-sheet for L 548 6s. 4d. was passed for payment. Rates collected up to date amounted to L 725 11s. 4d., and neither the subsidy now due, nor any other sum of money had as yet been paid by Government.

The Clerk was requested to send an urgent telegram to the Treasury, asking when the half subsidy now due for last year might be paid. Correspondence was read—From Mr. J. S. Bruce, Architect for the new office buildings, asking for payment of a sum of money which was deducted at the time his commission account was paid. The Board decided to pay the amount claimed. From Messrs. Branson and Purnell, solicitors, giving an opinion as to the manner in which the forthcoming annual election of members should be held. The letter was received.

From Messrs. Crowe and Lysaght, James Osborne, and Henry Hudson, asking for bridges over drains on Graham’s and Ford’s roads, and at Waterton, respectively Those for Osborne were granted, and the Surveyor was desired to inspect and report as to the position and circumstances of the others.

Mr. George Wilcocks, lessee of the Wheatsheaf Hotel, wrote asking that gravel might be spread in front of the Hotel. The request was declined. From Mr. Jno. Black, asking that an additional sum of LlO might be' paid him on his contract for the shingling of Bell’s road, owing to one of the gravel pits from, which he had to take gravel being in a different paddock to that specified. The Board decided not to allow this claim, but agreed to pay for the repairs of the pump used in the work. From Mr. Jno. Bell offering to sell one and a quarter acre of land to the Board, as a gravel pit. The offer was accepted and the Olerk was instructed to ask Messrs. 0- S. Fooks and Son to make the necessary survey. Tenders were opened for re-shingling the road between Window and Willowby, and that of Mr. James Fletcher was accepted. The tender of Mr. Samuel Holland for the office of poundkeeper, for the new pound at Waterton, was accepted for recommendation fo the County Council. All the tenders for formation of footpaths at Tinwald were declined, in consequence of the very low position of the Board’s funds at present. The rate lists were examined, and the collector instructed to sue forthwith for all unpaid rates for the present year, as well as for the year ending 31st March, 1879.

Accounts amounting to L 290 10s. Bd. were examined and passed for payment. It being discovered that Mr. E, G. Wright, a member of the Jlpard, had been absent from four consecutive meetings of the Board without having first obtained the Board’s sanction, his seat was declared to be vacant, and the Returning Officer was instructed to take steps for holding an election to fill the vacancy. The meeting then adjourned.