ROAD BOARDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 206, 2 December 1880, Page 2

ROAD BOARDS.

Wakanui. iThe usual meeting of the .Wakanui Road Board was held to-day in, the Board’s office, Moore street, when there, wore present—Mr. H. T. Winter (Chairman), and Messrs., Hunt, Friedlander, Earle, and BrOwn. FINANCE. The Clerk stated that the credit balance at the hank was L 1557. Mr. Friedlander, who occupied the chair fora/fime previous to the arrival of Mr. Winter, reported that the County Council had granted the sum of LBl which had been in dispute between the Board and the County. : The deposit of ; L1,200 fell due on the 12th Nov., and as -it was useless to let the; money lie idle he had placed L6OO of it on deposit for three months. The Board, approved of the Chairman’s action. CORRESPONDENCE. Letters were received from— John Corbett, regarding the drain on Corbett's road, between the terrace, and Leadley’s, and asking that it should be made deeper. The Surveyor was empowered to act in the matter. John Griffin asked for an extension of his contract for two days, which was granted. Messrs. Branson and Parnell wrote as follows regarding Leadley and Butterick’s drain : Re Leadley —We have received from your clerk, a fresh claim by Mr, Leadley, under the Public Works Act. It seems to us that by putting in a fresh claim, Leadley has virtually discontinued proceedings on his former claim. Whether he has a right to do so or not, seeing that compensation court has been actually appointed to determine that former claim, is, in our opinion, very doubtful. However, assuming that lie has the right to discontinue oh his first claim, and make a second one, we think that he cannot'serve a fresh claim without, in the first place, giving the Board a proper notice of discontinuance, on which the Board’s costs in the matter might be taxed ; and that, in the absence of such a notice, the second claim is informal, the first still remaining good. We would, however, suggest, as the points raised are somewhat novel, and as we have not sufficient authorities at hand to guide us, that the opinion of counsel should be taken on the matter, and accordingly await the further instructions of the Board.—(We are, See., Branson & Purnell.

Resolved to leave the matter in the solicitors’ hands to act for the Board’s interest. RAILWAY TARIFF. Mr! Friedlander recapitulated what had been done in the district regarding the memorial the new railway tariff He wished the members to act in the matter, as the tariff was against the interest of the district. The Board might vote a sum to aid in meeting such expenses as may be incurred in opposing the tariff, which expenses would be trifling. Members of. other Boards had agreed to do so., He would also ask the Chairman to call a meeting to protest against the tariff, and ho thought, further, that the memorial should be brought before the constituents of Messrs, llolleston and Hall.

Mr. Earle said ho w’as about to call a meeting of the kind suggested by Mr. Friedlander, with whoso views he cordially agreed. The Chairman (Mr. Winter) thought the signatures of residents to the memorial, without a meeting, would be sufficient.

Mr. Friedlander moved—“ That the Chairman be asked to call a meeting at Wakanui, to consider the railway tariff, on Tuesday, December 9.” Mr. Earle seconded, and the motion was carried. The memorial to the Government was then signed by the members present. surveyor’s report. Stanley Road. —The contract for metalling this road has been completed satisfactorily. Bruce's Road.— The formation of the road to the full width is just upon completion. The contractor is-tliree weeks over his time. We cannot say he has been negligent, as he also had the contract for metalling Stanley road, which he completed first He has been at work on his contracts the whole time. Wakanui Road. Formation of this road is being proceeded with, and should be finished in a few days. The contractor is two weeks over his lime. He complains of the dry Weather having delayed him. lunis' Road. —The contractor is proceeding satisfactorily with the formation of this road.

Beach Road. —The contract for forming to full width is being proceeded with. MainUnahce of Ronds. - On account of the dry weather during last month, the roads have required but little attention. Buckley's Road. —The contractor has commenced work on this road.

We have inspected the Boundary road, and find it is in a,very good sla<e. The metalled portion of the roads in this part of the district are very little used, traffic being principally at the side of the road. We have called, for, tenders for metalling two miles from side drains.

Levels have been taken and tenders called for re-forming the Wakanui township road to : the full width, i educing grades on cuttings, and metalling the road.' i We would suggest to the. Board the idea of sowing grass seed on the roads that are being formed to the full width, thus preventing the water scour, and also the large quantity of soil that is blown away during dry north-westerly weather. We would drary the attention of the Board to the large quantity of land near the Borough that is cut up up into suburban sections, with new roads, etc. The Board have no map whatever, showing the position, area, etc., of these valuable rating properties situate in their district.

The ratepayers’ roll s in course of preparaion.

The Clerk was instructed to ascertain the cost of the map proposed in his report, and to report at next mooting. It was resolved to give general notice by advertisement in both papers to owners of sections to clear gorse from the roads, written notice to be served upon those who neglected the advertised bint, and incorrigibles to be proceeded against. It was resolved to sow white clover and grass seed on the sides of Wakanui road, Bruce’s road, and Beach road, which were now being formed. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting was decided to be held on January 6th, the Chairman and Surveyor to make arrangements for holding it if possible in the office of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association at the show ground, Mr. Books tn act as rci urning officer for the election of three members, in place of Messrs. Winter, Friedlander, and Hunt, who retire by. rotation. TENDERS. Tenders for the advertised work of the Board were accepted as follows; No. 32, metalling Boundary road, A. Betts and Co., 7s. 6d. per chain; No. 33, forming Wakanui Township road, P. Stewart, 4s. 9d. per chain; No. 34, metalling same, T. Trevurza, lOd. per yard. STOPPING A ROAD, Mr. Chalmers waited on the Board re stoppage of road. through Mr. G. H. Moore’s property, Wakanui Homestead. The Board had no objection to the closing of the road provided Mr. Moore paid all expenses in connection therewith. , . ...... ...;.ACpOUNTS. Several, accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting adjourned. Mount Somers. ' The usual monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Office, Mount ; Somers, on Monday, November 29th, 1880. Present—Messrs. A. E. Peaclie (chairman), W. C. Walker, and J. E. Taylor.

The Surveyor’s report was read and considered.

It was decided te have plough furrows

drawn along all the roads in No, 2 ward that are unfenced.

It was also decided to construct protective works above the Valetta to Spread Eagle road, with a view of protecting the road passing through the dry river bed on the Bast side of Taylor’s stream. Resolved—“ That the Valetta road, Mesopotamia road, and Polhill’s road be repaired as soon as possible. Mr. Taylor applied for permission to run the water from his race across his and McLymont’s roads. The request was granted, provided Mr. Taylor makes a proper provision for storm water, to'prevent more than a certain quantity of water from flowing down the water race. Mr. Corsbie interviewed; the Board relative to a drain on the Alford Station rroad.' . The Surveyor was instructed to report. It was resolved that the account for the cost of formation, Ac., Alford Forest roads, and also cost of Taylor’s Stream Bridge connection, be forwarded to the 'County Council. Mr. M. McAvey interviewed the Board relative to a further payment which he considered was due to him on the Anama Downs road contract. Ihe Board advised Mr. MoAvey to apply to Mr. Fraser, the late Clerk to the Board, for a certificate. A counter-petition re proposed separation of the district was framed, and the Clerk was directed to get as many signatures to it as possible, and forward it to his Excellency the Governor. Correspondence was read as follows .; — From Mr. J. Tisch, enclosing cheque for rates. The Clerk stated that it had been acknowledged. From Mr. J. Boyle, requesting the Board to re-form Valetta road.

From the Ashburton County Council, informing the Board that, the exchange of roads on Messrs. Gould and Cameron’s property-had teen completed. From the Union Bank, Ashburton, acknowledging the receipt of £S ss. to credit of geneial account. It was resolved that the Clerk be directed to prepare balance-sheet, returns of expenditure, mileage of roads formed and metalled, Ac.,' and that a special meeting of the Board be held on December 21st to consider the same.

With reference to the gravel pit proposed to.be opened in the Township road, near Harvey’s, it was resolved that the Surveyor ascertain if a suitable; pit can be obtained, and confer with the Chairman on the matter.

Tenders were opened, and one accepted for each of the following works :—No. 23, Tramway Reserve road, Alford Forest— Donald, Forbes, £l4 Bs. ; No. 33, Morrow’s road—Donald Forbes, £4l 15s. ; No. 34, maintenance of fords—Hewson and Cook, £3O.