ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Herald, Volume I, Issue 213, 2 December 1878, Page 2

ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held in the Road Board Office to-day. Present: Messrs. E. G. Wright, Taylor, and Williamson. In the absence of the Chairman, Mr. Wright was asked to preside, and took the chair, but after some time Mr. Grigg came in, and assumed his proper place. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read fro in Mr. Dow ding, Coldstream, agreeing to carry on the contract (left by Leask on this road, and dealt with at last meeting) peradventure the valuation for the work be made by the Board. Resolved to instruct Mr. Leask to complete his contract or forfeit his deposit. Another letter was also read from Mr. Dowding, Coldstream, offering, on behalf of Mr. Studholme, to pay half the cost of widening the creek and drain as an outlet for the water on Crow’s Road, provided the actual cost did not exceed 12/ per chain. Resolved, “ That the proposal now made being at variance with the original agreement, Mr. Studholme should pay half of the cost the work had been stopped until a cheque for that amount, £22 25., be received. ” The Clerk was instructed to reply accordingly. From Wynn Williams, Esq., notifying the registration of the deeds conveying to theßoaid roads on Mr. Moore’s (Wakanui) estate.

From the Land Office, Christchurch, stating that Mr. Marshman had been instructed to prepare a Crown grant in favor of the Board for the reserve on which the Road Board Office stands in the township of Ashburton. From ratepayers at Windermere, asking that the Church road be former, to allow of safe communication with the church from Chatmoss road. Tenders were resolved to be called for.

From ratepayers, asking that the boundary road from the junction of M‘Lellan’s Road with the Boundary Road, to a point 110 chains south or the junction be formed. Resolved to call for tenders.

TENDERS FOR WORK were then opened. For contract 135 James Croy, bridge, £l2 ; embankment, £lO, was accepted, the highest tender being £55. For contract 136—Mr. Croy was also the successful tenderer—formation £2 lGs., two bridges, £45. Mr. Murdoch Bruce obtained contract 137, at 18/3 per chain. Contract 135 was for Innes’ Bridge and approaches; 136 was for the formation of Corbett’s Road and the erection of two bridges ; 137 was the formation of a road through Smith’s Gully. The question of bridging the Hinds River at Surveyors Road having been raised and pretty well discussed, a suggestion was made by Mr. E. G. Wright that the necessity of a traffic bridge to relieve the Ashburton railway bridge should be brought before the County Council. The discussion resulted in the passing of a resolution’ ca’ling the attention of the County Co: ncil to the necessity of a bridge over ti e Hinds River at Surveyor’s Road, and at king that the cost of such a bridge be tahen into consideration on any future app irticnment of money to the several Road Boards. Another resolution was passed as follows:—That the County Council be requested to consider the expediency of constructing a separate bridge for road traffic across the Ashburton on the east side of the present combined road and railway bridge, as this is rendered necessary by the large increase of traffic over the river. •

The Overseer reported verbally on the state and progress of works in the district. It was decided to hold a special meeting on the 16th December, for the purpose of accepting tenders called for and now outstanding, this being the last ordinary meeting of the Board. The pay-sheet was then passed, and the Surveyor reported that Messrs. Williamson and Hunt had accepted the tender of Mr. Buchanan for making up the valuation roll. The Board then adjourned.