UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD.

Ashburton Herald, Volume II, Issue 517, 4 December 1879, Page 3

UPPER ASHBURTON ROAD BOARD.

The ordinary monthly' meeting of the Board was held on Tuesday, the 2nd inst. Present—Messrs C. Reed (Chairman) M‘Lean, Stitt, and Sargent. The overseer’s report was read and considered.

The Board’s attention was called to the impassable and dangerous state of the crossing at the north branch, near Harris’s on the old Timaru road. It was decided that Messrs Sargent, M'Lean, and the overseer meet on Thursday, 4th inst., for the purpose of examining the crossing, with the view of repairing the same. CORRESPONDED CE. From the Ashburton Borough Council, re north town belt road, asking why the Board’s share of the contract had not been paid into the Council’s account with the Bank of New Zealand. The Chairman gave the reason, and stated that the cheque had since been forwarded. From E. Playes Butler, asking the Board to give timber for the erection of five culverts over ditches made by the Board, as it is customary with other Boards to do this ; Mr. Butler to do the labor in their erection. Granted.

From the Secretary to the Treasury, re subsidy on rates collected up to the 31st March, 1879. From the Ashburton County Council, asking the Boards co-operation in endeavoring to cause all owners and occupiers of lane in the county not to obstruct any natural water-courses, nor to interfere with the free passage of storm-water along the natural depressions in the

plains. It was decided that fha Board would use thei;' best endeavors to attain the object desired. From the same, acknowledging the receipt of a petition from certain influential ratepayers in the Ashburton Forks district, presented by Mr. Reed at the Council’s last sitting, praying the Council to take the necessary steps to levy a rate for river protective works ; and enclosing the following copy of a resolution passed by the Council in answer thereto : ‘ ‘ That the Engineer be requested to see to this matter as early as possible, and carry out the work recommended by him, and that a rate be levied as requested. ” From the Resident Engineer, Christchurch, enclosing tracing of the railway land plan, showing lines of road as laid out in connection with Tinwald station. To be acknowledged, with thanks, and the Resident Engineer advised that the Board is of opinion it would be as well to wait for two or three months when the Minister for Public Works would have move time to attend to the matter. From Mr. Dowding, Coldstream, asking that the portion of the road, from the Hinds Railway Station to the end of Grigg and Guild's contract, be metalled. Agreed to. RIVER PROTECTION. In reference to the north branch protective works, Mr. Sargent, member for the Ward, deprecated the action, of the County Council in not providing for protective works in other portions of the North and South Branches, as urgent as those works now in progress. The Clerk was requested to wait upon Mr. walker, Chairman of the Council, explaining this, and to ask him to name a day, suitable for himself, to meet a. committee composed of Messrs. M‘Lean, Stitt and Sargent, to examine these portions, and to decide on the best means for their protection. It was resolved, in accordance with a resolution passed last Board day, to strike a rate of 6d. in the £ on all rateable pro - perty in the district, and to levy the same. A DISPUTED WELL. Mr. Studholme having referred in his letter to the well on the Old Coach Road from the Hinds to the Rangitata traffic bridge, the Clerk was directed to reply, that the Board is of opinion that the well is on Messrs. Studholvne’s, 1.P.R., and to ask if that gentleman would have any objection to give five acres for a gravel reserve which would embrace the well. Should Mr. Studholme write to the Board agreeing to this, the Board will repair the well and fence in the reserve.

The Clerk was requested to advertise the annual meeting of the ratepayers to take place on Tuesday, 6th January, 1880. He was also requested to see Mr. Butler relative to the necessary timber for culverts.

Resolved that all contract work cease during harvest operations. Accounts were then passed, and the Board adjourned.