ROAD BOARDS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9985, 15 March 1898, Page 3

ROAD BOARDS.

LITTLE RIVER.

Mr A. Miller waited on the Little River I Board at its last meeting, contending that in justice to him tenders should at once be called for the renewal of the lease of the property he now occupies, which lease will not expire till August, 1899. The Board adhered to its decision of last meeting, that is, to call for tenders in due course. Relative to the continuation of track along Waipuna road, it was reported that forty chains were formed at the cost limited therefor, but with a view to get a practicable gradient a small deviation was necessary, which, with the consent of the owner of the property, was made. This action was approved, and ib was decided that the balance of this track (about 25 chains) be benohed to the same width as the first part. Reports were received as to the necessary works to restore some footbridges, &c, which were washed away last winter, and it was decided that such repairs, &c, be carried out,, and that for general repairs to various bridges some timber be ordered ; also that the insertion of necessary culverts on Wilson's Gully road be let to Mr Breitmier at same price as those on Peraki Valley road.

GERALDINE.

At the monthly meeting of the Geraldine Road Board, Mr J. W. Jones wrote complaining that he had been sued for rates and yet he had no road to his property. He considered that he had been treated unjustly in. not having a rate notice sent to him before being sued. The Board found that Mr Jonos had been sent the usual rate notice, and they regretted having to decline to do anything further in the matter of giving Mr Jones access to his land. The Geraldine County Council asked for a contribution of £30 towards the cost of protective works on the south bank of the Orari river. Declined. The trustees of the Geraldine Volunteer Hall wrote consenting to a portion of the Waihi riverbed being vested in the Board, provided the reserve is not tampered with in any way likely to divert the river. The trustees of the church property, Christ's College, wrote declining to consent to the river bed being vested in the Board. Ib was resolved to draw the County Council's attention to the fact that the Geraldine Road Board had spent considerably more than their subsidy in the destruction ot small birds and eggs, while the Mount Peel and Temuka Road Boards had not spent their subsidies ; and also to ask the Council to re-adjust the amounts of the subsidies to meet the difference. A deputation from the Geraldine Town Board waited on the Board with reference to reserve 175, agreeing to make an exchange of half an acre of land near the public pound for same, provided the Road Board paid the cost of transfer of the land taken by them. Both parties agreed on the matter, and ib was decided to write at once to the Minister of Lands to get reserve 175 vested in the Town Board. The Road Board have the right to remove thecottages from the reserve. The overseer was instructed to attend to work asked for by W. Guilford at Pleasant Valley, and report upon the matter re willows growing on Boundary road river crossing, and to attend to crossing between Wells and Loves, and to darn the Boundary road near Connolly's, also to report upon the main road, Gapes' Valley. IK was resolved to call tenders for feed oats. \

The valuation roll was received from the Valuation Department, Wellington, and, as the valuations were not considered high enough, it was deoided to ask Mr W. Shiers to go through the roll and report upon same if necessary.

SOUTH RAKAIA.

The usual monthly meeting of the South , Rakaia Road Board was attended by Messrs ' Lambie (Chairman), Morland, Holmes and Richards. Ah apology was received from Mr Stringfellow. Correspondence was received from — The Ashburton .County Council, consenting to the leasing of a, piece of the South road. From the same, reappointing the local constable deputy inspector ot slaughter-houseß for the district; also, asking for the office,for election purposes. From the Receiver of Land Revenue, advising th& payment of £3 8s 4d for thirds accumulated to January 29th. From the ! Commissioner of Crown _-ands, re sand drifting from unsold township sections at Rakaia. The Clerk said he had replied, but no further communication had been received; The matter was one which required early attention. Also, asking for particulars of the expenditure of thirds during the past year. Order to be sent. }Mr Holmes applied for permission to divert a race at Somertoh, and cross the water along the dry creek. The railway engineer consented to the change, and forwarded a permit. Consideration 6f dedication of Onertsey; streets was held over. The members met act a Cemetery Board, when the Secretary reported on the bad state of the fences, and was authorised to submit estimates of different kinds of fences. The Ashburton County Counoil wtote, asking if the Board was willing to take control of the Kyle cemetery. The Clerk said this had already been agreed to, and he had replied to that * effect. *■ ■.