THE GREY VALLEY ROAD BOARD.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1832, 19 June 1874, Page 2

THE GREY VALLEY ROAD BOARD.

A meeting of the ab ">ve Board was held at the Board Office, Ahaura, on Tuesday, IGth instant. There were present — Mr J. W. Jones, in the chair ; Messrs Alcorn, Robb, and Cunningham. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. . * The report of the Overseer of Works was read, from which it appeared that the cverseer had, according to instructions, examined the proposed routes of several tracks which it is intended to make, and made estimates of the probable costs of each. Repairs had been made to the old road to Moonlight, near the junction of Happy Jack's Creek and the Ahaura River. The main road had been widened at a very dangerous side cutting near Peterson's Hotel. The proposed new track to Moonlight, Baxter's, Caledonian, and Slaty Creeks had been examined, measurements taken, and estimates of the cost were submitted. The track ' would start from the main road, near M'Kenna's brewery, skirt the Messrs Craig Bros', farm at Busholma, thence along the southern bank of the Ahaura river to its junction with the Grey. After crossing the Grey River the track from M'Gill's farm on the Moonlight side of the Grey would follow an old road made" i by Aiken and M'Gill, through Caledonian, Big River, and Slaty Creek. The total cost would be about L6O. Two different routes had been examined for the track to Hatter's Township, Nelson Creek. The cost of the track by one of these would be LlB, and by the other L3B. The latter if made would have the advantage of being a more permanent work, and more easily kept in repair. From Hatter's Terrace to Kangaroo Creek the track would pass through a very swampy country, requiring a good deal of fascining and courdorying.' The cost of repairing the present track so as to make it all passable would exceed LSO. The proposed route of the track from Duffer Creek to Noble's Creek had been carefully examined and measured by the overseer and Mr Lesh. With reference to this work, the overseer reported that four bridges would be required, and that a considerable amount of side clearing and timber clearing would have to be done. The total cost was estimated at L 144. The road from the Twelve-mile Landing to No Town required immediate attention, otherwise traffic would be stopped. The cuttings wanted widening at several places ; some of the bridges required hand rails, and one of them was in such a dilapidated condition that the overseer had to give instructions to have it repaired and made safe for traffic. The report was received, and the action taken by the overseer was approved of. The correspondence was read, and among the letters was a reminder from the Union Bank with reference to the account of the Board, informing the members that the overdraft, would have to be provided for by the 26th inst. The Secretary was directed to communicate with the Provincial Secretary on the matter. The Secretary reported that the Provincial Secretary and Treasurer had paid a visit to the Board office, and examined the books and vouchers. He had expressed himself satisfied, and said that a sum of L3OO would be placed to the credit of the Board within a few days. The Board appointed Mr Willis, the Secretary, to be Treasurer to the Board, with an increase in his salary of L2s*per annum. A discussion took place on the maintenance of the main Grey Valley road, and it was at length decided, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Drßoßß— " That the maintenance of the portion of the main road between the Arnold Bridge and the punt at Ahaura be let in three sections, to be laid out by the Overseer of Works, and that the portion from Ahaura to the Little Grey Junction be let in one section, including approaches to the fords. Tenders to be called for the work in the Grey River Argus and Weekly Argus nevrspa'pers : tenders to close on 29th June, and the term of the contract to be fqr twelve months from Ist July." J.t was agreedthata.il future contractors under the Board should make a deposit with the Board equal to five per cent on the amount of the contract money, as a guarantee for the due performance of the stipulated work. With reference co the track from Hatter's Terrace to Owen's Look-out, Nelson Creek, and the offer of Messrs Roche and Co. to make it on certain terms, a resolution was passed " that the Board recommend to the Provincial Government the offer made by Roche and Co. to construct the track, conditionally upon the same being laid off and made under the supervision of the Board." The Secretary was directed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Government. The Secretary was instructed to ascertain on what terms the Board could obtain the services of a permanent legal adviser. Fresh arrangements were made about the rent of the Board Office, and after passing accounts to the amount of L 133 13s 6d, the greater portion of which had been expended in maintainiug the main road, the Board was adjourned to 30th June.