HAWERA ROAD BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 43, 8 September 1880, Page 4

HAWERA ROAD BOARD.

Saturday, September 4. Present — Messrs. Hunter (chairman), Williams, Robson, Gone, Allen, I&ddiford, and Morrison, CORRESPONDENCE. Prom F. J. and G. W. Gone, Whakamara, claiming damages in consequence of the damage caused by the road board deviating the West and Hells roads through section 9 and 10, block XII., Hawera district, as per Public Works Act, 1876.— 0n the motion of Mr. Williams, seconded by Mr. Robson, the letter was received, and it was decided that the board should take the proper steps to have the road legalised. From M. F. Baird, Mere Mere, claiming compensation, in consequence of a road deviation, which would compel him to erect three fences instead of one, and suggesting that the claim should be submitted to arbitration. — On the motion of Mr. Gane, seconded by Mr. Allen, it was resolved, that the letter should be acknowledged, and that the board should take the necessary steps to have the road running through Mr. Baird's land gazetted. From Henry Mehaffy, Whakamara, asking that a dray track, about 16 chains in length, should be cleared through the logs and stumps on the West road, opposite his section, No. 31, as the expense would be trifling. He held his land on deferred payment, and he saw no reason why other selectors on the block should have had roads made opposite their land, whilst he had none made near his. The track which Mr. Allen had got made on West road only came to the corner of section 28. — It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Gane, seconded by Mr. Allen, that tenders Bliould be asked for clearing the track 10 feet wide, as requested ; the cost not to exceed ss. per chain. From E. O. Hendy, Hawera, asking that the lessee of section 189 should be compelled to remove, within a reasonable time, the fence which now crosses the road leading into his property, near the junction of the Taranaki road. — It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Gane, seconded by Mr. Riddiford, that the Secretary should write to Mr. Quinlivan, asking him to remove the obstruction complained of within a month ; failing which, that the board would do so at his expense. THE HAWERA-NORMANBY BOAD. The Chairman wished to state that since the last meeting of the board, he had discovered that the road between Hawera and Normanby was a General Government road, and that it did not belong to the road board. THE WHEBEBOA RESERVE. Mr. Gane proposed that the engineer should examine the river leading <to the lessees' land, and subject to a favorable reply from the Native Minister, that plans and specifications be prepared for a bridge over the Tangahoe, through the Whereroa reserve; and that the chairman and Messrs. Hobbs and Buchanan accompany the engineer. The Chairman said he would like to see the lessees guarantee the board for any claims brought against it for compensation, in consequence of tak}»g A ro&d. hhrough khia reserve. He knew that Mr. Davidson objected to its being taken through his lease. Mr. Hobbs (who, with Mr. Buchanan, attended the meeting) said that in all native leases the right was given to take a road through. Mr, Buchanan said that the board had the power to take the road through, and if not, why did they take the rates P Mr. Eiddiford said they undoubtedly had the right, but what about claims for compensation ? Mr. Davidson said that in his lease there was no provision for a road. Mr. Allen was of opinion the lessees should guarantee to indemnify the board. The Chairman said that when he taw Mr. Bryce on the subject, about nine mouths ago, the hon. gentleman declined to interfere, as he did not wish to disturb the natives in any way at that time. Messrs. Buchanan and Hobbs replied that the natives were just as J anxious as the lessees to have the road made. If the bridge were made, ' they would make the road fit for: traffic Mr. Eiddiford seconded Mr. Gane's proposition, which was carried. INGAHAPE BOAD. 'Mr. Gane proposed that tenders be , called for the work in the Ingahape • road, in accordance with the specifiea- • N ti6ns prepared by the engineer ; to be in by next meeting. Mr. Riddiford pointed out that the road was not yet fenced in, and now that the summer was close at hand, he considered there was no great hurry. Mr. Allan said that, although the work was a necessary one, yet there was no need for being in a hurry. He had driven a dray through the road in the worst part of the winter. Mr. Gane pointed out that Mr. Edwards lost a horse, valued at £50 or £60, in the place mentioned.

„ ' » Chairman urged that they I •hould * "T" T the matfcer for a Mttk

widening the track ; to be opened at next meeting.

Mr. Riddiford seconded the motion, which was carried.

IMPOUNDING STOCK.

I Mr. Riddiford asked whether memfbers of the board could impound cattle off the road P His road was impassable through Maori cattle running on it. The Chairman replied that any person could impound cattle off the road. At the last meeting of the County Council, a man named Stuart was appointed to impound cattle in the Hawera district.

FENCING.

Mr. Williams proposed, and Mr. Morrison seconded, — " That Mr. McCarty should be asked to fence his land on the Ingahape road, or else that he should keep his cattle off the road." — Carried.

THE NOONAN ROAD.

Mr. Riddiford said that Mr. Bremer had done some work on the Noonan road, and had cleared the slips, and he wished to know whether Mr. Bremer would get paid for it.

Mr. Allen said there had been at least £3 worth of work done.

Mr. Gane said he understood the proposition at last meeting was, that the Board would expend £2 upon the road, and that Messrs. Bremer and Duirs would give £2 worth of labor on it.

After some further discussion, Mr. Riddiford proposed, and Mr. Allen seconded, — " That £2 be voted to Mr. Bremer for the work done on the Noonan road." — Carried.

THE EAST BOAD.

Mr. Gane proposed, and Mr. Allen seconded, — "That tenders be called for bush felling on the East road." — Carried.

THROWING UP A CONTRACT.

Mr. Bremer explained that in a contract taken by Mi. Duirs and himself, his partner had mistaken the linkages, and if the Board insisted upon their doing the work according to specification, they would suffer a considerable loss.

The Chairman asked whether they proposed throwing up the contract?

Mr. Bremer replied yes, if the Board insisted upon their adhering to the specifications.

The Chairman suggested that they should either throw up the contract or go on with the work. A lot of valuable time had already been lost. Mr. Gane stated that he and Mr. Williams had accepted the tender, and he explained what had taken place at the time. He considered the price very low, and if the successful tenderers had been outsiders, he should have been very doubtful about accepting such a low tender. They had never intimated to either himself or Mr. Williams that they were going to throw up the contract, which he hardly considered fair.

After some further discussion, Mr. Allen proposed that an extension of time should be given to the contractors, if they were willing to go on with the work.

Mr. P. J. Gane, who was present, protested as a ratepayer against such a course being adopted. It was unfair to the other tenderers. Besides, an extension of time would make the season worthless forsowinggrass seed. Mr. Bremer said he would throw up the contract, leaving it to the Board to say whether the deposit should be forfeited or not.

Mr. Gane proposed, and Mr. Riddiford seconded, — "That the offer be accepted, and that the deposit be forfeited." — Carried.

On the motion of Mr. Robson, seconded by Mr. Allen, it was resolved that fresh tenders be called (to be inserted in two issues of the Star) for Saturday next ; to be opened at 5 p.m.; and that a penalty of 10s a day be inflicted. The penalty in the previous contract was .£5 a day, but, after some discussion, it was decided to alter it to 10s.

ACCOUNTS.

The following accounts were passed for payment :— Galvin and Co., .£4 los; H. Williams (progress payment), .£3; BremerandDuris,.£ls; P. Riddiford, £15 ; J. S. Caverhill, .£8 8s 6d; J. C. Holgerson, .£6 10s ; W. Pearce, £3 ; J. West, .£6; W. Edwards, £3 4s; J, Twig>g, £$ 14s 3d; J f Barley man,

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