HAWERA ROAD BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 51, 6 October 1880, Page 4

HAWERA ROAD BOARD.

. Saturday, October 2. The Board met on Saturday at 3 3>.m. Present — Messrs. Hunter (in ■the chair), Gane, Robson, Finlayson, Morrison, Allen, Williams, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were read from Mr. H. G. Morecroft, applying for work to be done on the Whereroa road, and also requesting that a ranger be appointed to impound all atrajr horses and cafcfcle, as stray stock had destroyed newlyplanted fences on the Tongahoe and Manawapou roads. — Prom Messrs. Ward Bros., hoping that the whole of the Manawapou road would be opened. — From the Public Works Office, stating that the land to be obtained in exchange for land taken for a new road could be taken under the new Act, 1880; without reference to officials in Wellington. Letter to same effect from the Assistant Under Secretary of Public Works, and enclosing a •copy of the new x\ct. — From Mr. D. GL Fraser, authorised and licensed surveyor, stating his intention to settle in the district-, and. his readiness to undertake work for the board. — From Mr. Hendy, complaining that certain obstructions on the Manawapou road, ordered to be removed, had not been hifted. — From eleven settlers interested in the Ngaire district, requesting that the engineer be directed to inspect the Ngaire roads. A discussion was raised by Mr. Eobson, who proposed that the ordinary rate of wages paid to laborers working for the board should ba feed, so as not to exceed 7s, instead of Bs, as hitherto. It was agreed that the chairman should direct the engineer to effect such a reduction, with power to increase the rate when special circumstances seemed to warrant it. , It was resolved that Mr. Twigg be instructed to get a certain piece of "work done on the Whereroa road, referred to by Mr. Morecroft. Mr. Gane asked why certain work at Ingahape had not been proceeded with. The secretary explained that the specifications had only been received from the engineer on the previous day. The chairman also stated that he had applied for the sanction of the Waste Lands Board, but had received no reply. A lengthy discussion arose on the applicability of monies from deferred payment lands towards payment of compensation for road deviations. Several of the speakers thought the General Qtneminenb should be responsive for compensation awards. The Chairman proposed that the resolution authorising the calling for tenders on the Ingahape road be rescinded. Mr. Gane proposed as an amendment that the work be proceeded with. The amendment was lost, and the chairman's resolution was carried. Mr. Gane moved that, as the chairman had stated that the deferred payment fund was getting low, that no more monies out of that fund should be spent until all outstanding liabilities entered into by the board be paid up. Mr. Allen proposed an amendment to the effect that certain expenditure should be first incurred, in order to render the West road to his place passable. The Chairman thought the settlers very lucky in haying any road to their sections at all. A lengthy discussion followed, but ultimately the original resolution was carried. In regard to the request of Mr. Morecroft, it was resolved that the board could not undertake to appoint a ranger to impound the cattle referred to. It was resolved that the engineer be instructed to open the Manawapou road, referred to by Messrs. Ward, without delay, after the 7th instant. Also, that a month's notice be given to the proprietors further on the ManawapQu. toad of tb& s»teabi<?/2 oi the board to open the line. It was resolved that the engineer be instructed to proceed to inspect roads in the Ngaire district, and that a notification of the date of the engineer's visit be advertised in the Hawera and Nobmanby Star, so that settlers interested may be able to accompany the engineer, and that the chairman write to the Commissioner of the West Coast Land District, in order to ascertain what funds will be available for the purpose. It was resolved that a special meeting be held on the 16th October, in order to receive and consider the report of the members appointed to accompany the engineer through, thtt Ngaire. The Chairman stated that an application had been made by him to the Native Minister re the taking of roads through native lands, and that Mr. Bryce had stated that a bill, with the object of enabling road boards to take roads through native reserves, had hem brought forward by the Government, but had lapsed. The Native Minister thought that,' in all probability, whoever took the road through such native land, would be called upon to fence on both sides of it. Mr. Allen asked what amount of money out of deferred payment Suuda would be available for future expenditure, after all outstanding liabilities had been met. The Secretary thought that .£6O would be the outside amount. Mr. Eobson drew, attention to the i nuisance committed by some persons by depositing rubbish on the high-

way. It was resolved that a notice be inserted m the Stab, warning offenders to discontinue the practice. Mr. Robson drew attention to the saving in distance which would be effected between Normanby and the Pjains if Courtney's road were opened. He was of opinion that .£l4 or would be sufficient to open a bush track along the surveyed line. It was resolved that tenders for the work be called in a fortnight's time, to be advertised in next Saturday's and the subsequent "Wednesday's Star. Mr. Milhan attended to draw the attpntion of the board to the necessity which existed for a road to be opened to his land. It was resolved that the engineer inspect that portion of the Ingahape road referred to, and report to the board as to the cost of the work required to make a good bridle track ; and also to inspect some other work required near Mr. Baird's. Mr. Gane explained his action in regard to certain work in the Whakamara district. The committee had not accepted the lowest tender, but had declined Mr. Duir's tender, and accepted Mr. Wallace's. Oa kite previous occasion, Mr. Duir's, being the lowest tenderer, had been accepted, but the work bad not been done satisfactorily. Mr. Allen thought that the «£25 difference in favor of Mr. Duir's last tender ought to have secured the work to him. But his opinion had been overruled by Messrs. Gane and Williams. The Chairman pointed out that the matter had been left to the three members Urom WLatamara, and the board were bound to accept their decision. It was expressly understood at the previous meeting that the pai-ties who had abandoned their contract should be allowed to tender again. Mr. Gane referred to a letter which had appeared in the Stab, reflecting on the conduct of the board, and of several of the members. He thought the members ought to investigate the matter thoroughly. The Chairman admitted that he did not approve of the highest tenders being accepted, but the time for sowing the grass-seed was so short that it was excusable in this case. The Chairman drew the attention of the board to some work he had authorised on Mercer's line, costing £16s. Tenders were received for road making, on the Tawhiti road, from T. Whelan, at .£l9 10s (accepted) ; and from Humphries and May, at .£3l los (declined). It was resolved tbafc the Ooardpay £15 towards the work, Mr. Riddiford being liable for the remainder, he having expressed his readiness to make a special contribution. The following accoun + s were passed for payment : — Galvin and Co., £4 Is ; secretary 's salary, &c, <£9 2s ; J. Twigg (road work), ,£1 6s ; W. Wallace (progress payment), .£4O ; John West (road work), .£3 3s. The board adjourned at 5.20 p.m.