NGAIRE ROAD BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 68, 4 December 1880, Page 3

NGAIRE ROAD BOARD.

ThtJesday, December 2.

Present : — Messrs. . Qnin, O'Donovan, Hawke, Mabey, Calvert, and Southey itt Ishe chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Correspondence was received from the Colonial Treasurer, enclosing a statement of particulars of land sold on deferred payment within the Ngaire road district, from which it appeared that land to the value of £17,187 had been sold, of which £5729 would be ultimately payable to local bodies. Also from Captain Wray, Commissioner Crown Lands West Coast district, informing the board that £630 , 58 10 d waa now payable to the board, subjeot to the approval of the Taranaki Land ' Board being first obtained to the works on which it was proposed to spend the money. Also from several settlers in block 1., asking that work to the value of about £15 be done on a road leading to their sections. Also from the owners of Beeiions 53, 54, 55, 56, block 1., asking that certain work should be done on the road leading to their properties, which had, however, only lately been taken up by them. On the motion of Mr. O'Donovan, it was resolved that the Bank of New Zealand, JHoriXi&Tihy, he the hanteag institution of the board. On the motion of Mr. O'Donovan, the ■ chairman of the board was appointed to act as treasurer. It was resolved that Mr. C. Quin be appointed to countersign cheques, in addition to the chairman's signature, and that intimation thereof be furnished to the bank. It was resolved that all accounts of the board shall be submitted to the board and passed for payment before being liqrdHEPOBT. A report at the jjetc&aascommfttee ( presented, as follows : — Your committee j beg to report having met and agreed to certain standing orders to be submitted to the board. They regret not having been able to frame a complete code, but trust that they will be able to do so before next meeting. — C. Quin. The board then proceeded to consider the standing orders of the board seriatim. About thirty orders were passed after discussion, including one under which all meetings were open to die public, and another fixing the date of all meetings at &c $r#b l&oa&ay at each. zncmCft. The standing orders having been agreed to, on the motion of Mr. Quin, it was resolved that they be printed, twelve copies to be ready before next meeting. The question of the appointment of a clerk, and also of a foreman of works, was then gone into, and a discussion arose as to the possibility of be curing the services of one man to undertake the double duty. On the motion of Mr. O'Donovan, a public works committee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs. Hawke, Calvert, and Mabey was appointen. Mr, O'Donovau proposed that tenders be called for the appointment of a joint clerk and foreman ; salary not to exceed J6150 a year. — Not earned. Mr. Qmn proposed, and it was carried, that Mr. Twigg, of Hawera, be requested to undertake the work of the Ngaire board, upon the same conditions as he has accepted in the case of the Hawera road hoard. Aiso, in t&e event of the public works committee not being able to secure Mr. Twigg's services, they be empowered to appoint temporarily any one they may think fit, with a view of at once proceeding with work for the board. Ifc wsb resolved that tenders fie catted for the post of clerk to the board, to conduct the correspondence and keep the books of the board.

Some further regulations were passed with the object of insuring due care in the execution of work. One of the conditions being that no grade steeper than 1 in 15 be allowed, except by leave of the board, after inspection, and" that the foreman be instructed to inspect all road lines in the district, and take notes of any deviations which are clearly required. Mr. O'Donovan moved that a general conference of road boards be held to conBIUKf ti>B DneJstioi) o$ roeh hoards v. counties. Such meeting to be held within one month.

Mr. O'Donovan stated that he found, after careful inspection of the accounts published in the Stab, that the percentage of administrative expenses in the county council was about 20 to 22 percent, of the revenue, not 10 per cent., as B&ted hy the chairman of that Wy. Mr. Calvert thought it would be out of place for so young a body as they were to take first action in the matter. Mr. Quin pointed out that every one connected with local government was heartily tired of a doable local government, and & double lock] taxation. He would, however, move that the matter be held over until next meeting. The mover accepted this proposal, and withdrew the resolution.

In respect to the request made by settlers in block 11., it was resolved that the matter be referred to the works committee, and that the foreman he requested to report on the subject to tha next meeting. In respect to the letter re sections in block 1., it was resolved that the request be held over for consideration at next meeting. The chairman undertook to make a tow of inspection throughout the aiflfcwefe, and to see what -work was required. He would then <sall a meeting of the board as soon as it was possible to draw up a schedule of works which needed immediate attention. . , j .. The meeting adjourned at' 5 p.m. '