NGAIRE ROAD BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 128, 6 July 1881, Page 3

NGAIRE ROAD BOARD.

The Board met on Monday at 1.30 p.m., at the Ngaire Railway Station. Present— Messrs. Marchant (chairman), Harm, -TayU*, and Cowen. (Later — Mr. O'Dojjovan.) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters were read from the District Railway Manager, -giving leave to make use of the railway waiting-room, so long as it did not interfere with railway work. — Letter from Major Atkinson, stating that the works on the Stratford-Opunake road would be carried on under the supervision of the Crown Lands Ranger. — Letter from Secretary to the Treasury, stating that the approval of the Commissioner of Crown Lands was required before further sums due to the Board could be paid over. A sum of £350 had accrued, and would be paid over as soon as the conditions of the Act had been complied with. A telegram to a similar effect was also received.

ORDINARY BUSINESS.

Mr. Cowen drew attention to a sum of £5 lodged as a deposit in the hands of the chairman of the late Board.

The clerk was instructed to take steps to procure and return the deposit.

Mr. Cowern wished to know what steps would be taken about the survey of a piece of land taken for a road through Mr. Leach's land. It appeared that there were a large number of deviations, for which land had been taken, and in some cases paid for. He proposed that the foreman of works should inquire into and report upon all deviations.

The Chairman explained what was the usual course, and said that he thought the action of the late Board was not legal, and it would be very necessary to have each deviation surveyed.

The clerk of the Board explained that he had not undertaken the valuation roll, because only a week had been allowed him to complete the work ; that the time was insufficient, and that therefore he had not attempted it. Only three days were allowed him from the date on which he first heard of the acceptance of his tender.

Mr. O'Donovan moved that tenders be called for the compilation of a valuation and electoral roll, to be made up within a month, and that the Chairman, Messrs. Harm, and Cowen be authorised to state conditions and accept tenders. The roll to be completed within one month from date.

Mr. O'Donovan moved that Mr. Southey he requested to refund forthwith deposits of contractors which he has in hand, and be informed that he will be charged interest so long as he retains the monies in his hands. The mover stated that deposits lodged had not been repaid until the contractors received their cheques, when deposits were paid out of deferred payment monies. He was astonished that Mr. Southey should have been guilty of such malpractices. The resolution was then seconded by Mr. Taylor, on the understanding that no interest should be charged, but that the foreman of works should call upon Mr. Southey and ask for the deposits. The Chairman moved that all the words after the word " hand " be struck out.

Mr. O'Donovan thought it was cjear that these deposits had been misappropriated.

The Chairman appealed to Mr. O'Donovan not to apply such terms to the action of an absent man.

Mr. O'Donovan adhered to his statement.

Mr. Cowen thought it would be sufficient to ask for the cheques, and approved of the amendment moved by the chairman.

Mr. Kirkpatrick, a contractor, stated that cheques which he had sent in as deposits had been returned to him.

The amendment was put and carried. The bank-book was handed in, showing a credit balance of £366 15s. sd. in the bank. The accounts and particulars of expenditure expected from Mr. McCutchan, late clerk of the Board, were not to hand, though they were said to have been posted.

Mr. O'Donovan moved that the matter of the appropriation be deferred till next meeting. Seconded by Mr. Cowen, and carried.

Mr. O'Donovan moved that the chairman communicate with the Bank of New Zealand, Normanby, and ask for an advance of £80, if such were required. The Chairman stated that, so far as he could ascertain, the Board were involved to the extent of some £80. From the statement handed in, it appeared that the Board had either paid or was liable for £677 15s. for road works, and some £93 14s. 7d. had been incurred for extras, land taken for roads, &c.

The Chairman drew attention to the need of a better system of accounts ; the Board had no account book, and by permission of the Board, he would obtain that, and any other necessary books. He moved that separate accounts be kekt in the Board's books of the sums expended in the different blocks. Seconded by Mr. Cowen, and carried.

Resolved — That the chairman be instructed to obtain a rubber seal and other necessaries required by the Board.

The foreman of works explained that in every case but one the deviations had been made, with the consent of the owner of the land. The contracts were let subject to the consent of the occupiers of the land.

The Chairman moved that in future no deviations of roads be allowed until the consent of the Board had been obtained. — Carried.

The foreman of works reported that contracts on Anderson, Cheal, and Bird roads were completed. Mr. O'Donovan complained that the foreman of works had incited the contractors to do him (Mr. O'D.) bodily injury. The foreman of works denied having done so ; he had told one of the contractors that Mr. O'Donovan complained that .they were not getting on quickly enough with their work. But he had certainly never incited them to do Mr. O'Donovan any bodily harm. [Mr. O'Donovan then left the room.] The following accounts were passed for payment : — Kirkpatrick, £31 155. ; Guinness and Leydon,* £69" 155.; J. Twigg, £2 10s. ; S. Fowler, £2 6s. 6d.

The lease of the West Coast boardinghouse was bought in on Saturday, when offered by Mr. Nolan.