ROAD BOARDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 8819, 14 June 1889, Page 6

ROAD BOARDS.

SPREYDON.

The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Thursday, all the members present. Mr Ashworth was elected Chairman. Correspondence was read: From the Sydenham Borough Council (in reply) re delivery of shingle on the boundary roads of the district, agreeing to this Board's proposal.—From same, in reply to this Board’s letter of June 1 re repairs to boundary roads and footpaths, stating that instructions had been given for the work to be done.—From Registrar-General's office, Wellington, asking if the Board would undertake to supply annually the number of houses in the district, inhabited, uninhabited, and in course of erection, as by so doing a more correct estimate of the birth and death rate could be obtained. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Board had no money at its disposal for that purpose.—Prom Selwyn County Council, re small birds nuisance, to be informed that this Board agree with the principle of the report, but would like further information as to the work of distribution by the Inspector of Slaughterhouses.—From Mr Butler re repairs to Lincoln road footpath. The Clerk to write to the Riccarton Road Board re same.— From Dr Thomas, reporting a case of diphtheria off Lincoln road. —From Lincoln Road Board, re the system of levying and dispensing Charitable Aid rate. It was resolved—“ That this Board thoroughly approve of the proposal.”—Resolved—- “ That the Board meet on the first Monday in each month at 2.30 p.m.”—Accounts as per pay-sheet, amounting to £l6 19s, were passed for payment, and the meeting closed. TAI TAPU.

The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Jline 7; present—Messrs J. G. Murray (Chairman), W. Gilmour, T. Leatham and T. M‘Artney.—Mr H. F. Gray waited on the Board relative to his former application, that some repairs may be effected on the roads leading to his property at Greycliffe, and offering to exchange a right of road in a straight line with the canal and road reserve, with a view to obtain a shorter and better route. It was resolved—“ That a plan, showing the proposed new deviation be forwarded to the Halswell Eoad Board, and to request that body if it would bear a proportionate part of the expense in adopting and forming it, as it is a continuation of the boundary road.”—lt was resolved—- “ That the work of clearing and improving ditches along the main road to Little Eiver be postponed, and that the Clerk have some improvements effected along the sides of the said road; that as there is not sufficient metal broken to effect the necessary repairs along the entire length of the roads proposed to be metalled, that the worst parts be be improved pending more metal being broken.”—The Clerk was instructed to send notice to grub and clear gorse along various drains to the persons occupying land thereon. —A petition signed by various residents was received, asking that some improvement may be effected on the rocky parts of the main road opposite Mr P. Walsh’s and Mr H. Milhopt’s houses. It was resolved —“ That further consideration of this mutter be postponed pending the receipt of tenders to quarry and break metal at loose points.”—it was resolved—- “ That this Board advertise thatfourpence per dozen will bo paid for birds during .fune, duly, August, and September, and that Messrs T. Beatham and W. Gilmour will take delivery of same.”—Correspondence was read From Lincoln Eoad Board, requesting that this Board may request the district M.H.E. to use his influence to have the Charitable Aid Act altered with a view that each district may have the power of making and dispensing its own rate for Charitable Aid. Eeaolved —“ That while this Board fully acknowledges the necessity for an alteration in the Act, it scarcely thinks the powers sought, even if granted, would be practicable.”— From Messrs Bartram and Co., re pound contract, &c. The Clerk was instructed to adopt the necessary steps to have the pound opened as soon as possible.

The annual meeting of ratepayers was then held; present Messrs Murray (Chairman), T. M/Artney, W. Gilmour, T. Leatham, J. W, Miller and William Hamilton. The Chairman explained that this meeting could not be held at the usual time as the accounts were not returned by the Auditor-General. The balance-sheet, showing receipts to amount to £532 18s lid, and expenditure .£398 lie 3d, leaving a credit balance of .£134 7s Sd, was then read. It was resolved that the balance-sheet as read be adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

LITTLE RIVEK. The ordinary meeting of this Board was held on Juno 3; present—Messrs Coop, Buchanan, Parkinson, and White.—A note of apology for his absence was received from Mr \V. Birdling.—lt was resolved that Mr Coop be elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Coop returned thanks and took the chair.—The action of the Clerk in effecting,,repairs on various roads since last meeting was approved.—Relative to the contract on Upper Kaituna road, the Clerk reported that sufficient progress bad not been made with the work.—A letter asking for extension uf the time to complete the contract was received from the contractor. It was resolved —“ That the contract be cancelled, and that fresh tenders be invited for the work.”—Mr S.Tait waited on the Board, requesting that he may receive some assistance towards opening a track to his farm near Gebbie's Valley. Resolved—“ That £l2 be granted.”—The Clerk was instructed to have some bridges over parts of the main road railed at the sides ; also, to have the part of Western Valley road at the lower end metalled as early as possible. —A petition was received from Messrs Batchelor, Higman,Wilson and Varcoe, asking that the Board may take steps to have obstructions by way of gates, &c,, removed off part of Western Valley road leading through R.S. 4264, It was resolved that notice be given to the occupier of the land to remove the obstructions referred to.—Relative to Mr M'PhaiPs application re part of Island Bay Spur road, Mr Buchanan explained the steps Mr M'Phail was willing to agree to with a view to improve the road referred to, and the Clerk was instructed to arrange accordingly,—The Clerk was further instructed to take steps towards metalling part of M'Queen’s Plat road, lately formed. —Messrs Tavendcr and G. Robinson waited on the Board asking that part of the road leading towards R.S. 3331, 4113, &c., may be formed, thus leaving them only access to part of their properties without encroaching on private land. The Clerk was instructed to visit and report on this work. Mr Robinson further asked that some repairs be effected on the road leading from the main road through part of N.B. 887. It was resolved that tenders he invited to form about ten chains of this road, to bo considered at next meeting. The Chairman of the Port Levy Road Board (Mr Plena in g) waited on the Board requesting that this Board may see its way to form the part of Western Valley branch road, which woo'd connect with the Port L>:vy district. The Clerk was instructed to visit and report. After passing accounts for payment, the Board adjourned. The annual meeting of ratepayers was then hold, a quorum being present. The

Chairman read the balance-sheet as audited by the Auditor-General, which showed receipts amounting to .£728 2s 7d, and expenditure to £665 2s lid, leaving a credit balance of -£62 19a Bd. The assets were £SOO, and liabilities £l2l la 9d. It was resolved—“ That the report and balancesheet, as submitted, be adopted and approved of,” and the meeting adjourned.

WEST EYRETON. The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Jane 10 j present—Mr Addinell (Chairman), Messrs Crysell, Hunter, Smith and Sheat. The Clerk was directed to write to the Chief Surveyor, requesting that the gravel reserve Ho. 365 be withdrawn from sale, or that at least five acres be retained as a gravel reserve.—Mr A. Farrell paid in £2O 10s for registration of dogs to date.—Resolved—“ That legal proceedings be taken against all owners of unregistered dogs after July 8 next; that the occupier of E.S. No. 4266 and 5089, fronting on Frowse’s and Ohoka road, have his attention drawn to the gorae growing on the roads; that the Chairman be authorised to proenre poisoned wheat, and have the same distributed.”—The Surveyor was directed to report on the pipes across the road near Ramsay gate.—Accounts amounting to £9 9s 8d were passed and ordered to be paid, and the Board adjourned.

ASHLEY. The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board was held on Thursday, Jnne 6; present Messrs Nicholls (Chairman), Feather, O’Halloran, Barwell and Whatman.—Mr Nicholls thanked the members for again appointing him as Chairman of the Board. He suggested some alterationß' in the order of business at the meetings, which were afterwards agreed to by the members. —lt was resolved that a sum of £5 be voted for the purchase of poison, the poison to be given to ratepayers forming themselves into a Sparrow Club for the purpose of combating the small birds nuisance; that the Surveyor appoint a day with Mr O’Halloran and other members to inspect watertables and cuttings.—The Board directed that tenders he called for supply of shingle for repairing the roads in sections.—With regard to_ Mr Readhead’s complaint, the Clerk desired to ascertain what balance there _ was to the credit of the LoburnEowai road, and report at next meeting. —The Board ordered that tenders be called for clearing all roads for which the Board are liable, of gorse, broom and sweetbriar; also, the Board's reserves where not let to tenants. The sections are to be the same as agreed upon for the shingling contracts. Tenders to be called for repairing the approach to culvert at Barwell’s Gully. To examine and report on the culvert crossing road near Blackett's section, the hand-rails to be put up at once by day labour. That the Chairman and Mr Barwell, with the Surveyor, inspect the road between Mr Feather’s gate and its junction with the Lobnm-Eowai, and report, Mr Barwell to appoint the day.—The Chairman was requested to call a meeting to consider the suggestions contained in a circular issued by the Minister for Public Works, the Clerk to get a copy of the circular.— Authority was given to make a further attempt to get a better supply of water at the office by sinking the well deeper,— Accounts to the amount of £167 19s 3d were passed for payment, and the Board adjourned. -

EAST MALVERN. The monthly meeting was held at the office _on Tuesday; present Messrs Minchin, Barr, Scarlett, and Fraser.—A quantity of correspondence of a routine character was read.—Applications for the office of poundkeeper were received, and E. J. Jones appointed. Tenders were received for certain work, which was let. —After passing accounts for payment, the Board adjourned.

EAKAIA. The ordinary monthly meeting of this Board was hold on June 8; present—all the members. Sir John Hall in the chair. Correspondence was read: —From the Selwyn County Council, with reference to providing planks for the use of tractionengines crossing the Bluff bridge. The Surveyor stated that he had provided the planks, and was about having the necessary notice boards painted on the authority of this letter.—From Mr J. T. Wright, on behalf of the Selwyn Sparrow Club, asking for the Club’s share of the annual grant made to,the Board by the County Council for the suppression of the small birds nuisance. A cheque for £5 was ordered to be forwarded.—The Surveyor was instructed to give notice to persons who had failed to comply with the usual orders to clear gorse from roads, that unless the gorse was cleared within fourteen days the work would be done by the Board and charged to the persons liable.—Tenders were opened for re-forming Eockwood road, and that of Sheehan and Aston, at 2s lid per chain, was accepted.—lt was decided to form tracks, by clearing tussocks and large stones, on about three miles of Mitchell’s road, one mile of Leach’s road, and half a mile of Ardlin road.—Mr Morgan waited on the Board and applied for the formation of the road running past his section. No. 25065, from Eockwood road to Cady’s road. It was decided that members of the Board and the Surveyor should inspect the road referred to, and report upon its requirements to the next meeting.—The Surveyor was instructed to have an open crossing made at the place where the old culvert had been taken out, opposite Mr Creswell’s house. —The caretaker of the Hororata water-races attended with his report. It was decided that days should be appointed on which the Collector should attend to receive water-rates at the Board's office, Hororata, and at Mr Sherrard’s store, Dunsandel. —The caretaker’s recommendation, that the flumes in the upper race should be taken out and an open race substituted, was adopted; the flumes to be sold by public tender. Sir John Hall undertook to bear the cost of the work over and above the proceeds of the sale of the timber.—After passing accounts and settling other routine business the meeting adjourned.

LEVELS. This Board met on Tuesday; present— Messrs C. N. Orbell (Chairman), Balfour, Mee, Hall, Jones and Rhodes.—Among the correspondence read was the following Prom Mr Pitman, Steward of Education Reserves, asking the Board to call upon R. Campbell, tenant of one of the reserves, to clear gorse off road in front thereof, as it was intended to re-let the reserve shortly, and it would not be fair for a new tenant to have to clear away gorse allowed to grow by the neglect of the previous tenant. The Board agreed that they could not call upon any single person to clear gorse simply because they were asked to do so, but they determined to issue a general order, and to see that it was carried out.— The Timaru Borough Council asked the Board to pay half-cost of lighting a street lamp placed at ethe junction of the Main South road and the Town belt. The Board refused to comply with the request, on the ground that they have no business to nrovide lights on the roads; they had no money to spend in such luxuries. They do pay half-cost of two lamps now, in somewhat dangerous places. A number of requests for small works were attended to. The Board decided to provide some poisoned wheat for gratis distribution as usual, but this year to keep the preparation and distribution in their own hands, the overseer to have charge of the mixing. At the suggestion of the Chairman, it was agreed to mix a little rape seed with the wheat, and also treat some separately.—A general rate of |d was struck for the current year, payable in one sum on Sept. I.—One small cartage contract was tendered for as follows:—W. Stevenson (accepted), £2O 3s 2d; R. Gorgan, £23 15s 8d; J. Rogers, £2B.