AWATERE ROAD BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XIV, Issue 1120, 29 March 1879, Page 7

AWATERE ROAD BOARD.

The Board met at the Secretary’s Office on Wednesday, the 26th March. Present : Messrs Trolove (in the chair). Barclay, and Green. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, from which it appeared that at the previous meeting the following resolution was carried;—‘‘That 'be Secretary be instructed to dech'ne to give informa'ior respecting the transactions or correspondence of the Board unless a reporter is present.” CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. A letter was read from Messrs Fuhrmrn and Willis, of Christchurch, stating that the road over the Saxton Pass had been almost completed,

• and asking tn bo v'-n - : '"nr the expenditure i according t<> pro-. ioi..s .. 0 men I', 1 ', amounting to about £4OO. The Inspector of Works reported that the road had been completed and that the work had been carried out most satisfactorily. The cost, widiout tools or provisions, was £360; a small expenditure will be required in the beginning of winter to fill in the ruts and make outlets for the water, otherwise the cuttings will bo destroyed, there being so much snow there in winter. The Inspector added that the Grey track was very rough, and he recommended that it lie repaired before the wet season commenced. He also informed the Board that he had engaged hands to repair the road from the Renwick Creek cutting down the valley. It was agreed that the £360 should bo paid immediately, and a cheque was drawn for the

amount. Mr Trolove observed that the money expended on this road was almost thrown away, Imt, as it had been made, it w ould be as well to d > what the Inspector suggested, but it should be understood that ihe Board should not be hound to pay anything over and above the £4OO. Mr Green moved—That a sum not exceeding £3O be expended on the road for the purpose stated in the Inspector’s report, and that a sum not exceeding £25 be expended on the Grey track. This was seconded, put, and carried. The Inspector of Works was instructed to flag out the lines of the road from the north boundary to the Clarence, by way of the Taylor Pass. The Inspector said Mr Hodson, the Chairman, who was absent, had mentioned that the Inspector should he paid something extra for the work done in flagging out the road, &c., at the Awatere. /.'I. Mr Green said it was only right that Mr Maddock should be paid, hut thought he should look to M ssrs Fuhrman and Willis in the first instance for a portion of it. It was agreed that the matter should stand over until next meeting. FINANCE. The Secretary' stated that there was a balance to the credit of the Board at the Bank’of £I,BBO. The following accounts were passed, in addition 10 ihe £360 above referred to :—H. Ellis (repairs) tT3, Mtrtin £ls 6s Bd, Murray £lO I3s 4d, Barclay £1 10s, Blundell Bros, (advertising) £‘l 10s, M.Z. Times £1 6s, Inspector £l7 ss, Secret-ry £lO 4s 3J, James Robinson (tools) £3 10s Bd. THE LATE FIRE. A letter was read from the Secretary, stating that all the Board’s books and papers had been s ived in good order, but that the safe had been destroyed by the lire. Mr Trolove moved—That a suitable safe be purchased by the B >ard. Mr Green seconded the motion. PRINTINO, etc. A letter was read from Mr Tait, asking for a share of the punting and advertising. Ou the motion of Mr Barclay, seconded by Mr Green, the request was agreed to. THE PROPOSED CLARENCE BRIDGE. Mr Trolove moved—“ That a communication be made to the Minister for Public Works in the matter of the £5,000 voted for the Clarence Bridge ; that the proposal mentioned in a letter Litely received hy Mr Trolove from the Public Works Office, to the effect that the Government were willing to place the said sum in the hands of the local authorities be acceded to, and that application be made for the said sum of £5,000, together with the plana and specifications re latmg to the Clarence Bridge, as far as the sam have been prepared by the Government-” He said he had communicated with the Government and a’so had had a personal personal i terview wdth the Minister of Public Works. He int tided to have read a letter from the Uodcr-S cietary. bur had handed it to Mr Seyinour as Chairman of the County Council, which should he the proper I cal authority in the matter; but as the County Council had not brought the Act into force the Awatere Road Board was a proper authority. If a plan could he drawn which would mei-t with the approval of the Engineer-in-Chief, the bridge would be made without doubt. A horse bridge coaid easily be made for £5,000. Mr Barclay seconded the motion. Mr Green suggested that a letter should ba sent to the Kaikoura Board, asking their coopera 1 ion, but no motion was was made on the subject. Mr Barclay asked who would be at the expense of preparing plans ? The Chairman : said the Awatere Road Board. And they ought to do it for their own sake. Let them not lose the opportunity of getting this bridge. If they could not get a whole bridge, let them get half a one. At all events let them make a beginning, and communicate with the Government direct anil without further delay. The motion was put and carried.