OMAKA ROAD BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 265, 8 November 1907, Page 5

OMAKA ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Omaka Road Board was held this morning. There were present: Messrs R. J. Bell (chairman), S. Tapp, W. B. Parker, A. Mackay, R. Ham. FINANCE. The Secretary reported that the overdraft had been reduced to £350, the lowest for some time; Government subsidy £270 and rates £270 had yet to come in. UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE. The Auditor-General returned the annual balance-sheet, with a comment that £16 18s 6d, for travelling expenses, was not expenditure authorised by statute. _ The Secretary explained that the travelling expenses had been incurred by Messrs Houldsworth and Bary in visiting Wellington. The Chairman said he had thought the charges were unwarranted. The Secretary said it was the first time such an endorsement had been made. It did not appear that the Auditor-General would again refer to the matter. NELSON STREET BRIDGE. Mr Parker reported for the Committee appointed to act with a Committee of the Borough Council in reference to the Nelson Street Bridge. The contract, providing for the supply of all material not already on the ground, had been let to Mr Garnham and signed. On the motion of Mr Tapp, Messrs Parker, Mackay, and the Chairman were appointed a new Committee to watch over the interests of the Board in connection with the bridge. The question of the most suitable time for blocking traffic by the necessary removal of the old bridge was considered. It was urged that nothing be done till after harvest, by which time the timber would be on the ground. Mr Mackay pointed that the contract provided that the work be finished by March 31st. The Committee would have power to grant the extension required.

WORKS. The Inspector reported that the various works authorised at last meeting had been attended to. On the motion of Mr Tapp, the Inspector was instructed to have the footpath from the Omaka River to Tapp's corner repaired. The Inspector Avas also instructed to put a man on to clean out Casey's Ditch, also the Southside ditch; and to attend to the culvert at the southern extension of Yveld Street. GENERAL. Mr Jas. Penney replied to the Board's notice to clear gorse near the Sandhills. He asked the Board to define the road, when he would clear the gorse.—The matter was deferred, the Secretary to inquire in the meantime. The Chairman gave notice to move at next meeting that a special an-nually-recurring rate of 2-33rds of a penny in the. pound be struck, to be levied from and after June Ist next, for the purpose of meeting interest charges on the £3000 loan. The dog tax was fixed at the same rate as previously. Tenders for dogccllars arranged for. Messrs Parker, Bary ajid the Chairman were nominated as the Board's representatives on the. Hospital Board. The Polorus Road Board wrote declining to pay £1 2s, share of cost of plans for proposed bridge at Renwick, until the plans had been approved.—The Secretary was instructed to deal with the matter. Accounts were passed for payment, and the Board rose.