OMAKA ROAD BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 110, 11 May 1908, Page 5

OMAKA ROAD BOARD.

The regular monthly meeting of the 'Omaka Road Board was held this morning. There were present: Messrs R. J. Bell (Chairman), J. Bary, R. Ham, McKay, Parker, Tapp. ELECTION. The Secretary formally reported on the election, in which all the retiring members had been re-elected unopposed. The meeting unanimously elected Mr R. J. Bell as Chairman for the ensuing year. BIRD POISONING. Correspondence was read from two firms offering to supply the Board with bird poison at various'rates. , Mr Bary said that he thought the best way would be for ratepayers to obtain an order from the Secretary for bird poison in small quantities. About a shilling's worth if they required it. Mr Ham thought that that method would prove rather expensive. He, would move that an experienced man be employed by the Board to mix the poison.—Carried. ■ ROAD REPAIRING. Application was made by Mr Cheesman, licensee of Shaw's Hotel, at Renwicktown, asking the Board to repair the, road'in front of his building, as it was worn away into a hollow. It was resolved that the work be done, the cost not to exceed £,10. BRIDGE EXPENSES. A question was raised as to the cost of the plans of the Omaka bridge. Mr Bary pointed out that already the plans had cost about £29, and every time fresh plans were wanted it cost more.' It was understood that Mr Combes was to receive 2 per cent, for clerical work, and with extras that were being charged,iit was going to be a pretty expensive game. Mr McKay said that the_ Government was putting £500 into the bridge and the "Board was putting £1200 into it, and they could not expect to have work,like that done without the aid of professional services. In regard to the passing of the timber, which was one of the extras charged for,"the Chairman said that the Government of New South Wales would pass the timber at a reasonable price, and he suggested that they be allowed to do this, as it would save expense on this side1! " ■ Mr McKay asked the. Chairman if he would be satisfied "with this. The Chairman said that he would. The Board then went on with 'other business and the matter was allowed to drop. TEMPORARY BRIDGE.

Mr McKay pointed out that the bridge over the Overflow Channel had been washed away, and he would move that the Inspector be instructed to replace it.—Carried. PAYMENT ON CONTRACTS, Mr McKay moved that as soon as the loan money came' to hand, £400 should be paid on the Nelson Street Bridge, arid the necessary money be paid in connection- with the repairs recently effected a£ Conolly's bridge. —Carried; >; LEASING A ROAD. Mr Bary, sen*1,.,'' waited on the Board and asked them to lease to him a portion of a roaid (which was not .used by the public) adjoining his and Mr Perret's property. The Board "agreed -to lease the land at an annual rental of £1 3 of which he and Mr, Perret -fcere to pa"y naif. The lease was made continuous only so long as the Board wished. COST OF REPAIRS. Mr Bary moved that a portion of the Renwick Middle Road, from the termination of Satherley's 'contract to theOmaka River be gravelled, as with a little more wet weather the road, unless done up, would become 'impassable. The Chairman seconded the motion. Mr R. Ham moved an amendment that the matter be held over until the tenders for the bridge came in, as they would then be able to ascertain the state of the finances. Mr McKay seconded the amendment, which ivas carried, the minority being the Chairman ;and Mr Bary. Mr McKay moved* that the Secretary prepare, by next meeting, a statement showing the- expenditure on the Middle Renwick Road, during the last two years. Seconded by Mr Ham and carried. , The Chairman then moved that a statement of the expenditure on the Dillon's Point Road be prepared and laid before the Board at the next meeting,. Seconded by Mr Bary and carried. HIGH STREET, RENWICK. Mr Bary moved that about 40 chains of High Street, Renwick, "be metalled, as improvement was urgently needed. The matter was referred to the Inspector for report at the next meeting. RATE FOR THE ENSUING TEAS. Mr Bary gave notice of motion for next meeting that-,the rate for the ensuing year be fd1 in the £. DAY OF MEETING. Mr Bary said that he found it difficult to get into town for the Hospital Board meeting on a Tuesday, and then come to the" Omaka Board's meeting the following Monday. He .would like the day, of meeting to be altered to the first Tuesday in each month at 10 a.m. The Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried, after an amendment, proposed by Mr McKay, "That the Board meet on the first Wednesday of each month," had been lost. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Inspector reported that the roads were in fairly good order- excepting the Middle Renwick Road, which wanted patching from Tapp's corner to. White's gate, and a little patching which was required on the Riverlands Road. There was a bridge on Tindill's road which was almost falling in, and wanted renewing. The road grader was required to work -on the road, as there was a -lot of loose gravel which wanted brushing into the proper place. . The works finished, included Conolly's bridge, Mears's Wall bridge, and the St. Leonard's cross road, also culvert on that road which the foreman had thought it advisable to put in while the road was blocked. Some repairs had also been completed on the Dillon's Point Road. It was resolved that the Inspector attend to the patching required on the Renwick road, and that Tindill's bridge at Springlands be attended to. ACCOUNTS. The usual monthly accounts were passed for payment.