PICTON ROAD BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 217, 12 September 1908, Page 7

PICTON ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held at Tua Manna yesterday, and was attended by Messr"C D'Arcy Chaytor (chair), Law, Randall, Taylor and Seater. COMPLIMENTARY.

Mr Law said he had been asked to make the Chairman a small present*-, tion. Mr Chaytor had been with them for a number of years, and it was not very often that one ot their number got married. He had done his duty by the Board and by the ratepayers, and the members appreciated this. They hoped he would accept the presentation in the spirit in whichit was given. They could not take the arm-chair with them, but it had been sent out to his residence. The Chairman, in reply, expressed his pleasure in receiving such a handsome piece of furniture. It would serve to remind him of the happy assoiciations of the Board for the past eleven years, with the exception of the short time he was in Africa. They had all worked together amicably. When he first joined the Board there were some slight differences of opinion, but they had disappeared

long since. No question came up but what did not get impartial consideration from members from both ends or the district. He could assure them that he would value their present very much,'and thanked them very much for it. „ t The presentation took the form of a handsome saddle-back easy chair.

ACCOUNTS

Accounts amounting to £67 10s 2d were passed for payment.

FINANCIAL. . . The monthly statement showed a credit of £711 12s 6d.

MR LAW'S MOTION. •< Mr Law. moved, according to notice, that clay and gravel be substituted for planks on the Tua Manna bridge. A petition was handed in rrom thirteen ratepayers objecting to tne substitution, on the ground that claying would be detrimental to the safety and lastiiig powers /of the rMr Law said that something must be done at once to the bridge. About ton of the planks were broken at the present time, probably by a tractionengine passing over it. Mr Randall said that if clay were to be put on, the B<?ard would have to consider what class of timber would have to be used. They wanted, to guard against the dry rot. Mr Law said :.n his opinion the clay helped io keep the timber, and made a more lasting job than timber. Mr Seater said from what he could see the bridge would want' a, new decking soon, ft was a well-known. fact that clay kept a bridge longer than boards; but the boards would have to bo sound first. • He had been told that the riniu timber on the bridgte was not sound. , ■ Mr Taylor thought it would add to the strength of the bridge to put planking, and it could be renewed at any time. **' The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. ' TIMBER. The Secretary was authorised, to procure 2000 ft. of heart of black birch from Nees and McLean at 20s per hundred feet. . This timber was partly to'plank the Tua Marina bridge, and to allow of some timber to be on hand when required. ■" WAIRAU FERRY BRIDGE. The Board D.y resolution approved .of the allocation in respect of the proportion of cost to*be borne by the Board. INSPECTION OF ROADS. Ten applications were sent in for the position of road inspector to the Board. The statements of salary required ranged from £120 to £160 per year, and from 8s to 10s per day. After going exhaustively into the qualifications-of the applicants, the Board finally fixed on Mr E. J. Gridley, at 8s 6d per day. TENDERS. Throe tenders were opened for claying Neal's Road, but they were,, all considered too high,, and it was decided to call for further' tenders,- tor be left with the Chairman and Mr Law for consideration.