PELORUS ROAD BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 59, 10 March 1911, Page 6

PELORUS ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Pelorus Board was held on Tuesday, the following members being present:—Messrs J. Fulton (chairman), C. Nees, >W. P. Simmonds, R. P. Crispin/ and i C. Leov. Mr Lambert wrote asking ''to* be' excused irom attending the meeting.^' CORRESPONDENCE. From the Picton Road Board, forwarding the following resolution with regard in the- Waikakaho: — "That our consent to the exchange of roads in the Waikakaho as originally proposed be withdrawn, and we agree to exchange the eastern portion of the Superintendent's Road (reducing it to a chain wide) for the road surveyed round the bank of the creek through section 11, block VI, Cloudy Bay S.D., as shown on plan R, 160." Also, they asked whether the Pelorus Board would consent to their "thirds" from the Waikakaho being expended on this road, and instruct their inspector to consult with. ours over the plans and specifications. In connection with this matter Messrs Weaver, Davies, and Peters waited on the Board with th© suggestion $hat the oltl original road should betaken right across to Penny, and Dwyer's. The funds in hand and the Government grant were not sufficient to make the proposed road, and the settlers wanted to know if the Board would agree to the ex- j penditure, or accrued "thirds" to complete the work. If the original road was taken right into the main road there would be three crossings, which would be expensive for the Boards' to maintain. Instead of starting on the eastern side it was suggested they start in on the western side. There was also a desire on tlie part of some of. the < settlers to exchange their present road for a road up the creek, but the majority of the' settlers object to fcbis—they want io'..keep-as far out of the creek as possible, and the deputation asked, that this be not agreed to before consulting the settlers. There was a Government grant of £100 available, the "thirds' 1 in the hands of the Picton Board were £100, and a simiJar.amount was held by the Pelorus Board.—After the deputation "'had withdrawn, the Board discussed the question, and Mr Crispin moved, and Mr Nees seconded, that the Board agree to the. new arrangement pro-, posed —Carried. It. was also resolved that the Board's consent to the original exchange of roads be withdrawn.—Mr Nees moved, and Mr Crispin seconded, that the available "thirds" be spent as desired by the settlers, and that the Board's inspector assist the Picton Board's inspector in setting out the work.—Carried.

From F. B. O'Sullivan, applying for the transfer of the slaughterhouse license from H. L. t Elliott to applicant.—Approved. From W. T. Erskine, Mahau, inquiring whether the Board had ever passed a resolution declaring, .foxglove to be a noxious l weed.—-To be advised .that no such resolution had been passed. From the Valuation (Department, forwarding particulars of .the rrevised values of property at Mahakipawa owned by Mrs Gregg; these showed a remarkable reduction in the valuation as originally sent. From the Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, in reply to the Board's request that the Department should undertake the erection of the Wairau Bridge, stating that the Minister cannot accede to the request. It was added that, with! regard' to financing the construction of the bridge, the Public -Works Act, 1909. specially provides that the controlling local body may make claims oh contributing bodies from, time tq time as the work proceeds. From the clerk to r the County Council, suggesting that a petition be prepared for signature by local bodies asking the Minister of Public Works to postpone the bringing-in of the Counties Act.—The chairman said that he had replied that as the Board had decided to . oppose the postponement there was no need, to sign the petition. . . ' From the secretary, Dominion Consolidated Development .Company, Wellington, inquiring, —as to fan. Board's intentions regaWmg further improvements to the. road leading from Deep Creek to the Company's claims. —The secretary stated there was a vote of £200 on the Public Works Estimates for improving this road. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Nees, seconded by the chairman, to expend the grant to the best advantage. . ,' From A. Turner, Carluke, com/ plaining of the state of the road leading to his holding.—Resolved that Mr Leov inspect and report. _ The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded a list showing the "thirds," "fourths", and "hades' (timber tithes) amounting to £I°4 19s 9d, available for expenditure by the Board. MAHAKIPAWA MATTERS. Mr Bruce Thompson, Mahakipawa, waited on the Board relative to an old-standing trouble m that district— namely, the diversion of drainage from Mr McCallum s paddocks on to the road. The secretary stated that lie nad gone over to see Mr McCallum about this matter, and found that the work he had done was insufficient to carry away the water. Mr Thompson said that the ditch was now ploughed in and there was no outlet for the water. The chairman said that Mr McCallum was simply playing with the Board. , , , Mr Thompson also suggested that the course of the road be changed, taking it across the creek and comma- out by the old school. All that was wanted was a small bridge and approaches; he would allow the Board to take the timber from his hill free of charge. On the proposition of Mr Nees, seconded by Mr Simmonds, it was resolved that Mr Thompson and the inspector inspect the proposed deviation and report to the-Board. With regard to the water -trouble, . it was resolved to notify Mr McCallum that he must clear out the water-course within seven days fail- ! ing which the mattei-would by»laced in the hands of the Board's solicitor. I Mr W J. Cullen wrote regarding , a aate-post that" had been taken out , atthe foot of the hill near the Mud- , flat 'Bridge,' and asking that a gate j bo erected at the point in the fenc, on his property where the tfoard = enter to procure gravel. .. | On Mr Simmonds' proposition it j was resolved to erect the gate and to replace the gate-post when demanded by Mr Cullen. THE BRIDGE COMMISSION. A notification was received from Mr Short that the Royal commission jxx allocate the cost of construction

of a bridge across the Wairau, at Renwick, had been adjourned till Monday, 3rd April. Mr Short also forwarded a copy ot the tally prepared by the Pelorus Board showing the traffic for two months-ending 31st December, a copy or which, had also, been sent to all local bodies interested. It was decided to. ask for a copy of the tally taken at Condor's. GENERAL. Mr Leov asked whether anything had been done with regard to allowing settlers to occupy the pieces of waste land in the Pelorus and Rai ? The chairman said that the Commissioner of Crown Lands would not accept any respoyisibilty, and if the Board gave permission for settlers to occupy them K>he Board would be responsible should lhe areas be afterwards thrown up. Mr Leov said that the land would soon be taken up if it was available, but unless a man got permission he would not be"inclined to fence it. v

No action was taken. Mr Leov also referred to the question of hawkers, and said the Board should collect licenses from them. Mr Simmonds said the Board should protect local traders. Mr Crispin suggested that the local men and outsiders should all be free, and fight it out amongst themselves. On the chairman's suggestion the matter war. deferred till next meeting. The secretary reported that a waggon with narrow tyres, owned by Mr McKenzie, was carting timber, and that the license on same had not been paid.—lt .was decided that the by-laws be adhered to. Accounts totalling £272 were passed ior payment. '■""■'- Ml-; Crispin inquired as to what was being done regarding the collection of rates from the Marlborough Timber Company's cutting areas in the Opouri Valley, but the secretary stated that no information had yet oome to hand relative to the matter. On the chairman's suggestion it was resolved that the grader be Bent bo repair Cawte's Road at Mahakipawa'.—Guardian.