AWATERE ROAD BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 159, 12 July 1911, Page 3

AWATERE ROAD BOARD.

The Awatere Road Board rrwvfc yesterday, the following members being present; Messrs J. G-. Armstrong (Chitarmian), E. S. Rutherford, C. Ferguson, A. Mcßae, and J. W. Shirtliffie. BIRD POISONING. Mr Ferguson said that th© bird poison this year was not as good &s that used by the Board last year. It was decided to inform Mr Whiteford that the poison was not as efiective this year ias that supplied by him last year. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr D. Scott wroto apologising for his inability to attend the meeting. iLeave of absence was granted. THE BEACH ROAD. The Coast Association wrote asking that the beach i*oad to Kekerangu be continued.

Tho secretary said that there was nothing to b© gained from going on with, this work right away. There was £350 loft, and there wohld be no mane money available until after the next estimates were passed. They had! asked for £1000, in the- hope of getting £500. He wanted manuka., and he proposed to call for tenders for the supplying of manuka. Mr Rutherford1 said that this should bo gone on with right away. The secretary sa^d that as lie proceeded with the work he had to fascine the place the whole wiay, and then ©over it over with earth, and marram grass. Thie Chairman moved that the secretary apply to the owners of Kefcerangu for permission to take manuka off th© station, and if permission is granted that tenders be called' for the delivery of fascines, to be in by next meeting. Mr Rutherford seconded' the motion, which was carried. A FOOTBRIDGE.

Mr R. M. Roberts wrote asking to liave « bridge erected over the Needles Creek, as it was impossible for the children to cross this when it was flooded. x The Seoretairy said he bad suggested! that some planks be placed across this stream, which he thought would meet tho requirements. He pointed out that a bridge would cost about £30, and, as the creek changed its course, occasionally it would ,be inadvisable to construct a bridge over it. The Chairman said1 he had not much fttitb, in the plank proposal, as the least flood in the oreek would-sweep ■it away. j The Secretary said that if they put two planks down on a trestle about two feet high it would meet the cas©. If he had to send <a man to look after the plank after each flood it would be better to build a bridge. The Chairman disked if «. cheaper bridge than a suspension bridge could nofcvbe built.

The Secretary said that if he had something in the nature of a light pile-driver he could overcome th© difficulty, as he would be able to drive down some piles in cases of this kind, and make a suitable footbridge. Mr Ferguson asked what the cost of a small pile-driving apparatus would be.

The Secretary said he could notsay. Mr Ferguson moved, and Ma* Meß&ie seconded, that the secretary interview Mr Roberts and th© other settlers at' Needles Creek on this subject, and 16----port to nest meeting.—Carried. ROAD FORMATION. I Tho settlers iat the Uire. Raver wrote asking to have the road in thoir part of the district formed.. They pointed; out that a sum of money had been sot asidie for. this purpose. . . i The 'Secretary said that no money had1 been set iaside for this purpose. I Mr Rutherford thought that some-! thing should bo done to this road1. I The 'Chairman said hie was undor | the impression that something had been dbne to this roud before. The Secretary said this wias not so. Mr Ferguson suggested that the fitecret&ry be instructed to report ori this application to the next meeting of the Board. * . The Secretary said he-would be able te shift one plant down there alter , seme of the work in hand was completed. The Chairman moved that the secretary be authorised to do the work when isho teams were available. The Secretary said it was only fair that some of the money <lerived* from the property in this district should be spent on this road. Mr Rutherford seconded the motion. He thought it would not cost a great deal to metal 20 chains of this road. Tbjo motion was carried. THE OPAWA BRIDGE. The secretary of the Spring Creek Road: Board wrote asking the Boaud to appoint a delegate to join a depu™o? to wait upon the Minister for' Public Works to ask him for a £ ior£ subsidy for ia traffic bridge over the Opawa River at the northern end of (xiwo Road, Blenheim. The Chairman moved that the Spring Creek Road Board be informed that this Board' could' not send1 a delegate to Wellington, as it was not interested in the proposed bridge. < Mr Moßae seconded the motion, wruon was.carried.

RESERVES SURRENDERED. The chairman moved that the secretary be empowered to surrender tdie Crown reserves at Ward held by the Board providing he could get tiie Land Board to load the land with the value of the improvements. Mr Rutherford seconded the motion, which was carried CORONATION SUBSIDY. The secretary to the Treasury advised the Board that the Coronation subsidy of £75 for a public library tor Seddon had been provisionally approved.

It .was explained that at the last meeting a motion was passed that the money be applied for subject to the approval of the absent members. Mr Ferguson moved, and the chairman seconded, that this be approved.—Carried.

The chairman moved that the money be used for the erection of a public library at Seddon, and a subcommittee consisting of Messrs Ferguson, Shirtliffe, the chairman, and the secretary be set up to approve of a,site. Mr Shirtliffe seconded the motion. —Carried. LOCAL BODIES' CONFERENCE. Tho Counties Association asked the Board to give an expression of opinion on the proposal to hold a Local Bodies' Conference during the coming session of Parliament. The chairman said he thought it was the wrong time' of the .year to hold a conference. . Mr Ferguson said that reform in I local government was badiy needed, ( hut no Local Government Bill would ;be rV-i(-. v.-{!> thin .'.-e^'Mi.. i The c-I:;Lirn:au moved, u,id ~2,±r Fer-

' <mson seconded, that the secretary J 1 advise the Association that this i Board would not be represented at j the conference. —Carried. f ! . TENDERS. i Tho following tenders were accepted : Contract No. 4, A. T. Clemett; i contract No. 3, G. Adams; contract i No. 2, C. Co&tello; Upton Downs • contract-, W. H. Crafar. j The tender of Mr Farnell for the j erection of a roadman's cottage at j Castle Creek was accepted/ The price quoted was £212. FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £497 15s Id were passed for payment. METALLING. It was decided to call tenders for metalling Deadman's Hill, the Hog Swamp road, and Do.wd?s cutting. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The following report was submitted by the inspector, and approved:— . "Upper Awatere District.—l paid a visit to the Medway Doad during the month, and found it in very fair repair. The road contractor has cleared the slips oil it, and repaired the worst places in the road. I have shifted Mm on to the main road, as this road requires repairing. Several slips have taken place at Woodman's Bend, but not sufficient (to cause the stoppage of traffic. I propose putting a man in the Taylor Pass for the winter to maintain this part of the road, as the water-tables

require "attention. Lower Awatere District. —The grader and men have finished the re~ pairs required on the Upper Blind iliver roads, including the stopbank which was. passed to be done at last meeting. Mr Bursill has had the bank continued for some distance f through his property. The work done, I think, will prove a great benefit to the road as well as to Mr Bursill. The road gang are now in the lower Blind River district trimming up the roads. I have started the other grader in the Richmond Brook district to effect repairs in the road to Upton Downs. Fhixbourne District.—The roads from Ward to the Ure River are getting very much cut up with the extra heavy traffic caused by the materials being carted for the building of. the railway, more particular-1 'ly fr'ojn the* tfae River to tho top of Tar-barrel Hill., ' I have, had ' two teams filling up ruts last month.' •Tho whole length of' road Requires to be gravelled with a very thick coat to hold, the traffic -up. I would suggest that, a& the damage is being: caused very largely by the Public Works Department, the Government be asked for a £ for £ subsidy to-, i\\ ards putting the road ,in repair. The contractor for painting the Clarence Bridge is making good progress with the work, having put one coat of paint on the bridge and a •roat of tar on the cylinders. A good, deal of repairs are required to the decking and crossbeams. I have to recommend that . the contractor be paid a progress payment of £50 on work done. I have also to recommend that about a mil©- of. gravelling be done on the road at^ Deadman's Hillj this road being very much cut up with traffic, and in o,\ bad state." /

The chairman said that the Board should ask for a straight-out grant from the Government for this road. The secretary' said' that' Mr Sluwp r would not support a grant, but he would favor a £ for £ subsidy. The chairman said that the best plan would be to have a talk witihi the Minister before the session open- f cd. He moved that the Minister, be written to, pointing out the damage done t6 the mad by his Department's workmen, and that he be asked for assistance for repairing it.

Mr Shirtlifre seconded the motion, which, was carried.

The Board tihen rose.