WAIRAU ROAD BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 84, 10 April 1920, Page 2

WAIRAU ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Waimu Road "Board was held yesterday. There were present-—Messrs 0. G. Teschemaker-Shute (chairman), G. H. Andrew, D. Bishell, It: F. Goulter, G. 11. Broadbridge, and H. Boyce. A letter was received from the lion. W. F. Massey, Minister for Railways, enclosing a copy of a letter he' had sent to th p Invercqxgill Borough Council, with regard to the t>uestion of providing safeguards at level crossings. The "Wairau Board had endorsed the Invercargill resolution on the subject. Mr Massey, in the course of his communication said that already warning posts were erected, and it was through the negligence of the drivers of vehicles that accidents had occurred. In the construction of the lines all obstructions that could possibly be shifted had been removed, so that there would be a good view of the line. The Government was going to instal warning bells at Kome crossings, and as regards ovei'head crossings the Public Works Department would co-operate with local bodies to have these constructed where circumstances made them necessary

In answer to a. request by the Board to. have Morse Street, in the Wairau' Valley township, formed and metalled, for' which work £200 was available, the Public Works Department's assistant-engineer wrote stating that the work would be taken up in about a month's time.

The Board was notified that the Public Works Department had decided to inci-easc the grant for the Fairhall Valley bridge to £680 at £1 for £1.

. The secretary of the Waipa County Council wrote asking the Board's support for the following resolution, which was passed unanimously a.t a meeting held there on February 10th, 1920:— "That this. Council urge tippn the Hon. W. F. Mnssey, Prime Minister, the urgent need of pushing forward a vigorous immigration policy to r/'.eet the very pressing need for more workers in the interests of the Dominion Jndustris and production." It was resolved that this Board endorse the resolution and make representation to the local Member of Parliament juid the Prime Minister upon tho matter. In speaking to the resolution' various members emphasised tho need for increased immigration, and stated that they were wholly in aerord with the movement.

The Board assented to the request of the Borousrh Council to close a portion of a road required for the waterworks scheme, a new road to bo substituted therefor.

Delegates were appointed to a meeting cf local bodies'to tak« place in tho Council Chamber to moke arrangements for the Prince of Wales's visit to Blenheim.

The Wa-irau Valley Settlers' Association wrote asking that the Board have the. stock reserve fenced and subdivided and made available for travelling stock. It was resolved that the secretary advise them that, owing to the exceptionally high price of fencing material, the Board had decided to defer the construction until the price was more reasonable. Notices of sale and transfer as follows wore noted and ordered to bo forwarded to the Valuer-General: — I). Hart: to P. S, Cat-ley; J. G. Wolfersfcnn to I. K. F;tirweather ■ and Wrott to J. J. Costello.

The balance-sheet for the year ending 31st March, lv) 20, was presented at tho meeting, and general satisfaction was expressed 1)7/ tlio' members as to the position* and tho fact that no rates were outstanding.

It was resolved ' that the Public Works Department be asked to have the/ five small bridges in the Wairau Valley district constructed soon, or turn tha contract over to tho Board.

The ann'ial election is to take place in the first- week in May, and Mr E. j. Harvey was appointed the Board';:

rot timing officer. Mr_ J. Anderson's tender of £87 for widening points in the Onamalutu. Pioad was accepted. Tho inspector reported that he. had found it necessary to take soundings lor the Swamp Valloy bridge before preparing plans and specifications. He found that- concrete piers could not be used, so that it would be a pile bridge. The plans which he had submitted to the Public Works Department had been approved, and it hnd approved of tho £l-"> 0 free grant beina; used for tho work. He reported that- the only authorised work which bnd not betn attended to wsy;. •l;e protective work above the Wailiopni Bridge on. the Wairau Valley Rond. ' and this would be proceeded with immediately.

The inspector was instructed to. employ a team for a short time to do ycn\o patch-metalling in the Fairhall division.

It was resolved that the Public Works Department bo advised as to