MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 87, 1 July 1879, Page 2

MANAWATU HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Thursday, June 2(5. The Board met at 11.45. Present — Messrs Dalrympie (Chairman), M'Konzie, Bl'Pherson, Farmer, Kockel, and M'Ewen. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmedDEPUTATIONS. Messrs M'Neil, Dun -an, Linton, and Leary, waited on the Board as a deputation from the inhabitants of Palmerston, to ask the assistance of the Board to provide funds for f nrther improvement of the Palmerston Cemetery. The deputation asked that the Fitzhorbert, Taonui, and Stoney Creek Wards would assist, as the Cemetery was the only one for those Wards, as well as for the town. — Mr M'Ewen thought the Board had not the power.— The deputation stated that a debt was owing on the Cemetery, which the town would remove. The Committee wanted the Board to assist for further improvements. — Mr Rockel thought the expenditure asked for would be illegal. — This appeared to be the general feeling of the Board, and the deputation withdrew. Messrs Eagle-; and Ooombe attended as a deputation from Fitzherbe.*t settlers, and asked that a bridle track recently made might be converted into a curt road. The deputation complained bitterly of the treatment Fitzherbert had received in the matter of roads. — Tlie Chairman said the work asked for would cost £1000.— Mr M'Ewen said the road should be regarded as a County load. — The Chairman thought a deputation should be sent to the County Council regarding the matter. — Mr Engles agreed to this, ou condition that tlie Board joined in the deputation. He also complained that the rates were not properly collected for land, and thus there was very little money to spend in the district of Fitzherbert. — Mr M'Ewen said it had been found impossible to find out who were owners of the Fitzherbart Lind. The deputation then withdraw. Mr O Symon_ attended to bring* before the Board the state of the culvert on No. 2 line of road at Foxton, as he was suffering through the overflow. Ho thought he was imposed upon by his neighbours. — The Engineer was instructed to report fully at next meeting upon the matter. Mr Fry attended regarding certain moneys due to him for timber felling upon road lines. It appeared an error had been made in laying out a line of road, and Mr Fry had felled some bush upon the wrong line. The feeling of the Board was that Mr Fry should apply to the Government for compensation, as their engineer was responsible for the mistake. — Mr Fry expressed himself dissatisfied with the decision of the Board, as its Clerk had sent a letter to him., giving him authority to fell the bush. He threatened legal proceedings. financial. Ths Chairman reported that the overdraft at the Bank was £468 9s . ADVERTISING-. Several letters were read from the proprietors of the Manawatu Herald, asking for a share in the advertising of the Board. Mr McEwen moved that the letters he laid on the table. Mr M'Kenzie seconded. Messrs Rockel, Farmer, and M'Pherson protested against the attempt to shelve the question . Mr -J'Ewiiii thought a special meeting should be called to consider the question. The Chairman supported this idea. Mr Rockel understood that Mr M'Ewen i was speaking s ircaatically. He moved that the matter be discussed at once. Seconded by Mr M'Phersou a:id carried. The Board then adjourned for one hour. On resuming, The Chairman explained a resolution had been come to some mouths ago, to tho effect that each Warden should look after the advertising in his own Ward. Mr Rockel thought the object of the Board should be to advertise so aa to give the fullest possible publicity to its notices. At one time there wero only one or two pipers in tha district, and tliey were of course confined to them. But since then, the Herald had sprung into existence and had gained in his district a large tionMr M'Pherson said that some time ago several contractors had complained to him of the tender advertisements not being inserted in the Manaw vto Herald. Mr Rockel said he desired in future all Carnarvon notices to appear in ihe Herald. Mr Farmer expressed tho same wish for all Sanson notices. COIUIBSFOHDEN-E. Letter read from the Board's Auditor, asking for £1 Is, for expenses. Roquest refused. Latter read from the County Council, complaining of tho bad valuation under the Board, and of the effect upon its fund*?.— The Chairman expressed tho opinion that the letter was uncalled for. — Mr M'Ewen thought nothing tangible had been laid before the Board. Both the Board and tlie Council wore " humbugs."— The letter was laid on the table. i From same, stating that £200 was voted for Fagan'a line, and £50 for Whale line. Received. From Manchester Highways Board, st&ting that the road along tho railway line was impassable. The Engineer was instructed to deal with tho matter.— lt was stated that the Board had a " set-off" of a precisely similar character aga-n.se tho Mant* Chester Board From Mr Blimdon, asking permission to erect a gate on a road in the Douglas Block. Ordered to stand over for one month. From settlers on Penny's line, Carnarvon, asking what had been done to improve the road. — Mr Rockel said it was necessary to do this road at once.— Mr M'Ewen expressed his determination to oppose every item for roads, unless the Ward had the cash. Left over. From several persons asking for refund of money for bush felled on road lines. Requests granted. From J. T. Stewart, re bridge oyer Man gaone Creek, and asking for a tracing of road. Ordered to be foi warded. From F. Boys, Bunnythorpe, asking the Board to form road. The Engineer was instructed to report on the matter. From Mr Phynn, offering to clear 7 chains of road, for £1 3s per chain. Offer accepted. From Messrs Swainson and Lethbridge, asking the Board to improve the Manawatu i portion of th. road between Feilding and Halcombe. The Board gave the Engineer power to repair the road. From P. Neylon and JI. *«uerin, complaining of the action of Mr C. Syraons and others, in turning cattle loose upon the road, and thus destroying tho ditches. The Warden was requested to refer the Foxton constable to the matter. TENPBR3 ACCEPTED. The following tenders were accepted : — Frecklington's line of road, 25s per chain, W. & T. Frecklir.gton ; Whale line of road, 4s per ohain, Alexander Nelson ; Campion's

lino — No c igible tender was received, and it was resolved to call for fresh tenders. Roberts' line — All tenders were too high, and it was resolved to call for fresh tenders. FINANCIAL POSITION. In accordance with a resolution of the previous meeting, the following balancesheet for the different Wards was presented by the C'erk :— No. 1 Ward— Pandon. Estimated rates for the year. £440 ; credit balance, £203 lGs Bd. No. 2 Ward — Carnarvon. Estimated rates, £550 ; debit balance, 4-1176 lis 9d. No. 3 Ward— Foxton. E-stimated rates, £•250 5 credit balance, £12C 19s Id. No. 4 Ward— Karere. Estimated rales, £150 ; credit balance, £109 5s 7d. No. 5 Ward— Stoney Creek. Estimated rates, £100 ; debit balance, £112 Is 6d. No. 6 Ward— Fitzherbert. Estimated rates, £300 ; credit balance, £209 17s 7d. No. 7 Ward— Kiwitea. Estimated rates, £300 } credit balance, £'295 Us Bd. CLEARING CREEKS. Mr M'Ewen moved a resolution to the effect that the Chairman urge tha Minister of Public Works to have inserted in the Drama c Act a clause compelling settlers to clear out any natural watercourse or creek tbat may run through their property, where any damage is done, or likely to be done to road lines, or failing to do so, the County Council or Highways Board to have power to do same at settlers' expense. Seconded by Mr Rockel, and carried. SANDON RAILWAY. Mr Farmer piopoaed, " That the Engineer be allowed to undertake to prepare plans and specifications, and lay out the work for the Foxton Sanson railway, pro- | vided it does not interfere with his duties." i Mr Rockel thought the proposal a fair I one. ■ Mr M'Ewen desired the resolution to ! appear distinat as to whit Mr Hayns could j do. j The resolution was seconded by Mr I M'Pherson, and carried. j Mr Farmer proposed, That the consent of this Board be given to the Foxton Sanson ; Railway Company to construct a railway, | and erect goods sheds aud stations on the ; back-street and town boit of Sanson, situj ated on the south side of said township. I Seconded by Mr M'Pherson. j Mr M'Kenzie said the Board had no j right to give such consent, as it was ft pub« | lie road, and not a town belt. He anticipated trouble regarding the matter. The resolution was carried. ACCOUNT?. A number of accounts were passed, amounting to £426 7s 7d. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr Rockel'gave notice of motion for next meeting, ''That owing to the unequal representation upon the Board, steps be taken to readjust the representation upon a fair basis of rates.'' NEXT MEETING. The next meeting of the Board was fixed for Thursday, July 31.