OPOTIKI ROAD BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9129, 10 August 1888, Page 6

OPOTIKI ROAD BOARD.

At the general monthly meeting of the Board there were present : Messrs. S. Moody (chairman), T. Dawson, I). Smith, A. Hedley, and F. Chapman. The minutes of the meeting in June were read and confirmed. Replies to last month's correspondence were read, discussed, and approved.

Road Works. — Letter received from Mr. R. Talbot re ateep cutting leading from the beach to liLs farm, and asking for the grade to be reduced. Letter received from Mr. William Kelly, M.H.R., enclosing one from the I'ublic Works Department; also, copy of a letter forwarded to the Board on April 28th re opening up a road through the Opape Reserve, stating that the Government had no power to grant the land free of cost, and could not see its way to bear the cost of granting the roadline. Resolved, " That a reply be sent to Mr. R. Talbot asking him what amount he would be prepared to do the work for, and that the clerk interview him on the ground, and ascertain precisely what is required to be done, and whether his offer is in accordance with estimate. The question of the formation of a road through the Opape f-teserve to facilitate communication with the inland farms on the Waiaua River was discussed at considerable length, the members being generally of opinion that the work would Ik; too costly for the Board to undertake. Resolved, " That the question of obtaining a roadline through the Opape Reserve and all correspondence connected therewith be submitted to Mr. S. P. Smith, Crown Lands Commissioner, and his assistance asked on the matter, with a view to obtaining a grant of land for the purpose of forming the road." The clerk reported upon the state of the bridge at the junction of the roads at the foot of the Tableland Road, between Messrs. Gordon's and Gow's farms, and suggested the strengthening of the bridge by overlapping supplementary puriri piles aiid cross braces. Considerable discussion ensued as regards the strength and safety of this bridge, and the advisability of repairing it or replacing it with pipes. Mr. Hedley proposed, Mr. Chapman seconded, "That the bridge be supported ..nd braced square across, as suggested by the clerk, and that the surfaceman be instructed to do the work under the clerk's superintendence." Mr. Dawson proposed, as an amendmeut, Mr. Smith seconded, That the bridge be entirely removed and replaced with pipes, the work to be done bv the surfaceman." For the amendment, three votes, which was carried. The clerk reported the result of the sub-committee's visit to the proposed swamp formation leading to Messrs. Steele's and Maxwell's deferred payment sections ; also, to the gully crossing known as Kelly's Embankment Contract. The clerk reported that the County Council has decided that upon the acceptance of tenders for the Tarawerawa Creek bridge, the balance of last year's allocation due to the Board will be handed over. Mr. Dawson proposed, Mr. Chapman seconded. " That tenders be at once called for for the erection of the bridge over the Tarawerawa Creek at Waiotahi, in accordance with the plans produced by the clerk, tenders returnable at the next monthly meeting." Carried. Mr. Chapman proposed, Mr. Smith seconded, "That ordinary work to be done by the surfaceman shall be first approved by the Board, and be carried out under the supervision of the secretary, but in case of emergency the chairman aud secretary be empowered to instruct him." Mr. Dawson proposed, as an amendment, Mr. Moody seconded. "That the question of the surface work he allowed to stand as formerly." The amendment was lost, and the original motion carried. Mr. Dawson proposed, Mr. Chapman seconded, " That in pursuance of the notice of motion at the last monthly meeting, and of the public notification following thereon, that a general rate of one halfpenny in the pound upon all ratable property in the Opotiki Road District be now struck and confirmed, and made payable in one instalment at the Board's oilice, Opotiki, on the Ist day of October next." Carried. A discussion ensued re the advisability of metalling the Waioeka and Otara main roads, and other works were discussed and resolved upon. An account was received from Mr. C Hennessey, surfaceman, for £4 19s for June surface work. This account was passed for payment.—[Own Correspondent.]