OPOTIKI ROAD BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9183, 12 October 1888, Page 6

OPOTIKI ROAD BOARD.

The general monthly meeting was held on October 4. Present: Messrs. S. Moody (chairman), A. Hedley, D. Smith, F. Chapman, and Thos. Dawson. Replies to last month's correspondence were read, discussed, and approved. Bad Roaps.—The clerk reported upon the state of Messrs. Ronald's and Steele's road that there are several bad holes which require tilling with metal, also the water requires letting off from the wheel ruts. Mr. Arthur Parkinson appeared in person, and asked the Board to nave a small piece of road made up the first gully beyond Mr. Bianovitch's farm, and stating that Messrs. Maxwell and Drivin would do one-half of the work if the Board would do the other; that the whole length to be formed by the Board would be very little over two chains. Considerable discussion ensued; finally, it was resolved that Mr. Litchfield proceed and inspect the work, and if it be of no great magnitude, to put the surface man on to do it, and if otherwise, to prepare specifications and call for tenders returnable at the next monthly meeting. Proposed Road.—The clerk reported the result of his re-inspection of the proposed road at Tirohanga Bluff, that it had been discovered that one of the grading pegs trenched upon Mr. Hedley's property, and that it had therefore been found necessary to remove it, and alter the line of road so much as to necessitate two small block cuttings, which would materially increase the cost of the work, and that on these grounds he had not received any of the tenders. Resolved, " That fresh tenders be called for. and that a special meeting be held this clay week to receive the same." River Embankment.—The clerk reported that the Otara River embankment, Ronald's road, Herlihy's road, and the Otara and Waioeka cross roads require the immediate attention of the surfacemen. Correspondence.—A letter was received from Mr. R. Talbot informing the Board that his contract for keeping the cliff cutting in repair has now terminated, and offering to renew the contract for another year on the same terms. The question of reducing the grade on this cutting was discussed at length. An application was received from Mr. Alexander Gordon asking permission to close a piece of blind road terminating at the Otara River encroachment. Resolved, "That permission be granted subject to the usual conditions as to gate, with the words public road painted on it." An ! application was received from Mr. D.Harvey | asking the Board to improve a portion of the j track leading to his deferred payment I section. A Treasury voucher was received, notifying the Board that £11 5s lid has been remitted from that department, being the j balance due for subsidy under the Local j Bodies Finance and Powers Act for the last , year. A letter was received from the Crown j Lands Office stating that the amount re- • mitted for deferred payment thirds was tIOS 10s (id, not £113 lUs (id. A letter was received from the Assistant-Surveyor General replying to the Board's letter re obtaining a. grant ot a road-line through the Opake Maori reserve to Mr. Gaskill's farm, stating that after considering the correspondence between the Board and tne Native Minister upon the subject, which had been forwarded for his perusal, he regretted to be unable to assist the Board in the matter. The clerk reported the result of his inspection of 40 chains of road on the east bank of the Waiotahi River ; also, of his interview with the Native Minister to grant a road - line through | the native reserve, on condition of getting ' the work themselves for the sum of £50 ; and that certain other roads, the necessity for which would be obviated by , the opening of the new road, be closed. ; Mr. Dawson proposed, Mr. Healey seconded, j " That all rates due to the end of last rating j year be sued for at once without further notice." Mr. Chapman moved as an amendment, " That a final notice be forwarded, giving the defaulters one week's grace, after which summonses be issued with it further notice." Seconded by Mr. smith. The amendment was carried by 3to 2. The following accounts were received :— R. Talbot. Beach Road cutting, £2; C. D. Litchfield (three trips to Waiotahi), 4.1 103; R. O. Clark, drain pipes, £21 13s 4d; Wilsons and Horton, rate-books, £1 Is fid; R. Wright, freight on pipes, £9 7s (id ; H. W. Parkinson, Tarawa Bridge contract, £52 15s; 11. W. Parkinson, refund of deposit, ':2 12s; C. Hennessey, superintendent surface work, £6 3s fid : total, £97 2s lOd. Resolved, " That these accounts be passed for payment."—[Own Correspondent^