PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15939, 5 December 1913, Page 8

PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

Tho montldy meeting of tho Portobello Road Board was held yesterday, and was attended by Mos6ts J. M. Dickson (chairman), H. V. Fulton, J. H. Soaton, A. Johnston, W. B. Tavernor, H. Allan, D. Seatou,.J. Bacon, and S. Hink!e.y. COHBESPOXDEJJCE. Messrs N. and E. S. Paterson write stating that tho roads in Margate Township had been formed in accordance with tho board's requirements, and forwarded a plan of the subdivision for the board's approval. —A considerable amount of discussion took place regarding tho metalling of these streets, several members suggesting that if metalling were insisted upon it would hinder settlement very considerably.—Mr Tavernor remarked that vendors should be compelled to pay all expenses in connection with tho disposal of their land for township purposes.—Mr Allan mOved that Mcssiis Paterson be notified that these - roads roust bo metalled for a width of 10ft, to the eatisfac-, tion of tho inspector.—Carried

Mr Pearce, clerk of the Bay Town Board, wrote iii reply to the deputation to the board on December 1, in ro Anderson Bay ' bridge, stating that tho Bay Town Board l had decided to adhere to tho report of tho commission and to pay 10 ,por cent, of the cost of a new bridge, or a similar propor- , lion of the cost of repairing the old bridge. The Portobello Road Board was again requested to consider tho advisability of sanctioning tho proposed deviation of tho Main road as suggested by the Bay Town Board, entailing an extra distance of about 10 chains around tho inlet, and thus forming a permanent road.—Messrs Tavernerand Johnstone reported having waited upon tho Bay Town Board as a deputation with reference to tho Anderson Bay bridge, and suggested the alternative of a culvcrt instead of erecting a new bridge—The Chairman remarked that, in view of the opposition raised in various quarters, tho board would have to go on with the erection of a new bridge.—Tho board defined to discuss the deviation proposal, and proceeded to discuss ways and moans of raising a loan and providing a sinking fund. T'hc cost to the Portobello Road Board would bo £500, and a similar amount would be levied upon the other contributing bodies to cover tho cost of its erection.—Mr Taverner moved— "That the board resolve to erect a new bridge at Anderson Bay, as per tho commissioner's report, and that tho sanction of the ratepayers ba obtained for tho raising of a loan of not more than £500."—Carried. Mr J. McEnnis, District Engineer, wrote requesting the board not to'blincl any metal provided by a Government grant until it had been passed by a Government inspector. Failing that precaution, the payment of claims might be disallowed.—Received. Tlie Public Works Department forwarded a Gazette notice stating that the Beaconsfield road, Portobello, had been exempted from the provisions of section 117 of "The Public Works Act, 1803."—Received. Mrs M. A. Wilson wrote complaining about the watertablc and culvert near her residence, suggesting that they were too small to carry away the water that flowed down tho road, and asked tho board to remedy the defect—Referred to inspector. INSPECTOR'S BErOBT. The Inspoctor (Mr W. Roy) reported that continual wet weather had seriously interfered with the work of laying down metal in the North-East Harbour subdivision during the past month. The landslip opposite the Cove had been removed, and the road widened about 3ft or 4ft at the narrowest part, thereby straightening the road a goad deal at that point, and the road near Lewis's had been repaired, in addition to general surfacing work. In tho Broad Bay subdivision work had been bumpered thtough one of tho surfacemen getting a finger crushed. Metal had been broken and spread near Grassy Point, and the road leading to Souness's had been attended to. A 2ft pipe culvert had been laid at Broad Bay School, and would bo completed when circumstances .permitted. Mr R. Seaton had completed the filling in of tho slip near Broad Bay hill, but further slips were taking place, necessitating the laying down of a footing of largo stones. Portobello subdivision : Culverts had been repaired and water channels cleaned out on the west side oi Dickson's Hill, and portions of slips had been removed from the Be-r.ch road, and stono had been taken from Mr Win. Dickson's property to repair tho lower end of Lewis's road. The board had previously authorised the metalling of eight chains of this road, but Me«st« Dickson and Lewis desired the board to consider tho advisability of reducing the grade on the hill before'laying down the metal. The inspector estimated that a couple of days' work with plough and scoop would suffice. Fifty yards of metal had been carted from tho quarry , at Tapanui Jnlot, and portion of it spread on M'Calie's road. The balance of the 100 s yards authorised would be spread from Mr , W. Brunton's property to the quarry, ujid , would bo completed within a few days; like- . wise the metalling of the track over the largo slips at Macandrews. A quantity of , metal was about ready for laying near Gill's . property on tho Beach road, and 50 yards . would be needed for the road leading thenco : towards Portobello. The road near Mr . Allan' 6at Hooper's Inlet required metalling } for about six chains. The inspector having inspected tho approach to Mrs Tansey's property, !io found that tho track was a private one. Mrs M'Donald's proposed roadline had been inspected, and tho ground would not stand much traffic. Referring to tho frequent requests that eamo before the board to take over new , roads in townships, Mr D; Seaton said the J time had com3 for the board to insist on all i streets being metalled for a width of 12ft | before boing taken over by tie board. lie had only recently found that tho board had the power to adopt that course, and he spoko , strongly against taking over roads in future j before bcin<* metalled bv tho vendors. Mr . Soaton moved to that effect, and Mr Johnston seconded, the motion being carried , unanimously. It was resolved to inform Mrs M'Donald 3 that the board would sanction the formation j of an 18ft road on her subdivision, provided . that it be metalled with rotten rock for a % width of 10ft.—'Tho report was then adopted. GOVEIIN'ME.VT GRANTS Tho Chairman referred to the fact that £200 had* been placed on tho Estimates by 3 the Government as a pound Tor ; pound sub- [ sidy towards the cost of Hooper's Inlet j, road. In that form the grant was of no j use to the board, and tho chairman sug- . geeted that application bo made for a 9 straight-out grant up to £400.—A motion to that effect was carried. j IIOTOH TKAI'FIC. r Several members had been elected on a 3 pledge to keep tho roads closed to motor ! traffic, and as the vote of tho ratepayers 3 had shown that they were in favour of opening the roads to motor vehicles in . future, the members referred to expressed 3 entire agreement with that decision, the, 3 grounds of their past opposition having been' 3 thus entirely removed. Mr Fulton said motor traffic had been approved by a majority, of 140 votes, and 3 suggested that a eomniitteo bo appointed 3 to draw up regulations to control the motor • traffic consistent with public safety. 110 | moved that a committee comprising tho chairman, Mr D. Seaton, and the mover ■ wait upon tho Motor Association for the i purpose of drawing up the necessary regu- |- lations as to speed, ctc., and to report at : next meeting, Mr D Seaton urged that motors should ! have numbors in front as well as in the ■ rear, so that, offenders might be recognised ■ by drivers of vehicles, who were frequently i too busily engaged with tho control of their i horses to notice tho number on'the rear of the car.

Mr Fulton approved of the guggcotion, and tho motion waG carricd.