Parihaka Road Board.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 4, 17 July 1894, Page 2

Parihaka Road Board.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Monday, the 16th instant. Present—Messrs Maxwell (chairman), W. J. Wells, C. Mctlardy, T. W. Corbett, W. E. Wright, and A. Morrison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following correspondence was read:— From Egmont Road Board, re form of rating, suggesting an acreage rate as in the old days, and requesting the Board to bring the matter under the notice of the member for the district. Mr Wells believed in the system because it freed improvements. He had been pressing the question on the attention of our member for the last two years. Mr Corbett thought, in view of the proposed alterations in the law regarding rating, each local body should give its opinion. Resolved that consideration of the matter stand over till the next meeting of the Board. From the proprietor of the Opunake Times, re advertising. Resolved, That all advertisements be inserted in the Opunake Times. From D. T. Leahy, re scrub on the Waiteika Road. Resolved, That he be paid Is per chain for scrubbing, burning, and grassing. From G. W. Gane, asking the Board to state reasons for not replying to his letter requesting the suspension of the ranger- on the Manihi Road, as the native reserve there had not yet been dealt with. The Chairman said that it had been resolved not to agree to the request, as they objeetrd to suspending the ranger from one road and not from others. He was not aware that it was necessary to give any reasons for not replying to letters. Resolved, That Mr Gane's letter lie on the table.

Mr Wright presented a petition from It. Affleck and nine other settlers requesting the Board to take the necessary steps to raise a loan of £QGO to metal the Ihaia Road from the present metal to the northern boundary of fection 4, and to declare all the land bounded on the north by the Forest Reserve, on the east by the Waiau Eiver, on the south by the township of Opnnake, aud on the West by the Namu River, a special rating area for the purpose of the said loan. Mr Wright said he understood that Mr Breach had a petition to present to the Board to declare his property a special area, and he thought that if Mr Breach raised a sufficient sum to metal the road through his property that that was all in fairness that could be expected of him. Mr Breach waited on the Board and stated his objections to the proposed boundaries. H&also called attention to the fact that he would have to pay one-half the interest on the loan, as his property was nearly equal in valuation to all the others; and yet in the proposal they made no provision for metalling that part of the road which he would use from his gate to the town boundary. In the event of the Board striking his property out he was prepared to raise a loan to metal the road up to his northern boundary. The Chairman was of opinion that they could only deal with it as it stood and the proper place to discuss any alterations would be at the meeting to be called to consider the loan proposal. Mr McHardy said that Mr Breach had stated that the proposal omitted the section from his gate to the town, but the reason was that it had already been metalled out of the general rates.

Mr Wells thought that it was their duty to give effect to the wishes of a majority of the ratepayers. If Mr Breach was willing to gravel a portion at his own expense, no doubt the rest of the ratepayers would agree to exclude him, but that must be fought out «t the meeting. The Chairman had no doubt but that they would be able to come to a satisfactory arrangement at the meeting, as there was a proposal to make a tramway, which might do away with the loan. Mr Breach asked what.was the. present position of the two reads given him in lieu of the Ihaia Road. The clerk explaiued that the matter had not been completed owing to neglect on the part of the County Council, but Mr McGloin had undertaken to look the matter up, and he thought something would soon be done. Resolved, That the necessary steps be takeu to raise the loan of £660 for the Ihaia Road. Petitions were received for two loans for the Kahui Road, but were not in form, and it was resolved, That they bo referred back to the petitioners for amendment. All the members expressed themselves in favour of taking steps to raise the loans if the petitions had only been in order. Mr Crisp waited on the Board about a drainage reserve at Pungarehu, and handed in a letter from the Commissioner of Crown Lands stating that the Drainage Reserve had been gazetted, aud that if tho Board were willing to take charge those interested should forward a petition asking it to bo taken over at once. In answer to a question, he said that the settlers could not agree, as they were afraid of the rate for drainage purposes being struck. They, however, would be prepared to assist. He also had to complain of a neighbour having cut a drain across tho road, which turned the water on to his property. Mr McHardy thought that if the water had been divertod and crossed from a road on to Mr Crisp's land, the Board would b-i held responsible, notwithstanding where the water came from in the first in stance.

Resolved, That Mr Oorbett and tie

overseer examine and report to the Board at next meeting. Mr Morrison presented a petition from Charles MoCallum and fourteen others, requesting that either a public pound be erected at Eahotu or tbat the ranger be suspended. The Chairman said that some time ago the Board had been requested to erect a pound, but in order to test the feeling of tbe ratepayers a public meeting had been called, at which a resolution in favour of erecting it had been passed. No action had, however, been taken, owing to the lack of funds. Since then cattle had been impounded, inflicting great hardship on owners, and he thought that, in the interests of all, a pound should be erected. A letter was read from J. Rothery, offering to erect a public pound on section 64, block L, Opunake S.D., provided tbat he be appointed poundkeeper, and allowed to retain the fees. The Chairman thought tbat it would be better if they were to erect the pound on the Board's property. He had an informal offer of £5 a year for it if it were erected. Resolved, That a public pound be erected at Eahotu. Resolved, That Mr Rothery's offer be accepted subject to the condition that his appointment be during the pleasure of tbe Board. Messrs Wright and Morrison were appointed a committee to confer with Mr Rothery as to conditions, &c. Mr Townshend waited on the Board and requested them to fell the bush in front of his section, Kahui Road, so as to enable him to fence, in bis place. Resolved, That the matter stand over till next meeting, as the work is included in the proposed loan. Mr Townshend then requested that be be allowed to put a gate across the track at his boundary, or that the ranger be suspended until the Board felled the bush to enable him to fence.

Eesolved, That whilst sympathising with him, the Board cannot break through its resolutions. Mr Townsheud gave the Board his opinion of their action and retired. Mr Wells called attention to the unsatisfactory state of the Pnniho Road. A culvert was badly needed and a bridle track made so that settlers could get fencing material up. Eesolved, That the engineer inspect the road and report cost of suggested works at next meeting. Mr Corkin waited on the Board to request that the present ranger be dismissed. The Chairman ioformed him that a pound was about to be erected in the township, and then possibly some fresh arrangements would likely be made. Mr Morrison said complaints had been made to him that certain parties were sledging wond on the Ngariki Road and causing great damage to the road. Resolved, That notice be served on Mr Wagstaff, holding him responsible for any damage done by sledging on the Ngariki Road. Resolved, That in future all complaints must be made to the Board in writing. Resolved, That notice be given to Mr "Wagstaff to have ditches which were filled in by his pigs cleared out. Mr Wright called attention to the state of the Te Poko and Cape Roads. Resolved, That the engineer see to it and report at next meeting. The motion of which Mr Morrison had given notice was then tabled but was not carried. Mr Wright moved in accordance with notice, That in all specifications for new work the following clause shall be inserted : (a) " Notwithstanding any clauses in the printed conditions, the Board may appoint a committee to inspect and report on this work before such work is passed, and instruct their engineer accordingly." Messrs Wells and Corbett considered there was ample power granted in the present form of specifications to meet every case, and therefore did not think these motions necessary. Mr Wright said it would give the Board power to go and inspect any work without being, as at present, trespassers.—Motion carried. y Clause (b) and part of (c) were rejected. Clause (c) " In patching contracts the metal shall contain 75 per cent of stone."—Carried.

Clause (d) "No specifications shall be considered complete unless tbey contain a penalty for non-fulfilment witbin the specified time."—Carried. With regard to the motion to regulate wheel traffic, a committee consisting of Messrs Wright, Caddy and Morrison were appointed to draw up a scale of loads and width of tires, with a view to framing bye-laws to regulate the traffic. Such committee to report to next meeting. Mr Corbett dissented, considering that everyone could use the roads as they thought proper. The following accounts were passed for payment: T. Avery, £1 17s 6d ; H. Weston, £i Os 9d ; W. McLachlin, £3 13s ; J. Julian, £1 ; Rothery and Co., 18s G(\ ; D. Herlihv, 10s ; Sullivan and Collins, £0 2s Gd ; D. Wbalev, £1 Is; Chas. McCullum, £ll 9s 7d ; Lawn Bros., £1 15s: Julian, 7s.