PORTOBELLO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2617, 11 May 1904, Page 45

PORTOBELLO.

May 4. — The ordinary meeting of the Koad Board, held on Saturday was attended by Messrs W. Dickpon (chairman), Wright, Bacon, Xorth. and Seaton. The inspector's report wa,s i-ead and adopted, with slight alteration. With regard to Mr George&on's request that the board form part of the road leading to his property in Helensburgh township, the inspector was instructed to lay off the road and call for tenders at next meeting. The inspector was authorised, in compliance with a reque-st from Mr G. Forsyth, to have the road leading to the creamery at Wickliff Bay widened ns soon as convenient. Messrs S. Forsyth and Harwood's> tender for metal on the Papanui District road, and Mr J. Sohoolan's tender for breakiug spawls in North-East Harbour were accepted. An extension of one month was granted Messrs Forsyth and Harwood on their contracts not completed. A complaint from Messrs Coughian and Handy that motor bicycles running on the Lower Main load was dangerous to tiaffic was considered, and it was lesolved to consult the board's solicitor, and ascertain if motor bicyles come under the board's by-law. A letter from the head of the department that all slaughtering licenses in the board's district must be p?id before the 30th June next was received and accounts were passed for payment. At the conclusion of the ordinary business the chairman vacted the chair, and intimated that he had determined to retire from the Road Board work. He thanked the members for the way in which they had assisted him in carrying out his duty as chairman, and stated that he had eerved the district on the board for the last 30 years as a member without a break, and during half of that time he had acted as chairman. He concluded by expressing a hope that the board would get a better man for the position. On the motion of Mr Seaton, seconded by Mr Bacon, it was unanimously resolved that a mimifce be recorded in regard to the able and impartial manner in which Mr W. Dickson, as & member and as chairman of the board, ha-d carried out his duties during his long term of office, and expressing the hops that he would pgain, when recruited, take an active part in the work of the board.

It is notified that Mr John Grant has been authorised to collect the £1 per member guarantee towards the Taieri branch of the New Zealand. Farmers' Union Veterinary Fund, and that all fees for visits or advice by Mr Johnston are also payable to Mr Grant, who has been appointed secretary" and treasurer.

Some Patea residents are interesting themselves in the matter of prospecting for coal near Kakaramea, where there is a big outcrop of lignite.