PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 13

PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

Tho monthly meeting of the Porfcobelio Road Board was held on the 4th inst; prosit —Messrs J. M. Dickson (chairman), Bacon, Fulton, Millar, Macandrew, Seaton, and Bransgrove. Apologies for absence were reoeived from Messrs Johnston and Grainger, CORRESPONDENCE. Tho District Engineer of Public Works (Mr F. W. Furkcrt) wrote stating that the sum of £IOO was available for expenditure upon Portobello road. Tho Secretary of the Harbour Board wrote stating that a royalty of 2d per yard would be paid by the board for all rock taken from Anderson's Bay for reclamation purposes. —Agreed to. A Jotter was received from the Proprietors of the Masonic Hall, terminating the board's tenancy of the room in which the meetings have hitherto been held.—Tho members received tho intimation with evident ple-asure, as it was evidently the outcome of some remarks made by tho board as to tho unsuitability of the room as a place of meeting.—The clerk was instructed to secure a suitable board room forthwith, pending the erection of new offices. E. Deliver wrote asking the board to put some metal on the new road leading to his property at Colinswood. —Referred to the inspector, with power to procure 30 yards of rotten rock for the road. FINANCE. The Chairman reported that tho board was in the happy position of commencing the financial year with a debit balance of only £2O -Several members expres-sed their gratification at the satisfactory state of tho board's finances, which had not been so satisfactory for a long period. andkrson's bat bridge. Tho Chairman reported that the Dunedin City Council delegates had met those of the board in a very reasonable manner, and after a full discussion as to the position an arrangement was arrived at whereby it was agreed that the City Corporation bo recommended to bear half of the cost of repairs up to a sum not exceeding £SOO. - The Chairman said the cost of repairing tho bridge, was estimated at about £IOOO, half of which would devolve U|>on the Portobello Road Board and the Bay Town Board, and the other half upon the City Council, provided the latter body adopted tho recommendations of Crs Fiddis, Wilson, and Hancock, who were appointed to report upon the position. In reply to Mr Macandrew, the Chairman said there was an implied understanding that, the bridge would eventually be taken over by the Bay Town Board. He felt certain that the commissioner would decide in that direction should it become necessary to ask him To adjudicate u|>oii the matter. inspector's report. The Inspector (Mr A. Reynolds) reported at length upon work done in the district during the past month. Tho report also dealt with sources of supply for road metal and prices for which it could be procured in clone proximity to where ir would be required. The estimates provided for 1000 yards of metal, all of which was urgently required for Beach road, the cost to be spread over the next eight months. —After some discussion, members aorreed that the cost would be too great for the whole quantity, and it was decided to obtain 500 yards for immediate requirements. OVERDRAFT. The board decided to arrange with the bank for an overdraft for the ensuintr vear, amount not to exceed £7OO. (AMP ROAD. The Inspector reported that the settlers esin<r Camp road had made an excellent job of re-forming the worst places'for about 20 chains by means of ploughs, and he suggested that £2O be granted for metalling it.—Referred to Messrs Millar and Bacon, with power to act. A DANGEROUS SPOT. Mr Bran-move drew attention to n dangerous approach to a culvert ar Mncandrow's Bay. ITe reported that it had caused several mishaps, and required attention.— Referred to the inspector, with power to act. TOE NEW HALL. The Chairman and Mr Millar were appointed a committee, with power to act.

in the matter of procuring the £4OO authorised for the construction of the new hall. TENDERS Several tenders were received for road improvements at Papanui Inlet and Dick's road. As no authority had been received , for the expenditure of the Government grant allocated for these roads, the board i decided to extend the time for receiving ', tenders, and to retain those received, the ! latter to l>u left unopened until next meeting, on May 2. by which time it is expected that the necessary authority will be forthcoming. RATES. Mr H. V. Fulton gave notice to move at next meeting—'" That a general rate of Id in the pound bo struck for the ensuing year." WANDERING CATTLE. Several members complained of the number of cattle allowed to wander on the roads, and the board decided to appoint a ranger to eoi>e with the nuisance.