PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 15

PORTOBELLO ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the PovtobclW Road Board was held on the 30th ult. j; present—Messrs H. V. Fulton (in the chair), A. Johnston, W. B. Taverner, H. Allen., D. D. Seaton, and S. Hinkley. Mr F. J. Williams reported that the road deviation at Hooper’s Inlet hod been completed on September 10. Generally, tha work had been satisfactorily carried out, and at the close of the period of maintenance tha water tables would bo cleaned out and tha work trimmed up by the contractor. A considerable amount of rotten rock was ex> cavatod in the cutting, and 160 loads wera spread on the new formation. A spring had appeared near the head of the cutting, and ho recommended that the road be metalled at this point.—Arrangements for fencing thi.a road wore loft in the hands of the Works Committee. —The engineer’s recommendation in regard to metalling was approved, a contract to be let for the work.

Mr L. 0. Beal reported that the work fit the Anderson Bay bridge- was practically finished, and the contractor had carried it out in a quite satisfactory manner, but ho had retained £3l for maintenance and completion. The road could now safely tie opened for traffic. Mr J. Blair Mason had been over the work with the writer, and the Harbour Board had made a fine strong' job of tho reinforced piles and caps. lie was also making arrangements for the di» trict engineer and Mr M'Curd;6 to inspect the work. Some fine metal, with quarry dust and small rotten rock blinding, could be put on tho road, and would make a still better surface.—Approved; tho Works Committee to report in regard to metai blinding. Messrs Walker and Latham wrote asking the board to do something? in the way of formation in Ryan street, in order to give access to their properties in tho township of Scatoun. —Works Committee to report.

Mr James Auld (Anderson Bay) wrote drawing attention to the bad state of a portion of Dean street, and asking that tho water-tables bo formed and the road metalled. —Works Committee to report. Mr James Grainger (Broad Bay) wrot< complaining of the pea-ride nu.sanoc, which, he stated, was becoming almost unbearable. It was very dangerous to stock, and human beings were also endangered, especially at tho week-ends. Ho asked the board to tuko some action to abate the nuisance.—The statements in the letter were endorsed by several members of the board, and it was agreed to communicate with tho superintendent of police in regard to tho matter. The lion. A. L. Herdman (Minister in chargo of the Discharged Soldiers Information Department) wrote asking tho board to co-opcrato in lending the Government assistance in the matter of providing for discharged and returned solders.—Received. _ The Finance Committee's report, which was presented by Mr Taverner, recommended tho payment of accounts amounting to £428 5s Sd. This left a not debit balance of £672 7s 4d, less the amount of a grant of £l5O which had been applied for. It was also recommended that tho loan account be closed and the balance of £362 transferred to tho general account. —The report was adopted, tho chairman remarking that, during tho coming year, the ratepayers would hava to face a slighly increased rate. It was impossible for the board to carry on as at preeent, and tho Finance Committee could see no other alternative.

The inspector’s report on the progress of work in the various (subdivisions was adopted.—Messrs Johnston and D. Seaton also submitted a verbal report, which expressed satisfaction with the state of tho various works. The former remarked that certain matters would havo_ to stand over until some money was available to go on with them.

Mr Taverner suggested that a floodgate should be put on the lagoon adjoining the Council Chambers, as this would greatly improve tho appearance of the locality.—The Chairman supported the proposal, and the matter was referred to tho Works Committee.

Mr Johnston stated that, in view of tho condition of the boards finances, the services of some of the surfacemen could be dispensed with for a month or two. The roads were in good order at present, and tho men could be taken on again with the approach of the winter season. —Mr Taverner stated that the Finance Committee had this matter under consideration, and it was finally decided that the Works and Finance Committees should confer and report at next meeting.