PELORUS ROAD BOARD

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 22, Issue 29, 14 April 1911, Page 4

PELORUS ROAD BOARD

WEDNESDAY 12th APRIL. Present:—Messrs J. Fulton, W. P. Simmonds, C. Nees, R. P. Crispin, and C. Leov. The secretary stated that the Board’s debit balance amounted to £526 4s 3d; and accounts totalling £4OO were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. From Agricultural Department, forwarding certificate of transfer of H. L. Elliott’s slaughterhouse license to F. B. O’Sullivan, and stating that it would remain in force until 30th June.— Received. From the Tourists Department, directing attention to the fact that tourists and others are inconvenienced by the absence of finger-posts where roads diverge, and suggesting that the Board make provision in this direction,—On Mr Leov’s proposition it was decided that finger-posts be erected .where necessary. Mr C, Jones notified that he had sold to Mr W. Gardiner certain land in the Rai, and asked that the rate-roll be altered accordingly,—Attended to. From the Valuer-General, forwarding an amended statement regarding the land leased by Mr C. J. Fulton from Mrs Gregg, Mahakipawa. This showed the area to be 138 3k. 20p., the capital value £1509, the unimproved value £925, and the value of improvements /584.—Received. From John Duncan, M.P., stating that he had leased portions of his land to Messrs Barker, Murphy, and McCallum, and asking that the rate-roll be amended accordingly.—To be attended to. From L. Booker, Onamalutu, notifying that he did not now lease the land in the Rai, in respect of which rates amounting to £3 14s 6d had accrued. — It was shown that the land reverted to the Crown at the termination of Booker’s lease, and was subsequently taken up by Mr Wiffen, who could not be held responsible. A similar position was shown with regard to Mr N. Siraonsen, on account of Maori land, and it was resolved, on Mr Nees’ proposition, to forego both amounts.

From Town Clerk, Blenheim, asking what amount the Board received for the sale of alcoholic liquors for the year ended 31st March last.—lnformation supplied—namely, £SO. From W. T. Churchward, solicitor, asking if the Board had consented to the application, on behalf of Messrs Humphries Brothers, for permission to carry a tramway across the tracks at Deep Creek. —To be advised that the Board had granted the permission asked, subject to inspector’s approval. From the Picton Road Board, asking when the conference between the inspectors of the two Boards, in connection with certain works in the Waikakaho, could be arranged. —The inspector ■ reported that he had visited the locality with the Picton Board’s inspector, and stated that he understood that the objection to the proposed road had been withdrawn. With regard to repairing the bridge he reported it would be necessary to either re-deck the bridge, or place a false decking over the existing, deck. From Mrs Key worth, VVhatanihi, asking, on behalf of settlers, that certain repairs be attended to on the track between Black Point and Kaiuma.—The inspector reported that these matters had been attended to. GENERAL. The question of payment of expenses in connection with the recent Bridge Commission occupied some time. The account from the Board’s solicitor, Mr Hayes, totalled £4O 6s 3d. A list of about twenty witnesses was read out, and the secretary was instructed to write to each, asking them to specify their claim against the Board. It was decided to place on record the Board’s appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Hayes.

Mr A. Rush waited on the Board with reference to the swing bridge at Canvastown. He stated that in its present state it was very dangerous, and he asked that the Board replace it by a new bridge; or, if they could not do this, that they pull down the old bridge. As an alternative, he asked that foot-bridges be placed across the small creeks on the road on the west side of the Wakarnarina, to enable the children to get to school. —It was pointed out that the bridge was a private one, and outside the jurisdiction of the Board.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Mr Nees, seconded by Mr Simmonds, that footbridges be erected where needed.—With .regard to the bridge, it was decided that as it was a private bridge the Board could not interfere with it.

The secretary was instructed to notify Mr J. J. McKenzie that he must use wide tyres on his waggon or cease from using the Board’s roads.

With respect to some blue-gum trees cut down by Mr Cullen, at Mahakipawa, and placed on the beach, it was decided to ask Mr Cu’len to remove them, as they would interfere with the construction of the sea-wall.

Regarding Mr A. Turner’s application for the draining and formation of a road to his property, Mr Leov suggested that the Board pay half the cost, estimated at about £8. —It was resolved that the inspector and Mr Leov inspect the locality and decide as to what was best to be done.

The inspector reported having visited the scene of the trouble on Mr McOallum’s property, and found that though some improvements had been effected they were not sufficient to avert further trouble with the road. As to the divers ion ot the road, that was a big matter, and he could not recommend it being done at present. He had asked Mr Thompson to do some repair work on the present road. Dealing with the question of financing the cost of the Wairau Bridge, Mr Crispin moved that the local bodies who have to contribute be approached on the subject of raising a joint loan to cover the cost. In his opinion this would be far preferable to each body raising a separate loan.—The proposition was favourably received by the members, and on being seconded by Mr Nees, was carried.

On Mr Nees’ suggestion, six chains of metal are to be done on Mr Gardiner’s road leading to the Maungatapu, the metal to be taken from the river near Nees and xWcLean’s old mill. Mr Leov said Mr Cooper wanted the river road at this locality improved, having offered to assist in the work, and it was resolved that the inspector and Mr Leov arrange to have both works done, as the river road has to be done in order to get the raetal out. Mr Nees referred to an offer of a team for work in the Wakamarina, and sug-

gested that in view of the high price of chaff an increase of 10 per cent, be made in the payments to teams.—The secretary stated th£t a Government grant was available for metalling in the Wakamarina, and Mr Leov said it was better to pay an extra shilling a day and have the work done than have no work done. —Finally it was decided that the following priced be paid during the pleasure of the Board One-horse team, 13s per day; two-horse team, 16s; three-horse team, 20s, Ahb election. The election for vacancies in the Pelorns, Kaituna, and Mahakipawa was fixed to take place on Saturday. 6th May, the polling places to be as follow: —Oarluke, Flat Creek, Canvastown, Deep Creek, Havelock,/Havelock Okaramio, and Mahakipawa. THANKS The chairman, Mr Fulton, said that as this was the end of his present occupancy of the chair he wished to thank the members for their assistance during the year. It had been a pleasure to him, thanks to their cooperation. And he also wished to thank the secretary, Mr Matthews, without whose help he could not have carried out the duties as well as he had done.