Geraldine Road Board.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5031, 12 June 1889, Page 3

Geraldine Road Board.

The usual monthly meeting of the members of the Geraldine Road Board was held on Monday last. Present, Messrs F. R. Flat-man (chairman) W. DeEenzy, A. Grant, J. Kelland and W. U. Slack, TENDERS. The following tenders received were discussed : Contract No. 288 Driving iron piles on the lower side Orari traffic bridge, Fifield Bros. £1610» W. Qaiger, £l6los, P. Billens, £l6 4s (accepted). CORRESPONDENCE. The following correspondence received was read and dealt with : From Mr M. A. Twomey consenting to buy the land on the road purposed to be abolished at Kakahu.—The matter to remain in abeyance for the present. From Mr R, P. Wells, asking tho board to reconsider their decision re removal of gates across the road. He also asked for some ruts in the road to bo filled in with shingle— Mr Shiers to see to same and Mr Slack to bo requested to hang the gates properly. From the Property Tax Commissioner enclosing form of declaration to entitle the board to receive the amount due for the year 1838 89.

From the same, stating that a voucher for £125 had been sent, subsidy Ibe board, under “ Tho Local Bodies Finance and Powers Act, 1885.”

From Mr A. Medcalf, drawing tho board’s attention to a stream of water running round the east end of a bridge near Groundwater’s crossing.—Necessary work to bo done if consent in writing bo obtained by Mr Medcalf from Messrs Weaver, Groundwater and Postlethwaite.

From Mr R, A. Rae. Eangitata, offering to rent shingle reserve 215 for £1 per annum, with the right to cultivate the same.— Accepted. From Mr J. Henderson asking the beard to make tho road passable to his section No. 26797. —Tenders to be called.

From Mr A. Foster, asking for a road to be made between sections No. 30369 and 7291. —Overseer to report.From Messrs C. W. Fisher and Co, Christchurch, (late Ford and Ogdon), manufacturers of drain pipes, &o, asking for support from the board.—To be asked to quote prices. From Mr B. P. Bavtrum, asking the board’s sanction to his ploughing about 13 chains on the road side of his section bounding tho Peel Forest and Hangitata road.— Granted; overseer to approve of work. From Mr A. Palmer, Belfield, asking leave to stack a few loads of stones from his section on a bye road.-—The board cannot accede to the request. Prom tho Steward of Education reserves accepting tho board’s terms for a pieso of land £9, not to exceed 1 J 2 acres, required for deviation of road, lot 3 of reserve No 1210. ACCOUNS. Accounts amounting to £199 18s were passed for payment. WATER RACE CROSSINGS. The chairman spoke of several crossings over the water raeos in the district being needed. It would bo best for the board to be very strict in regard to them, especially as they would be liable for any damages after the expiration of a twelvemonth. It was the county council’s work. The overseer said that concrete crossings would not stand grain cartage and were not the full width of the road.

The chairman stated it would be very unfair, if a rate bad to be struck in one district to pay for damages that had taken place in another part. After some discussion on the matter, it was proposed by Mr Slack, seconded by Mr Do Henzy and carried :—" That notice bo given to the Geraldine Couny Council that proper culverts or fords must be made the full width of the road where the water races cross, or this board will hold the council responsible for any damage which might occur.” The following report by the overseer was read:— OVERS SEE’S REPORT. ,r I have the honor to report for the information of the board as follows : —Owing to the favourable weather the works in hand have made good progress. The undermentioned have been completed and passed for payment this day, No. 2*4.' ford and shingle, Shaw’s road, Jonas Fifield, No 285, do near Findlay’s, Kukahu, M. Lawler, No 286. feed oats, J. Lewis, No 287 ford and cuttings, Hilton road, J. FiGeld, The protective works at Bolflold village settlement, about 50 cha'ns in length on the face of the river terrace, have also been completed during the month in a satisfactory manner. The advertised time having expired it will be necessary to call a public meeting to deal with the roads intended to ho abolished. I have, as instructed offered the land contained in Toomoy’s road to the adjoining owners, their decision will come before the board this day. I have obtained a small quantity of poisoned grain from Mr Brookes of Ashburton a portion has been issued to ratepayers, sufficient time has not expired to learn the result. Two old culverts gave way during the month, one has been repaired and the other replaced by laying pipes instead of timber. I have also had to place several new planks in the Orari traffic bridge as the holes in the dock rendered it dangerous to cross in the dark. As there were many complaints from persons crossing sheep, I also repaired the side and wing rails at the approaches to both bridges, doing as litttle as possible to render them safe. Very little damage has been done to the ro'ids by the grain carting but there are a few places that require a little patching. The men are now at work on Rae’s road which is ono that requires attending to. The time has arrived ,when it would bo desirable to call for tenders for trimming the reserve fences. In ono or two of the plantations I think it would be advisable to move the blighted trees as this would give more room to the healthy ones, which in tlso end would give more timber. The whole of last year’s rates have now been collected with the exception £1 11s 5d the principal part of which is owing by absentees who cannot bo ' got at. As instructed, I applied for rates due on Crown Lands ; also, for subsidy on rates collected. The former have been received and the subsidy may bo expected in a few days.” A meeting of ratepayers to called at 3 p.ur. next board day re closing of roads. , 'i he matter of Tootuey’s road to bo loft in abeyance. . Another bag of poisoned grain to b( t obtained.

Tenders to bo called for trimming tho reserve fences,

INTERVIEWS. Mr W. Patrick had an interview with the board, offering to purchase the land on the road proposed to bo abolished, running through his land at Kakahu, —He was informed of tho decision of tho board, to hold the matter in abeyance. Win. Ford interviewed the board in regard to a road required to enable him to get to his land at Belfield, Orari. He had brought the matter under notice of the board before. As it was, he was entirely shut in. The overseer stated that Mr Postlethwaite, tho late chairman of the board, had seen Mr Sugrue re purchasing part of his land for road purposes, but ho wanted so much for it that negotiations for its purchase fell through. In reply to Mr Slack, Mr Ford stated that his property consisted of 17 acres. The late road had been washed away, but the protective works now erected had stood well and he did not think it likely any road would be now washed away. After some discussion it was resolved—- “ That it be held over till the board sees tho result of the next fresh in the river.” Mr A. McLean and W. Hewson interviewed the board in regard to a creek overflowing into tho latter’s paddock, passing through Mr McLean’s land and scouring the main road for some distance, and would ask that something be done to confine the creek. Resolved —“ That Mr Shiers see what can be done. A letter was read from Mr J. Robinson, asking that tho manuka scrub be cleared off the road in front of his land on tho Fairfield road. Work to bo done. THE GORSE NUISANCE. Mr Slack spoke in regard to the gorse growing on the sides of the roads in the district and asked if anything was being done toward making owners of land abutting on the roods where such gorse is growing, eradicate the same. It was apparent the value of land was deteriorating through it. _ After a long discussion on the question it was Proposed by Mr Grant, and seconded by Mr Kelland - proforma —“ That those ratepayer who are drawn by lot bo served with final notices that unless their gorse is cleared on the roads adjoining their properties within one month from data a summons will be issued against them at next sitting of tho board.” . Lots were then drawn. Out of eighteen names it had been decided to draw ten, who will receive notices in accordance with the resolution just previously parsed, the names being Messrs 3. Bradley, A. Mrcdonald, C. Waller, B. Cochrane, A. Kelman, W. Dcßenzy, J. Buckley, W. Earl, P. McShano, and Mrs Bell. Lots were then drawn for two members of the board to retire by rotation during the year, as provided by the Act, when Messrs A. Kelland and L. Grant were thus decided on. The meeting thus ended.