WAIMEA EOAD BOARD.

Colonist, Volume XX, Issue 2398, 8 June 1878, Page 3

WAIMEA EOAD BOARD.

Tnn Board met on Saturday, June Ist. All the mombers were piesent. After the minutes had been read,

The Overseer made his report, thus :—" The byroad at Stoke is finished ; total cost, exclusive of repairs to bridge, £285. The Swamp road is not quite completed, but have stopped the works lor two or three months, as it will destroy so much, of the trunk line to finish it at present; cost up to now, £305 10a, ; I have put in the bridge at the corner vof tha Appleby road, ordered latt meeting; it has

brick walls with a timber top. Three brick drains have been put on the Moutere hills,, to replace wooden ones decayed. All the drain tiles that were in stock have been used ; an order might be given for 500 more. Minor repairs along the main line in Waimea West have been attended' to, and the same might be said of all the sub-districts. A small dam has been erected by the Wai-iti bridge to turn the river from the western approach; up to the present it has answered well, cost £5. As the time for supplying horses and carts will expire on the 30th instant, fresh tenders should be invited. An application might be made to the Government for permission to remove the timber that the Board had lately supplied to effect temporary repairs to the Wairoa bridge, as the same would be serviceable for tho other largo bridges now placed under the control of the Board. In Dovedale a foot-bridge is much needed at Thorpe ; a cheep suspension bridge might be thrown across, as the site of the old bridge is. favorable for such a structure. The pay-sheet will show an expenditure in the different sub-districts, viz.: Waimea East., £111 15s 6d ; Stoke,£s9 17s 9d; Waimea West, £70 16s; Spring Grove, £22 6s; Wakefield, £66 5s 6d ; Dovedale, £38 45." Resolved, That 500 drain tiles be ordered, and that tenders be invited for supplying horaes and carts ; also, that application be made respecting the bridge timber as recommended. Resolved, That the Surveyor prepare a plan for a bridge at Thorpe as suggested. The Surveyor reported having examined the bridge at Appleby, and ordered some repairs to be at once done, also iuvited tenders for timber for a breakwat.sr, which, in his opinion, would obviate any danger to the eastern approach lately damaged. Resolved, That J. Schwass's tender for supplying piles and Bpars be accepted. The Surveyor also reported having communicated with Messrs Price and Boddington with reference to their tender for a bridge at Bell Grove, and having arranged for the work. A letter from the Secretary of the Motueka Board was read, proposing a meeting of deputations from both Boards to consider the question of gorse hedgeß, and also the draft Bills re Fencing and Sheep.

Resolved, That the Beoretary be informed that this Board will be happy to meet the Motueka Board and confer on the above subjects, and propose Saturday, the 22nd instant, at the Hotel, Upper Moutere.

A letter from the Colonial Treasurer advised the payment to Board's account of £174 18s 2d, being share of County Fund to March 31. , A letter from certain residents in Stanley Brook stated, that they had explored the head of Pigeon Valley, with reference to a proposed road to Stanley Brook, and had cut and pegged a line which would give very favorable gradients. Mr R. Kelliag,, aB a deputation from the above parties, attended and explained the proposed line on a plan prepared by the Surveyor from a reoent surveyResolved, That the Surveyor grade and peg a line in the proposed direction, with such alterations as may bo deemed advisable, and invite tenders for forming a road, the tenders to be opened at a special meeting on the 22nd instant. Resolved, That the requisite notices be given for the election, ou Monday, Ist July.'of members to fill the places of the retiring members. The Treasurer reported the result of his enquiries at the various Banks as to the terms on which they would undertake the Board's business, when it was resolved, That, as the terms offered by the Colonial Bank of New Zealand appear to be the most favorable, the Treasuror he authorised to transfer the Board's account to that Bank.

A memorial was received from land occupiers in Hoult's Valley, requesting assistance in improving the road there, and giving a list of promised subscriptions. Resolved, That the Board contribute £8, provided the applicants can make up £6. Mr J. Win complained of the steepness of some of the cuttings on the road in Dovedale. Resolved, That they be examined by Overseer and Surveyor,, with a view to any possible improvement.

Warrants were signed for £411 2s 3d,

Supplement.—ln our supplement will be found a number of interesting items by the English mail.

A Dangeeous Mine. —It transpired at the City Council meeting last night that very considerable quantities of kerosene and gunpowder were stored in the heart of the town, and the extreme danger that would attend a fire was dilated upon. The proposal to set aside a building for the storage of these dangerous commodities is one that should be aoted upon forthwith, for the responsibility that would attach to someone in the event of half the town being blown up or burned down is so great that few would like to bear it.

Inspection.—Mr Blair, C.E., Engineer-in-Chief for the Middle Island, is now in Nelson on an inspecting tour. Dissolving Views.—The exhibition by Messrs Wilkins and Cowles, at the Temperance Hall, on Thursday evening, of their really splendid views, was well attended, and had it not boen for the inclement, weather would doubtless have attracted more. Those who were present speak in the highest terms of the exhibition, and a hope is expressed that it will be repeated at an early date. Pending the arrival of the Wallace from Wanganui, Messrs Patterson and Co. will hold rather au extensive sale of beef and mutton, at their rooms,'today, at noon, and as it is advertised to behold without reserve* we should recommend those who study household economy to attend. Pbebentation. —On Wednesday evening, at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, a presentation was made by the chairman, Dr. Irvine, of a handsome gold albert chain and locket to Mr H>; Buokeridge, of the firm of Meißrs E. Buxton and Co., and who, for the past ten years has occupied the post of Treasurer to the church. Dr Irvine referred in high terms to the interest in' church affairs which Mr. Buckeridge had always taken, and that gentleman suitably returned thanks. ' . .., ; , ;,

New Keep.—We learn from a private letter thaib a new reef has been discovered, by Mr D.Love and some Maoris in his employ on their own'ground-at Ruakaka, just opposite Dieffenbach Point/two bays further down the Sound than the Point. The reel is well defined, 2ft Bin thick, the stone exactly the same ai that of G-olden Point, giving 26z. to the 'ton. The prospects of quartz reofing in Queen;., Charlotte's Sound appear very promising.— Post, Juue 5.'. :j Faith in New Zealand;— The New Zealdnd Berald, referring to the land revenue of. the present year sayo, " One of the best evidences of the progress of the country is the confidence of the capistalits (and that, too, in the face of a promised and impending land tax), and the remarkable growth in the prices of our lands. We learn from an official source that the actual amount of land revenue received during tha current financial year up to May. 28 was £1,415,982, and that the amount estimated for the remainder of the financial year is £170,000 and '"vf ill probably amount to more. This will makolho totul land revenue for the year ending June 30, £1*585,982. In round numbers it may fairly be estimated at £l; 600,000, and thuß.actually doubles the estimated revenue of Major Atkinson, and shows an addition of 60 per cent, to that of Mr Bullanco's immediate predeoeßsor in the Treasury. All this will suffice to more than replace the deficiency which at one, time was feared, and will leave Ministers with a comfortable surplus where with to begin the new financial year, and help to secure a not less comfortable tnnjority at their backs, The alleged coal discovery at Blenheim has turned out a myth. The Express states "that after boring for a depth of fire feet lower than the pipes had been driven when the supposed coal was. found, Captain Dalton haß not been successful in finding a team. The rods passed through green clay, shale,.und a kind of soapstone, but not coal." .

A Petroleum SpEiNG-^-The Pott has the followingI.—]V[r R. Cole, of Canterbury, has made what he believes to be a very valuable discovery of a spring of crude petroleum, while prospecting for gold somewhere in the neighborhood of the Sounds. He has forwarded a bottle of the fluid to Dr. Yon Haast for teßt. ■■ ■ '■->;:

The committee apointed at the reoont meeting in reference to a memorial to Mr T. 8.- Mort, Sydney, have decided that it shall take the form of a-statue, any .surplus to go towards the establishment of a •technical school. Upward! of £500 has been aubBoribed.

Awards at the Baiaabat Juvenile Exhibition.-— With regard to the Ballarat Juvenile Industrial Exhibition, the Courier says :—" There were eightynine enterics from New Zealand, for which four special prizes were awarded, besides eight silver and twelve bronze medals and forty-one certificates. Those who took silver medals were: —-John M. Harland, Port .Chalmers (20 years), workbox ; John A. Bumside, Dunedin (21 years), also special prize of £3 3s, by Mr J. Hosier,: Melbourne, model of house; Forbes Angus (19 years), Dunedin, engraving and painting on,glass; Lily May Kirk. (21 years), Harry B. Kirk (19 years), and. John C. Webb (19 years), all of Wellington, collections dried ferns and plauts—only m«dals awarded out of twenty-eight, entries; Wm H. Barber (21 years), Wellington, rope and flax. The recipients of bronze medals were: — Arthur P. McCarthy (16 years), Dunedin, model of of lathe; H. J. Belton (16 years), Timaru, mechanical and engineering drawings; J. H. Kingsland, Invercargill (22 years), boots and shoes; C. McFarlane (16 years), and M. J. McFarlane (14 years), of Jackson's Bay, furs and skins; Miss E. Bathgate, Dunedin (18 years), ornamental penmanship; Rudolph Baig, Hokitika, (14 years), printing and engraving; Daniel Griffiths, Christchurch (19 years), general essay; S..E. McCarthy,'Dunedin (21 years) general essay. The special prizes were awarded to the following for works of special merit:—Forbes Angus, Dunedin, engraving on glass; C. and J. McFarlane, Jackson's Bay, collection of furs. In illuminating penmanship there were 42 entries, and the second prize was awarded to Miss Bathgate for a specinienwhich was generally admired at the last Christmas exhibition at the Girl's High School. There were seven models of houses, and the specimen of Mr Burnside, which was voted to- be the best, was especially noticed as displaying great merit. Mr Barber's exhibit of New Zealand flax, dyed and undyed, was considered very meritorious."

In tho competition between the various fire brigades at Melbourne, emart practice was exhibited. The City of Sandhurst Brigade made1 the best time for hoße and ladder practice. The Governor attended during the afternoon.'

Messrs. Bright Brothers have received a telegram stating that a powerful new steamer leaves London for China in the beginning of July for the Eastern trade, and from China she proceeds,to Sydney and Melbourne. . ......■;

The amount of verdict in the reoent action, Manning (owner of the wrecked steamer Lord Ashley) v. New Zealand Insurance Company, has been paid, with £1345 costs, and interest to date.

A case will come before the Jury Court in Sydney shortly to determine whether certain gentlemen practising as medical practitioners are legally entitled to do so. ..';.,;

His Excellency, the Acting-Governor of Adelaide, presented John Dykes with a silver medal and certificate of the Victorian Humane Society, for having saved life at the. wreck of the steamer Dandenong. .

At a meeting at Adelaide to establish a fund for tho relief of the starving millions in China, an influential oommittee was formed for the collection of subscriptions. ' :

A Sailor's Reßt and Workmen* Coffee-room haß been opened at Wiiliamstown, by Sir William Stawell. ■■■.■'■

The weekly cost of the various lunatic asylums in New South Wales, exclusive of interest on capital sunk on land and buildings, is as follows: —At Gladesville, ,12s 5d ;>t Paramatta, L lls B|d; and Newcastle, 14s Id. j ;

' Capt. Stanley is, the Athenceum says, about to publish with Messrs Bentley his recent experiences during the war, under the title of "St. Petersburg to Plevna."

The memorial to the Queen against auricular confession is signed by 400,702 members of the Church of England, including 63 noblemen, 86 members of Parliament, 655, magistrates, 3,324 clergymen, and 1,628 churchwardens.

A good story is told of an Ayrshire gravedigger Cholera was raging in the district in which he resided, and every day he had a number of graves to dig, and was fast making money. While digging a grave, a friend, in passing, said, " You're busy, John." "Yes," he replied, ".but this is a useless job—it's for the wife."

Mb. Sotheen has received 40,000 dollars from Mr Henry Abbey for his eighteen weeks' performances at the Park Theatre, New York. A Woman has just died at Grimisuat, near Sion (Switzerland), at the age, it is said, ef 114, leaving two daughter aged eighty-six and eighty-two. The Spectator learns from a private letter that the telephone has been adopted by the Chinese, the telegraph being useless, as they have no alphabet. Five hundred miles have already been spoken over in China.

s At a ball in a country house the other day some unprincipled jokers rigged up a telephone between the library and conservatory, a favorite reiort of " spooning" couples. They made free use of their infernal maohine, and did not divulge its existence till a late hour. The announcement created great consternation.

:A Famous Statesman's Eablt Teaming.—When Sir Eobert Peel was a little boy, his father used to set him on a table and teach him to make short speeches; and while still very young, be accustomed him to repeat as much of the Sunday's sermon as he could reoollect. At first, it is said, the boy found some difficulty, and did not make great progress; but he steadily persevered, and soon attention and perseverance were rewarded, and he was able to repeat the sermon almost word for word. It was in this way that he began to cultivate those powers of memory which he displayed so brilliantly when, in after life, he became one of the most distinguished statesmen of this country. —From Little Folks. ', I AM a missionary in my nursery,' once observed a Christian mother. 'Six pain of little eyes are daily watching mamma's looks as well as listening to her words, and I wish my children never to see me in that whioh they may not imitate.' Mattes oi Opinion.—A correspondent asks : — What is the best method of feeding cattle in winter? We don't exactly know. One might prefer co take tbe ox on his lap and feed him with a spoon. Others would ( bring him into the dining-room and let him sit at the table with the old folks. Tastes differ in matters of this kind.— Northern Advocate.