MOA ROAD BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 19, 17 July 1911, Page 3

MOA ROAD BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Mo;i Road Board was held in the Hoard room. Inglewood, on Saturday. Present: Messrs. H. Trimble (chairman), Anderson, Bridgeman, Corkill, Collingwood, Lawrence, A. T. Williams and J. Williams. ENGINEER'S REPORT.

Mr. S. Orbell reported that the erection of the Bristol road bridge was proceeding as quickly as possible. The heavy flood in the river on the 10th inst did no damage either to the permanent or the temporary structure. He stated that the bridge would be completed in about one month. As many men as could conveniently be employed were engaged on the bridge.—lt was resolted t# offer the timber used in the staging to settlers at 5s per 100 feet. ■FOREMEN'S REPORTS.

Foreman Ludeman reported that patching and clearing water-tables was required on the Wortley. Mangaone, Suffolk, and Bristol (West.) roads. J. Rowan had completed his contract on Bristol road west.

Foreman Jones reported that he had put in pipe culverts on the Bedford and Norfolk West roads. He had also repaired the Norfolk West, Norfolk East and Durham West roads. He had inspected the latter road with Mr. Bridgeman. He considered it would not be advisable to touch the formation at the top at present. Three settlers had met them and had asked for two chains of metalling, and had offered to keep the rest of the> road in repair as formerly. He required a man for a week. The crusher had not done any damage to the Durham East road.

In regard to the Durham West road, the chairman said he was opposed to laying down a chain or so of metal at the end of the present metal at the expense of the maintenance metal on the balance of the road. If the settlers could not get through without the metal, they should go in for a loan, and provide the necessary capital for the purpose the same as settlers on other roads had done.—The mattes was deferred.

Foreman Bennett reported that on two days pigs had rooted on the Mangotia road and it had taken him 30 hours to repair the damage. During the month he had done patching and watertabling on the Ross and Kupara roads. Work was required on the Ratapiko, Kaimata South and Mana roads.—lt was resolved to charge the owner of the pigs with the cost of repairing the road, and failing payment prosecution will follow. Foreman A. IToskin reported that 100 yards of metal were required on the Kaipi road and 60 yards on the Hur-t----house road. Repairs were also require 1 to the Egmont South arid Lcpper North roads. Mr. P. Marsh asked for some pipes to enable him to put in a crossin.—Mr. Chard will report.

MANUFACTURE OF PIPES. Mr. Lawrence brought forward the question of the Board manufacturing its own pipes. If they could make them at anywhere near what they cost to buy and save the freight, it would be a decided saving, and would keep the money in their own district. If the manufacture was successful, they could supply others. He pointed out that some time ago the Board decided to ascertain the cost of the erection of a shed i!leo:i Maketawa. The chairman said that Mr. Orbell had been too busy to go into the matter, but he pointed out that thev could not be made as cheap as at Rbhotu, where there was plenty of gravel at the sea beach. Here, sand and gravel were limited, and it would be necessary to crush metal. Mr. Corkill considered that it was quite time something was done. A large quantity of pipes would yet be needed, as culverts required to be replaced, and if they could only save one shilling each in freight it would be a consideration. ' Mr. Williams spoke in support. Referred to the chairman. HURSTHOUSE ROAD.

Messrs. Ritchie afid Price waited on the Board and complained of the state of the Hursthouse road, caused by metal carting with bullocks. Some of the holes were very bad.' The chairman said that last year the settlers had promised to assist on the road, but had not done so. Mr. Ritchie said that the settlers were willing to assist on the road this year. Mr. Lawrence said that this road had been damaged by the county's metal carting, and he thought the County Council should be asked to effect repairs. If they carted metal over the county roads the Council charged royalty.—The matter was left in the hands of the chairman. GENERAL. A formal resolution was passed that a general rate of %d in the £ for the ensuing year be struck. The state of the Raimata North road wag brought forward by Mr. R. T. Williams. who stated that the settlers would be willing to come out and assist. —The matter was left in the hands of Mr. Williams and the road foreman to attend to.

The chairman reported that at a meeting of settlers on the Upland Toad it was decided to raise a loan of £ISOO for forming and metalling the road. — The Board decided to take the necessary steps to raise the loan, the rating area to include the old loan area with the addition of half the two corner sections on the Junction road.

The monthly balance-sheet showed that receipts had amounted to £3O 8s 3d (rates £27 5s 3d). The expenditure had been £169 9s 6d. The bank balance showed credits to the general account £ll6O ]s, and loans account £527 5s Bd. Mr. A. Hoskin, road foreman, forwarded his resignation as he had taken up a farm. He also asked the Board to dispense with the usual month's notice, as he would like to get to his farm at once.—The resignation was accepted, to take effect from the date of meeting. Mr. Lawrence referred in eulogistic terms to the work done by Mr. Hoskin on the roads, and he moved that the Board forward him a recommendation. This was unanimously carried. Eight applications were received for the position of road foreman, and Mr. P. Stachurski was appointed to the vacancy.

Mr. W. B. Fussell, clerk to the Waitara West Road Board, wrote asking the amount of rates available on the Davis road in the Mna district, and also the amount which would lie needed for the upkeep of the road.—The information had been supplied bv the clerk.

The erosion on the Bedford road, near Surrey road, caused by the Waitepukeiti road was discussed, and it was resolved that the engineer be asked to report on the best method of overcoming the difficulty. Accounts amounting to £917 Os 5d (including £797 7s 3d interest) general, and £IS2 <Ss Oil loan were passed for payment.