MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1919, Page 7

MOA ROAD BOARD.

i MONTHLY MEETING. ' \ The ordinary meeting of the Moa Koad Board was held at the Board's office Ingh-wood on Saturday, when there were present: Messrs A. "Corkill (chairman), J B. Simpson, J Hunter, l'\ Bracegirdle, 1). Todd, R. Stewart, J 11. I'i'on, and T S. Bowler.

OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer (Mr R. 0. Gray) reported that scarifying, crushing and rolling iiad been completed on Jiriutol, Kaimata north, and Mangaone roads. Six hundred and ninety seven cubic yards of metal had been crushed since December Hith and portions of the roads scathed, crowned up and re-rolled. The plant liad been held up for a time on Mangaone road, owing to a sulvert collapsing This had been renewed with eight ISinch pipes. On Bristol road 424 yards had been crushed, 34'/ 2 chains had been re-metalled and necessary maintenance metad dumped. Blinding and patching had also been carried out. Twentyfour yards extra had been put on the road, in order to proportionately reduce the expense caused by a breakdown. Fourteen chains had been scarified, crowned up and rolled. On the K aim at a North road, 156 yards had been crashed, 15 chains re-metalled, and necessary maintenance metal dumped. Patching and blinding had also been carried out. Under the chairman's instruction an additional 54 yards was put on the road. Fifty-seven loads of boulders were carted, crushing 130 yards. On the Mangaone road 117 yards" were crushed, 10% chains were re-metolled, and maintenance metal dumped- A wooden culvert waa replaced with pipes; blinding and clearing of watertablos had also been carried out. On the Everett road the hauling road had been completed through the reserve—a distance of IB chains. The plant was now on the Kaimata South road, where scarifying, crushing, rolling and blinding were being carried on. The work on this road would take eight working days, and the plant "would then proceed to Rataplko and Mangaotea roads. Tn reply to Mr Lyon the overseer stated that 30 or 40 yards of metal would complete the Kaimata South road.

Mr Lyon stated that the settlers would be prepared to get this out, if they know when the plant would be aavilable. The chairman said that there was little hone of the plant being available this summer as other roads required attention. If the settlers got tho metal out the crusher would be able to go out when available. Mr Lyon stated that this would be suitable as the settlers did not want to forestall other settlers who required the plant more urgently. The chairman's action in authorising the additional metal was confirmed. Mr L, Bishop's price was accepted for the supply of 500 cubic yards boulders on the Rimutauteha road at 7/6 per yard. Forty-eight pipes had been made and twenty sold during the month. There were now 200 pipes on hand-

EVERETT ROAD LOAN. In connection with tho loan of £2300 raised by the settlers on the Everett read for the purpose of metalling and also erecting a bridge over the Kurapete stream, tho original proposed was to expend £ouo on the bridge and £1750 with a Government subsidy of £2OO on the metalling. This provided for a concrete arch with filling on either side, supported by concrete retaining walls. A further proposal was to do away with the heavy filling and erect.a bridge of three spans. This bridge would cost £825, but it was estimated that, the amount would be more than saved by doing away with the filling and the wing walls Application was made to the treasury for permission to alter tTia allocation of the loan money accordingly, hut a telegram was received stating that there was no authority to divert loan money from one purpose to another. The Board might abandon construction of arch and approach ratepayers for authority to raise loan for construction of bridge. Mr Wilkinflwi, M.P., whose services the Board had enlisted in this matter and also in the matter of getting an additional grant to tho road on account of the Government reserve fronting the road for two miles, stated that he did not think much good would be done by writing, a personal interview would be better. In regard to grants, these were considered when the estimates were being framed and a grant could hardly be ohyined at the present time. From his recollection of the reserve it was only n small one and could hardly lie responsible for much loss by way of rates. He woud be in Wellington m Fob'uary, and suggested if the matters were urgent, that the cliairman should go to Wellington, when he would assist to the best o fhis ability

Mr Braeegirdle waited on the Board and asked that if possible the work should he done this summer. He had driven in that mornins, his cart being lip to tiie axle It \v:u pointed oni that there would he considerable delay if the application for the moiie-' had to be made de novo,

Mr flracejmlle suggested that tho "PttVvs -mip-bt perhaps ?ive free labor He for one was prepared to Mr Lyons considered that the settler on the mud-road, whose wife and family suffered hardships with hiin, should bo given preference in regard to the plant ■ The chairman said that a 'bridge was necessary Ire-fore the plant could be sent across. If the bridge was erected the ■Hoard could hire a plant, though it was their intention to do the work as cheaply as possible, and he was anxious to use their own plant Mr Lyon suggested that tho settlers should be mvited to meet the Board v.'itl, view vo discussing the matter and removing any misconceptions that (■."tinted and .also to ascertain what asswt&jioe m the way ol free labor the settl'Tii would give This was agreed to. and after. some discussion, to which it \.';iv that tho Board was n<»f rwporisiblt for the delay, it was decided to invite the settlers to meet the .Hoard at 10 SO r. m. 011 Wednesday, sale ilav.

JTY IWO-KfcRCT!RC SCHBME. The secretary stated that he had been m<'triicted to apply for a copy of the Act, and as soon as that vw received to apply, under the provision of Act for Inidro-eletcrie r:"ht«. for "Mnncnrmi river b-t'lmv its junction with the Ngatoro. He had received the Act nnd could see no power thcreii: enabling a local body to do so TV'rc wn 1 * r. provision enabling an e?«trie power board to do so, and local bratJo" crrv.l cm' fitnte themselves electric power bonrd«. Me«sr.t Lyon and Hunter were appoint

Ed a committee to report on the matter at next meeting. GENERAL The chairman reported 011 the result of the visit of the deputation from the Lloard to tha Taranalci' County Council, asking the Council to withdraw its objection to the proposed county Owing to the absence of the chairman (itfr Connett) through illness, no decision was arrived at, hut the acting chairman promised that the matter would be attended to the next meeting. The chairman also briefly reported or the tour made through the district by Messrs G H Bullard and Wilson, the Commissioners appointed to take evidence in connection with the proposed county Mr Byrne, 011 behalf of the Tariki Dairy Co. asked that a culvert on the Rugby road be lowered The overseer was instructed to do the work, replacing it with pipes when the ataff was available. Mr Byrne also asked trhci the metal for the Ross road would be crushed. The chairman stated that the shortage of labor was the difficulty. The wprk would be done when the plant vftia s» the district. Mr A. Grofrid p.sked for nomc Msfstance in cleaning 0 road drain along his frontage which he hp.rt cleaned for thepast two years. It was decided to vote £1 towards the wist. It was resolved to add trip 10 per cent, penalty on ai) rates unpaid after February 22nd. Accounts Kinoiiptfri!? to '£2JKI Ss lid, were passed for payment. , ■-