MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1920, Page 2

MOA ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. I The monthly meeting of tho Moa Road Board Was held at Inglewood on Saturday, when there were present: Messrs. A. Corklll (chairman), A. Cowley, J. Hair, J. Hunter, J. B. Simpson, R. Stewart, J. H. Lyon, T. G. Bowler, and D. Todd. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported that meimbers ot the Hoard had visited New Plymouth, and inspected the White dump truck. As members wore satisfied, lie had closed with the offer for One, and it would bo delivered in February. He had disposed of the cement that the Board had on hand at a price that would cover post of cartage, etc. He had attended the County Conference at Elthnm, but as several important local bodies Were not represented, it was decided to hold a conference later. Meantime, the local bodies present discussed the by-laws, and made several suggested amendments.

He had arranged with Mr. Thomason to Hind tho Lincoln Road from the borough Boundary to the Wortley Road. ThU kept the metal together, and he would like to see more Of it done.

Mr. Corlett, Ratapiko, had seen hint In connection with the grading, etc., of the undetailed road, and arranged for the work to be done. He had also Inspected the Everett Boad work. -.' The ch&lnman's action la the various matters was confirmed. Notification was later received that a meetlug of the Taranakl County Confereace would to held at Eltham on January 26, and the chairman was authorised to attend. MOTUKAWA ROAD LOAN. Mr. F. N. Standlsh wrote stating it was unfair to rate him fully for metalling that would' not come within two miles of his property. While at all times in favor of metalling, he thought that under such conditions a proportional rato only should bo raid fcy the settlers, as there was a vast d'fference In the benefits derived by the man who had metal to his gate, and the one who was situated a couple of miles beyond the end of It. He also pointed out the difficulty there would be in raising a further loan to complete the metalling. He therefore asked that he should only pay a portion of the rate, anc that only one section be included Falling this the Board should Insist that sufficient money be raised by the settlers to metal the whole road.

Mr. Stuart considered it was not vsry fair that a man should have to pay fr.il rates when the metal did not come within two miles of his section.

Mr. J. B. Simpson said that had been the experience on nearly every road. He could apeak very feelingly on the subject, as be had lo Join in three loans before the metal reached his section. Either the first loan should be sufficient to metal the whole length of a road, or else tile settlers above, where the metal came to, should pay a proportional rate. Other members agreed with this view. It was pointed out that in the roads leading up to the mountain, Setlters on the low valued land at the top of the road often had to raise a loan themselves to metal their piece of road after contributing equally with the settlers lower down to metal that portion of the road.

The chairman pointed out that the rates that would accrue would probahly enable tho metalling to bo continued. Mr. Lyon favored increasing the loan, and then, if it were found that the rates would do further metalling, the extra loan money need not be donated.

Mr. Simpson said that if he had his experience over again he would urge imetalling being started at the top of a road first. When raising a loan settlers at tho lower end would promise to help those at the top later on, but, when tho time came, the position was different. The principle of raising loans for a portion of a road was bad. The chairman said that the difficulty was to devise a remedy. On the motion of the chairman, the special order in connection with the Motukawa loan of £IOOO (carrying with it a Government subsidy o( £500), was confirmed. STANDARDISED BRIGE PLANS. Sir WllJiam, Firaser, M3njst«r of Pub Sic Works, wrote acknowledging receipt of a resolution passed by the Board requesting that the Public Works Department should provide standardised plans of concrete bridges In the sarnie manner as wooden and steel structures, in order to obviate loss of time In the approval of plans. In reply, he stated that he was obtaining a report on this matter. Mr. Lyon 3aid that standardised plans would simplify matters considerably. At present, the Government mado such expensive alterations in the plans as to more than swallow up the Government subsidy. With standardised plans to go on, a local body would know whether it would be better for them to accept a subsidy or not. NEW COUNTY ROLL.

In reply to a letter 'nquiriug when valuation rolls for the new Inglewood County could be supplied for the purpose of enabling the County to lie divided Into ridings, the Valuer General advised that the Board already lied the roll of the Moa Road District, and probably the roll for Moa outlying district could be obtained from the Tarannkl County Clerlt. This would leave a roll to bo prepared, comprising the other areas taken out of Clifton and Stratford counties, and this wouM be forwarded soon afterr tho new year. ire was asking the Taranaki County Clerk if he would hand over the roll for Moa outlying district. PLANS APPROVED.

Mr. Campbell, Resident Engineer, Stratford, notified that plans and specifications had been approved for the formation and metalling of 93 chains of tho Tot Tol Road, on which the Government had granted £1 for £1 subsidy. H. H. Sharp, District Roads Engineer, notified thit he had approved of the plans and specifications for the construction of a reinforced arch bridge of 30ft span over Mahara Stream, Bristol Road, at an estimated cost of £1045. Tho Public Works Department also forwarded authority for the expenditure of £261 on a £1 for £3 subsidy basis. DEPUTATIONS. Mr. Lange waited on the Board ro loan on the Mangatea Road, and protested against the amount of tho special rate he had to pay, it being more than half the full amount of tho rale collected, and the rate really did not benefit him, as his homestead was on the main road. Mr. Hair thought, if It wero possible, tho Board should make some alteration, as ho did not think Mr. Lange was being fairly treated. The chairman did not think there was any help for It at present, hut the whole thing might right Itself after the new valuation next year. Mr. Braeeglrdlo waited on the Board with reference to the work that was being done on the Everett Road. The chairman replied that the matter would receive attention when the new engineer arrived. GENERAL.

Geo. Capper, Kaimata, asked whether the Botrd wished to sell bridge planking and stringers In the Everett Road.—Left in the hands of the chairman. Mr. Cowley reported that with Mr. Hair he had visited Bedford Road, and interviewed Mr. A. E. Laurence, who was prepared to make a road to give access to his section for the sum of £lO granted by tho Board. Mr.. J. Bowler wrote tendering his resignation as engine driver to the Board, and at the same time thanking the Board for the courtesy extended to him. —In accepting tho resignation with regret, tlte chairman stated that Mr. Bowler had always worked, in tho best interests of tho Board, and would bo difficult to replaco. Out of eleven applicants, Mr. T. H. Bowman was appointed to All tho vacancy.