GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1148, 13 September 1883, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above Roard was held on Tuesday last, the 11th inst. Present Messrs W U Slack (Chairman pro tern), Flatman and Kelland. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and passed. TENDERS. The following tenders for works were opened and considered : Contract. No. 76 Formation and Shingle, Totara street, Geraldine : Alex. McColl, £B7 (accepted). No. 77—Improving Lower Section Rangitata Station Road : A McColl, £230; T Corkery, £220; F Mulloy, £219; P Burke, £2OO (accepted). No. 78—Improving Upper Section Rangitata Station Road: T Corkery, £269; F Mulloy, £265; P Burke, £240 (accepted). No. 79—Formation and Culverts, Moore's Road, Gapes' Valley : A McColl, £45 ; D Goulden, £29 (accepted). No. 80—Culvert and Shingle, near Finlay's, Kakahu Flat: James Beckley, £l4 15s (accepted). No. 81—For supplying Three Large Trees at Orari Bridge: W Hopkinson, £18.,, A letter was read from W Postlethwaite, M.H.R., stating that if possible he would arrive from Wellington by the express train on Tuesday, the data of the meeting of the Board, and would be present during its afternoon sitting. He had a plan with him which he thought would be useful for protective works at Orari bridge. As Mr Postlethwaite did not arrive in time to attend the Board meeting, the tender of W Hopkinson was, prior to the rising of the Board in the afternoon, accepted. correspondence . From Dr Fish asking permission to place a gate and fence across the road on the Raukapuka road, between Mr Waller's land and his own. Granted under the usual conditions. From Mr R Irvine, Overseer to Mount Peel Road Board, acknowledging receipt of letter from Geraldine Road Board, stating that the latter did not see the necessity of having the Beautiful Valley Road declared a Main Road. From K Brophjr, and several other ratepayers, asking that T O'Connor might be retained on the list of surfacemen in the employ of the Board, as they considered he was deserving of its consideration. The Overseer remarked that since July last he liad gradually reduced the number of surfacemen .vis he had no work for them, and he would hare to still reduce t'ie number. As he lately had some light work he gave it to O'Connor. He had been informed by O'Connor that a petition would be sent into the Board in his (O'Connor's) favor, so he kept bim on pending the decision of the Board. It was decided to keep O'Connor at work for a month, as there would in all probability be a full meeting of the Board in October, when the subject would be batter considered.

From Mr it Wells drawing attention to

the easing of the cutting at Cameron's, and placing about 100 yards clay at the foot of the cutting, also shingling the road from Mr Slack's gate to Moore's bush.

Resolved—' That the Overseer expend the sum of £IOO in the work to the best advantage.' From Mr Middlemiss and others, asking the Board to shingle the road running past section 15460 and the reserve, and leading to Mr Templar's land. Dealt with during the reading of the Overseer's report. From J D Jones, asking that the creek bo cleared out adjoining his land and running through the Board's shingle reserve.

The work to be done when the weather is suitable for the purpose. From Mr Alex McCormack, Waihi Bush, asking permission to erect a gate on the road.

Granted, to be passed by Overseer, according to usual conditions. From Mr J D Jones, requesting the Board to close the road that runs through section 30, reserve 389. It runs parallel with the Waihi river, and at a distance of about 10 chains from his land up the said road the river breaks into (it (they being only two chains apart), and runs down with terrible force, and knocked his fences all down, rendering his land perfectly useless.

Mr Jones to be informed that steps have been taken to abolish the read.

From Mr W Hawke, stating that the Waihi river was still running through private property for a distance of 2£ miles, forming a new watercourse, and asking the Board whether they intended to repair the damages caused thereby, through the Board neglecting to open the river.

Mr Hawke to be informed the Board cannot entertain the idea of protecting piivate property.

From Mr F W Hunt, Christchurch, enclosing an account for £4 15s for preparing of road deviation plans. The amount was passed for payment. From Mr J Lewis, asking the Board to call on Mr Walker to remove his fence off the road so that he might, get to bis land. The Overseer to write to Mr Walker requesting him to throw down the fence across the road.

From Mr J Y Ward, Secretary to the Geraldine Dairy and Bacon-curing Company l(Limited), thanking the Board, on behalf of the Company, for allowing the use of the Board room to meet in, and asking permission to continue holding the meetings of Directors therein until a suitable room can be obtained. The Overseer stated that there was no objection to letting the Directors have the use of the room, only he had already found it inconvenient when specifications for contracts w«re out, and tenderers desired to see them. During the last meeting of Directors this bad occurred, and the meeting was not over till nine o'clock.

The request was granted provided arrangements can be made beforehand with Overseer.

Resolved—' That notice be given to Mr Barker re ploughing up road pegs.' From the Commissioner of Property Tax, asking the Board to insert Mr G Pye's name on the ratt roll.

Resolved—'That the same be attended

From Mr March, enclosing a statement of receipts and expenditure of the Charitable Aid Institutions and Hospital's under the Charitable Aid and Hospitals Board for the year ending 30th June, 1883, DEPUTATIONS. After the usual adjournment the following deputations were received : Mr Bailey waited on the Board with reference to a drain leading water on to his land. It was decided to hold the matter over until there was a full meeting of the Board. Mr Fitzgerald had an interview with the Board in reference to his contract for tree planting. The trees were not so high as the Overseer intended they should have been, but with his giving proper care and attention he would advance the growth as much as possible. He had got as many varieties of the trees as specified. According to the report of the Overseer, he found that he only recommended the Board paying him 25 per cent on his contract, but he considered that 50 per cent was a sufficient guarantee on his contract. It was decided that Mr Fitzgerald go on planting the trees, as it was considered that small ones were better than the large ones for the purpose. It waH also decided to pay him 25 per ceot on his contract, and the other 25 per cent in a month. DRAINAGE OF GERALDINE. The Chairman remarked that as nothing had been done by the inhabitants of t!ie township as suggested at the last meeting of the Board, he did not think the Board could take the question up in its present aspect. Mr Flatinan remarked that the inhabitants of the township should have taken an interest in the matter, but had not doae so, and a meeting had not even been called at their, request. There must be a difference of opinion amongst them, or something would have been done. He would ask the Chairman if anything was entered on the minutes of the Board in

regard to its calling m public meeting to consider the drainage question ?

The Chairman : No. It was entered on the minutes that Mr Taylor should agitate and see what the inhabitants would contribute towards the cost.

Mr Flatman thought it was a pity the Bourd had not invited the inhabitants to meet them at the close of the present meeting of the Board, as they had not culled a meeting themselves. The Chairman remarked that a public meeting would be better. It was easily called. Mr Flatman said that as the inhabitants had had a month's chance and not availed themselves of it, it would be best for the Board to move in the matter. Mr Kelland concurred in Mr Flatman's remarks.

Proposed by Mr Flatman, seconded by Mr Kelland, and carried—' That as the inhabitants of the Geraldine township have not called a public meeting in reference to the drainage question, « public meeting be held in the course of & fortnight, due notice of which will be given by advertisement.' overseer's report. The Overseer reported as follows : ' Owing to the large quantity of rain which has fallen, the contractors have been hindered from getting on with their work. Several contracts have bnen, however, completed during this month, and passed for final payment. ' The heavy fresh which came down the O-iariin the middle of last month has again altered the course of the main stream, and it is now attacking the road reserve about ten chains below the brfdge, It has already encroached about half way across the reserve, and should the river not change its course, it will shortly be at Mr Hewson's boundary. I have driven three large to anchor trees, with the view of stopping the scour and advertised for three large green trees, I have, however, very little faith in their utility for this purpose. •The north approach was slightly damaged. This I have had repaired, and also fenced off the terraces where dangerous. 'Ke Middlemiss' Road—As this road will require to be shingled during the summer, I should advise the Board to obtain a gravel pit in the reserve occupied by Mr Allan McDonald. By doing so there would be a considerable amount saved by less damage being done by carting over the road already shingled. The contract would also be taken for a much smaller sum, owing to the length of lead. 1 The Waihi again overflowed its banks at Hepworth's land, and shows every indication of changing its course at this point and cutting out a new channel through Hepworth's, Lewis's and W Hawke's sections. Only very little damage was done to the road, as the river fell again when it was becoming dangerously high. • The Kakahu was also in heavy fresh but no serious damage has been done, with the exception of, washing down the temporary trestles at Bradley's crossing and upsetting the whole of the river crossing and creeks, which I am having made passable by the surface men aB early as possible as the water subsides. ' Mr Fitzgerald has taken up his contract, and expects to complete the planting in a day or two. The trees used in my opinion are not very satisfactory, and not according to specification. I have therefore only certified to 25 per cent in place of 50 per cent, as provided by geneial conditions. I understand he will interview the Board on the matter this day. 'Mr Wheelband is iust completing his planting up and renewing in the Orari reserve. This will be final. I have not had an opportunity of visiting the reserve since he finished, but will do ao before he receives his cheque. • I have sent up the horse and dray and four men to attend to the small jobs applied for by Mr Tripp last Board day. •I have, as instructed, drawn up an agreement between A. Gulden and the Board for renting gravel reserve near his section.'

The following resolutions were adopted on the above report:— Mr Shiers to see Mr McDonald re gravel pit. Re Geraldine Road—The Overseer to call for tenders for willow cuttings, to be placed in the centre of the riverbed, after receiving legal opinion in regard to the same. FINANCIAL. Proposed by Mr Flatman, seconded by Mr Kelland and carried— 5 That £ISOO be deposited for twelve months with the Bank of New Zealand; £IOOO for Bix months, and £IOOO for three months with the Bank of New South Wales, Geraldine.' DEFATTC.TING RATEPAYERS. It was decided that the Clerk be instructed to sue all persons who had not paid their rates. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £3OO were passed for payment. The meeting then terminated.