GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2084, 12 August 1890, Page 3

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of this board was held yesterday, Present— Messrs F. R. Flatman (chairman), K. Brophy, W. Deßenzy, A. Metcalf, and J. Kelland. Mr Flatman, who has been seriously ill for several months past, was cordially welcomed on taking his seat.

TENDEES.

Tenders were opened and dealt with as follows; —

Contract No. 312 Boulders and shingle, Miller’s Flat, Kakahu—M. Lawlor, Ll 4 (accepted). Contract No. 315—Grubbing gorse and trimming fences at reserves, Geraldine district —T. O’Connor, L 6 5s ; Gaiger and Richards, L 5 10s; W. Fly and Co., L 5 8s; 8. Gould, L 4 15s (accepted). Contract No. 316—Grubbing gorso and trimming fences at reserves, Woodbury district —W. Scully, L 8 (accepted). Contract No, 317 Filling and carting shingle, Pleasant Yalley and Raukapuka —M. Lawlor, L 5 5; D. Gregan, L 54 3s 4d (accepted by lot) ; W. Ellery, L 54 3s 4d. Contract No. 318 Filling and carting shingle, Speechley’a to Lysaght’s, Pleasant Valley —DGregan, L 73 6s 8d; W. Ellery, L 66 13s 4d (informal); M. Lawlor, L 66 13s 4d; T. Sugrue, L6O (accepted). Contract No. 319 —Broken metal and shingle near Kakahu Bush—W. Borrel, Ll3O (informal) ; T. Sugrue. LlO5 16s 8d (accepted).

COBEESPOITDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: —

From Mr G. J. Dennistoun, trustee ia the estate of the late Mr Angus Macdonald, stating that steps were being taken to have the gorse removed from Eae’s road.

From Mr T. H. Wigley, calling the attention of the board to the condition of Sulivan’s road to the turn off to the Beautiful Valley road. —It was decided to call tenders for repairing the same. From Mr Thos. Squire, stating that he had bought the section of land at the Waihi Bush adjoining the board’s gravel reserve, and asking the board to pay half the, cost of the boundary fence. —The overseer to arrange. From the Temuka Road Board, consenting to the expenditure required for about 600 yards of shingle on the boundary road. Erom Messrs George Palmer, senr, and junr., asking the board to attend to the road between their two properties.—Work sanctioned previously. From Mr B. T. G. Cochrane, asking the board to clear the flax and scrub of the road from Mr A. Reid’s to the turn of the road at Mr R, Eae’s to allow him to clear the gorse ; also to clear out the ditch, as the water was damaging his property. —The work to be done.

Applications for alterations on the rate roll were received as follows : Mr Mark Seales to Mr George Stumbles, Y.S, 17953,17595; Mr J. Seward to Mr E. lavener, lot 19, old railway reserve; Mr A. Eae to Mr William Hewson, lot 30, reserve 349.; _

From the Manager Bank N.Z., Geraldine, enclosing fixed deposit receipt for £4:000. ’ Prom the Manager Bank N,S. "Wales, Ger/v I dine, enclosing fixed deposit for £4OOO. Mr Deßenzy moved the motion standing in his name-—" That the resolution re notice of general rate of one-halfpenny in the £ be now confirmed ; the rate to be due and payable on the Ist of October next.”

Mr Brophy seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

THE BOAED’s LABOEEES

Mr Brophy moved that the resolution standing in his name re paying the same rate of wages to casual as to regular hands be confirmed. Mr Metcalf seconded this.

Mr Brophy thought it very hard if a good hard-working man who was able and willing to do a good day’s work was taken for a day or two and only received 5s per day, while the regular hands got 6s. Mr Metcalf thought the casual hands should get, if anything, more than the regular hands. Mr Deßenzy thought so, too. The chairman was of the same opinion, but said there was a great difference in men. One would be worth 8s while another was only worth ss.

The overseer pointed out that the board was in a different position to private individuals. After a heavy flood the farmers usually knocked off their hands ©wing to the ground being too wet; The board, on the other hand, wanted men just then, and they came there to get work. Plenty of men could be got just after a flood. The resolution was carried unanimously, Mr Metcalf on behalf of Mr Macdonald, "Woodbury, asked to be allowed to run the water down the road for a distance of eight chains. — The overseer reported that the water would do no damage and the application was granted. Mr Kelland applied on behalf of Mr 0. G. Bradley, to be allowed to erect two horse posts in front of his store, Hilton.—Granted.

THE GOESE QUESTION.

Mention was made by one or two members of the way in which several ratepayers were allowing the gorse to grow on the roads opposite their frontages. Members agreed to take determined measures to abate this nuisance. The overseer was questioned as to those whom he had notified re their gorse and the names of several of the worst were picked out to be drawn from with a view to legal steps being taken to compel them to clear the gorse, On casting lots for three to be proceeded against the names of Williard Lawson, Joseph Lewis, and William McLeod were drawn.

SMALL BIEDS NUISANCE,

The two members who had each taken a packet of Andrews’ poisoned gram to test reported most favorably upon it. They bad found it most effective in the destruction of small birds.

A discussion took place on the question of the small birds nuisance, and members agreed that more good would be done by united action in the way of poisoning during the present month than at any other time of the year. It was decided to obtain a small quantity of the grain, and retail it at Is per packet.

©TEESEEE'S EEPOET.

The overseer’s report was read and dealt with as follows

Sir, — I have the honor to report for the information of the board as follows t The contractor for No. 312 contract at Miller's Flat, Kakahu, has thrown up the work and forfeited his deposit.—No. 309, Building traffic bridge near Kakahu Bush, is just on the point of completion. The bridge is finished and open for zraffio. The taking up of the old bridge and return of material to the yard will complete the contract. —No. 311, Brown’s Road, Waihi Bush, has been completed and passed doling the mouth. Nos. 313 and 314, at Pleasant Valley and Orari Village Settlement, are in hand and making fair progress.—Works required : I have received the sanction of the Tamuka Road Board t@ carry out tho shingle repairs required on the Boundary Road between the Geraldiae Main Road and the Kakahu. I haye also written to the Geraldine County Council in reference to the Main Road between Winchester and Geraldine, but havo received no reply.—Swamp Drain ; [ have been unable to call for tenders for clearing the drain on the Swamp Road, owing to the gorse fence overhanging the drain preventing the work ■ being done. I understand the owner has had the gorse fence cleared since my visit, and now wishes the work to be done as early as possible.—Gapeo’s Valley Road : Since last meeting T have made an inspection of this road and find it to be cat up a good deal at the Kakahu aide. As there is a quantity of fencing material being carted over this portion at present, and likely to be for the next three months, I have called tenders for the portion near the Kakahu Bush and the western end of Qapea’e Valley Road, where shingle nod rock for broken metal are available. The remaining portion, which was metalled with limestone some years ago, is in dry weather all that could be desired, but in wet and frosty becomes very soft and slippery. For this length (110 chains) I am unable as yet to find shingle or rock at a reasonable coat, and have, therefore, let it stand over for tho present.—Waihi Bush Road : Between Morrison’s Road and Scott’s this read requires shingle repairs. The road leading to the Belfield Y.B. also wants shingle repairs between Puyne’a and the reserve.—Repairs : The following have been attended to and repaired by the day men during the past month, viz. : Orari Bridge, Woodbury, Rae’a,Orari Station, Peckham’s, Stragglers’ Flat, and Belfield School Roads.— Poisoned Grain; 1 have issued a fair

[quantity of wheat during the month, and, as the demand is good at present, I have ! ordered a fresh supply. —Ra*e Book : As instructed, I have prepared the rate book for inspection and levying the rate decided on by the board as per resolution.—Map : The Crown lands lately sold are not shown in the sections on the Road Board map, and, as it is some years since the map was marked up, T would suggest that it be filled in to date with all sections recently purchased from the Crown. This would greatly facilitate making out the rate roll, —lam, etc., W. Shirrs, Overseer.

Decided to call tenders for shingling the boundary road; for cleaning the swamp drain; for repairs between Morrison’s and Scott’s; also to have the board’s map entered up to date, accounts. Accounts amounting to £l3B Is 8d were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.