GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3022, 10 September 1896, Page 2

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Road Board was held on Tuesday. Pre- | sout Messrs J. Kelland (chairman), J. M. Barker, K. Brophy, J. Wharton, and A. Metcalf. TENDERS. Tenders were opened for works as under:— No. 9, Woodbury footpaths —J. H. Dean, £7 10s; John Fifield, £5 16s Bd. Tenders too high.—To be left with overseer to arrange. No. 10, protective embankment and improving Crow's road, Pleasant Valley —Michael Gregan, £34 10s; W. J. Ennis & Co., £25 6s ; E. Murphy, £25 ; Martin Gregan, £24 9s; A. Best, £ls—willows, posts, and stakes to be taken from board's reserves for the job (accepted). No. 11, 500 yards shingle, Brophy's Road—Michael Gregan, £39; Timothy Sugrue, £37 10s (accepted). No. 12, 200 yards shingle, Orari Village Settlement, £lB 15s—Let to Bennett & Co. by ballot. No. 13, formation and shingle, Arundel —Timothy Sugrue, £9 ; J. McGillicuddy, £8 5s (accepted). CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was received and dealt with as under : From Mr L. Mathias, survey camp, Hilton, that he was engaged in subdividing the Arowheuua Downs Estate, and the Chief Surveyor had desired him to consult the board with reference to requirements of the district re fresh shingle reserves.—The chairman to see Mr Mathias.

From Mr J. Robinson, Woodbury, asking board to have pipes lifted in water table near his property. Overseer to attend to.

From Mr A. J. Foster, Timarti, drawing attention to daugeious state of stone culvert on Foster'a road, Gapes'a Valley. —The river crossings will bo attended to. From clerk Levels County Council, asking what quautity of poisoned wheat board required for tho balance of season. —Attended to.

From tho Audit Office, returning tho board's balance-sheet duly certified. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer reported as follows: "i\ alder's Koad: As instructed I inspected the work complained of by Mr Tomliusou, and would recommend that 33ft of 6iu drain pipes be put in across line of road, and about a chain of the outlot cleaued out in order to let off the storm water which lays there in wot weather, flooding the adjoining laud.— Skinner's Drain : I inspected this work, and fouud that Mr Skinner requires the board to clean out and regrade the roadside ditch in front of Mr Connolly's land for a distance of about 20 chains. It appears that this locality is flooded in wet weather, and if this work is done it will effectually carry off all the water. —Board'6 Reserve : I examined the reserve which the board bought from Mr Connolly for road diversion purposes, and failed to find auy shingle therein worth using.— Poisoned Wheat: I wish to know if the board will coutiuue the distribution of poisoned grain auy longer.—Gorse Notices: Since last meeting 1 have served gorse notices on the following persons—John Haar, Rangitata; Sarah Bell, Geraldine road; George Patrick, Rangitata; David Lawis, Pleasant Valley; Patrick McArthy, Rangitata. Protective Works : Ab directed by the board I have, in company with Messrs Barker, Brophy, and Metcalf, inspected the work required to be done in the riverbed opposite Captain Temple's, aud prepared a specification for tho performance of tho work, tenders for which will be laid befcre you to-day.—South Rangitata : I have inspected the work required to be done by Mr Winter, and would recommend that about G chains of new road be formed and about 20 chains shingled. —Orari, V.S. : As directed I have inspected the work complained of by Mr O'Connor, and find that Messrs Leonard Pearce aud Andrew Petersen are willing to allow the board 10 make a drain through their land to let oil' the water if tho board would pay for the work.—Day Labor : The labor gang have been omployed duriug the mouth in making protective works near the footbridge at Pleasant Valley, and in repairing roads, river-crossings, etc. —Contracts: Tho following contracts are duly finished aud passed for payment: —No. G, Barker's Road ; No. 7, Batty's Road. As directed by the board I have drafted specifications for shingling footpaths, Woodbury township, aud also for shingling tho Waihi Road, Orari. 1 would recommend that this work be left in abeyance until next autumn. I would also recommend that a certain sum be spent in repairing Bennett's Road, Orari. Mr Payne complained to mo of boulders on the road sido in front of hi? land, which tho board's men placed there; 1 want the authority of tho board to have them picked oil'. Receipts since last meeting, rents and ratos, £'273 18a 3d.—l havo, etc., " J. O'Malley, " Overseer."

Tho report waa road, and it was decided that work bo done as recommended at Naldor's road, and that a .small sum be spent in cleaning ditch at (Skinners. It was resolved that poisoned grain be distributed for one week longer. The overseer was instructed to call tenders for work at .South Kangitata, and at Uenuott'a road, Orari ; also to havo work done at Orari V.S. INTKUVIKWS. Mr George Payne waited on (ho hoard asking that boulders bo picked oil' the road in front of his property, and offered to do the work.—Tho overseer to inspect and accept Mr l'ayne's offer if reasonable. Mr T. Malcmoy waited on tho board übking use of board's pile-driver for pro-

tective works in Waihi river.--Grauted at usual charge.

Mr D. Gregan interviewed the board with respect to his contract for Macdonald's culvert, asking what board intended to do in reference to his claim He had put the matter in the hands of his solicitor, but would withdraw it if the board would pay the claim.—The board visited the culvert, and then resolved— M Tl w a T V h ! Wa ! l J ! )uilt b y Mr Shier 8 to Mr W. Macdouald's culvert is defective, the board consider they are not justified in withholding payment of balanoe due to D. Gregan of £B, and that same be paid in

Mr B. Cochraue interviewed the board asking that something be done tb keeu storm water from his land at Rae's road -Resolved-" That the overseer prepare specifications and call tenders for cleaning out about one chain and a half of the creek below Rae ß bridge, to make a new cutting and to clear out roadside ditches." Mr J. Ennis asked the board for a grant for extra work on his contractResolved-" That £1 be granted » Mr Hawke saw the board with reference to some drain work required at Orari Overseer to arrange to have work done if it does not affect the road. Mr Hawke also asked to have a crossing repaired near his placo.-To be attended to Mr Geo. Batty waited on the board and lodged a protest against Bennett & Co being granted the co-operative contract", on the grounds that Mr Bennett had a balance to his credit in the bank, and was not in needy circumstances, and also that Bennett ,„ the ballot had four chances by being a member of four parties tendering Ue considered ,t mean of any man in Bennett's circumstances to put in forth, work when the poor settlers, £™h£a the co-operative works were intended were sorely m need of a job-The members agreed with Mr Bat y that it was wrong of Mr Bennett to have four chances in the ballot by what might bo described as dummyism, but, having granted the contract, they could not go future all parties putting iu for ... operative work should givelhe names of Mrßen^t'sbank C b°alan^thel,\ r aTno 8 - lnng to do with that, ahho'ugh fhe majority of members agreed that if Mr Bennett was not in need it would have been good taste on his part to have allowed the work to go to his poorer neighbors Mr Metcalf mentioned that as Bennett was entitled to "thirds" from bis lid,he out of a job, because he happened to have a credit balance in the bank and another man an overdraft. He could hardly see where the board could draw the line Before withdrawing, Mr Batty thanked the members, and especially Mr O'Mallev the overseer for the splendid job they had made of the road near his property It was resolved-" That the board cinuot alter the matter, but in future all parties applying for work under the cooperative system must send in the names in tull of members of each party." QOBSK FENCES. It was reached-" That tenders bo called for cutting go rse fences on load board reserves, the one near Mr A. Macdonald's to be called for separately." • board's cottages. It was decided that the clerk apply to the Charitable Aid Board for rent of one »i board s cottages, let to a recipient of Charitable Aid. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £281) 14s Id were passed for payment. The board then rose.