PARIHAKA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8738, 26 March 1890, Page 3

PARIHAKA ROAD BOARD.

The Parihaka Road Board held their monthly meeting on Wednesday. Present : Messrs McKeynolds (chairman), G. W. Gane, E. J. Morgan, Morrow, and Fleming. Correspondence, inward and outward, was dealt with, including from Messrs McDonald and Wells re contract 102. A misunderstanding having occurred between them and the overseer re the specifications, the overseer asked them to come to the Board. They were, accordingly, in attendance. Tenders had been called for contract No. 102, viz., to give a price in a lump sum for formation ; also schedule of prices for earthwork, draining, scrubbing, and cnlverting. The overseer contended that the tender included all works, the contractors otherwise. After referring to the specifications and fiilly discussing the inattH", it was decided, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Fleming, to refer the matter to Mr Robinson for decision, the contractor signing an agreement to abide by his decision. A letter was read from James Carrick asking to have the Sander Road opened, someone having a fence across the road. It was decided to have the fence removed and to open the road, or any other roads when requested. The treasurer reported that Mr Rutherford had not forwarded the £5 which he had promised as a subsidy if the Board would expend another £5 on the Parihaka Road, although the Board had expended £10. The members expressed themselves surprised that Mr Rutherford had not acknowledged receipt of the account. The Overseer's report was road and adopted, lie reported that he had got a piuall job done on the Manilii Road, viz., making a side track at the cost of 1b per chain. He pointed out the damage the bullock drays were doing to the metal, carrying upwards of two tons on two wheels. Some members expressed themselves that the money would l>e saved within a month. The gravel which bad been put on that road had stood the ordinary traffic well, but would not stand teams of eight bullocks in either wet or dry weather. Messrs Ganc, Fleming, and the Chairman voted for it, and Messrs Morgan and Morrow against. One member said that it was not a necessary work, as there would not be much traffic when the flax was finished, and that it was better to metal another two chains than form one I mile. It was pointed out that if there was not going to be much traffic what was the use of paying £2 4b per chain to put metal on a road when a formed road would do, without wasting the money in metal. The Overseer reported that Mr Sander had not completed his contract on the Ngarike Road. There was 15 chains not burnt, but could be burnt if the undergrowth was cut down. Mr Sanders was in attendance, and said he had expended a lot of time and labour ou the job, but the elements were against him. Mr Billing was asked what he would complete the job for, and he said £3 10s, whereas the Board had only 35s in hand, which they held back from Mr Sander tillhucomplcted the job. — Mr Sander said he would never take another contract under the Board ; in fact there should not be such a thing as contract. Everything should be done by day labour. The Overseer reported that other bush jobs had not been finished, and it was decided to still retain the money kept back from them, and* not pay any one until the works were completed. It was resolved to how down the bush roads which had been felled and burnt with cocksfoot. Mr Gano said that it would ho right ho thought for every eettlcr to bow his own frontage it his own cost. lie waa quite willing to do so if it was universally (lone, fe'xj no doubt the bush settlers would

as those having open land, who have to keep roadsides clear of gorso at their own expense. It was reported that the gates had been removed which were across the Manila and Opua roads. The Overseer was requested to report on the Rahotu Road. Complaints were made about pigs on the Kahui Road, also mobs of horses and cattle which arc damaging the approaches to the Ruatina Bridge. Accounts. — The following accounts were passed. Billing, £19 15s ; Hemingway, salary, £5 10s '8(1 ; Wells and McDonnhl, XI i 10s 4d ; R. Warner, £28 7s lOd ; Wiley, £45 15s ; Eustace, £12 9s 2d ; Lawn, £21 ; Seccombe, £8The meeting then terminated.