MOA ROAD BOARD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16611, 8 December 1919, Page 5

MOA ROAD BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, Tlie Moa Road Board mot at Inglewood on Saturday. Those present wore: Messrs. A. Corkill (chairman), B. xlair, T. S. Bowler, E. Stuart, 1). Todd, J. H. Lyon, J. B. Simpson ami A. OowTho chairman congratulated Mr. Simpson, upon again taking a seat upon the board, he having teem returned unopposed to replace Mr. Lracefgirdle, resigned. Mr. Lyon also ivcrcomod Mr. Simpson and said ho believed ho had been defeated in a previous election on account of some looting about noxious wpods; some people did not like to part with them. Mr. Simpson, iii reply, also referred to his stand in connection with noxious weeds and affirmed his belief that active stops to eradicate them from the district were necessary. INGLEWOOD COUNTY.

A copy of the Inglewood County Act was forwarded by the Minister of Internal Affairs with a request that the board should supply information on the following points; (1) The number or ridings (and dcsoriptidn of boundaries) into which the county should be divided ; (2) the number of councillors to be elected for cadi riding; the representation of ridings to bo as far as possible proportionate to rateable value and number of-clectors; (3) the name ot some suitable person for appointment to prepare rolls and act as returning officer for the first election. The clerk to the board (Mr. E. Buckley) was recommended as the person to prepare the roll and act as returning, officer. With regard to division of the county into ridings, the chairman said it was impossible to go into the matter until the county had been valued. The town clerk of Inglewood wrote by direction of his council to convey congratulations in connection with the formation of the Inglewood County and expressing the wish that every success would attend the new county.

STANDARDISED CONCRETE BRIDGES. Tho engineer reported that plans and specifications for the Makara. Bridge had been approved by the Public Wonts Engineer, out amendments that had been called for by the department s engineer would add JflOO to the cost ana a further sum for supervision. On the motion of Mr. Lyon, it was decided that to obviate Joss of time m approval oi plans the board should join with all local bodies to ask that tho Public Works Department should provide standardised plans of concrete bridges in tho same manner as wooden and steel structures. CORRESPONDENCE. Tho overseer (Mr. R. C. Gray) wrote that he was in hospital and would not bo lib to resumo work lor some time.— Tho chairman expressed appreciation/ of the services of the overseer while in tlie employ of tho board and it was decided that a position should bo held open lor him on his recovery. In reply to an inquiry the secretary to tho Taranaki Counties’ Conference advised that it was proposed to hold a conference at an early date to consider by-laws and that the matter of wages could then also bo dealt with. The chairman said that a letter had been received from Mr. Reesby which referred to tho writer’s private affairs. He did not intend that Mr. Reesby should use tho board to air his grievances and wished it to bo understood that lie would consign any further such letters to tho waste-paper basket. MISCELLANEOUS.

Tiio chairman reported having formed ono of tlio deputation that waited upon tho I’rimo Minister at Dltham regarding tlio opening of metal quarries .at Mt. Eginont. A report uj)on the subject had been promised. With regard to plant, the chairman reported that it had been found impossible to hire a traction engine and it was not thought advisable to purchase a second-hand engine. Later in tho meeting tho chairman spoke of facilities for carrying metal and said lie thought tho board should consider tho purchaso of an up-to-date motor dumptruck. It should give belter service than horse teams, which wore both expensive to hire and difficult to obtain. Members of tho board agreed to arrange to inspect a truck in operation. Mr. Corbott waited on tho board regarding tho Ratapiko Hoad, Ho said that no work had been done on it for years and asked the council to spend some of tho rates collected on it in maintenance Regarding tho metalling of tho road a difficulty arose through settlers who would bo merged from tho Stratford County when tho Inglowood County was formed being concerned and not agreeing to join in at tho present time to raise a loan.—The chairman made an explanation to show that tho road had received fair treatment. He did not think a loan could be raised satisfactorily until the now county came into operation.—lt was; decided that a man should bo sent when available to improve the surface. Mr. Corbett said ho would lend horses to work tho grader and thought other settlers would do likewise. Mr. Hooper waited on the board with regard to tho Mangaotea Road. Ho would bo a ratepayer in the new Inglewood County and suggested that tho Stratford County Council should bo asked to help the road by handing to tho Moa Road Board portion of tho rates collected this year on tho road to be merged. It was decided that tho price of hire for r. single horse and dray should not exceed 7s 6d por day and that for horse, dray and man £1 per day. ' Accounts amounting to £341 (Is lid wore passed for payment.