TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3387, 5 August 1885, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

The usual monthly meeting of the Temuka Koad Board was held on Tuesday. MEMBERS PEE6ENT. Messrs J. Talbot (Chairman), M. Quinn, R. Smith and J. Brown. ACCOr/NTS. Accounts to tho amount of £77 3g wero passed for paymont. DEPUTATIONS. Mr J. F. Douglas waited on tho Board complaining that the creek running past his section at Sodtown overflowed its backs, causing damage to his garden. Ho requested tho Board to form a road from his land to Edglor's to prevent overflows m the future. Mr Douglas also asked for a share of the Board's work. The Overseer having informed the Board that applicant's section wa3 a low-lying one, and tho overflow occurred from natural causes, the Board decided not to make a road at present. In tho matter of day labor, applicant was informed that the employment of nands was left to the Ovcrseor. Mr J. Mclnnes interviewed the Board, stating that one of the Government cottages m front of his reaidonco was greatly out of repair, and owing to tho doors and windows being open swaggers and others were m tho habit of sleeping m tho cottage and committing nuisances. Tho Overseer was directed to board up the doors and windows. Mr O. P. HcCallum attended, drawing attention to tho soft state of SmithfieW crossing. He stated tho river was washing away tho banks of his land, and he asked that something should bo done to turn tho river. After some discussion, it was decided that Messrs Quinn and Brown, togotlicr with the Overseor, should visit tho placo with Mr McCallum and others interested, and sco what steps were advisable to bo taken m the matlcr. Mr Owen Carr waited on tho Board requesting that Mr J. F. Douglas should receive orders to removo a fonco erected by him across a road m Sod town. The Overseer was instructed to havo tho fonco removed, and m caso of similar complaints, to order tho removal of all obstructions placod across roads m that part of tho district. Tho Rev. T. A. Hamilton, Hon. Secretary to tho Tomuka Benovolent Society, attended, and asked tho Board if thoy would find work for men m destitute circumstances, if tho Society paid for tho labor. Tho idea, he said, was that men should not lobb their self-re-spect by recoiving Charitable Aid, and as tho funds of tho Society wero obtained by subscriptions from the public, they could not bo expended better than for labor calculated to bo for tho publio boncfit. Ecsolved— " That tho Board is willing to find omploymont for men that may bo recommended by tho Society, on tho lines proposed by tho Bey. T. A. Hamilton, viz., tho Surveyor to givo certificates that tho work has boon done. It must bo a condition, howovcr, that only ono day a weok can bo devoted by tho Surveyor to attend to it, both for showing work and granting certificates." CATTtK BALES. Mr Quiun applied on behalf of Mr A. Grant for permission to hold a sale of Mackenzie Country cattlo m tho public pound, tho Tomuka salryards being \msuitablo for such cattle. Undor tho circumstances tho Board granted the application, but docided it was not to bo taken as a prccodont. CORBEBrOHDENCE. Letters wero road as follows : — From tho Geraldino Boad Board m referonco to tho future maintenance of tho Boundary Road, stating that tho Goraldiao Board did not approvo of tho proposals made by the Tomuka Road Doard, and submitting for the consideration of. tho latt«r Board tho following proposal, viz. : — That tho Geraldino Boad Board are of opinion that the whole cost of tho boundary road Bhonld bo equally borno by the two Boards, and that

a statement of expenditure should be renderc.l annually for settlement by each Board, and that any expenditure amounting to £200 should be sanctioned by both Boards. Resolved— "That thiß Board are at a loss to understand why the Geraldine Board object to the conditions submitted to them re the maintenance of the boundary road, and desire to point out that the arrangement proposed by the Temuka Board is calculated to work more smoothly than their counter proposals, inasmuch as were their proposals adopted, either Board might demur to paying its Bharc of any heavy unauthorised expenditure. Our proposals are that the cost of certain specified works shall be shared, provided both Boards have agreed to their being requisite, and that for purposes of ordinary maintenance, the length of the road bo equally divided between each Board ; this Board being indifferent as to which end they take over. If the cost of all works are to be Bhared, thio Board would prefer to follow the Act m its entirety ; each Board, however, taking a length of the road for supervision of works only. The object this Board had m view was to draft proposals which would avoid future misunderstandings, and would allow of ordinary maintenance being carried out without the trouble and delay of first referring to each other, and that would necessarily act fairly. We are of opinion that these objects would be secured by the adoption of our proposals, and we therefore ask the Geraldine Board to reconsider their decision on the matter." From the Property Tax Department, forwardinp a circular giving information as to the steps to be taken to obtain payment of rates on native lands. There being rates outstanding on such lauds, the Chairman was asked to act m accordance with the circular. From the Waimate County Council, requesting receipt for poisoning grain for the destruction of small birds, and for any information which would m the opinion of tho Board be useful. The Clerk was instructed to forward all particulars m possession of tho Board. From the Chairman, South Orari Biver Board, asking the Board to allow their Clerk to collect their river rates. — Granted. From Mr Vallendor and seven other ratepayers, asking tho Board to continue the formation of the footpath on the north side of Donmark street, and to shingle the same. As this matter was referred to m the Overseer's report, it was decided to carry out the work. From Mr R. A. Barker, complaining that a dam had been cut through at Orari, causing water from certain parts of the district to flow through his land. The Ornrso-" 1 tths directed to endeavor to arrange \.< railway authorities and owners of luuu ior a drain to bo cut for the purpose of taking the water to its natural channel. From Mr D. Taylor, expressing surprise at the resolution of tho Board passed last meeting m reference to formation of School Road, Bangitata, and asking the Board to reconsider it. Hesolved — " That m view of tho heavy expenditure that will have to be undertaken nearer the Railway Station, tho Board cannot depart from its previous resolution." TENDKBB. Ten tenders were received for contract 37, clearing drain at Milford. The lowest, C. McCauliffee's, £3 9s, being accepted. The tenders ranged as high as £12. ovehseeh's befoht. The Overseer's report was read as follows : — " The recent flood having caused considerable damage to the fords m various parts of the district, I had them made passable as soon as possible, and Btepß are now being taken to have them put m good order. Some of the shingle was scoured off the Geraldine road. Part of it has been replaced and the worst holes filled. While the flood water is allowed to run over this road as it is at present, it will be scoured every flood. The shingle has also been scoured off about 4 chains of the Kakahu Road, and what could be got has been put back again. This piece of road will require about 60 yards of shingle. I do not see how the scour can be prevented without a deal of expense. The cutting at the Temuka river, on the road leading to Palmer's, having been washed away, a fresh one has been made. The bank of the river at this place is now about 75 feet from the footbridge. It would require three Bpans on to tho end of the bridge to connect it with the bank. Tho crossing made at Milford to give access to Mr Ackroyd's land was to a slight extent scoured by the late flood. I think this place should be made substantial, as the only other ford across tho river below Temuka is too doep (oven when the water is low) to cross. There is about six chains of road near Rangitata river that requires to be shingled, on the way from Badham's to Rangitata Island. The next three months being a good time for shingling, I would recommend that this end of the Kakahu road, about 80 chains, and 60 chains of the Boiling Down road be shingled next month. Tho Boiling Down would require 10 yards to the chain, the Kakahu road from 12 to 16 yards to the chain. About nine chains of Denmark street footpath requires forming. I would recommend that fresh tenders be invited for keeping the Rangitata fords m repair. " (Signed) F. Abcheb, Overseer." Tho following resolutions were passed : — " That 60 yards of shingle bo placed on tho scoured part of the Kakahu road." " That additions to the footbridge near Palmer's be deferred for the present." "That tho crossing at Milford be mado wider and substantial." " That the road near the Rangitata river bo shingled." " That tenders be called for shingling 80 chains of tho Kakahu road and 60 chains of the Boiling Down road." '•That tenders bo invited for keeping the Rangitata fords m repair." MISCELLANEOUS. The Chairman stated it had come to his knowledge that some persons had taken timber from tho river, which had belonged to tho footbridge near Palmer's. As he believed it had been taken m ignorance of tho law he did not lay an information, as the penalty for conviction was imprisonment without the option of a fine. The Board decided to take stringent action m future cases. The sub-Committee appointed to report on Malarky's claim for damages to his crop m 18S4, alleged to luive boon caused by neglect of tho Board to koop a certain drain clean, brought up their report, and recommended that the claim should not bo entertained by the Board. The report was unanimously adopted. Tho Clerk was directed to Bue at once without furthor notice for all outstanding rates. The Board then adjourned.