TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 11985, 6 February 1903, Page 3

TEMUKA ROAD BOARD.

At the monthly meeting of the Temuka Road Board, all the members were present, and the chairman (Mr J. Talbot) presided. Among the correspondence read was a communication from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, stating that the owners of the sections in Block IV. of the Orari township have approached the Land Board in the endeavour of obtaining some legal occupancy of the land between them and the Main" South Road. The land, -however, is a public road or street, and it was pointed out by the Commissioner that it was beyond the Board's power to meet the applicants' wishes. The matter was brougut under the Road Board, as possibly that body might be able to grant the request and assist those' applying in getting temporary occupation of the land opposite their several holdings.—After considerable discussion it was resolved to reply to the effect that the Board offers no objection to the land in question being fenced in by the owners of sections fronting on it. but can give no legal tenure, and it must be distinctly understood that those who do fence in the land must accept ail risks in doing so.

The clerk of the Levels County Council wrote intimating that owing to complaints from the Levels County ratepayers as to the dangerous state of the crossing at O'Mara's, on the Oisihi river, the Council have decided to contribute one-fourth towards the cost (frc-m .-S2 to .-S3) towards letting away the banked up water.—The chairman explained that as a result ofthis letter he had instructed the overseer to seethe officials Of the Acclimatisation Society and arrange to call tenders for the work, contributing an amount similar to that voted by the Levels County Council, on the understanding that the Acclimatisation Society also assisted with funds. Tendeis had been called but none had been received. —Some discussion followed, and it was eventually decided to extend the time for receiving tenders till nest w^ek. Reference was made to the small birds nuisance by the chairman. There had been a good deal of complaint lately of the damage done to crops by small birds, yet the quantity of eggs and heads purchased this year was not anything like what the numbers were last year. Already the sum expended during the present season was between £6O and £7O less than this time last year. Mr Bissett said the season had not been favourable for bird nesting. By the appearance of tie crops it looked as though the birds were doing more damage than ever. This might possibly be. owing to the season, which caused the crops to remain soft longer than is usually the case.

The difficulty between the Board and the Temuka Borough Council over the question of putting in crossings over the ■water race supplying Temuka with its surface drainage water, led to animated discussion, the opinion being held by members of the Board "that by the agreement between the two bodies the Council undertook to attend to such requests. It was "decided to leave the matter in abeyance until next meeting. The overseer's report was read.

Accounts amounting to £75 18s 6d were passed for payment, and the Board rose.