GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15447, 9 September 1914, Page 11

GERALDINE ROAD BOARD.

I i MONTHLY MEETIXG. The monthly mooting of this Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs Whitman (eiiainnan), Thomson, Wharton, Mulvihill, and A. "Wilkinson. The chairman before proceeding with the business referred to the loss sustained by the untimely death of Col. Hayhurst and moved a resolution expressing deep regret at the sad event, and sympathy with Mrs Hayhurst and family; a copy of the resolution to be forwarded to Mrs Hayhurst. The motion was carried, members standing. The chairman then said he was sure they were all very pleased indeed to have Mr Wharton with them again after his long illness, he having been absent on leave since last December. They had missed Mr Wharton very much, and hoped he would continue to improve in health and be spared to work many years for the benefit- of the ratepayers. Since last meeting, the chairman continued, in connection with the proposed County Bill he had visited Wellington, and with others had given evidence before the Local Bills Committee. The Bill had been thrown out by the Committee, and they had to take their beating as true Britishers, but they must see if they could not improve their present fossilised form of local government. Tho existing overlapping was more tlian could he borne in modern conditions. The receipts for tho month had been £7l. Then payments that day amounted to £293, and their debtor balance was £4OO, so that their overdraft would amount to £7OO. PLANTATION PLEASANT VALLEY. Mr MeLeod waited on the Board relative to plantation reserve which he had leased at 20s a year. He said the reserve contained five acres including the plantation, and was not worth more than he had given. The conditions of the lease were read, and after discussion Mr MeLeod offered to give £2, and his offer was accepted. TENDER. A tender was received for work at Toomey's Crossing, but after consideration was declined. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from the Lands Department, referring to closing of a paper road Section /160, statea tiiat it nad been found that portion coloured red on plan should not have been closed, as it was required as part of a cross road. To rectify this it was proposed to proclaim the piece in question under the Land Act.—Received.

Mr W. T. Mallinson wrote applying for leave to transfer lease of reserve at Woodbury to Mi- Popplewell.—The chairman, expressed the opinion that all reserves should be insxjected and reported on at least once a year, and that people should be required to carry out all conditions of their leases. It was understood that this would, be done.—Regarding Mr Mallinson's application, it was agreed that if the lease is signed by Mr Popplewell the Board will transfer the lease. Mr W. H. Weaver wrote asking permission to transfer his lease of plantation to Mr William Ford, of Orari. Agreed to when Mr Ford signs the lease.

A telegram from the PaymasterGeneral stated that the Prime Minister desired an estimate of the total amount contributed to the Empire defence fluid, and asked for information as to such funds in the hands of the Board.—The chairman said tho local fund was held by the South Canterbury Committee. Telegram to be answered to this effect; Mr Unwin of 'Winchester, thanked the Board for letter received, and said they would look forwartf to the time when the bridge wanted renewing, and to the time when the war was over and times were better. A .letter from the Agricultural Department notified that spiderworfc had been added to the third schedule or tho Noxious Weeds Act. GENERAL. The chairman said Mr Burdon had agreed to the holding oyer for the pr©v sent of the erection of bridge near hia residence. On the motion of Mr Thomson, seconded by Mr Wilkinson, it was resolved that the Board having cleared the Raukapuka new roads, the occupiers on both sides must in futuna keep their road frontages clear of all goYse, broom, and othor noxious weeds up to the centre of the road, in accordance with section 147 of the Public Works Act 1908. OVERSEER'S REPORT.

The overseer reported :—The contract for carting shingle on Belfield road had been completed. The teams had been employed at Orari, Four Peaks, Gould's, Woodbury, TeMoana, and other places. Protective works at Gould's had been erected, and the men wers now engaged protecting Te Moana iootbridge. Me submitted an estimate for bridge 120 feet long, with protective banks and approaches. (It was agreed by the Board to hold this over.) Re Four Peaks Road bv Mr Wooding's, it had been suggested that the water coming down from the Hill Road could bo taken across the road at the junction into an old gullv, and so prevent tho road being flooded, but on looking into the matter lie found it would be necesany to take the waters aoross the two roads in pipes. (Itwas agreed that in view of the expense the proposal could not be entertained.) Re Gray's road, Tripp Settlemnet, leading to the back of Mr Gray's land, he said there were no homesteads on the road, which was used only for carting out grain and threshing' plants, etc. It wanted forming, with a deep'ditch on tho upper side to drain it. Two bad places wanted draining bv pipes. It might bo patched up for a few years at comparatively small cost. (It was agreed to patch tho road.) The teams had patched un the road applied for by Mr Walter Hawke, Pleasant Valley, but some draining was required. (It was agreed t 0 do what is necessary.) This concluded the business.