WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY BOARD.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1985, 15 May 1875, Page 2

WAIOTAHI HIGHWAY BOARD.

A meetirvg of the members of the above board was held this morning at the Borough Council Chambers. ; Present: — Messrs V7\ Eowc ' (chairman), Brodie, Hill, and Co«te. The minutes of last meeting were-read /and confirmed. . -. Mr Dean said he had measured the road metal broken by Mr Gallagher, and found the heap measured 145 yards 10 feet. The heap hadlbeen cut-in the centre, and found hot *'to bo iojf good quality. It was decided that the Chairman and some members of the Board should inspect the heap before the account was paid.'/ .; '■ :-i ','"/ \) \ ■ '■■•.• The Collector of Eates was authorised to issue summonses against all persons owing rates. Mr Macfarland sent : in the following report:— "To the Trustees of the Waiotahi District. " Gentlemen,—According to your instructions I have made a preliminary examination of the country between the Candlelight claim at the Waiotahi and the Tairua Goldfield, to ascertain if the Waiotahi road could bb extended jbo as to form a convenient road from" the; Thames to the Tairua. " I have the honor to report that the Candlelight claim is about 1500 feet above the level of Grahamstowri, and from thence the road would have to descend to the Kauaeranga Creek, and again ascend to the leading range on south side of the I Kauaeranga on which the 1 goldfield is situated, and which is about 2000 feet above the level of Grabamstown. Under the above circumstances I could" not; recommend a leading road io be made from the Waiotahi to Tairua, but I would; strongly recommend a leading track to be cleared and formed on the above line for the purpose of allowing the country to be conveniently prospected, and several branch tracks from it towards the East Coast, as there is a very extensive district on the line, of the auriferous reefs of the Thames,* which cannot be prospected owing to the thick and tangled nature of the forest. - I believe that if a number of suitable tracks were cut to the East Coast from this "portion of the goldfield that it would be of the greatest advantage to the whole district. " I have marked out a track from the. end of the Waiotahi Itoad to the top of thb Mangakirikiri JUreek, and will have it extended to the Kauaeranga in the direction of the Tairua (Broldfield in a few days. —I have, etc., "EOBEBT J. MaCFABLAND.

" 10th May, 1875." ' ■ - - ; Mr Brodie stated that: some residents in Grrahamstown had spoken to him and offered to subscribe funds towards Cutting tracks throughout the back country, and especially towards the Tairua. Mr Howe said that if one good line was laid out all the Boards might contribute towards its formation, not the Waiotahi Board alone/ If the Board had money he would support the expenditure for cutting the tracks suggested by Mr Macfarland. Mr Brodie said all the Boards should be thrown into one country board, and not as at present each one wanting a track cut through their district. The Chairman reminded the speaker they were not present to form a parliament and legislateibr the whole district, and had better confine their attention to their own business. - A letter from Dr Payne was read, requesting permission to cross on horseback the footpaths in the district, both for himself and Drs Fox and Lethbridge. ; The Chairman said the request could not be granted, as a bad precedent wonld be set up, and the secretary was instructed *to acknowledge receipt of the letter, and inform Dr Payne that a side track would be made from the Moanatairi to the' Waiotahi Creek, but that upon the footpaths no horse traffic could be allowed. Accounts to the amount of £90 15s sd, including wages were passed for payment. Mr Dean stated that during June £300 would be received from the Government, and their liabilities were £150. . Mr Eowe drew attention to the fact that the Waiotahi Creek had received more than their 'share of the money of the Board, and that the Moanatairi side should have the present works completed before any more money was voted.