SOUTH AVON ROAD BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1002, 3 May 1871, Page 2

SOUTH AVON ROAD BOARD.

♦ A public meeting of . ratepayers in the southern part of the Avon district was held in the St. Albans Schoolroom lust night for the purpose of further discussing the question of creating a separate Road Board district. There was a large attendance^ and Mr 0. R. Blakiston was voted to the chair. A large map, shewing the proposed division of the existing district, was displayed in the room. Ths Chairman, in explaining the object of 1 the meeting, adverted to the one held last week, at which resolutions were agreed to affirming the' advisability of dividing the Avon district, and appointing a committee to define the boundaries of the new district. He said he had to report that the committee had held two meetings and had gone very fully into the matter. At the first meeting it was resolved that a new district be formed to be called the South Avon Road District to comprise the following area : — " Commencing at the westernmost corner of section 299 ; thence in a north-easterly direction along the N.W\ boundary of said section to the North road ;. thence along the^ western side of the North road to a point, opposite the southernmost corner of section 243 b ; thence in & N.E. direction to thewesternmost corner of section 136 ; and thence along the N.W. boundaries of sections 136, 324, and 345;. thence across an accom>modation road forming the western boundary of 345 a ; and thence along the western, boundary of that section to its westernmost corner ; thence along the north - western boundary of said section, and the northern boundaries of sections 2256, 1135, and 1140, to the Canal reserve; thence southerly along the western side of the Canal reserve to the northern bank of Dudley's creek; and thence along the northern bank of said creek to its junction with the River Avon; thence along the north bank of the ftiver Avon, to the City of Christchurch; thence northerly and westerly, and following the eastern and northern boundaries of the said city to the northern bank of the River Avon, following the said bank to the eastern boundary of the Riccarton road district ; and from thence along that boundary to the commencing point." It was also agreed at the same meeting that a petition to his Honor the Superintendent, praying for separation, should be prepared, and taken round for signature by ratepayers living within the above described boundaries ; and that Mr Hart's kind offer to have the same prepared, aB weli as a large map, showing the proposed new district be accepted. At the second meeting, Mr Hinton brought up the petition, to which he bad procured the signatures of over 60 ratepayers in the proposed new district. A plan on a large scale had been made for exhibition at the intended public meeting on May 2, and votes of thanks were accorded to Mr M. B. Hart, junr., for preparing the same and getting the petition engrossed ; also to Mr Hinton for obtaining signatures to the petition. That was an account of what the committee had done, and it now rested with the meeting to confirm the action taken or otherwise. He next read the petition to his. Honor the Superintendent, which, after describing the proposed new district as above, prayed for separation under the 56th. section of the Roads Ordinance 1869, on the ground — (1) " That the Avon Road Board as at present constituted is wholly inadequate to exercise and superintend the proper arrangement of • that portion of the said Avon Road Board district hereinbefore described, or to provide for the general requirements of the ratepayers thereof." He said that the petition had already been signed by 85 ratepayers. The committee had a great' deal of discussion at their meetings as to theP boundaries of the district. Many persons thought that they ought to have been ex-

tended so as to have included New Brighton, but it was considered that this would tend to cause a continuation of the bickerings or complaints, at least on the part of New Brighton, 88 to unfair expenditure of money, also that the boundaries as now before the meeting •would be most likely to receive the consent, of his Honor. For his part he certainly thought the decision of tho committee was correct. Of course if a majority of the meeting disapproved of this action they could reverse it, but, at the same time, he must point out that if the residents of New Brighton had any desire for separation from the present district, they could follow their example. Dr Florance said he had learnt from Mr Haskins, the Clerk of the existing Road Board, that the Board would be very glad to see the objects of the meeting successfully carried out. Whether this was the case or not, there had betn a patchwork system carried on, a dishonesty in dealing with this portion of the district which had prompted them to the course they had undertaken, and which he had no doubt would be a sufficient stimulant to carry them through to tho end. (Cheers.) It had been said that they were malcontents, but this should not iaduce them to lie down in the mud quietly, and get no improvement in their roads. He dwelt strongly on the hitherto bad state of the roads and drains which he asserted had been disgracefully neglected. He believed that they were working in the right direction to accomplish a true and proper course of procedure for the future, and hoped they would continue to do so. (Hear, hear.) He adverted to the position of Christchu eh when the sewage was bad. It was at one time considered the pest-hole of the province, but there had been an admirable change, and the city was now establishing by meana of its artesian wells a very fair character. But how must it be in St. Alba s without these artesian wells and bad drains ; disease must unavoidably be promoted. Whether the Board would now be glad to help them in obtaining a division of the district or not, it was patent that they had hitherto misapplied the funds that part of the district had a right to, and it was high time the ratepayers sought for redre s. If they did not put their shoulders to the wheel and agitate the matter strongly, they would never be delivered from their present most unsatisfactory state. He would move, " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the boundary of the proposed South. Avon dis'rict as defined in the petition and plan now before the meeting is satisfactory in all respects, and be adopted." Mr W. Hinton seconded the motion, which was put and unanimously agreed to. Mr Dixie moved, " That a deputation be formed to wait upon his Honor the Superintendent with the petition when sufficiently signed, and support the prayer thereof." Dr Florance seconded the motion, which was also unanimously agreed to. The following gentlemen were appointed to form the deputation : — C. R. Blakiston, G. Gould, J. H. Twentyman, Dr Florance, W. Hinton, and Joseph Buxton ; four to form a quorum. A subscription was started in the room for the purpose of defraying incidental expenses, and the Chairman was appointed treasurer. Mr Cooper said the duties of the present committee were finished, and if the meeting thought it advisable to appoint another to assist the deputation in carrying out their work, or transacting any other business required to be done, it was for them to elect one at once. Mr Hart said it appeared to him that a committee would be required for other important work besides assisting the deputation, therefore they might as well kill two birds with one stone. It was clear that the district would require more extensive powers than were given under the Road Boards Ordinance, and without going to the extent of the Municipal Corporations Act. It would be well, therefore that the committee besides assisting the deputation, should solicit the attendance of the members of the district in the Provincial Council at a future meeting, in order to explain to them such alterations as might be desirable in the Roads Ordinance during the next session of the Provincial Council. (Hear, hear.) It was very evident that their powers at present were not sufficient for such a populous and rapidly growing suburb of the city, yet they did not wish to have such so absurd an increase of power as the Municipal Act would be. The Koad Boards were only created for the manage ment of . drains and such matters, but something much more extensive is now required. (Hear, hear ) He was in hopes the petition, would be successful, and therefore it would be very advisable to secure the attendance of their members for the purpose he had stated. (Hear, hear.) He was not a ratepayer, but he was very glad to help in the present movement, because he saw it was the initiative of what will be taken up throughout the whole province. Many other places felt the necessity of amendment in the Ordinance. The meeting had grappled with one point in seeking a division of the district, and they ought now to go further, and obtain au amendment in the Ordinance suitable to their requirements, and to those of all other districts. (Hear, hear.) Mr R dtland moved that the old committee be re- appointed with a view to assisting the deputation to carry out the objects of this meeting; and further, if found desirable, to draw the attention of the members in thiProvincial Council to the amendments desired in the Roads Ordinance for this and other districts. "Mr Green seconded the motion, which was agreed to nern con. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.