Featherston Road Board.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1804, 8 March 1886, Page 2

Featherston Road Board.

This Board met at Featheruton on Saturday. Present—Messrs J. Donald (Chairman) Matthews, McDougall.Bidwill, Harris, Tully and Dowman. * Minutes of Meetings. The Clerk read the minutes of the last regular meeting, which were confirmed. Upon the minutes of the subsequent speoial meeting being read, Mr Dowman objected to their being confirmed, as he intended to move that the Waihenga toll gate be abolished. Mr Matthews said as Mr Dowman was not present at the speoial meeting he had no right to object to the minutes being confirmed. Waihenga Toll Gate. The Chairman said the lease 'had already expired, but at the last regular meeting of the Board the matter had been overlooked. Mr Dowman said he should propose later on that no tender be accepted. The Chairman said Mr Dowman must give notice of motion to that effect. Mr Matthews said it had been customary to invite tenders before the lease of the toll gate expired, but the omission this year did not affect the position, as the chairman and the clerk could on their own accord call for tenders. Mr Bidwill concurred with the previous speaker's remarks. w-; Mr Tully said Mr Dowman should certainly have given notice of motion re \ abolition before the lease of the toll gate ha'd expired. Treasubicb's Bepobt.

Tho Treasurer's report was read as follows :—I have to report to credit of general account LIO4B 10s lid, and to credit of imprest account L 271 17s 4d. The matter of allocating the L 350 received from the Wairarapa Weßt County Counoil (balance of loan), was not definitely decided at last meeting, and as this will be the last ordinary meeting before balanoing for the year, it would be as well that wardens understand to what account or accounts this amount is credited to. A suggestion has been made that as the per centages of the rates from each ward, to the general expenses account, were raised on accouut of this loan, the amouut should now be divided pro rata between the several sub-districts. I would point out that when the amount (L 500) was advanced in September, 1883, it was charged to County road account, and when the portion, Ll5O, was received in August, 1884, that sum was credited to the same account. It will therefore be seen that the debit balance of this account includes the LSOO originally advanced, and that the last amount received should be credited to that account. The matter of proportion of rates to meet general expenditure will require revision after the Valuation 801 l had been finally dealt with, and I think will allow of considerable reduction. I am informed by the clerk that the Valuation 801 l as it at present stands, shows an increase in the value of property in this district of L 119.877, exclusive of Crown and Native lands. The ratable value of property occupied by Europeans as shown by the Bate Book of last year, and upon which a rate of Ofd in the £ has been colleoted, is £698,727, Accordto the valuation now made it is shewn at £818,604. Of course this is yet subject to revision, and it is clear there are one or two errors, yet the increase will be a very substantial one and will open up the question as to whether a less rate than Of d in the £ should be levied. I may mention that the rate for the past year at Of d in the £ yielded £2lßl odd. If the valuation roll is not very materially reduced the same rate will yield £2558, or an increase of £377. If a rate of one halfpenny be deemed sufficient, it will give £1705 odd, or £476 less than last year. These are matteTS I give for the consideration of wardens before the next rate is struck. The financial position of each sub-district at date, exolusive of this day's payment is as follows — No 1 subdistriot. credit .. £ 713 5 „ 2 „ „ 285 17 9 .. 8 „ „ 67 15 5 ~ 4 „ „ 32 16 11 „ 5 „ debit 1 12 8 „ 6 „ credit 153 15 7 „ 7 „ „ 121 0 1 „ 8 ~ „ 383 2 8 To-day's payments being the last in the financial year, balances either to debit or credit will be carried forward. Correspondence Outwards.

was read by the Clerk, iucluding letters to Mr J. Barton, Messrs Beard and Gray, re tracings of sections 79 and 80, Fernside : Kaitara district residents replying that Board eould not aocede to their request re removal of ranger. Kaiwaiwai school committee in reference to road drain. To Mr Considine, asking him to continue with toll gate for 14 days longer. To E. Anderson, surveyor, re plans Cross's Creek Road. CORRESPONDENCE INWARDS. From Mr D. Cameron, sending apology for inability to attend through having met with an acoident by falling from his horse. From W. Skeet asking for work to be done at Papawai to the extent of £5 at the cutting leading on to the terrace called Uruokakite north, promising to provide an equivalent in labor. From Mr J. Baillie, asking for about eight chains forming and metalling to be done at Papawai near Mr Varnhamsprop3rty. From Clerk to West County Council, asking on behalf of Council for an advance (or loan) of T£7so to enable Council to pay for road formation, Martinborough Pahaua, &c. Wats and Means. Respecting the application of the County Council for a loan of £750 for certain works, Mr Tully' said his ward could advance £350 to Council if the Board could by any other means provide the £4OO balance. Mr Tully said the great anxiety of the people out in that direotion was to get a road made before next wool season, and he considered his ward in particular would be greatly benefited by having the money expended. Mr Dowman hoped that the other wards would assist as the work was urgently reauired.

The Chairman said the people out there should put on a special rate ; if the settlers clamoured to have the toll abolished something else must certainly be substituted. Mr Tully said he should object to a special rate being struck. Mr Bidwill said he did not see that the County Council could, at present, give any guarantee that the money would be repaid. Mr Matthews said in this respect he felt sorry that the Roads find Bridges Aot had beeu repealed. He was afraid at least that they would be compelled to retain the present rate. He would be only too pleased to see the road works carried out, but it would involve a large sum of money, and in the meantime only benefit a few settlers. The Board would require to pause before thoy gnent all their money. They had expenGUitftj a good eea,aon last vear, but next year *• -« woß&ible that insy" might have some it who , * -•* -<*stson t A'o. trouble with a bau ... " **» Matthews

Mr Bidwill proposed and --- ' seconded, " That the sum of £350 Agreed to bv Mr Tully, be granted from his ward account, subject to the Board's some guarantee from the Council as to the repayment of that amount, also asking the Council to name what guarantee they can offer, so that the further sum of £4OO can be considered at the next meeting of the Board. Carried. . Mr Tully remarked that the? settlers pack about twelve miles less now than formerly. It was resolved that Mr Baillie's application be allowed to stand over until the wardan (Mr Cameron) was in attendance. MrSkeet'B application was granted upon the terms proposed by applicant to be left in the hands of himself to see {the warden and arrange. It was regolved that the £BSO returned by the County Council be relegated to the County roads account of the general fund. A letter in reply was read from MrConsidine agreeing to carry on toll gate until fresh tenders were accepted

Timbers, The following tenders were received : Digging drain, 26 chains, Kaiwaiwai —R Briokell, accepted, 35s chain ; A Dick, 82s 8d ; A NeiißOD, 57« ; T Collyer, 425; Dennis

Cronin and Co., 455; G Fenton, 445; Chris. Carlsen, BJd cubic yard, about 53s per chain. Formation Jackson's Line, 21 chains.—D Cronin and Co., accepted, 20a; A Dick, 40s. Formation and Metalling, 15 chains, Hod der's Line. —Burgess Bros., S9s chain, accepted ; Ohisholmand Co, 79s 6d; ADick39s6d. Waihenga Tollgate. Waihenga Tollgate, one year.—A Edwards, £210; T E Briscoe, £220; ACQnsidine, £255; J A Lawrie, £261 10s.

Mr Dowman proposed "That no tender* be now accepted for the tollgate," and he would further give notice " That at the next meeting of the Board he would move that the tollgate be abolished." He said the Bottlers and travellers on the road contributed five or six hundred pounds per annum between them to the tollgate, and half of the money or more went into the pockets of one individual. Mr Considine, who was present, remarked that the sum collected annually did not realise anything like the amount stated. Mr Bidwill said it was partly a question oi ways and means. The toll money had been spent on the road ; no money worth mentioning had been spent on the bridge since he had been on the Board. The toll money was collected for the maintenance of the bridge. Supposing the bridge wanted repairs, where would the money come from ? The whole district would have to contribute, whereas it only benefits in particular one side of the bridge. ?He was only sorry for that one reason that he did not happen to live on the other side of the bridge, as then be could not be accused of partiality. He then all the same should most systematically oppose any proposition that the tolls be abolished. Mr Harris said that settlers on the Martinborough side of the bridge were the main supporters of the toll, and it was unjust to them.

Mr Dowman asked what had become of the large sums already received from that source. Mr Bidwill : Spent oa the road between Featherston and Martinborough.) Mr Harris : The toll is a disgrace to the district.

Mr Tully : They have had to revive the tolls on the East Coast'; they cannot do without them.

Mr Matthews said the money accruing from the tollgate should be retained for the special purpose of maintaining the bridge. The bridge might seme day collapse ; it was now about fourteen years old and they should haye a fund specially reserved to fall back upon should such contingencies occur. The settlers who complainedfof paying the toll should look back to the time when there was no bridge, and weigh well in their minds the benefits it conferred ; they would then perhaps not grumble at paying a toll. The Chairman said Mr Russell and Mr Barton, two of the largest ratepayers down that way, had reminded them of their duty ; they both suggested that the tolls should be set apart for bridge pui poses. If the bridge was a great tax to the settlers, it was a great convenience and advantage ; he thought Mr Downian, as a toll payer, had the remedy in his own hands ; he could charge his customers accordingly. Mr Dowmaa : I do not represent myself here to day. The Chairman said Mr Dowman's motion was a very important one and notice should have been given of the same J before calling for tenders.

Mr Dowman :—I did not know when the lease expired. Mr Matthews said the district could not afford to saorifice £260. The Chairman JJthought it was too muoh money to be]j sacrificed in the interests of a few settlers. Mr McDougall thought that a special rate would meet the case. The Chairman said he should not be doing his duty if he did not protest against the abolition of the toll at any time, as the other parts of the road district were liable for a half in maintaining the bridge. Mr Tully said he thought the Chairman had the ruling as to whether a tender should be received or not. Mr Tully moved that Mr Lawrie's tender be accepted conditionally; that is to say, providing Mr Dowman's motion for the abolition of the tollgate is not carried at the next meeting of the Board. Seconded by Mr McDougall and carried. Mr Wbatten's Application.

Mr Wratten applied by letter to have the road opened through Mr K. Hunter's property, seotion 207, desoribed as from the top of McLeod's cutting along the summit to Stoney Creek. The application was granted, Mr Hunter to be given notice to remove certain fences. New Roads. The Chairman read the report of the subcommittee appointed to inspect the sites for certain new roads —Cross's Creek, Cross's Road, &o. Mb Cameron's Ward. _ Mr Matthews complained of the way some of the road work was being done on a road at Tauherenikan in Mr Cameron's ward. Mr Dowman complained also of the way work was being done in the same ward. He thought a great amount of time and labour was being wasted on the road between Waihenga and Greytown. He said the metalling was being thrown away, as large stones were thrown into holes unbroken, which would eventually work to the surface: The overseer had told him that the work was not being done to his liking, but he was not allowed to interfere in this ward. Mr Matthews said all roads should be formed according to the road gauge. Accounts ordinary L 496 Is, and imprest account L 69 6s, were passed for payment. Cross' Road. Mr Lot Cross waited on tbe Board to enquire what had been done towards making the road to llis property. The Chairman said that the Board might consider what oould be done, if Mr Cross would promise to assist, as the rates received from him amounted to very little. Mr Cross : I will have the road made to my property without my assistance. How about Cross's Creek road^? The Chairman informed Mr Cross tbat the road was under the consideration of the Board.

Mr Cross on leaving, said some surveyors, like a large per centnge of the human race, were possessed of more " Beef than brains." Cross' Crebk Road. It was resolved that the Govornment be advised to legalise a road, the line marked green, and if the Government would plnce the sum of LIOO at the disposal of the Board the Board would make a road which would meet the requirements of the sottlers. Works Requirkd. No 4 Ward —Mr Bidwill asked that Burgess Bros be allowed to metal sand hill, Lower Kahautara Road, at L2 per oh'iin to the extent of Ll9. Granted. No. 5 Ward—Mr Dowman asked tbe consent of the Board for 40 chains of formation and metal from Black Creek, next McDnugaU's boundary, to the bridge on the other side, at ; ' -*«..! cost of oss per chain. Granted. an estimtt. »-• • -«l,a/l that n man No. 8 Ward-Mr Tully.a- -! «"» *■ «?" be employed as roadman in No. 8 Ward under the supervision of the overseer at 6s 6d per Mem, and that a whare bo erected at a coat not exceeding £l6. Granted. Left in the hands of Mr Tully. Poundkeepsr's fees amounted to £1 Ob. Ranger's fees, £1 13s. Mr MeDougall asked that his motion, re the overseer, be allowed to stand over till next meeting. Granted. Mr Bidwill gave notice that he would move at the next meeting that if the Waihenga toll was abolished, eaoh ward maintain its own district ronds.