Featherston Road Board.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1841, 7 June 1886, Page 2

Featherston Road Board.

This Foard met on Saturday. Present— Messrs Tully (chairman), Matthews, Elgar, Monckton, Dowman, MoDougal, Bid will and Harris. The minules of the last meeting of the old Board, were adopted ; also the minutes of the special meeting of new members on May 22nd. Election of Treasurer. Mr McDougall proposed and Mr Monokton seconded, that Mr A. Matthews be appointed Treasurer to the Board for the ensuing year. Carried unanimously. Treasurer’s Refort. The Treasurer read the report as follows : “ Statement of receipts end expenditure since last meeting.—Balance to credit last meeting £495 2s 9d, cash paid in by Banger and Ponndkeeper £2 7s. One month’s rent of tollgate (Waihenga) April, £2l 15s lOd, special rates £53 13s 2d, one month’s rent of toll for May, L2115s lOd, total L 295 11a 7d. The balance to credit of imprest account is £277 11s 9d. Out of the balance of ordinary account, the rent of the tollgate has to be transferred to “ Waihenga Bridge account,” and I have arranged, as per instructions at last meeting, with the Bank of New Zealand, for a temporary overdraft ontil the new rates are collectable. “The following is the position of each sab district, against which the payments of to-day have to be placed :—Mo 1 sub district debit, L2l Os 4d ; No 2, credit, LI 46 15s lOd ; No 3 debit, L2 16s 7d; No 4 debit, LB6 4s 3d ; No 5 debit, L6I 4s 7d ; No 6 credit, Llls 16s fid ; No 7 debit, Ll5B 12s lOd ;No 8 credit, L 298 Os 2d. • “ In a previous report the minutes of per centsges from each Ward’s rates to the general fund was alluded to. I now feel it my duty to give an estimate of the probable expen litnre for the ensuing year, which the percentages are intended to meet. This I may say is based on (he expenditure of last year, which 1 think can be taken as a fair estimate for the ensuing year. Main road account L6O, expenditure last year, L 62 18s 3d ; district road acconnt, L 275; expenditure last year, L 255 1« Id ; balance of district road account at 31st March, 1886, LlO4 Is lOd ; general acconnt, £4OO ; expenditure last year, L 431 13s 2d ; total expenditure this year, L 839 Is lOd. " The percentages at the'old standard gave L 567 ; contribution per County, LlO ; poundage fees, say, L2S. Total, L 602. “ It will thus be seen that the percentages at the old standard will not meet this estimate by L 237. Hitherto the toll at the Waihenga bridge has gone a great way toward the district road account; bat as it is now resolved to reserve the proceeds specially for the bridge, I am of opinion that the percentages cannot be reduced at present. 1 do not think 1 have over estimated any of the items,Jfor on going back to 1884-5, I find the district road absorbed £350 18s 7d, and the County road £238. Besides this, lam informed that the increasing encroachment of the Buamahunga River below the Waihenga Bridge is likely to be a heavy charge on the District road account.” The correspondence outwards was then read. Correspondence Inwards. From J. Henderson, asking permission to lay a tramway to enable him to cress certain Native reserves at Moiki for the purpose of conveying logs to saw mill. Left in the hands of the Warden. Letter from H. H. Welters, West County Council clerk, re loan, and regretting that tbe Board and Council cannot at present come to terms respecting the whole of £750 asked for, but hoping that after future legislation the County Council may lay proposals before the Road Board that may be mors acceptable to the Board. Prom W. Harrington, re slips on Heagerty’s contract. The Board considered that these occurrences were at the present time nnavoidable. Letter from Mr Pharazyn, re proposed bridle truck over Te Kopi cliff; also, in reference to slips on the inland track by Wangamoana. TB KOFI TRACK. Mr Matthews, in reference to tbe application of Mr Pharazyn, said he was qnite satisfied that a great change bad been effected in the action of tbe sea at Palliser Bay of late years, and consequently something would require to be done at this point to protect 'the lives of travellers who are compelled to nse this track. Mr Harris said there was no legal road fromWaipawa right down, and some steps should be taken to have the road laid off. He had no objection to the track being made, and the work granted, bat he wished to be assured, that if public money was expended ou this toad the road would he vested in the interests of the public and not liable to be closed by any private owner of land at any time he might think fit. Mr Matthews said the road had been in use by the public for 30 years. He had travelled that way himself so far back as 30 years. He was quite satisfied the road could be claimed by custom, if no other way. He considered where there was danger to human lifeayempt action should be taken! The Chamnan said he thought the work was very necessary, and should be done as soon as practicable.

In answer to the Board, the overseer (Mr Decring) said he was certain the work could be. done at about 25s per chain, and there would be about 50 chains in all. Mr Elgar said that the track at the coast was getting more dangerous every day. Mr Pharayin paid in this part about £39 per year rates, but not £SO had been spent in this direction yet. Mr Monokton thought thatif public mouey was spent on this road it would at once become dedicated to the use of the public and no private individual could at any time obstruct the traffic. MrDowmau was in doubt as to whether Mr Fharazyn could not stop traffic if he chose after getting the track formed. Mr Matthews moved and Mr Bidwill seconded, •• that Mr Pharazyn’s application re track over Tekopi Cliff be attended to, provided the oost does not exceed L 30.” Mr Harris proposed as an amendment that no money be expended until the road has been surveyed and made a legal road. This was not seconded. Mr Matthews explained that as the land was native lai d through which the track would be made, a special surveyor, authorised to legalise native lauds, would require to walk over the land. Ho questioned if there was one at present in the district, or even that he would be required iu this matter. Mr McDougal said if there was any doubt about Mr Pharazyn claiming the track, that gentleman would probably be willing to sign a guarantee if asked. Mr Matthews’ motion was carried. 6X.EDOINO TIMBER. Mr W. Mills, manager for Mr Burt, applied to bo allowed to sledge timber across the district road from the bush to tho saw mill, guaranteeing to keep the road in order. Mr Elgar did not wish the Boau! to be arbitrary, hut thought it was forming a bit precedent. Mr Bidwill moved that the request be not acceded to. Mr Elgar seconded. The Chairman said it would be a pity to stop any industry if the matter could he granted without any detriment to the roid. Mr Monokton said sawmills were, no doubt, a public benefit to the district. It was agreed that the matter be left in the hands of the Warden and Overseer. TEMPERS, Tenders were received as follow,< : - Jackson's Line, C. Marsh, 50s per chain i 0. Fenton 50s,(F. Reed 465, W. Baton 395, and W. Knapp 87s (accepted). Niool’s Plain - Reed 18s fid, W. Eaton 14s fid, Bargees Bros. 16s fid, 8. Oarrity 13s fid, J. H. Hodder 13s fid per chain (accepted), WAIOHINE RIVER BANE. A deputation consisting 0 f Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R., and Mr John Fuller, waited on the Board to make some repre* WDfatiQiM oowerniag the overflow from tfle

Waiohine River acron Mr Fuller’s land; north of Greytown, and the consequent frequent damage to the Main road, which is under the control of the Board. Mr Buchanan, in addressing the Board, explained that the Waiohine River Board had consented to contribute £lO toward the work and that the River Board had alreadj spent considerable sums in protecting the bank, fle did not think the river wag at all likely to make a permameut channel at any time across the land at this point, but in the present state of the bank only a small flood is required to send the overflow on to the road. He (Mr Buchanan) was of opinion that if the bank was planted with willows and thatched with manuka fascines, there would he a stoppage of the risk which the Platform point of the road was subjected to some years ago. He was willing to contribute in fair proportion ; so, he nnderstood, was Mr Fuller. He estimated that about thirteen chains length of protection was required. (Mr Skeet—About fifteen chains)', Mr Skeet (the Engineer) no doubt was correct, and the work would require to be fenced in. He calculated that the banking would cost L 36, thatching 18, total L 54 ; and, altogether, with fencing and planting, the total cost would not exceed £7O ; he would contribute in money or labor L2O. In answer to the Board the speaker said the river bank was about two or three chains from the road. Mr Fuller then addressed the Board and offered to fence and contribnte LI, which, together with Mr Buchanan’s offer, and the LlO from River Board, would leave a matter of L 25 for the Road Board to consider. The deputation then withdrew. Mr Matthews questioned if the River Board would approve of the Road Board molssting their rights even if the application was acceded to. Ur Elgar asked if the Board spent L 25 toward the protection of the main road U that amount would permanently arrest the overflow. It was purely a question with them as to the cost of repairs to the road and the stoppage of any damage thereto. They had no control over the river bank. Mr Bidwill asked if they bound themselves beyond the first cost. Mr Elgar said they could only limit themselves to a certain snm|as contribution. Mr Bidwill moved, and Mr Monokton seconded, that £lO be given, to be placed in the hands of the River Board, as a contribution, but with no responsibility. Agreed to. RCAMAHCNOA BANKS. Mr Bidwill said protective works were required at the Ruamahnugabank near Waihenga Bridge, as the river there was making many encroachments. Mr Bowman spoke to the same effect. BALLOTING FOB BETIBBMENT. The members having cast lots it fell to Messu Bidwill, Elgar, Tally, and MoDougaU having to retire at the end of next twelve months. Mb wall’s bo ad. Mr G. Wall’s personal application for some work to be done in his district was left in the hands of the Warden and Overseer. patkice’s bridge (waihenqa.) This is the point where the river Rnamahunga has lately been troublesome and Mr Bowman suggested to the Board that some white pine piles should be driven, having grooves, and being backed by slabs, which in subsiding would fit into the grooves and have no chance of being upheaved by any under sediment. He said he considered this kind of protection would prove effective, and a good job could be made for about LSO or L6O if tightly filled in behind, and the timber would last at least five years. Mr Bidwill, having had experience with tongue and grooved boards, doubted if the plan would succeed. Mr Elgar was satisfied that an expert’s opinion was required ; the County engineer should be asked to inspect the place and report.

Mr Dowman said floating booms bad dope no good. Mr Elgar moved, and Mr Matthews seconded, “ Tbat Mr King be asked to meet a committee consisting of Messrs Tnlly, Dowman and Elgar on tbe spot, to confer and report on tbe river encroachments at a time to be arranged between tbe engineer and such committee.” Mr Bidwill proposed, and Mr Elgar seconded, that it is expedient that tbe taking of land for a road at Stoney Creek, be at ones proceeded with, and tbat tbe necessary memorial in respect thereto be forwarded. cross’s crerk road. On tbe motion of Mr Mattbews, it was resolved that Mr Skeet be instructed to examine tbe road at Cross’s Creek, lately laid off by Mr Olimie, and inform the Board the area of land on tbe road line in tbe sections which the grants have matured, with a view to obtain a transfer of same from Mr Wilkinson to the Board. Also tbat Mr Skeet prepare an estimate of the amount required to open the road traffic. Accounts imprest £66 9s 9d, and ordinary £359 Os 8d were passed for payment. It was resolved that a rate of f of a penny in tbe L be struck on all properties on the rate book for the year, commencing April Ist 1886, as per particulars by advertisement in another column, also that a rate of Ofd in the L be struck on all properties in the Waiohine Biver District as per advertisement. NOTICES or UOTION. Mr Bidwill to move that the expenses incurred in maintaining the road one mile each side of the Buamahunga river to be charged to the Waihenga Bridge account. That Warden’s fees be discontinued. That ell advertising for tenders for work be charged to tbe ward in which is required. Mr MoDougal asked that part of the agreement, re metalling in his ward be cancelled as tbe metal is not suitable. Agreed to.

Alexander Brown, draper, of Auckland, charged with unlawfully abscording from his creditors, has been committed for trial.

It is stated that the Manriceville extension of the Wellington-Wairarapa line will be formally opened on Monday, 14th June. An Exchange says:—The census is furnishing the papers with the usual batch of good stories. The Masterton man, however, whowroteunder "thrashingmachines” “ray wife,” is certainly at the top of the poll for eccentric answers, up to date. A well-known express driver named Thomas Mercer committed suicide at an early hqpr on Friday morning by hanging himself in a stable at the rearof his residence, in Donald McLean-street, Newtown, Wellington.st He had been drinking a good deal lately.

The racehorse Grand Duke, which has won several races daring the past season for the gentleman whoraces under the name of Mr. J. Leopold, has been bought by Mr. Kimberley, of Greytown, for stud purposes The Welling!'m-Masterlon line of railway still maintains its position asfyielding the highest revenue per mile of railway in the North Island, being for May, /i.ioGiqs; Napier comes next with £gis zs yd. The Wanganui line yields the lowest average in the colony, being £442 ys 4d, Mr E. Feist has been appointed Chairman for the current year to the Masterton Town Lands Trust.

George Thomas & Co. report produce pi ices as follows Flour has advanced qu’fe £1 per ton, and is now ruling at £g 10s to £to 15s; pollard and bran, very scarce at £6 ids and £6 respectively ; fowls’ wheat. Steady at 3s 8d to 3s 9d ;oats, as 46 to as yd; oatmeal £l2 5s ; and onions £p to £g 10s. Several speculative purchases of prime butter are reported at prices from gd to gjd, but until the arrival of intelligence from Sydney of a better character it is impossible to quote higher rates for the current month. Potatoes £3 js to £3 1 os, chaff £3 rosto £4,. cheese 6d, bacon and hams BJ, fresh batter ud, eggs as 6d, honey 4d to 6d. carrots 50s, and turnips 503, are unaltered. NZ. fruits have increased demand, and prices are higher than has been the case for some time. Pou try—Turkevs, 10s ; geese ss ; ducks, 31 6 ; fowls 3s jd per pair.