Featherston Road Board.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1853, 5 July 1886, Page 2

Featherston Road Board.

The omul moi thly meeting of this Board was held ill Fealhei>t m on Saturday, Preaeat Messrs John Tally (chairman), Matthews Bidwill, M* Dougul, Dewman, Monokton Elgar tin Harris, The miautes of the form tr masting as read were confiimedCoiIRESPONDISNCE INWARDS. From Wairarapa East County Council, re amount of tis, an old account debited to the i'Vaiherston Road Board for portion of work done Nov. 1, From Clerk to Maetertor Road Board, forwarding copy of a resolution parsed at a Into mn ting of that Board, viz.,—That a letter ho addressed to the member for tho district calling his attention to the terms under *duch monies were borrowed for district roads under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, 1832,” with a view that action be taken during the present se»si< n of Parliament to make the terms more easy for special ratepayers. The direction (ho Mustenon Board indicates is to extend the term for repayment and rednee the rate of interest, say, from 9 to 6 per cent. From Mr Coleman Phillips, asking that two groins ho placed at tlie Diy River b-d, near the ford, a id pointing out that timber for the purpose could be taken from the bush in that district. From Mr Barton, re line of route to White Rock Station. From Messrs Chapman and Fitzgerald, solicitors, re Cabbage TToe Flat road, and informing He B- aid that Mr Riddiford dO ‘s not intend to give any land for the purpo-e--in ither on the flat, or on the hilly parr of the route, and that Mi Rnluifu \ will n quire f nd compensation for lapd taken ; also, (or sever*

ance. The letter also stated tint the B'ar ’ was alrea ly liable for damages by breaking ui the ground. A letter was read from Mr Greenaway, asking for an extension of time for his con tract, on account of thß recent bad weather, Ac TENDERS, Tenders were received for the following works :--Ne. 3. Forming part ot Moron Swamp road, 39 chains, W. S. Collier, 52t per ohain; C. Marsh, 47s 6d (accepted) No. 4 contract : Forming part of Moroa Swamp road, 40 chains, A. Naysmith and Co., 50s per chain ; F. Reed, 65s per chain : C; Marsh, 60s per chain; W. Heaton, 4U per chain (accepted). Digging 16 chains on Ward’s Line ; John Mason, per chain; E. Seltnan, 19s, (accepted). Forming and metalling 37 chains, South Featheratou : F. Reed (metalling only), 30$ per chain; forming and metalling, 50s; Burgess Bros, for formation only, 11s ; metalling only, 14a 6J ; S. Garrity, for metalling, 19s ; formation, 14s ; C. Belcher, metalling only, 29s ; J. T. Hudder, formation and metalling, 21s (accepted). treasurer's report. I have to report the amount of overdraft at tha 8.N.Z., on ordinary account at £27 14s id, and to credit of imprest account at £223 7s 3d. The olerk informs me the whole ot the rate notices have been sent out, aud as three months of the financial year have passed I think we may infer the amounts will be pnnctually paid, aud I hope to he able to report a credit balance at next meeting. The general rates, less the usual per ceotagea have been passed to the credit of each ward, so that members may form an idea of their probable revenue aud the accounts stand as under' These amounts do not include Crown and Native rates, which it is assumed, will be paid as usual. The rolls referring to them have not yet been received. No 1 sub district, L2OO 19s 4d ; No 2, L 237 1 9d ; No 3, LBO 7s 6d ; No 4, L6117s lOd; No 6, Ll7l 8s 2d; No 6. L2II 11s 8J ; No 7, Llßl lls 4d ; No 8, L 413, Os 7d, (all in credit). The County Engineer's Report on tbs Bvamabdnoa Biver. I have the honor to report that, in company with Mr Bowman on the 16th alt., I examined the encroachment of the Bnamabunga river on the road reserve at Petherick's Bridge, Waihenga. Since my foimer examinations of this part of the river bank on the ,20th July, 1882, un encroachment of about a chain has taken place, and 1 think it probable that the road at this point will be destroyed if means are not speedily adopted to protect the bank. I would recommend that about fifteen ebaius of the bank |be trimmed to a batter of 14 to 1 ohain or thereabout, and thatched with manuka fascines, secured to the bank with heart of totara stakes and wire. The whole of the thatched part should be planted with willows, so that in coarse of time as the fascines decay, the willows will form a petmanent protection. Very little damage has been done to the bed of the Huaogaroa river by recent floods, and 1 am of opinion that thatching the bank at the points next liable to injury, would, to a great extent, prevent future damage.

ESTIMATE. Rough estimate of cost of thatching 15 chains of the left bank of the Ruamahunga river at P’s bridge :—4200 fascines, at 20» per 100, £42 ; 4200 heart of totara stakes, at Hs, £l6 16s; 6 cwt wire, at 15s. £4 10s ; 75 lbs staples, at 3d pet lb, 18s ‘.ld; labor, £35; contractor’s contingencies, £10; total, £lO9 4s 9d. REPORT ON cross’s CREEK ROAD. Mr Skeet, engineer to the Road Board, reportei that the area required for the rond at Cross's Creek out of section No. 5 is 1 acre, 2 roods, 30 poles, and out of section 7, 1 acre, 1 rood. 28 poles. He also estimated that for foot traffic and a bridle track £l5O to £2OO will be required to do the work. For general traffic (drays, <tc.), £3OO lor a chainwide road. cross's creek road. Mr Matthews said in reference to the report of Mr Skeet, that one item he thought could be cut down as a half chain clearing would be sufficient ; he remarked that Mr Wilkinson a settler strongly objected to Mr Cllimie’s proposed deviation ; he suggested that alternative tenders be called for the work, one chain wide and half a chain wide respectively. Agreed to. encroachments of buamahcnoa river. ' Mr Elgar explained that he considered that members of the Board should leave the expert freehanded in his opinion in inspecting this work, which was near the Waihenga bridge, and that was one of the reasons why be was not present at the inspection. Mr Dowman said if Mr King’s idea con Id be carried out it would have the desired effect, but he doubted if the fascines could be effectually placed as tar down as required.. Mr Harris said that the experiment of fascining would cost £3OO to £4OO. Mr Bidwill said that if the point at his side of the river was subsequently washed away by some floods, the bridge would probably be safe, as no doubt the scouring taking place occasionally at that point was dae to the current being thrown across the river by meeting the flat point on his side ; the beach on his side was mateiially altered to about half a chain each flood. Mr Matthews was convinced that the Board must ultimately make a new road there. Mr Dowman suggested that a chain above the bridge (Petherioks) should be tried with fascines. It was resolved to allow the matter to stand over until a future meeting, mb bidwill’s motions. Me Bidwill moved the motion standing in his name, and Mr Elgar seconded. This motion was to the effect that monies collected for toils be expended on tbe road either side of the Ruamahunga Bridge fur one mile, as well as for repairing the bridge. Mr Harris said that the resolution was intended to rescind a former resolution of the Board by a side wind ; the Boatd had passed a resolution that the toll monies should be reserved especially for the maintenance of the bridge. Next summer trom £l3O to £2OO would be required in repairing the bridge. Tbe whole of tbe Boatd had made the resolution. Mr Bidwill said he was not present when the resolution re the tolls was passed ; be indignantly denied that be was working by a side wind. Mr Elgar said the Waihenga Bridge would probably be the last remaining toll in (he colony, and under any circumstances tolls were generally regarded as an injustice, but be approved in the meantime of Mr BiJwili’s proposal. Mr Matthews said he thought they should wait to see what Parliament were going to do next session, he was unuer tire impression that the toll money was wholly and solely for the purpose of keeping the bridge in repair.it would be a breaco of faith in expending the money on the rood, but tbe question was the detiucmsnt of the approaches to the bridge. He found the resolutions passed embraced the approaches. Mr Dowman said the question was supposed to be already settled ; he did not see now they could reopen it. Mr Skeet said, according to the o’d Proviooial Act, the approach to the bridge was half a mi’c each side. This included four bridges on the Martinborough side, and two on the Featberston side, about 40 chains either side. It was about 20 chains from tbs obi bridge to the present toll gate. Mr Bidwill asked leave to withdraw his resolution, and to bring one lo.ward at a tnture meeting in an amended form, to include .1)0 bridges on the road within half a milo each side of t ie river as approaches to tha main bridge, Mr Skeet said I’etheriok’s bridge was 43 ahaiue trom the river bridge. It was remarked that it would take three months’ toll to pay for the repairs of tbe biidge just completed. Motion withdrawn for amendment warden’s fem. Mr Bidwill said in retrenching, tbe membere of the Board should start with themielvw. He moved that the feei be diiooptioned

lie bml lit-i'u iwil’.ed o;i the 0 i.v ot dcctio® with aieoting to t*Ve u »i p net ff tl e meß* wages, aud voting money for himnelf •• expenses. Mr Bowman raid it was *ll wry well | nr members who live within two or three mile* o( Featberston to advocate the abolition <’• the honorarium (ss), but lie Ind toll, hois* feed ami other expcnsi ato pay. He did md believe any ratepayers objected to the allowance. He (Mr Cowman) did not consider hi* time, but be thought he should be reimbursed a part of his expenses out of pocket, and the whole amount would not much affect the Hoad Board fund* during the year. The resolution was carried, Messrs Hairis and Bowman voting against. Mr McDougall (bad previously retired on other business. ADVEP.TISINO. Mr Bidwill’s proposition that tha cost of advertising works should be charged to the ward where the works were required, was oirried without dissent. ward’s link. Mr Ward, of Morrison’s Bush, wrote asking for some work to be dons on Ward s Line near the Church. Left m the hands of the Warden. < , , DRV RIVER. Mr Phillips application was left ia the bands of tbs Warden (Mr Bowman). EXTENSION. Mr Greenaway’s application was granted, subject to the direction of the Warden. BUSH TRAMWAY. Mr Bobinson on behalf ot Mr Burt, applied for a tramway across the road at Kaiwaiwai, and was informed that the application must be made to the Oounty Council under the Private Tramways Act, but Mr Bobinson would be allowed by the Board to sledge timber across provided be kept the road in good repair. • MISCELLANEOUS. Mr H. H. Jackson, of Stoneatead, waited on the Board, asking that two culverts, one near bis woolshed, the other by the gravel pit, be put in repair. Ur Jackson said be did out apply for his own benefit .in particular, as he oonld use another road, buc in the interests of the public generally he considered the culvert unsafe for traffic ; 35 plauks 16 feet long would be sufficient, about 300 feet in all. The Chairman informed Mr Jackson that bis request would be attended to. Mr G. Harris asked the Board to fanes his land, according to a resolution passed some years ago. The clerk was instructed to look np the minute bearing upon the matter. The Board endorsed the resolution of the Mastertou Boad Board re loans. The reply to Mr Barton’s letter was held over until next meeting of the Board, for the production of correspondence. Mr Biddiford’s latter was laid on the table. The Poandkeeper’s appointment was held over until the decision of the Town Board. Accounts— Ordinary, £263, and Imprest, £54 14s 9d were passed for payment. The ranger paid ia 19s.