Whataupoko Road Board.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 317, 27 June 1889, Page 2

Whataupoko Road Board.

MR CLAYTON AND THE RIVERSIDE ROAD. Thu above Board met on Tuesday afternoon. Present: Messrs Coleman (in the Chair), Joyce, Clayton and O'Meara. Mr B. Knox wrote suggesting that the Board should have the gravel to be spread on Bussell Street'left over till the dry weather set in. Captain Winter said the road was now almost impassable for foot traffic, owing to the heavy loads of gravel which tho contractors for the Board put in the drays, and which was not in accordance with the By-law of the County Council. In some cases the drays had fully a ton and a half of gravel on. He intended, in regard to the County road, to give effect to the By-law, so as to prevent the roads being destroyed in the future. The matter was left over for the Engineer to report on at next masting. A letter was read, signed by some ot the ratepayers residing in the vicinity of Riverside Road, complaining about tha ” disgraceful way in which the contractor bad carried out the work.” Thsy stated the work had not been performed according to the specifications, and asking the Board before passing the final payment to inspect the work, Mr Joyce thought they should accede to the request, which was a reasonable one, Mr Clayton, sonr„ waited on the Board with reference to this matter. He said the road was left in a most disgraceful state. It was st present unfit for traffic, and it had already put him to a great expense in repairing his traps. Ha thought the Board should suspend the payment until the contractor had made the road passable. The metal was the worst that could be obtained, and was not fit tor road purposes, The Board, ha thought, might as well put sand on the road as the present gravel that was being spread upon it. The ratepayers would have been better satis, fled if the road had been left in its former condition. In reply to Mr O'Neil tha speaker said the gravel was not ot tho same quality as eontreated tor. Mr Clayton (continued): The Board should not pass the final payment until tho works had been inspected by the Board. The ratepayers had worked hard for the loan, ao as to have proper roade made, and Dow this was one of the results. He would see that a proper road was made, and that the ratepayers would not be swindled out ot tha money which had bsen set aside for this work. It was a most disgraceful proceeding. Mr O'Neil: lam well aware that you have had considerable experience in these matters. Mr Clayton said he was present to warn the Board against passing the balance due on the contract. The ratepayers were determined to have the money properly spent, and also to have good roads made. If the final payment was made on the contract, they would immediately find some means to have the money refunded. The contractor and Mr Clayton now had some warm words, when the Chairman called the latter to order. It was ultimately agreed that the Board should inspect the work next Thursday. Colonel Simeon forwarded a few suggestions with reference to the road, which were received. The members generally expressed themselves dissatisfied with the way in which some ot the roads were left by the contractors, who had used them in carting heavy loads of metal, and left deep ruts which were moot dangerous to traffic. It was suggested that in tature if the roads were not properly maintained, the Board should deduct the cost of repairs out ot the final payments. The settlers of the Maagapapa block sent a request that the Board ahould borrow L4OO for their roads.—Resolved to accede to the request if a majority of ratepayers sign a petition. The following accounts were passed :—M. Jennings, LI 4s 9d; G. Rice, L 5; T. 8. Lewis, L 3 16s; F. Hick, L4B 19s; B. Knox, L3O ; A. J. O'Neil, L2O;G.L. Sunderland, L 80; W. O’Byan, L 8; Standard Company, L 3 Ils.