AVON ROAD BOARD.

Toesdat, April 18. The usual meeting of the Board took place, and there were present — Mr J. Abbott, chairman, and Messrs Lame, Homer, and Patchett. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk reported that he had received since the last meeting, and placed to the Board's credit at the Bank, the following sums: — General rate, £7 4s ; Waimakariri do, £4 9s 2£d; separate do, £4 11s 6d; J. Round tree, on account of work done to his road, £3 ; total, £19 4s B£d. The balance at the Bank was £99 16s sd, and that the accounts ordered to be paid at the last meeting had been paid, and Touchers signed for the same ; that Claridge has completed his contract on the North Road satisfactorily ; that the contractors for metalling both sections of the North Road had signed their contracts, and commenced carrying them out ; that the office had been removed as directed, and requesting the Board to give instructions for getting the land fenced ; that the day labourers were engaged in spreading metal and clearing side drains on the North Road, also clearing drains on the Caledonian, Knight's Town, and Stanmore Roads ; that he had arranged with Wigzell to clear his drain at Merivale, which was completed ; and when the culvert had been lowered six inches it would complete the work asked of the Board by Mr Lane ; that the rate list was completed and ready for the Board to strike the rate. That accounts to the amount of £88 3s 8d would be laid before them for payment. The report was considered. The Board took into consideration the metalling of the North Road, and whether the funds at its disposal would admit of its being able to carry through the present quantity being used and the labour required in spreading the same, when it resolved that the sum of £100 should be expended in metalling that part of the North Road between the Waimakariri and Fapanui Church, and £50 on that portion between the church and the Carlton. The Board resolved that a rate of 9d in the £ on all the rateable property in the district be levied, and appointed the Ist day of June next as the day on which the same should become payable. A letter was read from J. Briggs and others, asking the Board to form about ten chains of road, near the Canal Reserve, which had been promised to be done, as also to clear the road of flax near Section 7671. The Clerk was directed to refer to the minutes referred to in the letter, and the matter would receive consideration at the next Board meeting. A letter was read from Mr George Tucker and other ratepayers on the North Road, asking the Board to form an accommodation road known as Tucker's Road, as the railway contractors had made it almost impassable ■with carrying material for the Northern Railway. The Board resolved, as the road was private property, it could not accede to the request. A letter was read from Mr Stiffe, referring to a desire of some of the inhabitants ou Section 6 of having the Mill Road from Mr Shearman's property to Section 7 formed and metalled, and undertaking the re-payment of any outlay by the Board should the present road from any cause whatever hereafter be closed to the public. The Board resolved that Mr Stifle's request be deferred for the present, and as the Board had received repeated applications to have the road opened, would press the expediency of having it finally settled which of the two roads shall be the one that the public are to use. A letter was read from the inhabitants of Knight's Town relative to the making and metalling the road adjacent to the Knight's Town Reading-room, and the sanitary requirements of the neighbourhood. The Board resolved that the clerk meet the inhabitants and inform himself of their wants, and report to the Board at its next meeting. That with regard to the road near the reading-room, that if the inhabitants would contribute £2 towards the costs of the required work, the clerk be directed to carry it out at a cost not exceeding £6. A letter from Mr Recce and others was read, asking the Board to form and bridge the road from Preston's, on the North Road, to the Bottle Lake, stating that they had paid rates for many years without receiving any benefit, and having no formed road to their lands, begging the Board to divide a portion of the rates levied in their locality towards its being done before the winter sets in. The Board directed the Clerk to report on the road by next meeting. A letter from Mr P. Tisch was read, asking the Board to open a road fronting the river, and between sections 837 and 5562 (Treleaven's), to enable him to get to section 1234. The Clerk was directed to enquire into the matter. Also, one from the same, making a claim upon the Board for injury sustained by the overflow of the side drain. The Board rsßolved that the claim could not be recognised. A letter from Messrs Low and Tombs, asking the Board to open a road between sections 279 and 243, from the North Road westward, as in consequence of the line of rail going through one of the applicant's land he had no cartway to the main road. The Board resolved that, as the road was a private one, the request could not be acceded to. A letter was received from Mr Philpott, a member of the Board, asking leave of absence. Tiie report was acceded to. A letter was received from MrWadman, of Papanui, asking the Board to put in a culvert opposite bis shop ; and he would pay the cost of the material.

The Board resolved that he might put the culvert in, subject to the approval of the Clerk to the Board. Messrs Moore and Luke had an Interview with the Board regarding the forming and metalling of about eight chains of a road on section 311, and offering £4 in cash, and Mr Luke's assistance in forming the road. The Board resolved that as soon as the £4 was paid to its clerk the work was to be carried out, at a cost not exceeding £10. Mr Charles Harris had an interview with the Board, asking that a culvert leading from his land to the main drain be put in, as his land was so flooded he could not get on to it to get his crop off. The Board instructed the clerk to get it done at once. In answer to Mr J. Roundtree's request, the Board resolved that the clerk's arrangements as to the amount to be paid to him be carried out. The Chairman informed the Board of his interview with the Government, in accordance with their resolution, respecting the Riccarton drainage ; and stated that the Government had verbally informed him that they would communicate with the Riccarton Road Board on the subject. The Board decided to wait the result of the course intended to be adopted by the Government. The Board directed the clerk to obtain tenders for fencing in the land. Accounts to the amount of £88 3s 8d were passed and ordered to be paid, and the Board rose.