ROAD BOARDS.

EICCAETON. An ordinary meeting of this Board was held yesterday at the office, Fendalton; present- I—Messrs1 — Messrs Hall, Boag, Nunweek, Derrett and Jackson. On the motion of Mr Nunweek, seconded by Mr Jackson, Mr H. J. Hall was elected chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Hall took his seat and thanked the members for their renewed confidence in him as their president. Correspondence was read : — From the Selwyn County Clerk enclosing statement of the amount chargeable against the district on account of hospitals and charitable aid, viz., .£456 9s 7d. It was resolved to pay the amount out of ordinary funds as hitherto. It was resolved to comply with Mr Stanley's request to have the ditch on Durey's Road cleaned out. From the Clerk of the Avon Road Board forwarding resolution regarding maintenance of boundary roads The Board having considered the matter, - the following resolution was carried unanimously : — " That in the opinion of the Eicearton Eoad Board, the law at present in force with respect to the maintenance of boundary roads is not satisfactory ; and that the Government be requested to amend Clause 86 of the Public Works Act, 1882, so that Road Boards may have a voice in the maintenance of borough boundary roads, and that the provisions of Clause 85 of the said Act shall apply to boroughs." The Clerk was directed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Government and to the member representing the district in Parliament. From Mr A. W. Swift, pointing out the necessity for making a footpath on Tisch's Road adjoining his property. It was resolved to comply with the request conditionally. From the Courtenay Eoad Board, covering resolution passed by that body in reference to the damage caused to roads by traction engines. It was resolved to reply that the Riccarton Road Board could not see its way to put obstacles in the way of traction engine owners, believing such traffic to be "a public benefit. The Board took into consideration, the rate to be levied for. the current year, and after considerable discussion it was resolved to levy a general road rate of one halfpenny in. the pound. The Surveyor reportedthafc Fleming Street, Belfast, had been formed satisfactorily, and suggested that it should be gravelledf orthwith. On the motion of Mr Jackson, seconded by Mr Nunweek, it was resolved to gravel Fleming Street. The Surveyor's report on works in progress was read and approved. The Clerk reported that the alterations in the valuation roll had been made in terms of Clause 35 of the Rating Act, 1594, and now waited the signature of the Chairman. After passing accounts the Board rose.