Supplement to the Otago Provincial Government Gazette of Wednesday, 12th June, 1867.

No. 486

[137]

ADVERTISEMENT SHEET.

A

ABSTRACT FROM ADVERTISEMENT SHEETS—

21st June, Friday, noon, a red and white Steer, will be sold at Hawksbury Pound.

21st June, Friday, noon, a yellow Cow, white back, will be sold at Oamaru Pound.

21st June, Friday, noon, a lot of Cattle to be sold at Oamaru Pound.—(See Advertisement Sheet, 29th May, 1867.)

21st June, Friday, noon, a Gelding will be sold at North Dunedin Pound.

21st June, Friday, noon, a Bay Horse will be sold at North Dunedin Pound.

John Logan, Secretary to Superintendent.

B

BOATS.—Tenders will be received at this office until noon of Tuesday, the 18th instant, for the Construction of Two Boats for the Waitaki Ferry. Plans and specifications can be seen at the offices of the Harbor Master at Port Chalmers, and the Deputy Harbor Master, Dunedin.

George Duncan,
Secretary for Public Works.

June 10, 1867.

The following report is published for general information:—

GENERAL ROAD BOARD OFFICE,

Dunedin, June 5th, 1867.—To His Honor the Superintendent.—Sir,—I have the honor to report having visited a second series of Road Districts, taking those south of the Tokomairiro River, viz.:—Lovell’s Brook, Wangaloa, Tuaikotoko, North Molyneux, Puerua, Warepa, Waiwera, Kaihiku, Te Houka, and Popotunoa. I have also to report having visited the districts on the Peninsula.

In each place I have, where I was afforded the opportunity, held meetings of the Local Boards and ratepayers, or waited upon the officers, fully explaining to all, the Roads Ordinance under which the business of the Boards is to be conducted, also giving a short abstract in writing of those clauses with which they are more particularly called upon to deal.

I have also given the Boards full instruction as to the mode of keeping accounts, and as in the districts in the north, commencing the books of those furnished with same.

I have in every case found great desire on the part of the members of the Boards and others to obtain as much instruction as possible, and where I found it necessary to seek information, had every assistance on all hands given me.

The expressions of satisfaction at the liberal assistance promised to districts by the Government is universal, the opinion being that without such assistance the formation of district roads would have been rendered almost impossible.

I believe it is with but few exceptions the intention of all the Local Boards to avail themselves of this assistance during the year commencing this month, and will be induced to prosecute all necessary works with vigor, knowing that those districts who most help themselves will receive the greatest amount of aid from the Government.

In the suburban districts of Roslyn, Kaikorai and Wakari, the Local Boards have commenced the formation and improvement of the roads.

In the Peninsula districts much work has been done. I may more especially mention the work of the Beach Road in the north-east harbor, already commenced, and to be continued through Broad Bay and towards Dunedin. This road, when completed and connected with one similar at Portobello, will, though only a bridle track, prove itself of the greatest service to all the settlers on the Peninsula side of the harbor.

The Sandymount and Highcliff districts have also much in road work, to the improvement of the districts. The former has cut through the bush and formed over two and three-quarter miles of new road, some of which has very heavy side cutting through rock.

The Highcliff district has about two miles of bush cutting and forming in hand. This district has two bridges to build.

When visiting the districts on the Peninsula I consulted with the Boards as to the desirability of amalgamation for the purpose of forming the whole Peninsula into one district. The feeling generally I found to be in favor of the present system.

In the Inch Clutha district a ditch five and a-half chains in length has been cut. This work was very necessary, and will materially assist to prevent the flooding of the island; also drain a considerable area of land hitherto usually covered with water, some of which is waste lands of the Crown. A culvert has also been put down at a cost of seventy (70) pounds. The main road through the island is also being formed. All the work under the local Board is being well executed.

In the north Molyneux and Wangaloa districts some much needed work has been done by private enterprise in the way of culverts and drains to carry off surface water.

I may mention that the Molyneux River has made considerable inroad in many places upon the lands adjoining. In two or three places there is very little left of the road, once one chain wide. If within the province of the Board, I think steps should at once be taken to stop further damage being done. The inhabitants of Balclutha are already expressing fears that they may some day be on an island.

I have to report that a survey party from the department has commenced operations for the purpose of defining indicated tracks and surveying new lines of road, and which work has been reported as absolutely necessary.

I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
James Dougherty.