ROAD AT CIRCLE HILL

Bruce Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 1758, 15 June 1886, Page 3

ROAD AT CIRCLE HILL

The Inspector reported with reference to road Circle Hill towards Clarendon, near M'Gregor's and Sutherland's. The portion opposite M'Gregor's was an old track which the Council exchanged with Mr Denniston for the surveyed road. The part formed was very narrow, and was Injured by every shower, as the water collected in the ruts and scoured them out. To widen the existing formation, put in culverts and improve the gradient, would cost about £20. The portion through Mr Sutherland's only required a new cutting, which would cost about £12. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr M'Pherson, seconded by Cr M'Kay, " That tenders be called for the road at Mr M'Gregor's." CLARENDON TOWNSHIP. The Inspector reported with reference to a complaint of Angus Steel that Clarendon township was occupied by Messrs Steel, Croft, and Brown, who have fenced in groups of sections .without any regard to street-lines, consequently several streetlines were fenced across. Mr Steel was the owner of several sections in different parts of the township, and the action of Messrs Croft and Brown hindered him from getting access to them. The names of tho latter did not appear on the Valnation Roll, which was prims facie evidence that they had no title or right to the lands or streets they had enclosed. By requiring them to remove their fences, Steel's ground of complaint would be taken away. Brown was also in the habit of undermining the banks of the lake in front of street-line, for the purpose of removing timber for firewood. If not stopped, the street would be washed away in oourse of time. It was resolved that the report be received, and Brown warned to desist from damaging the banks of the lake. THE RABBIT NUISANCE. The Chairman read a circular from the Chairman of Oommittee appointed by the House to enquire into the best methods of suppressing the rabbit nuisance, also resolutions of the Vincent, Tuapeka, and Clutha County Councils ou the same subject. The circular covered a list of 33 questions, which the Council was requested to answer. A Committee, consisting of the Chairman and Crs Smith, M'Pherson, Murray, and M'Kay, was appointed to draw up answers to the questions. THE SMALL- BIRD PEST. The Chairman recommended that as the steps taken last year to poison small birds were so Buccessfal, similar efforts should be put forth this season. The cost la»t year was £15 14s, and he considered it was money well Bpent. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Darling, seconded by Cr M'Pherson, "That £20 be devoted to the preparation of poisoned grain for the destruction of small birds." CHARITABLE ALB. The Otago District Hospital aud Charitable Aid Board applied for £141 5s id, and the United District of Central Otago, Tuapeka, and Otago Charitable Aid Board for £158 10s, as the County's contributions to the funds. The Chairman stated that the contributions were smaller than was anticipated. The Government considered itself liabls for a subsidy of only £ for £, but the Act provided that when those sums were paid over to the institutions they could claim £ for £. The Government objected to p:iy £ for £ on their own subsidy. That was how the matter stood. The applications beforo thtm did not require immediate action. WANGALOA ROAD, &C. Communications re completing purchase of lands taken for roads Kaitangata to Wangaloa, and Stirling to Benhar, were received, and the Chairman was empowered to deal with them, and effect settlements of claims. MERGING TOKOMAIRIRO ROAB DISTRICT. The petition for merging the Tokomairiro Road District in the County came on for consideration, and Cr Murray said he thought the least the persona getting up the petition could have done would have been to consult him, and requested him as member for the district to present it. If he had Been the petition before, he would have advised the parties to put it in the fire, and get up a fresh one with some truth iv it. There were three clauses, and not one of them was a fact. He believed that Mr Jones had been successful in getting signatures, but he knew that many regretted signing. He would be no party to presenting such a petition. The Chairman pointed out that the petition was very largely signed, and it would not be fair to refuse to receive it because it was not presented by Cr Murray. It was an exact copy of the petitions got up at Matau and Crichton. The fact that the statements were not quite correct waa accounted for by the Act having been altered since the form was originally prepared. What the Council wanted to know was whether the petitioners signed because they wanted the Board merged, and there conld not be any doubt that they did. Cr Murray said he could undertake to get them all to sign the other way to-morrow. Cr M'Kay said that Cr Murray should have brought a counter petition. Cr Murray said the document was wrong. He protested against its being received. It

was false on the face of it, and if the Counoil received that they would receive anything. On the motion of Cr Darling, seconded by Cr M'Kay, the petition was received, and ordered to lie on the table. KAITANGATA PUNT. The adjourned debate on the maintenance of the Kaitangata punt was continued, and the following motion of Cr Darling, seconded by Cr Petrie, carried, "That Inch Clutha contribute one-half, Kaitangata one-third, and Matau and Kaitangata Ridings onetwelfth each. RANGER FOR INCH CLT/THA. A petition, signed by a number of settlers of Inch Clutha, stating that the roads were infested with stray cattle, and the Centre ditch being injured by them, and praying for the appointment of a ranger, was read. The Chairman called attention to Mr Carew's decision, that County Councils had no power to make such appointment, and the matter was referred to the River and Road Board. WIDTH OF TIRES. A bye-law, prepared by Mr D. Reid, regulating the width of tires on County roads, as follows, was read : — 2 wheels, load not exceeding 30 ewt., not less than 4in. ; 4 wheels, load hot to, exceed 3 tons, 4in. Penalty for breach not exceeding £5 for each day. Cr M'Pherson gave ,notico that at next meeting ot the Council he would move the adoption of the above bye-law. WANGALOA ROAB . It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Darling, seconded by Cr Petrie, " That the Chairman be requested to draw the attention of the member for Bruce to the state of the road to Wangaloa, requesting him to endeavor to have a sum placed on the Estimates for its completion ." TENDERS. ' Tenders for Contract No. 110, formation and gravelling, Fairfax road, were opened and dealt with, as follows : —

MISCELLANEOUS. Mr D. Stewart wrote on behalf of John Lamb, Inch Clutha, complaining of three gates on the County road, adjoining the land of Mr H. C. Cameron, and asking tha Council to have the same removed. It was resolved that the Inspector give the required notice to the parties concerned. The Clutha County Council wrote stating that they contemplated replacing battens on traffic bridge, and asking for approval, which was granted. An application for construction of an approach to the Kaitangata Masonic Hall was referred to the Town Board. A Committee, consisting of the Chairman and Crs Petrie and Murray was appointed to inspect road at Smaill's, Inch Clutha, where it had been washed away^ with power to take action. A communication was received with reference to an application for the post of puntman at Taieri Mouth, and it was resolved that tenders be called at the proper time. Slaughtering licenses were granted to John Draper, Milburn, and W. M'Laren, Kaitangata. The application of the Tokomairiro School Committee, for the hire of a room in the County Chambera at £2 a year, waa acceded to. An application from H. L. Johnson, Hillden, Berwick, for drainage, was referred to the Inspector, The action oE the Mount Stuart Road Board, in closing a large number of roadlines, was confirmed ; also of a meeting held at Crichton re closing road -line between Blooks 11. and 111. It was -resolved, on the motion of Cr Petrie, seconded by Cr Darling, "That main road Inch Clutha, L-vwson's towards M 'Donald's, be formed, and water-tables made of sufficient depth to run off water." Cr M'Kay moved, Cr Murray seconded, and it was carried, " That when extending the siding afc Titri the Government be asked to lay rails to the river ao as to dispense with the canal." Cr Petrie stated that the Dairy Factory site at Stirling was blocked up with a clay bank, and suggested that ifc be removed by day labor. Left to tho Chairman, Cr Murray, and tho Inspector. It was resolved to place about a chain aud a-half of gravel on portion of a road near Berwick where it is much cut up. The action of the Committee, in accepting the tender of Geo. Ofetrey for Contract No. 101 at £25, was confirmed. The Inspector's report and pay-sheet were adopted. The Council adjourned.

C. M. B.PoppeJwell (accepted)... 0 0 J. Toagh 38 17 6 W. Beattie 40 0 0 J. Wight 42 14 0 P. Curran 43 0 0 J. Pettigrew 48 9 0 B. Brady 49 2 6