BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 2263, 8 May 1891, Page 3

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The above Council met on Tuesday. Present — Crs H Clark (chairman), Smith, Macpherson, Calder, Noble, Wilson, Murray, aud Mosely,

A deputation from Clarendon riding waited on the Council. Mr Leesmith was spokesman, and said they had a grievance to bring before the Council. He said they represented that part of the district bordering on Berwick and Taieri County. Had the weather not been so inclement there would nave been a v<arj largo Dumber present. What was wanted was a road from Clarendon to Berwick so that they could get on to Henley railway station; Much money had been spenl~, and the road was usable up to the borders of his land. Beyond that there was a gap of a mile through Messrs Macpherson's which required to be made. Mr Leesmibh proceeded to complain that they had to pay large sums in rates, and had no road. He had allowed himself to be summoned for rates as a protest against the unfairness he had to submit to. The question had now come to the completing the road, ignoring altogether any private consideration whatever. Mr Leesmith continued a very eloquent appeal to the Council at considerable length. He also offered to give as much of hiß land for the road as might be required for the deviation.

Cr MacphersoQ asked who was the originator of the deputation.

Mr Leesmith objected to giving the information, but wonld satisfy Cr Macpher* son by saying he himself was not.

Cr Smith explained that it was resolved by the Council years ago that all deputations must be introduood by the member for the riding. Mr Leeßtnith said deputations expected some sympathy from those who introduced them, but they could not expect that from Mr Macpherson. The Chairman read a letter from Meaßrs M'Bride, Bros.,. slating that they wera going to Btop all traffic through their property, as they were going to plough. Mr Leesmith was glad that M'Brides saw the situatior. Cr Macpherson said that M'Bride told him he never sent tbat letter. It was a forgery. He moved that it be handed over to the police. The motion was not seconded.

In reply to Cr Calder Mr Leesmith said he would give any land that was wanted to put a road through, free of any coat.

Cr Macpherson Baid that they had had the rates for years and he thought they ought to do something for themselves. It was not likely that the whole of the funds of the riding would be expended for a few.

Mr Leesmith. said he had paid £11 a year for tea years and had no road all the time.

la reply t) Cr Calder Mr Leesmith said he would be prepared to give £20 to the road, irrespective of the rates.

The Chairman expressed the gratitude of the Council to Mr Leeemitb. and said the subject would be fully considered bye and bye.

Mr Carrick said he would contribute £7, and the others promised t3 assist. The Inspector's report was read as follows :—

Works— The maintanance metil coatracta have made fair progress during the present month, the contract for Matau riding being completed, and also the contract on Springfield road. Nothing has been done to the formation contracts on roads near Berwick and Summerhill. A commencement has been made with the formation contract near Milburn. On formation contract at Wangaloa tie contractor has left off the works without completing same according to the specifications, and I desire authority tj complete the works out of t *c money unpaid on the contract. Fair progress has been made to contract on road to Mr Jas. Smith's, Wangaloa, and to contract for cleaning out Centre Ditcb, Inch Clutha, portions 1 and 2.

Bridges — Some slight repairs have been made to several of the bridges. Timber has been laid down to replank bridge over oußeburn on road Waihola to Taieri Beach, and a supply of timber 13 required to repair bridge over Fraser's Creek Crichton, and Eagle's Creek, Balmoral ridiDg. One of the bridges on Manuka Creek has had new j beams and planking put on it, and the bridge near GleDledi has slao been covered with fresh planking and a handrail has been placed on bridge over Gorge Creek on road to Circle Hill. Ptjnt at Taieri Mouth. — I have to report that this punt capsized during a gale and sunk to the bottom of the river. Ib has since been recovered, and is again in working ; order. A portion of the approach was also washed away, and ib is now being made np again. I have also to report that on the northern side of the river the sand has accumulated around the pontoon, and at low water it is left on dry land, and the punt cannot approach to ib except at high tide. K the sand spit keeps disappearing as it has done during the past few months, there is danger of the approach being carried away on the north side, and the punt and staging being left on an island, thereby rendering it useless for the traffic. Roads. — The works recommended on Mr Robert Bell's road have been carried out, and two new pipe culverts have been placed on the road leading past Mr Leonard's on Taieri river, and a new covering has been placed over creek on road leading to Mrs Coutts' at Taieri Beach. The brick culvert near Mr Thomas Reid's has also been repaired and built up again. The surfacemen have been chiefly engaged in repairing the formation and clearing out culverts. The late rainy weather has made some of the clay roads very sloppy, and the road to Wangaloa up as far as the coalpits is already very much cut up. RECEIPTS. Eateß £228 18 0 Subsidy 74 3 0 Licenses 7 0 0 Dog tax 72 15 0 Goldfields revenue 110 0 ! .Refund Kaifcangata Borough ... 150 0 0 Interest „ JJ 0 Refund for works 8 iy l> Bent? , 110 0 ,£550 15 2

EXPENDITURE. Worka £118 3 3 Surfacing 54 2 1 Hospital Board 37 0 9 Charitable Aid Board 37 14 2 Advertising, &o. 8 16 0 Rangers 7 16 8 Audit ... 4 0 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... 116 0 Clerk and Inspector ... ... 42 10 0 Licensing expenses ... ... 1 1 0 Dog tax collection 7 13 ,6 £320 13 5

Cr Smith moved, "That the Inspector be empowered to expend the unexpected balance of vote for formation contract at Wangaloa where required. Seconded by Cr Maopherson, and carried The report was then adopted, and the pay-sheet passed. A letter was received from Mr H. B. Flett, re moneys accruing from d.p. land in Clarendon and Table Hill districts. A letter was read from the Keoei-rer ©£ Land Revenues, stating that £88 12s d.p. thirds for Mount Stuart Road Distriot had been paid in error to the County Council, and requesting that it be refunded. The Clerk stated that all the money had been expended in the road district. Cr Smith moved "That the Clerk write informing the Receiver of Land Revenue that the money had been expended in the riding, and that the Chairman call at the Laud Office and further explain." Seconded by Cr Macpherson, and carried. Cr Macpherson moved, "That all money arising from Mr Flett's sections be spent on roads to the advantage of the property in future." Seconded by Cr Smith, and carried . It was resolved to pay the Hospital and Charitable Aid levees monthly as usual.

A communication was received from the Railway Department stating that the Commissioners regretted they could not permit Councillors to travel by goods trains on their return from meetings.

Mr W; Smaill, Wangaloa, wrcte re deviation of new road at Cormack's mine, and complaining of the steepness of the grade. He offered to supply horse labor free, and any help he could. Cr Smith moved, "That the work be done, subject to Cr Haggarfc's approval. " Seconded by Cr Ivlosley, and carried. With reference to the letter signed by M'Bride, which Cr Macpherßon alleged M'Bride said was a forgery, it was resolved that the letter be referred to M'Bride Bros, on the motion of Cr Calder, seconded by Cr Wilson. The School Commissioners having given their consent to deviation of road through section 11, b. IX., Akatore, it was decided, on the motion of Cr Noble, seconded by Cr Wilson, " That tenders be called for the work." Mr C. Smaill and others wrote concerning state of road from the head of the Swamp Road along river bmk to end of bush, and requesting that scrub be nut away, &c.

O Mosley moved, Cr Calder seconded, and it was carried, " That the Inspector be empowered to carry out the work."

An application from the Cromwell County Council, for a contribution towards their legal expenses in connection with a case under their hawking bye-law, was received, and assistance not voted.

The decision of the ratepayers not to close roadlines in Coast Survey District was reported by the Chairman.

The action of the committee appointed to deal with tenders was confirmed. Tenders were opened and dealt with, as follows : — Contract No. 307 — Formation of Road near Mr Alexander Mackay's, Clarendon. Estimate, £31. James Ferguson (accepted) ... £31 5 0 J.Campbell 35 0 0 D. Mackay 44 0 0 Cr Smith moved, according to notice, " That a separate rate of gl in the £ be levied over Matau, Inch Clutha, and Waihtla ridings," Cr Smith stated the financial position cf each riding. He would be agreeable to distribute the debt of Matau and Waihcli over two years, and therefore moved as above.

Cr Motley said that if the proposal were carried out, it would be a heavy burden on the Inch Clutha settlers.

Cr Smith thought that as Inch Clutha got £50 at last meeting they ought not to complain.

Cr Mosley said he did move for an expenditure on clearing out the drain. That was a necessity, as without it many would not be able to pay rates at all.

Cr Smith wanted to know what a banker would say to such a proposition.

Cr Modey thought the bank wonll let a man have it, if without it he might go bankrupt. Cr Smith moved, " That the Council on rising adjourn until July," Seconded by Cr Noble, and carried. Councillor Murray called attention to road through Campbell's (Circle Hill), and BUggested that the matter ought to be settled. The Chairman said that the road in question was on all the maps, but had been omitted from the Crown grant. He had no hesitation in saying it was a legal road. Cr Smith thought the best thing would be to allow the objector to take action against the trespasser, the Council to indemnify if the case went against the defendant. Cr Smibh moved, " That Mr Campbell be informed that there is a legal road at the place mentioned, and the Council insists upon its rights." Seconded by Cr Mosley and carried. It was resolved on the motion of Cr Mosley, aeconded by Cr Calder, "That the offer of Mr Henderson to clean out ditch on road to Koau punt, at a cost of not more than Is per chain, be accepted." Cr Murray moved, " That the Inspector examine and report on dangerous piece of road near Hagen's." Seconded by Cr Macpherson, and carried. It was resolved, on the motion of Or Murray, " That the question of repairing road to the quarry be referred to the Inspector." Cr'MTheraon called attention to the CfiU;

dition of the oil road through Mr Duffs property. He had suggested to Me Duff that he shoull give a road on- the side of the hill, and thought the Council shoull endeavour to effect an exchange with Mr Duff.

The Chairman and Cr Smith were appoint id to interview Mr Duff on the subject, and if an agreement could be effected tenders to be called for the work.

The question of arranging where the d. p. moneys at Taieri Beach should be spent was referred to Cr Wil3on and the Inspector.

Cr Motley called attention to the state of the Matau bridge, which he said was in an unsatisfactory condition, and the Inspector was instructed to report on same. It was resdved taat as many of the Council as could make it convenient visit the Clarendon riding and inspect the road concerning which the deputation interviewed the Council,