Bruce County Council

Bruce Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 310, 6 October 1899, Page 8

Bruce County Council

■ m The monthly meeting of^the Bruise County Council, held on Tuesday, wm attended by Cra. Murray, (chairman) Clark, Begg, Crane, Driver, Hewitaon, Haggart, Noble, Eutherford. TOBTIFICATIOBT: BAILWA.T. Mr Donald Reid, on behalf of the Fortification Railway and Coal Co., asked the Council to agree to several crossings of the railway to the coal pit, across the district and main road and deviations on parts of same.— Cr Haggart proposed, Cr Crane seconded, and it was agreed that the Council approve of the plans before the Council for the crossings over main and district roads ; the works to be carried on to the satisfaction of the inspector of works. — The Council also agreed that the chairman, on behalf of the Council, should sign the plan as approved. znspectob's bepobt. The inspector's repoit was as follows Roads. — They are nearly all in a fair condition for the traffic. The dry weather has greatly helped to improve the roads at thia time of the year. Works. — All the works on hand have made fair progress since my Isat report The formation of road through village Battlement at Taieri Month is nearly completed, Fair progress is being made with the works up the side of Olutha river under the Government vote. The formation of roads at Fortification and Wangaloa is also miking fair progress. The formation and fencing of road at Circle Hill tSchoolhouße are now completed. Bridges. — Dunn'B oridge. which accidentally caught fire last month, haß been repaired, the damage done being very slight) owing to Mr Carrnthers proceeding at; once to the bridge after tbe alarm was raised and extinguishing the fire. The fire was caused by a spark settling on the head of the beam and corbels ; aod In all probability some old bird neats got on fire, and tho tire extended to the woodwork. There is no evidence to show where the spark came from ; but it i 8 supposed to have come from some gorse that wa9 on fire near the bridge. Several of the bridges on the Waihola- Taieri Bdaeh i-oad require new beame. The present ones ar c moth eaten at the ends by the bkek pine grub. With a traction engine goiog over them they might give way at any timeTimber has been supplied for oue of them, and it is being repaired--1 examined the bridg3 at Johaoton'd, Wan' galoa. This is an old bridge with ruugh rubbie walls, and the beams are round zteo" covered with rails, and with earth on top of the rails, T'na bridge epaos a narrow, Utsep creak. The beams on the top of tha walls Bhcw signs oi decaying whore they come in coe'o&c; viith tbe earth. I would recommend that the bridge be taken down, and a pipe culvert large enongh to ; take aU the water put ia ita place. The atoae3 could be ÜBed in protecaiag the pip6S at the ends, and in Bupportiog the earthworks from failicg into the bed of tha creek, which runs parole! with the road for <?. fahorl distance above the culvert. Receipts for Month. — Ratea, £56 7* 8d ; rent*, £16; gold fields, £12 ; dug tax. £6 17^ 6d ; puar road, £3 15s ; refund advertising, £2. Tola,', £93 0* 2d. Expeadi'.uro for mewth. — W oik--. £80 I7f ; works uuder Government voter, £74 ; anr•faoicg roads, £2S6a 9d ; salaiie*, £23 18i 4d ; Hospital Board, £19 5< Id ; Unariaablo Board, £42 15- 3d; advertising, £2 16 3; miscellaneous, £1 4-. Totti 1 , £273 2i sd. The report was approved. COKEESPO> T DENCE. From Mr D. F)fe, asking for removal of stones from the road passing his property. — 'Agreed to From Mr Allen M.H.R., forwarding a letter from the Minister of Mines, Btating that a vote £30 h*d been xoted to clear out Xitri canal of the mud deposited by the dredging operations in the Waipori river.— Received. From Mr Allen M.H.B. with reference to the votes for works in Bruce County, in the public works estimates for the current year. He also enclosed a copy of the estimates. — Received. From the Taieri County Council, Btating agreement to the proposal to reduce tbe rent paid for working the punt at T»ieri Mouth to £7 10a per annum. — Received. Froii Mr W. P. Watson, with referecce to the proposal to fill up part of the Kaitangata creek, atd codetruction of new sewer. He stated that he could not add to anything in the telegram read at the previous Council meeting. That telegram was to the effect that the Coal Co. would pay the cost of sewer for the breadth of railway and t-upply whatever waste was available from toe mine to fill up the creek. — Rtceived. From thft New Zealand Coun'ies A3soc;adon, i.t»ting the Executive committee h«a paened the following resolution and copies of same have been sent to all County Councils :— that tbe following question be put to each candidate at the forthcoming general election.— Will you during the nest session of Parliament urge the Government to briDg in a local Government Bill giving effect to the various resolutions passed at the conference oi the New Zealand, Counties Association? '. —Received, j

From Mr J. Oowie, of Taratu, stating that his horse fell and skinned its knees by stepping into a- hole on the road* He claimed £5 damages for injury to his horse. — A report was read to the effect that the accident was caused by the horse stepping into a rabbit hole at the, side of the road, through carelesß riding. Before ''the accident the horse was known as broken-kneed, and stumbled on a level and smooth road at various times. Mr Morrison had told the County Clerk that the only value of the horse consisted in the price of its hide. — Cr Haggart proposed, Or Noble seconded and agreed, that no action be taken in the matter. From Mr J. B. M'lntosb, askiDg the Council to repair a culvert on road to bush near Mr Casserly's, as the present culvert was broken down tmd the water was flowing over his land. He also drew attention to the broom on che side of the road leading to his place. — Received and no action in the latter matter. BOAD DEVIATION, TEEEACE RANGE. The committee appointed reported they had examined the proposed line of road from Boundary Creek up to th 6 top of one of the spur?. The pro posed line would be of a steep grade, as the ridges rose abruptly from the creek ; but by winding round one of the gullies a track could be got, which might suit the traffic from the station. The committee recommended that che j inspector be instructed to taka levela over the proposed line of road and bring up a report with the estimated cost of the work, at; next meeting. — Approved, AKATOEE CEEKK. Agreed, on the motion of Cr Noble, seconded by Cr Crane, " That the inspector bring up a report showing ao estimate of the cost of a traffic bridge over the Akatore Creek." PROPOSED BRIDGE AT KAITANGATA. Cr Rutherford moved, and Cr Haegart seconded, and it was agreed, '' That plans of the proposed bridge be forwarded to the Kaitangata Borough Council for their inspection. " 13ALMOKAL BIDI>~G. Twenty ratepayers of the above named riding objected to the position of the works proposed and carried at last meeting ot th« council, and for whicb tenders aie called. Cr Beg£ proposed, Cr Clark seconded, and it was agreed, " That a meeting of ratepayers in the Hillend district be called to consider this matter. GOESE AT FAIRFAX. A letter was read from the Fairfax cemetery trnslees, drawing attention to Drooin and gor.-e on a fetreet in Fairfax, with a view of having the same cleared. Agreed on the motion of Cr Haggart, seconded by Cr Driver, " That the owners of tho auctions be asked to clear away alt obstructions from one half of the roid ; or that the iuapector be asked to institute proceedings againat the owners." TENDERS. Tenders were opened as follows : — Ditch on road to old rifle butts : — Alex M'Laren £14 14s (accepted), Robert Wilson £17 10d, Chalmers and Hinchcliffe, £15 15s. Metalling portion of Table Hill road, Jas Ferguson, £66 Ga lOd. Metalling another portion of Table Hill road. — No tender received ; fresh tenders to be called for. It was also agreed that in the cases of two other contracts for which no tenders had been forwarded, fresh tenders should be called for. Gravelling portion of road at Frazsrs, Taratu, Jas. Ferguson £23 10s. (accepted). Metalling portions of roads at Marshall's, Akatore, Annisvi'.ch and Brown, £34 (accepted). H. Groves and son, £33 17s 6d. Metalling portion of road, Hillend and Begg's track, Robert Gray £175 12s, W. Wilkinson £159 Bs.— Cr Begg moved, Cr Clark seconded and it was agreed that Wilkinson's tender be accepted, subject to the approval of the inspector as to the position of the works.