BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1182, 5 March 1897, Page 5

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

A meeting of the above council was held at Milton on Tuesday. There were present Messrs Clark (chairman), Smith, Murray, Hewitsou, Crane, Haggart, Noble, Rutherford and Macpherson. CORRESPONDENCE. The Minister of Justice forwarded a warrant under the hand of the Governor appointing the council to have authority within the Bruce Licensing District.' — Received.

The Railway Department wrote intimating that the proposed alterations at Clarksville siding would be undertaken on advice from the head office. — Beceived.

Mr 'William Hewitson wrote forwarding resolution passed at a meeting at Lovells Flat of ratepayers of Crichton Eiding with reference to the action of the Council in charging the costs of the action Aitchison v. the Council to that riding. (The resolution was published in the Leader last week). — Eeceived.

Mr E. Moore asked the Council to extend the present contract for clearing the road to his place. — Contract to be extended for a further distance.

H. H. Frazer, Taratu, wrote objecting to pay portion of his rates as he had to pay LlO a year for an outlet to his place and that the amount he paid was quite sufficient for all the benefit he received. — Eeferred to the rate collector.

Fifteen ratepayers at Taieri Beach asked the Council to repair the bridge over Joseph Creek. — Tenders to be called for the work.

The Taieri County Council wrote asking as to the position of the matter of the Taieri Mouth punt. — It was agreed that the punt be erected on the upper site and that a separate rate be levied over the riding to meet the -cost of same. MISCELIANEOUS. The Chairman reported that he had interviewed Mr Lee Smith with reference to his promise of L2O to open up the ClarendonBerwick road through his property but had been unable to come to arrangement with him on the subject. — It was agreed that the resolution of Ist December, 1896, be adhered to.

The following tenders were accepted : — Contract 459, clearing ditch, Inch Clutha, William Bryant, 2s per chain ; contract 460, clearing ditch, Inch Clutha, William Bryant, Is 9d per chain ; contract 464, formation of road near Mr H. B. Flett's, James Ferguson, Ll9. For a number of contracts no tenders had been received and it was agreed to call for fresh tenders.

In reply to Mr Murray as to why certain drain pipes had been charged to Tokomairiro Biding, the Chairman explained that the pipes had been ordered for and partly used for works in that riding.

The Chairman reported that he had had a conference with Mr Samson, chairman Taievi County Council, with reference to the fords on the Waipori river, that Mr Sarason informed him that his Council would do nothing at present towards providing a new road. He, Mr Clark, recommended that nothing be done to the fords in the meantime. — Adopted.

With reference to the proposed storm channel through Mr James Lawrence's farm, vijj^er the Wtiw dritipagp scheme, Messrs

Butherford and Haggart reported that they had been unable to agree with Mr Lawrence, and recommended that things remain as at present. — Adopted. The Chairman reported that he had attended a meeting of ratepayers of the Lakes and Matau Drainage Districts with the view of forming the. disiricts into one drainage board. The attendance was small, and the opinion of those present was against the proposal. A resolution was passed that the district be formed into a River Board, but no action was taken to give effect to this and the tone of the meeting was that no agreement could be como to on the subject. — Adopted. • The inspector's report on roads and works was adopted and the attached paysheet passed for payment. It was agreed on the motion of Mr Rutherford seconded by Mr Noble u That an application be made to the Government for a vote of L4OOO to rebuild Matau bridge and that the member for Bruce be asked to assist in the matter." It was agreed that in future the surfacemens' wages be 6s a day. The Council agreed to adopt Section 20 of the Bating Act, 1894, which provides that 10 per cent, interest shall be charged on rates six months due. It was agreed that a lock be erected on the Lakes drainage canal according to Mr B. Hay'sTreport.