BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11, 11 August 1911, Page 2

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tho monthly meeting of the above body was held in the Council Chambers, Milton, on Tuesday. Present Councillors H. M. Driver (chairman), T. Scott, T. 11. Russell, D. Bovd, P. Haggart, 1). Gardyne, jr., W. 8011, J. Clark, J. Adam, and J. M. Begg. An apology was received for the absence of Cr." Jas. Smith. ENGINEER'S REPORT. Tho County Engineer reported as follows on roads and works for month ending- July 31 : Roads.—Tho unmetalled roads still fcoep in a soft state for the trailic, and the metalled roads in some parts are getting cut up for want of metal. Works.—The works in hand have made good progress since my last report. The formation contract on road past Burns', Blackburn, has", made good progress, and the road ks open for trailic with light loads. The widening of the riverside road has been stopped owing to the Government vote for the work being exhausted. The work of replanking the Matau bridge at Stirling is making fair progress without interrupting the ordinary tra- J flic. Tho clearing out of the Matau drains is now completed. Some.maintenance metal has been laid down near to the Benhar Pipe Works, as the road' was in a very soft condition. The dredging of the road at the bridge, Glenore, is now finished, and the approach made up again with gravel thrown out by the dredging, and a good job has been made in forming the road again. The Glenore bridge has had the centre cross pieces of the planking renewed, as they were giving way under the trailic. The steel girders for the new bridge have been delivered and when the/ plan of the new bridge returns from Wellington the Council will be in the position of ■ being able to call fori the tenders for the erection of the new bridge.' The steel girders for the two bridges over the Tokomairiro River at Clyiner's have also arrived,' and the work of rebuilding the bridges can be put in hand at the Council's convenience. I would recommend that these works be done by the county workmen as they have considerable experience in that kind of work and have all the plant necessary to carry out the work. The District Engineer asked me to make arrangements to test the Black liridge. This was done and the Engineer was perfectly satisfied with the results. The steel girders stood the test they were guaranteed to bear, and the deflection , was only 3-With of an inch on the 40ft span. The bridge was tested with three traction engines going over coupled tor gether and standing on it for some time. The estimated weight of the three engines was over 40 tons. This is the most substantial bridge of over one span erected up to this time, and at the modetate cost of £(i 10/ per foot. The work of protecting the road on side of river near Titri is now finished, and the formation contract at Taieri Mouth under Government vote is also finished. All the metalling contracts have been stopped as the roads wore too soft to receive the metal. The road belonging to Mr Prentice, Clarendon, is in very much need of the grades being reduced and some siding formation done, on the worst parts, as at present it is impassible for wheeled trailic. I would recommend the Government be asked to place a sum on the estimates to improve this road, say £75. Maintenance metal has been laid dowji on portions of the roads requiring attention, and further supply is required on other portions of the main road Crichton and Tokomairiro ridings. On j the metalling contract on the Lovells j Flat—TTillend road the metal is still not broken down to the specilied size, and the same applies to the road at I Stiell's, Mount Stuart road. I would | recommend that if this contract is not. 1 finished by the end of this month that. i the contract be cancelled and the de- | posit forfeited for the broach of the j conditions of contract. Adopted, on the motion of Cr. Adam ■ seconded by Cr Haggart. j FINANCE. | The statement of receipts and expen- . diture for month ending July Jllst : Receipts,

Approved on motion of Grs. Adam and Haggart. OUTSTANDING BATES. The Clerk (Mr Potter) laid on the tabic a statement of the outstanding

RANGER'S REPORT. The Ranger reported having impounded for the month of >)uly as follows ?■ Waihola riding, 4 rattle, 2 horses ; Tokomairiro liding, i cattle, 2 horses ; Matau Riding, J 2 cattle, 4 horses ; Mt. Stuart riding, 3 cattle ; Balmoral riding No. 2., 2 horses.—Received. CORRESPONDENCE. Under Secretary, Department of Lands, forwarded copy of Order-in-Council re appointment of new Dom- ' aia Bo««i,-*w«ived» I

Under Secretary of Internal Affairs wrote stating Coronation subsidy must, be expended before 31st'December 1911, and forwarded conditions under- which it will be granted to local authorities. —Received. The District Traffic Manager of Railways, Dunedin, wrote stating that the beneficiaries in the estate of (ieorge Heads, deceased, have authorised the Public Trustee to sell piece of land required by. the council for the sum of £SO for road deviation at Milburn.— The Public Trustee also required a fetter indemnifying him against any liability tinder "The Fencing Act. Or. Russell said the price asked was ridiculously high; the council could take the land at a cheaper rate under "The Public Works Act,"— Members agreed with this.—Cr. Russell moved that the matter be held over meantime.—Seconded by Cr Begg and agreed to. Messrs Cook and Steel, Awamangu, wrote stating that contract at Burns' homestead was completed.—Received. Mr Jas. Nelson, Manager Bruce Gold Dredging Co., stated his company had replaced road at (ilonorc in good order, and asked for return of deposit of £so Received. Messrs Hosting and Cook, solicitors. Dunedin, wrote on behalf on Mr and Miss Pillans agreeing to proposed road deviation through sections 36 and 39, block 111., Hillend Survey District.— Cr Begg remarked that this was a very favourable offer ; application had been made to the Government for a grant for the work.—He moved that the letter be received and council's thanks be forwarded for the favourable, offer.—Agreed to. Mr R. Margaric Brooks, town clerk, Milton, wrote stating that the Milton Borough Council would erect a lamp over the south bridge provided County Council pay cost of lighting.—Received ; already accepted. The Town Clerk, Milton, forwarded plan of Fairfax Cemetery, and asked Council to favourably consider the closing of -John and Owcr streets, run* ning east and west through the cemetery.—Cr. Russell moved that consideration be deferred for a month pending inquiries.—Seconded by Cr. Scott and agreed to. The Secretary to the Taylor Memorial Committee, Christchurch, forwarded copies of subscription lists.—Decided that same be left open at the Council _ Office- for convenience of those'desiring to contribute.

Mr W. B. Mills, Milton, wrote asking that trees overhanging main road, on Tokamairiro Domain be cut down. —Referred to Domain Board. METALLIC. AT CLARENDON.

Messrs Hazlett, McNeil, and others, Milburn, asked that the metalling on the Fort Hill road be carried round and spread on the new formation to be carried out by the Dominion Lime Co. between Messrs Sutherland and Russell's, The writers stated the road 1 formation would be impassible if riot metalled soon as practicable. —Cr Russell said a contract had been let some months ago to metal road from end of present metalling to Sutherland's corner, but had not been carried out owing to a difficulty in securing metal. The petitioners' now desired this metalHng contract to be withdrawn and the metal spread on road referred to.—ljeft to the members for the riding to inquire whether the contractor is willing to withdraw contract, also that inquiries be made whether the Public Works Department engineer will agrees to the proposed alteration in metalling. HARBOUR BOARD REPRESENTATION.

I he Clerk Kiwitea County Council wrote forwarding following resolution } "That in the opinion of this Council the present cumbersome, expensive, an«{ unfair method of electing representatives of combined districts to the harbour boards is quite against the interests of ratepayers in counties and road districts. The electors in boroughs are unduly favoured, owing to the wide qualification, as compared with that of the electors in county districts ; the date of the election being the date fixed for the borough elections gives the borough electors an altogether unfair advantage, while the results cannot be expected to justify either the large expense or the departure from the old system, which, in the opinion of this council should be reverted to."—Cr Clark remarked that the old method of appointment was much cheaper and should be reverted to until some better scheme was devised. The recent election in the local combined district cost 7/6 for each vote recorded.—Cr Adam expressed the' opinion that the Harbour Boards election should be carried out on the same principle as election of members to the Education Boards ; it would prove quite satisfastory to the ratepayers.— Some other members agreed with this and, on the motion of Cr. Clark, seconded by Cr. Russell, it was decided to co-operate with Kiwitea Council in its protest, and suggest that the elections bo carried out on the principle outlined by Cr Adam. APPLICATION FOR A GRANT. Mr S. Hazlett forwarded a petition signed by nine settlers asking council to approach Mr Alien, M.P.. to obtain a Government giant of £6OO for purpose of metalling the road north of Mr A. Paterson's to the Fort Hill lime kilns ; a distance of about 120 chains. The main grounds for asking for this grant were that there was an unlimited field of excellent limestone at Fort Hill kilns which could not properly be made use of for want of a road; that if the road was metalled the kilns would be kept going all the year round and give employment to many hands. —Conversational discussion ensued on this request and the general opinion was expressed that petitioners were asking too much for one particular road in the county, which would practically benefit only one industry and very few persons, An application from the council for such a large sum would/ prejudice grants for other roads within the county.—lt was further suggested that Mr Hazlett (who would derive the* greatest benefit) be asked whether he would pay £ for £, or Ruch smaller sum towards metalling the worst portions of the road.—Left to Cr. Russell to make inquiries and report at next meeting. THE HERMITAGE ESTATE. Messrs N. and E. S. Patterson, Dunedin, forwarded plan of roads in the subdivision of Hermitage Estate, Stirling, and requested Council's sanction J thoreto.—Gr. Boyd moved that the plans be adopted, and that the chairman sign same on behalf of the council.—A question was asked whether the roading had been completed to the •*• Mwrtioa ot tin wgUw« ultt *ts

pointed out by Cr. Boyd that Messrs Patterson had lodged a deposit of CUKI that the roading would bo satisfwiorily completed.—The motion was then; agreed to. LEVYING KATES. ]n accordance with notice of motion, Cr. Adam moved confirmation of lowing of the rates for the eiisutiii: year (a's per particulars already published) —Seconded by Cr Begg. ■Cr Boyd moved that, in accordance with an agreement arrived at by the ratepayers of Inch Clutha Subdivision of Mnlau Hiding, an additional farthing be levied on that portion of the. countv, thus their total general rate would be Id 1-Kith. The motion, and Cr Boyd's suggestion, were agreed to. It was pointed out that some of the special rates would not require levying this year.

GENERAL. ; The Sub-Committee (Crs. Adam and Clark) appointed to deal with tenders for the erection of the coronation memorial hall at Lovells Flat, reported having accepted Mr Jno. liittle-ohn'n ! tender at £3so.—Cr. Clark guaranteed that, although this was above the es- J timated cost the deficiency would Ik made up.—The committee's action was approved of. On motion of Cr Russell, seconded ' by Cr Scott, the inspector was instruct ted to report at next meeting on estimated cost of metalling portion of road between Dale's and Grant's pro- I perties, Helensbrook. ; • Complaints re delay in commencing ; work on Table Hill road (Government ; grant) were made bv Cr Adam ; and J Cr. Clark also complained re delay in completing contract on Lovells Flat- ! Hillend road.—Engineer to have both , attended to at once. I

£ s. d. Rates ... 22 0 I Rents ... 23 (i H Punt Fees ... i « m ... 5 0 0 ... SO 0 0 ... 20 0 0 ... 0 17 0 Treasury, metalling Tupc- ... 50 0 0 £171 10 10 Expenditure. Works, ordinary ... 231 17 11 ... 85 A 0 ... 90 (i 3 Timber Matau Bridge ... 7-1 19 0 Girders Glenore Bridge .. ... 314 15 0 Deposit refunded, Glenon ... 50 0 0 ... 15 6 1 ... 481 4 7 ... f>6 2 0 Hospital and Charitable a id 112 5 8 ... 9 5 9 ... 25 16 1 Councillors' expenses ... 14 Hi 8 ... 12 0 0 ... 21 4 1 £1608 3 11

rates at July 31st, as follows :— Balmoral Riding, No 1 ... 1 5 11 Balmoral Riding, No. 2 ... 3 10 0 ... 4 5 8 .... 0 11 11 Glonledi Riding ... 1 8 7' ... 11 13 4 ... 3 9 3 ... 4 2 1 Mt. Stuart Riding ... 0 9 9 ...0 5 9 ... 19 12 3 £51 13 2