CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 91, 4 June 1912, Page 2

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

This council met at the County Chambers, Balclutha, on Friday. Present—Messrs J no. Edwards (chairman), Jno>. Clarke, W. Pay, J. Cumming, W. Quin, W. Nieol, J. It. Mitchell, J as. U. Begg, and W.,H. Smith. ENGINEERS RGPURT. The county Jengiineer (Mr J. Ramsay) reported as follows : The contractor is well forward with the gravelling of the Swamp road and would have been liuished had it not oeen for the wet weather. The gravelling on the Finegand road t,noar treezing works) will bo completed next week if weather favourable.

Repairs to the Tahakopa Valley road have been carried out, and all the worst places made passable, the weather conditions have made it impossible to do all the worn that was lecesßary to be done on this road as barting of metal ami gravel is doing more harm than gooo. The road leading to Mr J. Evan's section, Pouuawea, has been completed, the work cost £ll of which Mr Evans agreed to pay i>s. i have arranged with Mr W. Allan to do the metallingl etc., at Upper Clydevale shed, also for the quarrying of the metal in Overton's quarry. The contractor has started and is well forward with the carting of maintenance metal on tha Warepa road. ' The metalliag on the Te Houka road has been completed. 1 have received word from the contractor that he has finished the Furekireki Hall. 1 visited the wash out at Catlins Lake, and 1 am of opinion that the washing away of the bank could be checked by erecting a good wire lence and lacing a iine meshed wire netting on to the fence. 1 have used this method for turning rivers and 1 see no reason why it should not answer at this particular place. Hupairs to the various roads throughout the county are being continued, "but the wet weather has been very much against doing goad work.

I paid a visit to Waikoata and oilier roads in Catlins District. The roads are in a very bad state owing to heavy sawmilling plant and sledging timber along clay roads. It is impossible under these conditions to keep the road in anything like repair. 1 also visited Glenkenich District where traction engines have been going over clay roads. These roads were all trimmed up and graded some time ago, and were in very good order, but since the traction engines have passed over them the grading and repairs have been undone.

I have given notice to those who are •arting heavy loads that the heavy Lraflic by-law will be enforced after the 31st May. Repairs are being effected to the Finegand bridge near Mr Shaw's. Tenders have been called for formation on Judd's Road and should be jefore you to-day. Respecting the damage done at tjlu-u-AUiiith, i\lr Quin moved that the engineer write to the persou responsible asking him to make good the damage. —This was carried, and the report adopted.

CORRESPONDENCE. J. llislop, Under Secretary Department Internal All'airs, notiiied that the .Minister had assigned letters "C.C." and the numerals 1 to 250 to the Clutha County Council as identification marks under the iMotor Regulations Act.—Received. J as. Allen, A. S. Mulcolm and R. Scott, M's.l'., wrote that council's applications for Government grants would havt; their support.—Received. R. A* Johnston, secretary Land Bpard, forwardecjf statenietnt ofj "thirds!' and "fourths" for period 2 l Jth January to 27th April, ID i'Z, amounting to £l(j 12/ D. —Received. S. AL Park, secretary Education Board, wrote that council had privilege of electing one representative on the Board of Managers of Associated Technical Classes at Balclutha, and that the election was to bo made ou or belore June 15th next.—The clerk, Mr A. McDonald, was appointed to represent the council.

Secretary, Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce, forwarded resolutions from his Chamber approving oi the Minister of Defence's action relating to the enforcing of the compulsory provisions of the Defence Act. The action was ondorsed, on the motion of Crs Quin and Clarke. Clerk, Stratford County Council, forwarded resolution from his Council '•— "That this council learns with regret that county councils which have already received a total sum of £SOOO by way of loan from the Government under the N.Z State Guaranteed | Advances Act wjll not be advanced any more at present for the construction of roads, and thinks it a wrong policy for any Government in a young country to check councils from developing their districts by refusing to advance on loan a reasonable sum per annum for building bridges, road formation and metaMing.—The letter was received, Cr Clarke remarking that those who got £SOOO had done pretty well. Secretary, N.Z.C.A., wrote ro council's subscription to the Association.— Decided to pay the annual, subscription of £3 3/.

Counsel to N.'Z.C.A. forwarded council's opinion on Impounding Act, release of cattle on way to pound, that the owner of cattle is guilty of an offence, against section 4>B if he rescues his cattle even though the person driving them has wrongly refused to deliver them up o"n tender of driving fees.—Received.

District Manager, Govornjnent Insurance Department, tendered application on behalf of his Department for council's accident insurance business durng ensuing year.—Received. J. E. Stewart, Balclutha agent, Government Life Insurance Department, al-i so wrote asking if council M'oukl insure its employees against accident in the Government Insurance Department. —Received.

Commercial Union Assurance Co., Dunedin office, enclosed expiry notice and applied for renewal.—Decided to renew policy. Standard Insurance Co. also applied! for council's accident business.—Received.

A. W. Geddes applied for billiard license for saloon in Railway Hotel, Owika.—Granted, on the motion, of Cr

Jos. Bagrie, Clinton, wrote that ho had sold his thrashing plant to Messrs Anderson and Montgomerie, Ashley Downs, and asking for a transference of his license to those parties.—Transfer granted.

A. C. Finlayson, a«ked if ' something could bo done towards repairing the road from Puerua to "Applccross." This road could be made safe at a very small cost.—Referred •to engineer to attend to. Win. Morris, Waipahi, wrote that the road from Waipahi to his "Grouted Hills" property was in an. almost i .impassable state. If a trailic bridge were erected over the Waipahi stream on Mr Purvis's property it would satisfy the| writer, and at the ;samo time save the expense of repairing, the road complained of. "This suggested oridge would not be costly—somewhere about £250 to £3oo."—Cr Begg was inclined to think the bridge would be the cheapest thing in the long run, and being on the boundary, the Southland Council might assist. He moved that the Southland Council be asked if they will co-operate.—Seconded by Cr Cumming and curried. K. J. Allison, Pucrua, asked that an extra £2O Jbe allowed him on contract No. 111, Government grant 'Miller's road, Pouimwea, on account of aim huving to earl clay half a mile further than at first anticipated.—The engineer said there was extra carting through the clay not being got where it was at first intended.—fir Smith asked that it stand over till next meeting.—Agreed to. ('. (','. Martin, Wharuarimu, applied or permission to occupy the quarry reserve, sction 13, Block XIV, Rimu, which joined his land. There was no stone on the reserve, und the writer hud for his own protection cut the, noxious weeds on it for many years past—Cr Smith moved that Mr Martin be informed this is Crown Land, taut that Council has no objection to his equest.—Agreed to. Dawson and McKeclmie, asked permission to lav tramline across Meek's road about 18 chains from bridge across the. Purakanui.—Granted.

T.".J. and L. 11. Cook, Katea, wrote asking that a road be opened into section 22, Block U, Catlins, from Nelson's end of the road-Engineer to report. (). Osborne, senr., Owaka, wrote that a property, recently purchased by him, across from the Owaka railway station, was in an insanitary state, owing to drainage coming from railway station, and asking that it be attended to.- (V Smith thought that .his was u matter Lv the llnilway Department and moved that the Department be written to-Agreed. W. Burgess and M other settlers at Tarara, kahuika, ilouipapu, and Caterfeidh, petitioned council to put into force Section 150 of the Public Works .Vet, and continued, "You were petitioned by over 40 ratepayers on the 2«th Mav, ISHI. to enforce this Act. Had vou complied with the ratepayers' wishes then the roads would not be in the present- deplorable condition. Is it right that two or three should.be allowed to destroy the roads of a whole district? Recently logs have been hauled along the road, also there was a team of six horses and ten bullocks hauling one waggon load of limber."

Samuel Bailey, Twrara, wrote earnestly asking council to consider the ab-ove-mentioned petition well before coming to u decision, and added, A grader has been mentioned for our roads. Is your council aware that all"the road between Catlins River and Tahakopa Beach has been metalled with the exception of about half a mile '!"— Cr Smith said there was heavy carting, but it was dillicult to get anyone to come forward and give evidence regarding it. One man put a shoe on the logs and hauled them along the road, after he had rendered it impassable for carting. lie moved that the provisions of the Public Works Act in this connection He enforced.—This was agreed to. Henry F. Moss, timber merchant, Dunedin, asked permission to cross on« or two roadlines with a tramway to his sawmill in the Waikota Valley, and j enclosing sketch plains of proposed 'route. The writer also asked permission to use a small strip of land between the roading and the railway line nt Houipapa for his timber staging—Request granted subject to approval of engineer. J. 11. Patrick, Waitahuna, again asked for a refund of £1 11/0, paid for work at Pounaweu, which, the writer claimed had not been done.—Cr Smith said Mr Patrick had been charged for wotk done in front of one section where nothing was done.—The engineer said protection had only neon dono in front of one section, and he was apparently charged for two.—Refund to be made. John Todd and seven*others, Owaka, forwarded copy of letter to Minister of Public Works, drawing attention to the urgent need for metal on the Newhaven road, which was in a doplorablo state. The road was one of the oldest in the district and never had any Government money spent on it; what little there had been done having been accomplished j by the county council or the settlers. The writers respectfully asked that a grant of ,C2OO be placed on the, Public Works Estimates to carry out the improvement so urgently needed.—On motion of Cr Hay, application to be made for Government grant of X2UO. Mondy and Stephens, solicitors,, Dunedin, forwarded plan oi the township of Toshvale, with consent attached for approval of council.—The engineer reporting favourably, the council approved of the plan. Geo. Scott, Port Molyueux, wrote offering to take over lease of portion of Port Molyneux Reserve, containing about ISO acres, if the council grunted an extension of the term to 11 years. —Cr Hay said the council eoutd not extend the lease.—Transfer agreed to subject to present lessee's conse it, and left in Cr Hay's hands. F. J. Williams, engineer, submitted plan of Shandon lowiw. : p, together with er.gineoring details of street formation for council's approval. The plan was approved. •las. Stewart, secretary Clutha River Board, wrote asking if the council would, with Bruce County Council, care to engage the services of the Board's steamer with the suction pump, while at Clydevale to clear the shoal which in a low state of the river interferes with the successful working of the punt on the Clydevale side.—On motion of Cr Nicol, council agreed to secure the services of the steamer providing Bruce Council agreed. , Sixty settlers wrote petitioning thecouncil to take the necessary steps towards opening a road across the flat from Murrayvale to Romahapa. By this the distance from Romahapa to B&lclutha would, be reduced'by nearly I (wo miles, the new toad would to

nearly level; the old road had B {| hills, the grades of which could *c« ly improved ; and such a road the new one would be a great convj ience for the driving of stock (r, South Molyneux and Owaka to \ South Otago Freezing Works. Seve* of the petitioners also promised give donations, amounting in all £24 15/, towards the cost.—Cr J[ said the offer w*s a very good 0 and he approved of it. The only <j ieulty, perhaps, was that they w oll require two open crossings over \ railway. The road would not * quire much money spent upon it, a| would bo very convenient for drivn stock. He moved that the offer ( K . „ accepted, and that the matter | H) | ferred to the engineer and hinis.lf | meet the parties interested'in the lag on the ground on Monday week, at arrive at an arrangement land and fencing. The road would] iv great convenience to the This was agreed to. j W. McPhcr, Owaka, wrote that something be done to road j his place.—Received. John Pullen. Pounawea, asked Government grant for Pullar's road| spent in reducing the grade instead metalling.—This grant was for mctj ling, and the contract «as now h-\„ Mr Hay moved that the metalling \ done on the Hat, .as it would tlini | useful if deviation were made to 0 viale the hill.—Agreed and matter |< in hands of Mr Hay and engineer. •las. J.andreth und .). T. Cook, 0| akn Valley, olfered to metal 22 chaii of impassable road at 2/ |>.i cub yard.—Offer accepted and nicUllhg be done when engineer directs. George Gorman, Hunts Road, f<j vnrded petition sigr.ed by 31 settl« asking for a Government Lirant C2OO for road between Hunts H oi railway station and main road, a< asking council to forward same ( Minister with favourable recommend

tion.—Agreed to. 0. W. Day Tabor, and II otlurs < Katea, asked that some verv danm ous holes on Chapman's Hill lw Wk with metal.—Engineer to arrang.- »-ji settlers and get work done. BARNEGO FORESHOIU.. R. Ai Johnston, sccri'lan Lu Hoard, in reply to Council'- prota against the granting of a liccn&e OS an area in liarnego fronting the riv beach to Mr Alex. Stevenson, tin- L&n Board, after « consideration oi a i port from the ranger, decided to alio Mr Stevimsoiv to retain license subjj to the following conditions;- ( That Stevenson erects a fence on tl south side of the road from the coi er of his present fence of section I for about nine, chains and there pi in a gate to allow carters to gel for gravel and sand, and that fra the gate he fences across to '.he iv»( and thi'nci down the soma ~ >-•• of ti creek to the main stream ; (2) Th jravol carters and.others be allowed j take what grave;! they require from i area of two acres, as shown on pb on license, and from an area <>! am re about 10 chains lower down a within three chains of normal vt\ mark also shown on license ; CI) % in going for gravel curlers must cfl lino themselves to one road or trad and that when Mich track lequj surfacing they do ,mu k \ oik thii • elves ; (1) 'l'hat on enteiing or lf« ing the land they shut and f.iM>n St venson's gate, and any ]HTM>n ncgtn ing to shut the gate may »'■ preva ed from again entering the are.i gr&] ed to Stevenson -Con-ideied -atirfl .or v. HEDGES AND 0\ ERII \Md.Vi 'HIKES. In terms of notice of motion, 1 tjuin moved ''That all ratepayers thi ughout the county who hi hedges encroaching on eoun'.j roil get notice to cut and remove samej once, and not to burn cutiiugsi ■entre of road ; also thai raU'payi who have overhanging trees get a tlar notice."—Mr Quin said that a verts and water tables were hlod with cuttings, and even bridges 1 dangered, and good roads ruined.-} Mitchell seconded the motion, but Jl they should give reasonable tiw Mr Nicol said that some had gat 1 tice months ago re gorse, but paid heed to it. and the surfacemen « •learing gorse from the watertaM when they should be doing <W work.—The motion was carried, • the engineer was appointed to s« the necessary notices.

FINANCE. Receipts. Rates £93 13/1, Dog Tax £9i| Slaughtering Lieensts £l, Bilii Room Licenses £2l Traction Enp Licenses £7, Deposits £2O 19/6,1 aws 2/, Revenue Mining District LM Occupation Act £1 2/ti j total fl l/7i ' Expenditure. Bridges and Ferries IS/, Land F» £lO 8/, Govt. Grants £l4O 2/, GenS £538 5/6 ; total £GS9 13/6. GENERAL. Two tenders were received for fo| ation of Judd's road, Owaka, Ai * fat £<> l, R. Laverty (accepted) i 19/. A lengthly report was rivebed W Mr 1). Stewart gi.ing the result* ' the conference on the Local Gov* ment Bill. It was decided to gi\e tin Farm* Union the use of the t Count} '.'liafflW for meetings. The application of Berney and B»H ess, Catlins, to have a road d*H was refused. Consideration of proposal to ff chase a road plant was held over ' next meeting. Gold declarations for March sW that 123 ounces had been P from Clutha County, and for Ap*' ounces.—Received. , . The Otago Hospital and CliariW Aid Board's levy on Clutha C o ™ for the vear 1012-13 was £1705 « of which £123 13/8 had been pmM vingSUSl 18/11 to be met by <*•