VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL

Dunstan Times, Issue 3132, 28 August 1922, Page 5

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council, held at Clyde on Wednesday last, was attended by Crs D. S.Middleton. (chair), J. McKnight, A. C Scoular, C. Weaver, J. Kane, G. S. Patterson and J. Riichie. An apology was read from Cr Spain, who is attending a Conference at Wellington. • The minutes of a Special and last ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. The inward correspondence was read and dealt with as under: — A letter was read intimating that the Conference at Wellington re Highways Bill would meet on the 24th inst. The Chairman intimated that a claim by Thos. McKay, Luggate, for £35 damages alleged to have been caused to plaintiff's race by the Council constructing a channel, had been adjourned until next Court day, owing to the County Solicitor's illness. The States Advance Dept. wrote advising that loan of for erection of Workers dwellings had been granted. Period of loan 36 X years, rate of interest per cent. Received. The Under Secretary wrote stating that steps were being taken to vest the Cromwell Cemetery in the Borough Council.

The Minister wrote re damage from irrigation water to roads, stating that the matter had been rererred to the Public Works Dept. Mr Jas. Horn, M. P. wrote on the same subject. The Chairman remarked that it was time something was done. The Dept. of Internal Affairs advised that the Committee appointed to control the Blackmans Water Rights had been gazetted. Received. In reply to an application by Messrs SMith and Reid to have a light bridge in place of the Chair at Queensbury, for which they guaranteed £2OO, Mr Horn telegraphed advising that an estimate be obtained, when he would approach the Minister, from whom he had obtained a favorable reply as to a grant. Cr Patterson agreed that the bridge was required. He thought that if the settlers provided £2OO and the Council a similar amount, that the balance coald be obtained from the Govt. Cr Kane, who remarked that the question affected the Chairman's riding, not his, thought that there were more urgent works necessary. The Chairman .said that he could not commit his Riding as there was no application from them. He considered it first necessary to have a meeting of ratepayers. Cr Ritchie thought that the question of v. hid) side of ihe river the Railway was to go would naturally effect it, as a main traffic bridge might be required at the site under consideration. The settlers seemed in earnest. The Engineer's estimate was £1,500. The Chairman remarked that as the amount required from the Council was much greater than could at present be undertaken, nothing could be done.

Mr Thos. Govan, Galloway, wrote asking that a fence 30 chains long, washed down by recent flood, caused by County embankment be re-erected. In reply to the Chairman the Engineer said the County was not responsible. Mr D. Ritchie wrote asking that a road be made to his property, and that another road be closed. This meant making a road of 8 chains anddoing away with two miles of road not required. The Engineer and Ci Ritchie to attend to this matter.

Mr John Lothian wrote asking that a road be made into his section on the Earnscleugh settlement. Cr Weaver pointed out that several sections had been taken up in the same locality and suggested that the road be made by the grader. The engineer said that the road, which would be about half a mile lomr could be graded for 15s per chain. The work was authorised. Mr Cook Moutere, wrote stating that he intended to fence in a road near his property, The Engineer to inspect. Mr F W. Wilson, Lauder, asked for permission to put pipes across the road. Agreed to. The writer to be informed that the County had no pipes for sale

Mr John Hawley, Earnscleugh, was granted permission to close a road. Mr S. Leask wrote stating that Mr C. Gallagher had resigned from the Black's Cemetery Trust and asking that Mr W. J. Gallagher he appointed to fill the vacancy. Received. Mr T. R. Robertson, Clyde, was granted permission to cross the main road with a pipe. Mr T. A. Clouston, Lauder, was granted permission to erect telephone polls on roadline. The inward correspondence was received and the outward approved. Cr Patterson drew attention to the bad state of the Cardrona bridge, and he asked that notices be put up restricting the loads. Finger posts near Lowbutn teipiired renovating. The Chairman remarked that the bridge was being abused. Cr Patterson's requests were agreed to. Cr Ritchie asked that the roadman be sent up to Upper Nevis immediately. The sum of LSO was voted to be spent on the road where most necessary Agreed to. The footbridge at Galloway lo be reconstructed as suggested by Engineer at a cost of L 25. Cr McKnight asked that the Engineer attend to several matters. A pipe to be put in near Wilson's, Moa Creek, and the Engineer to report on the tree planting on the river embankment, Ouiakau. Cr Weaver asked that the Engineer set aside land and apply tor title from the Board foi gravel reserves. Matter left in the hands of the Engineer and Cr Weaver. Cr Weaver asked that the lower crossing on the Eraser be opened. The Engineer said that he had UjJlifcd lb© U&& li> jetiJOYi; Jjiii

ence so as to allow the crossing to be Tlie Chairman intimated that with a view to relieving the Engineer it had been decided to put on an Inspector in the Northern Ridings, at a small remuneration of LSO. Mr W. Smith had been appointed, and he would be given full power to engage labor, etc. The Treasurer's statement was read and received. This showed the overdraft to be L 4580. The Sanitary Inspector reported that he had made a lot of inspections and found everything satisfactory. The schedule of accounts amounting to L 786 were passed for payment. The engineer's report as under was , «-ead and received. Hawea Riding- The Luggate to Mb Barker contract 30 chains formed and gravelled is now nearing completion, alter the mild thaw experienced during the month of July, floods caused considerable damage to the Main Cromwell to Queenstown road estimated at appro*. Mov. Several surfacemen have been engaged carrying out minor repair! to this road, and'the major repaire willbe undertaken by contiacting teams. This Spring the road leading into Mr K. Ritchie's farm at Cromwell Flat will requiie grading. 1 have gone into the question of the construct iou of a light traffic suspension bridge at Queensbury. The present span of the Chair is 240 feet and a safe structure to carry eny a heavy touring car wid coat approx £5 per foot to erect. Ibe usual maintenance has been earned out. Lindis Riding- This riJiug suflered heavy damage particularly the Lindis Fuss road during "the recent floods. The formation in places baa been practically seoured clean away and deviations will have to be carried out, A number of slips occured and a considerable amouut of debris will require to be removed, the total estimate of ibe work appioximates £looo. Representations have been made to the Minister or Public "Works for Govt, assistance towards the cost of restoring this road. The sum of £loo has been received by way of Govt. grant for the Lindis Bine Slip road. The Traveller of the Lowburn Ferry has been inspected and new plans placed therein. The usual maintenance has been carried ° U Carrick Riding. - Minor flood damage also occured in this riding but the surfaceman can carry out all necessary repairs. Word has reached me that the Upper Nevis Road has suflered flood damage. Several dredge hands are idle and their labour could be utilised for the work, lhc sum of £so Govt, grant has been received for flood damage to the Cromwell to Nevis Road. Ihe usual maintenance has been carried out. . . . Dunstan Riding— About 2o chains of the Clyde to Cromwell road has been surfaced and patch gravolling has been carried out on the Spnngvalo road. Mr Marks and 1 have gone fully into the roading of the Galloway Settlement and estimate tho cosf of this work at £looo. This covers the most essential reading only and I believe that the Govt, may assist the Councii on a £3 for £2 basis on this years Estimates. The Clyde Water Race has caused some trouble this winter owing to the prolonged spell of frosts experienced and the consequent freezing of the intake. A small footbridge at Galloway was washed away by the last flood and wnl have to bo reconstructed. Estimated cost about £25. „. . Matakauui Riding.— The usual maintenance has been carried out. Manuherikia Riding.— 1 have forwarded plans and specifications for repairs to the Spottis Creek Bridge to the District Engineer P. W. D. for his approval- He has approved same and is awaiting instructions from Wellington before author. is granted to proceed with this work. The roadman has constructed the necessary approaches to Brady's culvert and patch gravelling has been carried out near the Moa Creek School. The Poolburn bridges are now in good, repair. The roads about this riding were badly cut up during the frosts and some grading may be necessary this Spring in order to restore the crowns. The usual maintenance has been carried out. Earnscleugh Riding— The pipe line has been laid and water is now available for the sluicing on Dry Gully Hill. This work is proceeding satisfactorily. I hfcve arrang. Ed with Mr T, Wilkinson for the construction of a small foot bridge for the use of school children near Kinuairds. Patch gravelling has been carried out on the main Egrnsoleugh road and ditches have cleaned out and the roadman is now engaged gravelling the Fruitlands road leading to the Power House. The sum of £sv-<Jrovt grant hao been received for flood damage on the Roxburgh road. The usual maintenance has been carried out. General.— Mr Cambell District Engineer P.W.D. and 1 have gone fully into the most necessary works in Vincent County to befplaoed on this year's Estimates. In view of the present financial stress the Govt, has piovir'ed a very limited sum for road appropriations this year and only ver y e sscntial works will be considered.