VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL

Dunstan Times, Issue 3145, 27 November 1922, Page 5

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL

—-♦ The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council, held in the Council Chambers, Clyde, on Wednesday, was attended by Crs D. Middleton, (chair) A, C. Scoular, S. T. Spain, J. Mc Knight, C. Weaver, J. Kane, and J. R Webb. The chairman welcomed Cr Webb, the new member for Clutha Riding, and in doing so expressed the belief j that he would be in acquisition to the I Council. Correspondence was read and dealt with as under:— The Internal Dept. wrote re the ceremony to be performed on Armistice Dav The F.W.D. Alexandra wrote re protective river works near Ophjr. It recommended the planting of willows, which it was estimated would cost £so As it was mostly freehold lands he could not recommend a Govt grant Cr McKnight remarked that he wanted a report on a bigger scheme. The Council had already voted and he was prepared to go on with the work suggested, but he would like to see the land between the two gorges protected. For the bigger scheme the settlers would readily assist. The P.W.D. engineer evidently misunderstood what was wanted:— Mr Black, Connty engineer, remarked that the proposed work would extend for about 30 chains and would help to protect the lands. He would consult MiMarks and get a report on the bigger scheme for next meeting. The State Advances Office intimating that the Council could make applications fur both loans— Worker Houses, and Matakanui Irrigation Works.— The cleik intimated that the applications had been made. Messrs J. Kane J. McL'ennen, .P Muir, J. Wood and D. Urquhart, were appointed trustees of the Havvea Cemetery. The Dept. of Health notified that Inspector McCallum had been appointed in lieu ot Inspector Sinclair transferred to Balclutha. A motion was carried appointing Inspector McCallum Inspector of Nuisances and Sanitary Inspector. It was agreed to request that the 6th Jl December (Omakau Show Day) be observed as a holiday in the southern ridings. Mr W. A. Bodkin wrote, on behali of Mr L. William';, asking that a road at Galloway be closed. Cr Spain pointed out that ihe Railway aurhority had not yet reported on the matter. He thought that there was no very great hardship and llial it would soon be abight. The Public Trust Office wrote accepting the position as commissioner for the sinking fund in connection with the antecedent loan of £5,300. The application of Bodkin Bros, to erect a gate ar Galloway, oyer the main road in the vicinity of the Galloway bridge was held overspending inquiry. Cr Spain mentioned that the settlers in the locality mentioned were being called together to discuss the question fo roading etc and he believed that an amicable settlement would be arrived at. Mr J. C. Elliott, applied to erect a swing gate for a portion of the year on the road at Nine Mile.— Granted from 15th October to 25 August. Mr Ed. Clousion, Omakau, wrote asking permissiou to put a nine inch pipe across the road:— Cf Scoular suggested that these pipes should be put in by the surfaceman; and a Hat rate charged. Cr Kane thought the engineer should be instructed to see that the work was done properly. Mr Clouslon's applicatiou was granted. Mr R. Love was also granted permission to pnt a pipe across the road Matakanui to Drybread. The Minister for Lands wrote icgarding the roading at Galloway stating that £'->oo £ for j6' had beervoted for this work Cr Spain remarked that the estimates contained a vote of £3OO (£2 for £1) for the road. Thh inward correspondence as read was received and the outward approved. The committee reported that they had met the previous evening, when the following resolution was carried— That the Governor General be requested to authorise the Vincent County Council to make a Bye-law, in regard to licensing vehicles plying for hire — This was confirmed on the motion of the Chairman and Cr Sroular. The chairman reported that he had visited the roads in the Northern ridings. There was serious damage going on in the Kawarau Gorge and the Coy. responsible had been served with a notice to desist. The surfacemen were doing good work throughout. The county engineer's repott was read and dealt with as under:— Hawea Riding— Plans and Specifications for Government Grant for the rcgrading of the Hawea Hill Road have been submitted to and are now approved of by the pislriet Kugineer i P W.D. This work will pe ppmmen ced at an early date. The usual maintenance has been carried out. Clutha Riding— All Hood damage on the Cromwell to tjueenstown road 'is now restored and this road is gener. ally in good order. Some damage has been occasioned to this road by the haulage of heavy boulders for the Cromwell Development Cu's works and 1 have notified the Co. that this damage must be put in order again. A new surfaceman has been engaged for the Northern end of this riding. The usual maintenance has been carried out. Lilidis Riding.—Repairs to the Liudis Gorge road are now vveij under way. This road has been regraded to the top of the Limbs P ass anc * is again in good order for traffic. JV'ew gabions are beinj; placed, in, posjtjon at the Blue Slip and also at another bend ucvuied out by the fiver during the

, last flood. Repairs to the road from ; Cromwell to Railway Station will cost I about £iao and I recommend that steps be taken to prevent further sand encroachment an the Clyde to Cromwell road near the dairy factory by pitching same with concrete blocks. The usual maintenance has been carried out. Cariick Riding—The surfaceman reports good progress on the Upper Nevis roods. A bad slip is endangering a stone retaining wall but this is being secured. Repairs to the Kawarau coal pit road have been carried on. The usual maintenance has been carried out. Dunstan Riding.—The annual clean out of the Clyde Water Race is now on hand and will be completed at au early date. Patch gravelling is now being carried out on the Clyde Earnscleugh road near Clyde. The usual maintenance has been carried out. Matakanui Riding— I have inspected the embankment on the Drybread road which has been washed out. The culvert under same will have to be lengthened by about 15 feet and the baiurs rebuilt. I estimate the cost of thiswerkat £2O. Owing to erosion at the Spottis Creek a light traffic bridge will be required for the mail traffic. «The usual maintenance has been carried out. Manuhcrikia Riding— In compan) with Mr Marks P.W.D. Resident Engineer I have inspected the proposed protective works against the encroachment of (he Manuhcrikia River at Ophir. Mr Marks has forwarded his report on same. The contractor has commenced the pier for the bridge at Omakau Mill. Patch gravelling has been carried out on the main Poolburn road. The usual maintenance has been carried out. Earnscleugh Riding. Iverseu's road has now been regraded and gravelling and is in good order. The roadmen are making good progress with the gravelliug of the main Clyde Earnscleugh rood. The usual maintenance has been carried outy County Houses— I have completed plans and specifications for County Houses and lenders are now advertised for the erection of same to close on December 2nd. Cr Kane asked that the work of regrading the Hawea Hill be undertaken at an early date. In reply to the chairman the engineer said it would cost about £ls per chain to concrete the road near the Dairy Factory at Cromwell. The engineer was instructed to have three chains done. Cr Spain asked that the annual repairs to the Little Valley road be made:— The sum of £ls was voted. Cr Scoular asked that the culvert referred to by the engineer be attended to as early as possible, He also asked that a light bridge be put over the Spottis Creek— ;&20 was voted for the culvert, and not more than for the bridge. Cr McKnight asked that repairs be made to the road from Moa Creek Hotel to Leishmans. A culvert was badly required The chairman and member of the riding to inspect. On Cr Weaver's suggestion it was decided to ask the Laud Board for ,£IOO to make a road to the Earnscleugh settlement. The engineer was instructed to report on the road to Crombie's run. The chairman remarked that he had heard complaint about miners damaging the road at Nevis:— The engineer was attending to same. The treasurers statement was read and received. There showed a credit in the County Fund Account of ,£336 The Chairman remarked that it was many a long day since there was a credit balance. The dog registrar reported that he had registered 953 dogs, 66 of which were ten shilling dogs. The county ranger reported that since last meeting he had impounded 27 head of stock. He reported that one offender had had stock impounded four times—lt was decided to prosecute any offender after the third offence. The Council then went into committee the report on resuming being.— Resolved that the schedule of accounts amounting to £1149 16s 7d be passed for payment. The Bannockbur Watei accounts amounting to £451 33 tid were passed for payment. In accordance with notice of motion Cr Spain moved That no more gravel pits be made on 'county roads, and that no further use be made of the gravel pits at present; on the roads.' In speaking to the motion Cr Spain said that such pits weie both dangerous and unsightly, while they were unnecessary on ihe roads when there was plenty of cheap laud about. Cr Weaver, who seconded the motion pro forma in order to allow it to be discussod, remarked that un two chain roads the danger might be overcome by fencing in such pits. Cr McKnight eould not support the proposal because it would mean a great hardship to his riding. Crs Scoqlar Kane and the chairman all spoke against the motiou considering that it would be impossible to do without the pits.—The motion was lost on the voices. Unless important business crops up there will be no meeting in December. The meeting then closed the Chairman taking the opportunity to wish councillors and the staff a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.

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