KIWITEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 270, 20 May 1907, Page 4

KIWITEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

• ■ The ordinary monthly meeting of the Kiwitea County Council was neld on Saturday. Present—Crs. Carmen (Chairman), Hockley, Mclntyre, McNab, Morton, Bruce, Fowler. CORRESPONDENCE. The following letters were read: — From A. G. Carty, County solicitor, in reference to the Commission on London Ford Bridge, stating he had received the report of the Commissioner. He directed attention to several parts of the report, from which it would be seen that the case of the County with reference to the insufficiency of the bridge was fully proved to the satisfaction of the Commissioner. With reference to the apportionment of the cost, he wished the Council to specially note the portion referring to this matter, in which the Commissioner apparently agreed with the contention raised on behalf of the County that there was no power to impose any liability on the County under the recent commission after the bridge had to be recast, and in this connection the Commissioner's report was clear, that the apportionment of the cost of the bridge which he suggested as equitable could only be given effect to if the Kiwitea County and the Pohangina County agreed upon a bridge, and failing such agreement, if the Pohangina j County take steps for a further commission. In the event of the County agreeing with the Pohangina County on.a design for the bridge, he wish- j

ed the Council to specially notice ! the power which the Commissioner anticipated they would invoke, under section 118 of "The Public Works Act, 1905," to raise the necessary money without a poll over a special rating district comprising the Kimbolton township. From F. Gillett, surveyor, asking if the Council had received notice of the surveying of Coulter'B Line. — j Council had received no information. i From Survey Department, stating Section 2a, Block XV., was sold, and that Section 2a, Block XI., was transferred to the Crown. The latter section was permanently reserved for gravel, and it was now recommended that it be vested in the County Council. From C. Eggers, Waituna West, asking for permission to take three i loads of metal from Waituna metal ! pit.— Agreed to, to pay usual royalty ' ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer reported as follows: Contract for delivery of maintenance metal on Kimbolton and Cheltenham roads. — Work almost completed on Kimbolton roads. Several other contracts were in progress or completed. For clearing, forming, and culverting 48 chains of Umutoi road No. 2. — No tenders were received for this work, and the settlers interested have written asking that the tenders be not advertised again, as the Roads Department is likely to construct the portion I surveyed. Trimming and metalling 80 chains of Peka road. — This will have to stand over till the spring, as Mr Robb, the settler most interested in the work, and whose private road the metal would have to be carted over, objects to it being cut up this autumn. Trimming and metalling Coulter's Line. — Good progress was made during the fine weather, but the road is now in such a wet state that I have had to stop the work. The plan of Papanui stream bridge is finished, and tenders are invited for the erection. The weather has been very unsatisfactory lately, and has retarded work considerably. The heavy rain caused a big washout and culvert to collapse on Mackay's Line, and as the embankment is high, it was necessary to close the road to traffic until repairs were effected. Slips have come down on many of the roads, but I am glad to say no serious damage has occurred. I am experiencing great difficulty in getting men to do odd jobs, just now, and any offering demand nigh wages, so that in many cases I have had to leave slips on the road until the permanent men were available I had a conversation with Mr Pussell about Williamson's road East. He wished the Council to allow him to put a gate at the junction with Mackay's Line, and shift the gate on the Waituna side of the Kiwitea stream back to his boundary. He would then allow horsemen to go through his property, and in case of any one wanting to take stock through, he would not object so long as he- had fair notice. I may mention that it is impossible to make a road within the present reserve, and to purchase land for a deviation would probably be money thrown away, as every flood destroys a portion of the flood on the eastern side of the stream, where the deviation would have to be made. Under the circumstances, I consider Mr Pussell's request reasonable. The motor waggon is now running frequently between Feilding and Kimbolton, and if allowed to continue through the winter months will, in my opinion, cut through the metal and damage the roads considerably. The weight of the waggon is 5£ tons, and the load carried 3 to 4 tons, besides often having a loaded trailer behind. As instructed, I have given notice that the Company will be held responsible for all damage done to , roads, bridge, and culverts. TREASURER'S REPORT. The treasurer reported as follows: — Since last meeting the following amounts have been received — General account, £90 0s 3d; Government grants, £388 19s 9d ; Mangatiku loan, £300; Coulter's loan, £200; total, £979. The General account at the Bank to-day stands with a credit balance of £295 9s. Accounts to be passed for payment to-day amount to — General account, £1312 7s sd; Cemeteries, £4 13s; Land Fund No. . 2, £10; loans, £386 0s 9d; total, y £1713 Is 2d. RESOLUTIONS. ; The following motions were carried: — , , , That this Council will assist the Clutha County Council in its endeav- ' ours to obtain for County Councilj 1 the right to make their own valuations for rating purposes. That Mr Vennell be informed that [ the delay in making payment for land taken for Pakihikura deviation is owing to the matter having been hung up in the Survey Department, • but the Council is informed the matter is now receiving attention. That Mr F. Kensington be granted a lease of Section 62, Block XI, at 10s per annum, for seven years. That Messrs Green Bros, be granted a renewal of lease of Section 66, Block XL, for seven years, at 10s per annum. That Messrs Dowdall's letter Te road to the Cemetery be referred to the Kimbolton Cemetery Committee. That Mr Powell be permitted to [ take a few loads of metal as request- : ed, he to pay usual royalty. That Messrs London Bros, be ' granted a lease of Reserve 112 for ' seven years, at 12s 6d per annum. > That Mr Phyn be informed that ' the Council had no power to remit " rates, except in cases of extreme • poverty. That the seal of the Council be " affixed to the guarantee to the Pos- ■ tal Department required for the erec--1 tion of telephone line between San--1 don Block and Hunterville. ! That the offer of H. Fowler of 15s ■ per annum for reserves No. 117 and ! 121, Block XIV., Apiti, be accepted. 1 That the Council prosecute all per- ■ sons leaving vehicles, timber, or produce on the side of tb« road to the danger of the public. That the Clerk be instructed to write the Government Auditor, ask--1 ing that the Balance-Sheet for 1906- --. 7, which has been ready since 4th April, be audited at his earliest convenience. , , . , That an agreement be entered into 1 with Mr Pussell re Williamson's road Ford, on the terms suggested by the Engineer. That the Department of Lands and Survey be informed that the Council wants section 30, Block V.,'Apiti S.D., for leasing and same is laid down in grass. That Mr J. Red's request, re erecting 10 chains oi wire fencing on Peep-o'-Day road, be granted, subject to the Engineer's approval. That in the event of the District Health Inspector scheme being continued, this Council is willing to contribute from this date the sum of £42 13s per annum. That if, in the opinion of the Engineer, the heavy traffic over the roads in the County is likely to cause extraordinary damage, the Chairman be empowered to have the roads closed to such traffic. That Mr Taylor be informed that the Council have no power to make a reduction in rates, but advises that the ratepayers interested raise a loan to give them an outlet. That after the 22nd inst., the owners of all stock grazing on roads be prosecuted. That the Rangiwahia School Committee be granted £ for £ on cost of forming and kerbing footpath in front of school. , That two rangers be appointed, one for the Pakihikura, Rangiwahia, Hautapu, and Peep-o'-Day Ridings, and one for the remaining Ridings, and the appointment be left to the Chairman. That the County make and levy a general rate of 61-64ths of a penny in the £ on the rateable valuation of all rateable property of the nine Ridings.