County Council.

Lake County Press, Issue 702, 2 April 1896, Page 7

County Council.

An ordinary meeting was held on Monday. Present Crs George (chairman), Sianford, Graham, M‘Dougall, Fox, M'Bride, Rogers, Muirbead, and Cameron. The Chairman said this was the meeting to decide whether the several ridings required readjustment, but the Council decided that no alteration be made. G. White wrote, asking the Council to recommend the warden to grant two acres of land for mining purposes on block 58, occupied by P. Kerin. The warden had asserted that the land would have to be resumed before it w'as prospected. He was willing to pay compensation to Mr Kerin. —On the motion of Crs Rogers and Stanford it was resolved that the Coancil ask the warden to grant the two acres in terms of Mr White’s letter.

Chief Surveyor, Dunedin, wrote, asking for a report on the roads formed to give access to unsold within the County for the year ending 31st March, 1896, also report on roads the Council would recommend to be formed to give access to unsold land in the County during the year ending 31st March, 1897.—Information supplied. The Mayor of Grey mouth wrote regarding the Brunner disaster, stating that thereby 66 men were killed, and 250 women and children left destitute, and asking the Council to open subscription lists. Cr Stanford suggested that lists be opened at once, and that each Councillor hold a list as well as the Mayors of Arrowtown and Queenstown, and that the Chairman of the Council act as the head. He considered this was a national thing, and that every man should put his hand in his pocket. He moved a motion in accordance with h ls suggestion which was seconded by Or Graham and carried. M. Macale wrote, asking that the mad to the coalpit he repaired.—Applicant was referred to the Waste Lands Board. W. Cochran, agent Royal Insurance Co., wrote, offering to insure the County buildings at the rate of 5s per £IOO per annum.—Resolved that the buildings be insured for £IOOO and the furniture for £2OO in Mr Cochran’s office. A. Austin wrote, asking that his wages be increased to 15s a week as there were many more crossing the punt now.—To be offered 10s a week. L. J. Lynch and Co. wrote asking for a track from Big Beach to their claim at Sugar Loaf. Sew Hoy Go. also asked that the road to Big Beach be widened. —£5 to be offered to each

Company, but conditonally with "Sew, Hoy Co. that they expend the balance of £2O on the road. James Atley wrote, asking that compensation be given him for making the road, Arthur’s Point to Big Beach.— The Engineer said there was no n cord in the minutes relating to the mutter, but it was decided to make another search. J. G. Johnson asked for the rope lying at Deep Creek for the erection of a chair across the river at Long Gully. —On Or Roger’s suggestion, it was decided to offer Mr Davis the rope, and if Mr Davis did not require it, the rope to be divided between Johnson and M'Kibbin. W. L. Davis wrote in reply to the Council’s letter of 18th March regarding Stony Creek bridge, and suggested that the bridge be put over the river at Cauldwell’s crossing, as it would be more advantageous to them and the public in general.—The Council adhered to the the Chairman’s letter of 18th March. H. N. Firth, secretary Licensing Committee, wrote, asking for the distances between the hotels from Bell’s to Bullendale and Gibbston to Victoria Bridge.—lnformation to be suphlied.

R. and S.Turnbull, wrotestating that the Minister of Lands had reduced the rental of their Wanaka rune for the remainder of their term to £lO per annum, and asked the Council to adjust their rates accordingly.—To be informed the Council had no power to do so.

F. Proctor, secretary Crystal Co., Skippers, asked that a point of the road at Sawyer’s Gully lie taken off as it was impossible for the packers to pass,—The Council to put a man on for a week, conditionally that the company put a man on for the same period Letters from Mr W. Fraser and the Under-secretary. Mines Department, re the Skippers Bridge were read. Crs Rogers, Stanford, and Graham spoke strongly in support of the erection of the new bridge and pointing out the urgency of the work. Proposed by Or Rogers, seconded by Or Stanford—That tenders be called for the construction of the approaches on Queenstown side of the proposed new bridge.—Lost, Or Graham being the only other to vote with the proposer and seconder. Proposed by Or M’Dougall, seconded by Cr Rogers and carried—That the Mines Department be again appealed to re the cost of Skippers Bridge and urged to consent to grant £SOO referred to unconditionally, and that Mr Fraser, our representative, be asked to wait upon the Minister and urge our request personally. L. H. Preston wrote, forwarding minutes of the Arrow Mining League’s meeting. —Received. H. Barker wrote, askingthat a track be put in repair, as there were G or 7 horses working on it daily. Cr M‘Dougall said this was at Fatboys and as the applicants were trying to find a deep lead, it might bo beneficial to the Council afterwards. Long timber had to be packed, and he suggested that £5 be spent on t!,e work.—Agreed the money be spent provided the ground is in Lake County. O’Meara and Go., wrote regarding timber supply to the County. They supplied the timber at 16s 8d per 100, the same contract price as their predecessors, and afterwards they had reduced. it to 13s 6d at the Engineer’s request. They discovered the Engineer had gone past them, but they did not want the Council’s favors, only they considered a principle was involved. The Engineer said ho had found he could get timber much cheaper elsewhere.—The Engineer’s action was approved, and in future ho procure timber at the cheapest market. An application by Cr Cameron for repairs to Head of Lake track was held over till funds were available. The Engineer’s report as follows, was read and adopted : The Chairman and Councillors Lake County Council, Gentlemen,—l have the honor to submit my report for the term ending to-day. Roads and Tracks.—These arc in good order, and the trk nnial term uf maintenance expires to-morrow and fresh tenders will be laid before you to-day for a farther term of three years. In the meantime in some insome instances, there is some further improve meats to bo made on several of the contracts, and 1 would ask the Council to authorise me to make final payments, when the roads are put in older to my satisfaction. Contracts.—No, 114 a, road Rees River, Government grant. This work is now completed in a very satisfactory manner, aud I would recommend payment of the amount. No. 119-, road Block 3, Dart. This work is progressing favorably.—No. 118, gravelling and formation, Gaiston. Work finished and payment recommended.—No. 121, Matukituki Road. This work is started.— No. 123, fencing Dan o‘Couuell Road. This work is about half completed.—Gravelling Crown Terrace, fresh tenders for this work have been called ami will he laid before you to-day. Improvements at Pembroke.—Some formation and culverts are tequired in two sheets in Pembroke to give access to occupied sections, the cost would amount to about £4O, and I would recommend that the outlay bo sanctioned, as at present those interested are unable to get a dray to their homes with coal, firewood, etc.

Deviation at Pleasant Creek.—Mr Johnson has completed the track us r» quired and the work is satisfactory, and it is now necessary for the Council to inform the public that the track is now open tor traffic. Track Lake M‘Kcrrow. —Mr George, Martin’s Bay, informs me that recently several of the residents had to cut a way a number of trees to enable them to get along the track, and they asked him to request the Council to remit the rates to the residents on the condition that they do alight repairs to the track in future. Ditch at Baird’s.—To prevent flood water from damaging Mr Baird’s property at Luke Hayes, it is necessary to cut a ditch for a distance of about 10 chains. The cot-t would be trifling and 1 would rccommcud that it be done. J, Black, County Engineer. When tenders for maintenance contracts were about to be dealt with Crs Stanford, M'Dougall, and Graham expressed themselves very much against the contract system, saying it was ruinous to the roads. [We may mention that the majority of councillors were in favor of day labor, consequently a number of contracts were not let.] The tender of Angtjo and Winn (£9B

15s) was accepted for gravelling 40 chains, Crown Terrace. Tenders for maintenance contracts, as follow', were dealt with in committee : Contract No. I.—Queenstown to Lake Hayes Bridge, including Tucker Beach, Dwyer’s, M ‘Bride’s and Punt roads, and keeping bridges clean, —W. Logan, L6B ; W. Fletcher L7s.—None accepted. Contract No. 2.—Queenstown to Skippers Saddle, Dan O’Connell Road to Scoles’a junction, track Cueenstown to'twenty five Mile, Arthur’s Point to Jones’s Terrace, Moonlight, Moke Creek to Seven-mile, Lake Wakatipu, and keeping clean all bridges.— T. Richards, Ll2O ; R. .1. Powell, L 79 ; M. Redding and Co., L7l (accepted). Contract No. 3.—Arthur’s Point Junction via Miller’s Flat to Powder Magazine Arrow, including Fitzpatrick’s Speargrass Flat, Healy’s Hamilton’s Hill, M‘Donnell’s to junction with main road towards Arrow, ■and past Pox’s, and all cross roads within that radius.—R. J. Powell, L 23 (accepted). Contract No. 4.—Skippers Saddle to Skippers Bridge.—O. Dunlop Llll (accepted); VV. Murrisb, L 135. Contract No. s.—Tracks from Skippers Bridge 1 o Reef*, Maori Point chair to via Pleasant Creek, Butcher’s, Left-hand Brandi, and Gallant Tip Branches via Hardy’s (both tracks). —J. Stephenson, Lllo.—Not accepted. Contract No. 6.— Glenorchy-Paradise Flat, Invincible and Rees River to Muddy Creek, Glenorchy to Fraser’s Maori Hillocks, cross roads, Waller’s and Glenorchy to Twentyfive Mile.—D. M ‘Conachy, LCS (accepted); Smith and Wilson, LBS ; T. Kennett, LOO ; Gallon, LB6 t Harris, L7O. Contract No. 7.—Track and road from Cnples River to hut, Upper Ronteburn.— M‘Conachy, no amount; J. M'llcury, L‘22 15s; J, M‘Donald, Ll3 accepted); P. M'Kennu, L3O. Contract No, B.—Lake Hayes Bridge to Powder Magazine, Lake Hayes Hotel to Kawarau Bridge, M‘Dounell’s and Hogan’s Gully roads, finger post towards Arrow, Arrow Bridge to W. M'Kibbiu’s via Zig-zag, and keeping clean all bridges.—Neilson and Bowler, L6O (accepted). Contract No. 9.—Kawarau Bridge to Meg Bridge, and Track across Peninsula, and keeping clean bridges.—J. Chalmers, LOO (accepted). Contract No. 10.—Arrow to Macetown Dray Road and Foot Track.—J. Woodhead, L 120; W. Atcheson, L 10 0; M. Tobin, L 99 15s ; T. Travis L 137 ; J. Hanley, L 109. None accepted. Contract No. 11.—Macetown to Premier, Tipperary and Victor Emannuel and Track Eight-mile Hill.—J. Hanley L 59, —Net accepted. Contract No. 12.—Arrow Footbridge to Cardrona Saddle, including Linwood’s and Miller’s Roads and Brackens Track. —S. Hunter, L 94 j Neilson and Bowler, L7O ; J. Dowdell, LBS; Redding and Co., L 79; Feehley, LBS. -None accepted. Contract No, 13.—Cardrona Saddle to Cardrona Post Office.—J. Cosgrove, LBO ; I. O’Callaghnn, L 100; G. Ward, LBS ; R. Young, L 97 10s.—None accepted. Contract No. 14.—Cardrona Post Office to Pembroke, to boundary towards Albertown, all roads in Mt. Barker Block, Pembroke to Cattle Flat Station, roads in and about Pembroke, tracks Motatapu and Wanaka West, Criffel and Criffel Face and footbridges, Cardrona.—A. and E. Barker, LIOO ; Pearce, L 120; Studholinc, LII 7 ss; Enright, LlO9 10s (accepted); Young, L 127 10s ; Dowdell and Co., L 125. Contract No. 15.—Kingston to Black Bridge, Athol, all roads in Kingston and Nokomai, deferred blocks, and Nevis Road as far as County boundary.— S. Soper, L 225 ; M'Canghau, L 72 (accepted). Contract No. 16.—Kawarau Punt to Kingston.— J. Whelan, £ls,—Not accepted.