WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7568, 20 May 1886, Page 4

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL,

The ordinary monthly meeting of this county council was held on Tuesday in the County Chambers, Palmerston, at which there were present the Chairman (A. D. Bell, Esq.;, and Crs. Dent, Fraser, Hay, M'Laren, Robertson, and Toclcl. DEPUTATIONS. Messrs Butters, Gilmore, and other ratepayers in the Goodwood Riding waited upon the Council to urge the opening up of a road line leading to sections purchased by them in the Goodwood Bush. The deputation pointed out that the dotted road line had not been alienated as represented, and that an outlet by this road would be obtained at a great reduction in the expenditure which would be required through Mr Calcutt's land — the amount demanded (£255) being considered beyond the bounds of all reason. The Chairman stated that the Council were doing all in their power to have the matter amicably and reasonably adjusted in the interests of the general body of ratepayers. He promised to look fuller into the question, to ascertain whether the road alluded to had been closed. He pointed out that certain correspondence had taken place between the Government and the Council, and an offer was now pending to hand the opening of the road over to the Council, who were endeavouring to obtain a modification of the conditions attached to the proposal. PETITIONS. A number of ratepayers and others interested petitioned the Council to remove the gates erected on the Lime Kiln road in the Bushey Riding, which they represented to be a public nuisance and an unnecessary obstruction to public traffic. The Council resolved to allow Mr Welsh two months to fence his land, at the expiry of which the gates would be removed. A proposal made by Cr Todd to remove the gates at once was withdrawn on the suggestion of several members of the Council, who considered that a great hardship would be inflicted on the adjoining proprietor to compel him to fence in his land abutting on the road at such short notice. A petition was read from the ratepayers in the Goodwood Riding, pointing out the great hardship suffered from the waut of a road leading to their properties, and expressing a hope that the Council would comply with their request to give them the means of communication at the earliest possible date. The Council decided to give due consideration to the prayer of the petition.

inspector's reports.

Bushey Riding.—ln this riding the late Hoods had done but little harm, the culverts at M'Leod's and Day's crossing having sustained no damage of anjr consequence. During the late high flood the Shag River bridge had been opened to the public, which, by instructions of the Chairman, he had again closed, when the barrier was again broken down. He had since desisted from the stoppage of traffic, as he regarded it as a waste of material. The Chairman explained the dangerous position of this bridge, and the consequences that might arise in the event of accident, the bridge being quite unsafe for traffic of any description. He suggested

that the Council should erect a footbridge across the river, the expenditure required to repair the present bridge being' beyond the present means of the Council.

After considerable discussion, Cr. Robertson moved, and Cr. Todd seconded, a motion to the effect that '' the Inspector be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for a timber top to the present bridge, twelve feet wide,"—Cr. Hay proposed as an amendment, which Cr. M'Laren seconded— " That the sections at each end be removed, and the connection made as a footbridge."— The amendment was Carried.

Blue Mountain Riding.—ln this riding the floods have done very little harm, the recently-substituted culverts for bridges having carried the surplus surface water with comparative ease and answered their purpose well.—Received and approved.

Goodwood Riding.—The floods in this ridingj especially along the coast, had been very severe. The culvert at Sutherland's farm being too small, the specifications had to be altered. Some other culverts had been washed away at Craig's and Modoni's farms.—Received and approved. Meadowbank Riding*-^No damage had been sustained in this riding fi'Otti the floods, except to Phillips' road, which had been repaired.—Received and approved. Main Road from Falnierstdii to Pigroqi— This road was getting very flat arid breaking up in the centre, the clay in some places coining through the metal, and the traffic being much impeded by the ruts made from the heavy loads drawn over the road. The bridge at Kitchener's had stood the water well, the delay occasioned in building the bridge having proved an advantage, as it had given the timber time to dry ; The road at the Bluff had stood the test of the flood well.—Received, the Council deciding to obtain statistics as to the regulations with respect to the carriers ,in the Tuapeka County Council.

Main Road from Jordan's to Macrae's.— Considerable channels had been cut in this road, owing to the water rushing from the hills, which rendered several small culverts necessary. The road in several places was also very heavy, especially from the Rocky Cutting to Macraes. From Macraes to Fillybjirn was not so bad. The bridge there, however, had been damaged^ and had since been repaired, so that light' traffic could pass over it. The permanent repairs would be carried out as the weather permitted.— Received, the Inspector, authorised to put in the culv.erts referred, to as opportunity may offer for surfacemen .to do it. •

Green Valley Riding.—The creek in this riding was causing some trouble owing to the light shingle on Mr D. Muir's section and Mr Allan's land being washed down on to the main road and banking vry the flat on both sides of the road. Mr L. Davis considered himself aggrieved by the gravel being washed on to his land, and considered the Inspector to blame. Any action taken to remedy the grievance will cost ten times as much as the land damaged, and Mr Davis by his own action in damming the Water back made the matter worse. The Inspector asked instructions, the culverts being all clear.

—Received, the matter being left in the hands of the Chairman and Inspector to settle with Mr Davis at a cost not exceeding £6. •

CORRESKDENDEXCE,

Mr. A. Cameron, a deferred payment settler in the Dunbuck district, wrote intimating that lie had surrendered his section three years ago, and as a consequence was not liable for the payment of rates. Letter received, and the consideration of the rates postponed.

Mrs Mary Campbell, Palmerston, applied to be relieved from payment of rates. She stated that the land belonging to her at Moonlight had been let to Mr A. Frasei-; who had agreed to pay all rates thereon as and from the Ist April last. The application was granted, it being understood that Mr Fraser would pay the rates, according to agreement when due. Messrs Oakden and Begg, surveyors, lsunedin, forwarded tracing showing new road through section 6a, block VII, Waihemo district, and requested information as to the Council's intention with regard to portion of land between the old and new road, &c. Letter received, and the information to be supplied.

The Clutha County Council forwarded a resolution passed by that body re amendments in the Sheep and Rabbit Acts, and urging upon the House of Representatives to take such steps as in its wisdom it may see fit to accomplish the object desired. To cope with the rabbit nuisance more effectually the Council expressed the opinion that it would be desirable to dispense with, the services of the present officers of the department, and to expend the money thus saved in the payment of bonuses for rabbitskins (young and old). Sheep Inspectors to be retained only in districts where scab exists.

\ The consideration of this matter was adjourned until next meeting. The circular in the meantime to lie on the table.

A circular from the Treasury, Wellington, intimated the payment into the Colonial Bank, Palmerston, of the sum of £10 14s 9d, gold duty, and £3 ss, gold field revenue.— Received. ■ :

The managers of the local banks forwarded declarations, of the quantities of gold purchased during the month. Receis'ed. Mr F.Graham, as agent for Messrs.* Allan Bros. Dunedin, wrote stating-that the land lately in the occupation of Mr J. Wall had been let to Messrs Ross Bros., whose names should be placed on the valuation roll. The request to be complied with. Mr A. B. Kitchener, the Grange, Wailiemo, wrote stating that section 17 of the Impounding act, to which his attention had been called by the Council, exactly met the case re the impounding of cattle wandering at large, which he intimated he intended to take advantage of if again annoyed by trespass. Letter received.

The secretary of the charitable aid boards, Dunedin, wrote, stating that finding it impossible to obtain complete returns of the rateable value of property for the current year in time to enable the board's levy to be, struck, he had resolved to take the valuation lists for ISSS as a basis; and all the local bodies .having been rated alike, it was considered that no injustice had been done in the arrangement. FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £163 19s 7d were passed for payment on the recommendation of the finance committee. CONTRACTS. Contract No. 50. Formation of road from corner of Kenny's fence to new bridge at Fillyburn :—D. Baker, £29 10s (accepted); P. Kenny, £31 19s; Benzie and McKay, £33 6s Sd; \V. Ellison, £37 9s ; W. Dodd, £3S; W. Kendall, £61. Contract No. SS. Formation and embankments on the Goodwood Road :—J. and H. McKay, £95 19s 9d (accepted); T. Lunam, £109 ; H. Rendall, £11S ; Meiklejohn, £117 Is 9d ; W. Ellison, £127 19s. deem's crossing. Resolved, on the motion of Cr Hay, seconded by Cr Dent, —" That tenders be called by next meeting for the removal and re-erection of the footbridge at Deem's crossing." OUTSTANDING RATES. The council decided to take proceedings against the highest ratepayer in each riding whose rates are now outstanding; and other ratepayers the following week to be treated similarly.