WAIIIEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9511, 20 August 1892, Page 6 (Supplement)

WAIIIEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of this council was held in the Council Chambers, Palinerston/on AVednesday, the 17th inst., when there were present the Chairman (Mr A. D. Bell), and Crs T. Dent, D. Kennedy, T. Muir, A. M'Laren, and J. K. Robertson.. DEPUTATIONS. Mr R. Matheson waited on the council on behalf of Mr J. Fraeland, Pigroot, in reference to a notice received from the council requesting him to remove the fence erected round Camp reserve. The Chairman explained that people had complained about the reserve being fenced in, and others driving stock were not aware of the reserve, especially strangers. He suggested that the matter might be arranged by Mr Freeland putting up a notice board to let the public know about the reserve.—lt was resolved— That permission be given to Mr Freeland to retain tho fence provided he erect a hinged gate and affix a proper notice board as to the reserve and keep the same in repair at his own expense." Messrs A. Gilmore, Miller, and Walker waited on the council in reference to the embankment at the Muddy creek bridge. — Tho Chairman stated that the council had received no reply from the Railway Commissioners as yet. The Hon. Mr M'lCcnzie and himself had interviewed the Commissioners when he was in Wellington, and while Mr Maxwell had admitted that the back water had been the cause of the mischief complained of, he recognised the difficulties that existed to the removal of the obstruction, and if they let the water through as suggested it might interfere with those on the other .side. If it met the wishes of the

deputation ho would press for a definite answer. Mr Gilmour considered this would bo the best course, as the ratepayers looked to the council for protection in the matter. They did not want a channel but an opening to; let the water away during the time, of Hood, and the council were justified in bringing pressuro to bear to afford ratepayers relief. He estimated that it would take LIOO to put the roads in the same repair as they were before the Hood, and of course this meant so much of the ratepayers' money.—The Chairman promised to bring the matter under the attention of the . commissioners and to press for a definite reply as to their intentions. Mr Gilmore said there was another matter he wished to bring under the notice of the council. Were the grazing rights over the county roads about expiring? For some time past trespass of horses and cattle on the roads was disgraceful.— Or Muni did not think it was right that ratepayers should have to come to the council to complain of cattle grazing on the roads. The council employed and paid a man, and the roads should be kept clear.—The Chairman pointed out that the duties of ranger were understood to be that when he found cattle trespassing action was to betaken, but he was not expected to be constantly on the roads.—-Resolved—" That the attention of the ranger be called to the trespass of cattle on the county roads in the Bushy riding." PAYMENTS. Accounts for the month amounting to L2OO Is 3d we're passed for payment. INSPECTOR'S RETORTS. The Inspector reported that the roads in the Macraes riding were being (placed in fair order, but that a portion of the Main road from Gifford's farm to Mrs Griffith's homestead was very bad. About 15 chains had lieen metalled, and 30 to 35 chains adjoining if done would prove of great benefit to the settlers using the road. He had inspected the road Mr Greyson wanted to his homestead, passing through Mr Curries section. Owing to its curves the road would be difficult to make, the distance being from three to four miles, which if ever finished would cost a considerable sum.

Mr Greyson had access to his property at both ends, but his homestead was at the junction of the Mareburn creek in a very deep gully.—Received, and postponed for consideration until next meeting. In the Bushy riding the surfacemen had been getting the Shag Point road in order, and as the railway line prevented the clearing of the water tables in the usual way, drays had to be employed to cart away the material. The quantity of gravel required to repair the road from Muddy creek to Main road was 500 yds, and the bridge at Walkor's required renewing this summer. The bridge was erected 2J years ago, and unseasoned bush timber had been used, which was now becoming decayed. Welsh's road also required attention. Throughout the county the gravelled roads were worn thin, and would have to be renewed the ensuing summer. Two bridges in the Blue Mountain also required renewing—one at Steel's homestead and the other at Ross' farm, the one having been built 24 and the other 22 years, and the timber was rotten and decayed. There was also another bridge near Terrace fnvm that was becoming very shaky, and required a considerable outlay in repairing the planking, &c.—Received, and consideration deferred, the inspector to attend to the worst portions of the roads in the meantime. CORRESPONDENCE. From the District Land Office, Dunedin, asking the council upon what roads it was intended to expend moneys derived from sections 8 and 14, block V, Dunback. From the Commissioner of Taxes, Wellington, notifying that a voucher for the payment of L 125, balance of subsidy due the council for the year 181)1-92, payable under "The Local Bodies' Finance and Powers Act ISSs."—Received. From Mr J. Douglas, Mount Royal, requesting the council to consider the Stenhouse road deviation question. He suggested that a committee of disinterested members should be appointed to personally inspect the locale and decide (1) whether it would not be judicious on the part of the council to adopt the indicated deviation diverting the section in question out of the county into the Waikouaiti County, and in that event to determine (2) what would be an equitable contribution in lieu of the county's share of maintaining the section in question for all time. Crs Kennedy, M'Laren, and Robertson were suggested as a committee to accompany the two county inspectors. — Received, and Mr Douglas to be informed that the council are willing to treat with the Waikouaiti County Council in the matter.

From Mr D. W. Philip, Shag Valley, applying for permission to erect a fence 4ft on roadlino round his property, section 30, block IV, Moeraki, to protect live hedge. He denied that the hedge encroached on the road line as had been represented.—The application was granted. From Mr R. M'Ellwee, Shag Valley, bringing under the attention of the council the road to Janet's Peak, through Mr Robertson's paddock, as its state at present was very unsatisfactory. He asked the council to inspect the road, and did not ask for any very great outlay, but wanted the road rendered passable for an empty dray, and to enable him to take two loads a day_ instead of one as at present.—Referred to the chairman. From Mr J. Deem, Waihemo, asking the council to allow the plank now hanging to the old bridge to be used as a temporary crossing until such time as the council can erect something better to cross the river on the station side. He offered to assist the surfaceman to fix the plank and to look after it, but not undertaking any responsibility in case of floods.—The application was granted. From the Crown Lands department, Dunedin, intimating that the sum of LSO Bs 4d, being deferred payment and perpetual lease thirds and small grazing run fourths accrued during the period from February 1 to April 30,1592, had been paid to the credit of the council at the Colonial Bank, of which the following are the particulars •— Deferred payments : Budlo, L 4 Ss fld ; Highlay, L 2 10s (id ; Dunbsiclc, L 2 life lOd ; Waihemo, L1216s M. Perpetual leases: Rock and Pillar, LlO Is lid ; Waihemo, 14s 2d ; Dunback, L 22 3s 7d • Budle, L 0 9s lid; Highlay, LI 0s sd. Small grazing runs: Strath-Taieri, L 0 Ms 4d : Highlay, L 55 lite (id ; Dunback, 13 15s 3d; Waihemo, LlO 10s; Budle, L10155.-llecei ved.

OTHER MATTERS. An application was received from Mr Weston, Dunback, for permission to mine for gold ou district road at sections 25 and 20, subject to his depositing a sum suilicient to cover any damage done in the event of the road not being left in good order. The resolution passed at the last meeting, making a general rate of five-eighths of a penny in the pound, was confirmed. CONTRACTS. Tenders warn nnoi.»,i (-_■._■ the follu.vlug wonts, ami the lowest accepted :—Contract 104 : Supply of gravel, Whiteside's road, Bushy riding-J. Kitchen, Is 2d per yard; W. Rondall, Is s?d per yard. Contract 295 : Supply of gravel on district road leading to Goodwood Railway station—J. Kitchen, Is per yard; J. Kendall, Is 6d per yard. Ihe council then adjourned.

Ihe Lyttclton,Times says :—"Mr J. Knight, of High street, who purchased the heaviest of Mr George Rutherford's lambs at the Aldington market on Wednesday last, states that when killed and dressed the lamb weighed 541b." The Taieri Advocate is responsible for the statement that in Dunedin recently a man was seen stencilling boxes. " Best factory-made : Ohau Factory I There is no Ohau Factory, nor is there a penalty for misrepresenting dairy produce though the harm done to the legitimate producers by this sort of tiling is enormous.