WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9563, 20 October 1892, Page 3

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

; The ordinary, meeting of this council was held m the council chambers, Palmerston, yesterday when there were present—The Chairman (Mr A. D. Bell), and Crs T. Dent. C. S. Hay, B. Kennedy, T. Muir, I>. M'Leod, A. M'Laren, and J. X". Roberlson. ■ DEPUTATIONS. Mr J. Sutherland waited on the council in reference to improvements on the road leading to his propel fey in the Meadowbank riding.—The matter was referred to the inspector to either have the work done by day labour or by contract, half cost 01 same to be defrayed out of land fund. Messrs G. Ross, W. Craig, and J. Dalziel waiteclon the council to urge the erection of a footbridge over the river at Inch Valley. The deputation appeared as members of the local school committee as well as ratepayers of the ruling:, and urged the necessity for the erection of the bridge. They pointed out that the plank across the river was dangerous, three children naving fallen off it into the water, and all had a very .narrow escape from drowning. All the children attending the Inch Valley School except three had to cross the river to get-to school U wing to frequent changes in the fords, caused by freshets, corumunicaUon from the opposite side of the river was stopped and great inconvenience suffered. Some reference was made to the riding not having received its fair share of expenditure and having been Better served under the old road board rigime. . Cr M'Laren, a member of the road board when in existence, refuted the statement, and accounted tor special localities being favoured by the existence of cliques. He reminded the deputation that when the board uiersed into the county the latter tookover a debt of LI.OOO, from which they had not yet recovered, and from which they were to some extent handicapped. Cr Robertson said the bridge was one of the most urgent county works, and moved—"That it De one of the first works undertaken as soon as the council is in a financial position to do so " Or Mum seconded the motion , The Chairman explained that the council had to meet heavy expenditure owing to the damage sustained by the recent floods, and saw no hope of the work in connection with the bridge being undertaken before the end of March. A limit to the overdraft wa-. fixed by law, and the Auditorgeneral had the power - and very properly so-to compel a refund.from members individually This year the contributions to charitable aid weremuch Heavier, and of cource the council must be very careful m regulating the expenditure, and see that they did not exceed their powers The motion was carried, and the inspector was instructed to protect the present planking with another and with wire netting, making the crossing double the width; as a temporary cxv *POCiI6U t).

MrGuffie appeared before-the council to urge certain improvements to the road leading to his gate, and from Mr Geddie's and Mi- Matheson's piopeicy, and explained that the local road board Had taken the earth from one end of the road and left a cutting of 30ft h&h. If the improvements were carried out it would shoiien the distance to ms property considerably.—Consideration was deterred.

.Mr Withcy waited on "the council in reference to some improvements to the road leading to the Native reserve at Goodwbod.-The matter was reien-ed to Cr M'Laren on the understanding that it the work could be carried out at a small cost the application would be granted.

~ CORRESPONDENCE. Mr R. M. All wee wrote pointing out that in lefeience to the exchange of roadlines leading through Mr Robertson's land he could not possibly undertake the responsibility of keeping the gates closed. To ask him to form a road for his own use upon a line to which Mr Robertson reiiised i to give an absolute right was unreasonable, as the right might be withdrawn at any time. It would be plain to the council that the road must still be open to the public as well as to himself. As no change in the roadline could be effected, he asked the council to improve the present one, so that a sledge could be taken over it —The council regretted that Mr M'Allwee could not see his way to accept Mr Robertson's Oiter, as they consider it useless to expend any money on the public road ' Prom Mr R. Matheson, Waihemo Downs, requesting the council before taking any fmther steps in the matter of road-making through section 2, block 111 Highlay, to consider the agreement entered into with him re deviation of road through the section.—lteceived Messrs W. Clhisholm and J. M. M'Kenzie lalmerston wrote drawing the attention of the council to the bad state of the road known as Welsh s, in the Bushy riding, and requesting steps to oe taken to put it in repair.—Deferred for consideration.

• Mr M. J. Isbistcr, Inch Valley, brought under tne notice of the council that no provision had been made by them to enable the settlers to cross the Shag nver in lieu of the footbridge recently swept away by the floods. The fixing of a plank which was immediately attended to elsewhere had beoll n ogl ec t e( l in this case, and the other day, when the rains had considerably swollen the river, he had to make a detour of some three miles to get to his ordinary work As his laud was contiguous to both sides of the river, and as it was imperative Mines of CCff SS ito ? Otli SldP S J tu protect llis sfcock ill times of flood, he trusted the council would favourably consider the erection of a light footbudge sufficiently high to withstand floods.-The" inspector was authorised to supply planking ou condition that Mrlsbister undertook to look after

tht ,n Trc f a!" I ryi -^ILl^' 0". intimated that nTitt-P th Ll> SojdrieUs revenue, had been rePa»l- im C/' CCilt i,f tho couucil at the Colonial l>ank, Palmerston,—Received. tn^liJ' <?• E'winston, hon. secretary to the Vaile testimonial fund,. Auckland, enclosed a circular lettej and subscription list, towards suitably rehT^r • W • Bervioe? l rondorod t0 tn° colony ceived "' " raihvay administration.—Re-

inW.?™l +1 ft AS alkouai« County Council intimated that the offer of the council re Stenhouse b road had been accepted.-Received. W rnf? y^.w 11./-'^ Commissioner, Dunedin, wrote stating that, with respect to the expends \ Mwfc" fd^red Pnymont and perpetual 1 lease thuds and small grazing runs fourths, it would £v£hwl c °U T^?™ tion of the matter to leve t to the system formerly obtaining of forra- l'w, D'P MUan(i stat?™nt eadl quarter showmg where the moneys then payable would be expended, and, with this end in view, a detailed statement of moneys payable to the council on the Ist of November next, and requesting tho •ri fVi f Sa"le Y IH\ tH l-°ci«isito information. ±he total amount of land revenue was L22D 13s lOd.—Received.

Ihe department of Lauds and Survey, Duned:u, forwarded copy of a letter from Mr J" J Ramsay, in reply to one sent by the chairmani stating that the letter bad been considered at a meeting of the board, when the following resolution was adopted:—" The board is of opinion that the application in connection with Mr Ramsays complaint should in the first instance be made to the county council, which, from the chairman's letter, does not appear to have been done."—Received.

Ihe secretary to the Charitable Aid Board, Dunedin, enclosed the inspector's report on the case of a recipient of aid. —Received.

INSI'ECTOII'S REPORT

In connection with Bushy Riding the inspector reported that the road from the Main road to Shag Point road, known as Hutcheson's, required gravel from end to end, about three chains in length. The Muddy creek bridge would, in his opinion, wear out the present deck planking.— Deferred until next meeting. In reference to the Blue Mountain riding, the inspector and Or Muir had examined the bridge at floss', and expressed the opinion that the repairs elfected last spririg would stand for another year. The bridge was safe for ordinary traffic, but not for engines. The proposal to cut a new culvert out of the solid when the bridge was repaired or renewed was also approved.—Received.

An inspection of M'Leod's road in the Green Valley riding showed that it required considerable formation to make it a good road, but a culvert and about 14 chains would meet present requirements. The Main road from Dunback to the Shag river above Pigroot was badly worn, and required gravelling, especially near Pollock's farm. This work required to be done before the wool season. The trallie was increasing, and in wet weather it was impossible to keep the roads from rutting.—The council deferred consideration of the first portion of the report, and agreed to call for tenders for the supply of gravel for the main road from Dunback to the Shag river, above Pigroot.

FINANCE. Accounts amounting to L 236 Ss 7d were passed for payment.

CONTRACTS. lenders were opened for the following works :— Oontract Wb\ supply of gravel from Muddy creek to feliag point road— V. Lunham, L23 [Os 2d (accepted); J. Kitchen, L 25; ,7. Kendall T,25 • T Hourston, L3O -la 2d ; D. W. Philip L3l us

•SHAM, UlllDS .NIH.SA.NCE. lUu council resolved to offer Is fid per 100 for birds eggs and heads; during the next three months.

The council then adjourned.