TUAPEKA. COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9762, 12 June 1893, Page 4

TUAPEKA. COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above-named body was held in the County Chambers, Lawrence, on Friday last. The following members were present—Crs Henry (chairman), Bennet, Cotton, Oudaille, Inglis, Livingston, Michael, M'Farlane, and Edie. , THE LATE .PREMIER.

The Chairman said that since their last meeting the Hon. John Ballance had passed away. He thought it was their duty to pass a

resolution expressive of their deep regret at Mr

Ballance's loss to the colony. Ho moved— "That this council desire to place on record their high appreciation of the public services rendered to the colony by the late Premier (the Hon. John Ballanca) as a distinguished statesman, and to deplore his loss as a. public man to the country of his adoption; also, that a vote of sympathy and condolence be sent to Mrs Ballance in her sad bereavement for the deep loss she has sustained, and that same be entered in minutes of council." Cr Bennet, in seconding the motion, said there was scarcely a meeting of the council but the necessity arose for recording regret at the death of some old colonist of repute. But Mr Ballance's loss was one of an exceptional nature. He was a distinguished man—a man of very high character—who had rendered great service to the colony, and his Io3S was, therefore, a national one. Some of them may have differed from him in his opiniona snd methods of administration, but no one would deny, no matter what differences might exist, that his great desire, before all things else, was to promote the welfare of his adopted country. The motion was carried unanimously. A CORRECTION. Cr Bennet said he was not present at the last council meeting when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and, therefore, he had not an opportunity of taking exception to some remarks made by the chairman in his (the speaker's) absence. What ho took exception to was this t The chairman had referred to certain expenditure in Beaumont riding, adding that he was not prepared to certify to the vouchers for that expenditure. He (Cr Bennet) desired to know if any unauthorised works were undertaken in Beaumont riding. The Chairman replied that he was not aware of any unauthorised works having been carried out in the riding referred to. CORRESPONDENCE.

Tha Wellington Federated Trades " Union Council forwarded circular and subscription list on behalf of the Ballance memorial fund. — Allowed to lie on the table.

W. T. M'Farlane, Tapanui, applied to be allowed to purchase roadlina (now closed) running through sections 17 and 18, block XI, Greenvale.—Cr M'^aelane moved—" That the roadline be surveyed and the request acceded to."—Carried.

David Dickson drew attention to the state of the road between Pomahaka and Conical Hills.—To be attended to by the surfaceman. John Brown, on behalf of the Tuapeka Mouth Cemetery Trustees, asked that the road to the cemetery be put in passable order.—Referred to the inspsctor of roads for report. John Howat and three other ratepayers living at Glenkenich requested that the Manse road be made passable.—Ordered that the surfaceman, with the help of the grader, put the road in order.

Peter Fuldaeth and two other ratepayers at Waitahuna Gully wrote pointing out the necessity of doing something towards repairing part of the old coach road going off at the top of the gully towarda Round Hill. It was gravelled oome years ago as far as Mr Bjorngaard's, and if continued to a point about 30 chains fmlher it would make a good road for many years to come.—Cr Oudaille moved—" That the matter be referred to the inspector to reporS thereon." —Carried.

Jeremiah Ryan, contractor for the Black Cleugh bridge, uroto explaining the dimensions of the stones needed for the bridge, stating that stones of the kind required were uot obtainable in tho vicinity of the bridge, and asking to be informed what to do under the circumstances.—Tho Inspector stated that there was plenty of good stone in the locality.—lt was resolved that the plans and specifications be adhered to.

The District Land Registrar, Dunedin, wrote asking to be informed whether the council claims, on behalf of the public, any roadway through sections 20 and 21, block XI, Crookstou district, in tho position shown on accompanying map. Both sections were under the Land | Transfer Act. The certificate grant of section 20 waa in favour of H. Matheson, Crookston; and the certificate of title was in favour of Joseph Clarke, Toorak, Victoria. If the council claimed any Euch road information was asked as to whether they intend to obtain a title to same by transfer from the registered owners, and early attention to the subject was requested.—Cr M'Fai!lane stated that the land required for the road wns taken from Mr Norman Matheson years ago, but the roadline through Mr Robertson's property was exchanged and subsequently closnd. He moved—"That the chairman attend to the matter, and at the same time see into the title of all similar roads in tha county."—Carried. j

Malcolm I'V.rgusoi), Brooksrtale, stated that it was impossible to gf:t a dray or other vehicle along the main roadlino to the end of section 4, block IV, Greenvfilo, until such time as a bridge was put over what is usually known as Muddy creelc.—Referred to the inspector for report at next council meeting.

James M'Harry, Greenvale, wrote objecting to the closing of the roadline from section 13 to section 10, block V, Greenvale, James riding, as it took about 4-0 chains of frontage off his land.—Cr Edie moved: " That the road be inspected and reported upon by the chairman at next council meeting."—Cr M'Fablane said that in his presence M'Harry had expressed his willingness to have the road closed. The road was agreed to be closed at a public meeting of ratepayers.—Cr Livingston remarked that it would be a pity to close the road if it could possibly be kept open. He understood the road cost fully £700 to construct, and the new road would take £250 before it was completed, and even then would not be as good as the old one. —The motion was agreed to.

James Bowden, Miller's Flat, wrote informing the council that he could not cart gravel on the terms of his tender, but offering to do dray work at the same price as last year—viz., 11s per day for one-horse dray, 13s 6d for two-horse dray, and 15s 6d for a three-horse dray.—lt was resolved that the contractor be relieved of his contract.

The Secretary of the Geraldine County Acclimatisation Society asked the co-operation of the council in impressing upon the Governmeut the necessity of making small bird poisoning compulsory throughout the South Island, if not throughout the colony, at certain specified periods. It was found that the nuisance was becoming a serious menace to the agricultural interests of the colony, and it was considered that the only remedy was to make the laying of poison by every occupier of land compulsory on certain dates and within certain fixed periods.— Allowed to lie on the table.

H. A. and J. Tamblyn, Coal Creek, wrote asking the council for some assistance in constructing a sleigh track along the front of section 4 and part of section 2, block IX, Teviot.—lt was resolved, on the motion of Cr Inglis, to grant a subsidy of £10, subject to the council's approval of the specifications of the work. EOAD IN BLOCK XIV, GBEI3NVALE. Cr M'Fablanb mentioned that the closing of the road in block XIV, Grcsnvale, in which Mr W. T. M'Farlane had been moving, had been opposed at the putjlic meeting of ratepayers held to consider same. He (the speaker), therefore asked that the matter b3 allowed to drop. EOAD INSPECTOR'S REPORT, Mr John Young, inspector of roads, reported as follows: —

Browns Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order, excepting a portion of the main road near Carson's. I would not recommend anything being done to it at present. I wish to draw your attention to a lot of old dams in Tuapeka creek, that are causing the creek to silt up. Unless these dams are removed, a very small flood would take some of the bridges away. Beaumont Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order. James Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order. Tapanui Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order. Teviot Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order. I have been instructed by Mr Inglis to report on road deviation through Mr Forties's property towards Gordon's, Miller's Flat. I would not recommend anything being done to the deviation as surveyed, as it will cost about £i§ to make this road; whereas a good road could be obtained about two chains lower down that would require no expenditure whatever for some time; the lec&th of this road'is 121 chains. Gabriels Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order. Olarks Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order. Waipori Riding.—The roads in this riding are in good order. Waitahuna Riding.—The roads in this riding are In good order. The following work has been completed since last meeting :—Contract No. 374, Boundary road, Round Hill.

The following contracts are still uncompleted :— Rubbling road, Clark's Flat to Greenfield; gravelling road, Henry's to German Flat, Waitahuna ; Rankleburn bridge. count? chairman's report. The following report was laid on the table by the county chairman: — I have the honour to report that, as requested by the council, I havo visited the greater portion of the county since last meeting, and find most of the roads in passable order. Tapanui.—l have inspected the road proposed to be closed near Tapanui (applicant W. J. M'Farlane, and objected to by Mr Potts), and arranged for a meeting of settlers to be called in order that the matter might be amicably settled between them. James.—ln this riding I visited most of the roads and find the proposed exchange of Dusky road will incur a very considerable expense to the council in forming a deviation, and recommend this matter be deferred for further inquiry. Teviot. —The roads in this riding were in good repair, with the exception of a small portion of the Main road, which I authorised the member for the riding to attend to. Beaumont. —In this district the roads are also in a good state of repair, and I gave tho necessary authority to the member to have a few loads of gravel placed on the road to Tapanui at the most dangerous places. Browns. —The roads are in fair order, and, as requested, I had the punt removed to the new site. The contractor for Black Cleugh bridge has made a start, and is making fair progress. Waipori.—l visited this riding and found the roads in passable repair, excepting portions between Lawrence and Waipori (Boulger's Flat and Bungtown), which require immediate attention. PETITION.

A petition signed by 26 residents of Horseshoo Bend, was received praying the council to remove the suspension chair across tho Clutha river at that place to a point higher up where the span waa not so great. It was resolved that the matter bs left in the chairman's hands to deal with. CHAEITABLE AID.

The Secretary of the United Districts Charitable Aid Board forwarded a return of the persons) residing in Tuapeka county who are in receipt of charitable aid, and asking if the council had any recommendations to make. Relief was afforded in 23 cases, there being 16 males and 11 females, exclusive of 41 children. In three cases the allowance was 10s each per week; in four cases, 7s 6d; in one case, 5s 6d; in 13 cases, ss; and in two cases, 4s. The total amounted to £6 18s 6d per week.—Received. EOAD THROUGH SECTIONS 3 AND 10, BLOCK XII, CROOKSTON. prs Henhy (chairman) and Livingston submitted the following report in regard to the above disputed roadline :— In accordance with the council's instructions, wo visited the road through sections 3 and 10, block XII, Crookston, and also met a deputation of settlers interested. After hearing the statements of the parties concerned, and an inspection of maps, correspondence, and title deeds, we could come to no other conclusion than that there is no road through section 10. '

J. Wood and J. Aitchison, Heriot, wrote asking for the removal of all obstacles on the road through section 3, as they had bought 200 tons of flax and could not get it without going through section 3. They employed 15 or 16 hands and two teams of horses, and if the road was not opened to them they would have to discharge their employes and clo3e up their mill. .

Charles Kerse, Dunrobin, wrote enclosing resolution passed at a publio meeting held at Dunrobin on the 2nd instant, requesting the council to take the necessary steps to connect a road running through section 3, block XII, Crookston, with the road running through section 10, same block, when they are in funds, the settlers agreeing to assist by doing the ploughing and grading.

James Sim and John Oullen, chairman and secretary respectively of a. public meeting held at Crookston on the Bth instant, wrote enclosing resolution re dispute in connection with road deviation through block XII, Orookston, and recommending the council, before finally committing themselves to any line of road, to send a duly qualified engineer to report on the three proposed roads as to which is the most suitable to the settlers and the public generally.

Michael M'Carthy, Crookston, wrot3 stating that he presented a petition to the council seven years ago asking to have section 3 roid opened, and was told by the council that it wa3 already open for use. Mr Edie locked tho gate on him, setting the council's authority at defiance, and refused to allow him to use the road. He took legal action against Mr Edie, but his suit was dismissed, and he was compelled to pay £7 7s costs ; and he now asked the council to return him the same. During the last seven years the loss of the road he estimated had cost him £30 a year. Cr Bennet said thero was one thing that they should not pass over. He roferred to the hardship Mr M'Carthy had suffered through section S being blocked against traffic. Besides, there was tho heartless treatment ho had received at the hands of Mr Edie, senr., in connection with court proceedings arising out of this matter. He (Mr Bennet) condemned the conduct of Mr Bdio in the matter in very emphatic terms, and asserted that he had made use of his position in the council to further his private ends. The Chairman said that he and Cr Livingston had visited the locality, and as the result of their inquiries they concluded that there was no road through section 10.

A deputation consisting of Messrs Kerse, Cooper, and W. Haugh were in attendance ou behalf of the ratepayers interested in the opening of the disputed road. They asked that anacre ba taken off section 10 to connect the road with 3eition 3. They stated that the meeting at Crockston on the preceding evening was attended by about 50 ratepayers ; but the chairman of the meeting only allowed some five friends of Mr Bdiu's to tako paifc in the proceedings.

Or Cotton moved—" That the acre of ground required bo taken, and the road be defined by a surveyor." The motion was seconded by Mr Bennet. Cr Oudaille moved an amendment—" That a surveyor bo engaged to determine which was i the best route for the road." Cr Michael seconded. Cr Livingston said that whatever the decision of tho conucil might be, the matter was not likely to rest' there. He suggested that Messrs M'Farlane, Cotton, and himaelF, along with the deputation, meet Mr Edie aud endeavour to arrive at an amicable arrangement. This suggestion was agreed to, and the meeting wa3 adjourned until the following day.

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