TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11943, 17 January 1901, Page 8

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Tuapeka County Council was held at Lawrence on Friday last; present—Mr Livingstone (chairman), Crs Bennet, Bennetts, Cotton, Osborne, Ottrey, Oudnille, Sim, and Simpson. Mr D. Lynch, Lawrence, wrote re contract 527, stating that he had spent six days.removing metal that stood in his way, and putting in an account for same.—One guinea was granted. Mr \V. M'Lelland, Lawrence, wrote applying under section 313 of " The Mining -Act, 1898," to the council to request the Minister of Mines to treat the rent due up to 31st December {£S 17s Cd), for special claim No. CI as not recoverable. The claim had been pegged out by him o;: behalf of a syndicate, and was subsequently floated into a company called the Tyson's Beach Dredging Company. He assigned all interest in the claim to ■ the company, and therefore considered himself free from any further liability in connection with the matter. The company, however, went into liquidation, and ho found himself liable for the rent.—Received. Mr George Matheson, German Plat, wrote asking that the road going up to Bowbells Flat be finished, which could bo done, by two men in about seven days. Also asking that the inspector should be sent to look at the first part o! the road, as it is being damaged by water.— Resolved that the inspector visit the place and report. Mr James. Cunningham, Long Valley, v/ro'te asking the council to 6ce to the removal of a fenco which he stated had been put on the public road by Mr Thomas Whelan, the holder of a small-grazing run on the Hobbies.—Resolved that Mr Whelan be instructed to move the fence to the proper line, leaving the road a full chain wide. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, DtiDCclin, wrote stating that the matter of Mr Whelan's application through run 2Gito had been dealt with by the Land Hoard in December last, but the board could not see its way to grant the request.—Received. Tho Secretary of the Land Board, Duncdin, wrote stating that the.board could not sec its way to set aside as permanent reserves the areas situated at Evans Flat, Fitzgerald's Crossing, and Hugh Ross's, as doing so might at some future time interfere with water rights. There was, however, no objection to the council removing what gravel was required' from the areas referred to.—Received. The Secretary for Agriculture, 'Wellington, .wrote stating that the department would take up the work of dairy inspection as from January I.—Received, Mr Thomas Collins, secretary of the Heriot Progress Committee, wrote stating that a resolution had been passed by that body requesting the council to call tenders for reducing and metalling two bad pinches by Aitcheson's farm, Dumbarton road.—Resolved that the inspector be authorised to see the road, with power to have the work done of he considers it necessary. The Surveyor-general, Wellington, wrote re control and maintenance of the ierry across the Clutha River at Tuapeka Mouth, stating that he was direeted by the Minister of Lands to state that Mr John Hay, chief surveyor, Otago, had been 'appointed a commission to inquire into the matter. He asked that the council should be represented at the inquiry, due notice of which would be given.-Resolvcd that the chairman should represent the council at the inquiry, and that the production of the Clutha County Council minute book be demanded.— Mr John Hay, chief surveyor, Dunedin Lands Office, was granted the use of tho Council Chambers in which to hold the inquiry. Mr J. A. Kirkc, Tapanui. wrote re the Dusky rood, stating that hchnd taken levels of same and forwarded two p'ans showing how the road would be effected by being filled in ill certain specified ways—Resolved that two surfacemen be employed on the work for a fortnight. Mr P. Duffy, sen., complained of the damage

done to the Tunpclta Flat road by the Lawrence dredge, the road at present being in a dangerous condition. The clerk read an agreement entered into between the council and the dredging company, when permission was givan to dredge nlong the road.—The Inspector explained that the dredge was working seven or fright chains off the road line at present. The damage complained of was dono by the silt

being dammed, which.caused the water to overflow the road.—Cr Bennetts said the dredging company bad entered into an agreement with the council that they would provide a temporary road, and they have not done so.—lksolved that steps be taken to see that the company carry out the undertaking entered into with the council and provide a bond.- ■ Messrs Dakioll and Haggitt, solicitors, Lawrence, on behalf of Mr Jas.M'Kav, Blue" Spur, wrote with reference to. an accident that happened to him lately owing to the'non-repair of the road botweon Lawrence and up Gabriel'B Gully to the townshin of Blue Spur. Owing to the bad state of the road their client met with an accident while driving to the Blue Spur with a load of flour. He admits he suffered damage to the extent of £15, and unless that amount is paid forthwith legal proceedings will be taken for its reeovery.-Thc letter was received. ' , « lh J' E ° mxi Edison, general manager of the Blue Spur and Gabriel's Gully Consolidated Gold Company, wrote drawing nitration to the deplorable state of the. toad in Gabriel's Gully, near Rocky Point. The water flowing down the gully had cut the rnqfl away, so as to endaneer the passage of traffic.—Received." A petition, signed by 70 ratepavern and residents of Blue Smir and others "interested in traffic between Lawrence and there, was received drawing attention to the unsafe condition of the road in Gabriel's Gully connecting Lawrence with Blue Spur. The' road had been in constant use for 1G years, and had proved a. great convenience, but in conseauence of the late floods it had become unsafe for traffic near Rocky Point, and several accidents had occurred to vehicles passing that.locality. The council was, therefore, asked to take such steps as would put the road in question in a permanently safe condition as soon as possible. A denization also waited oh the council urging that the necessary repairs be effected.—After considerable discussion, it was resolved that tho chairman immediately take steps to ascertain their legal position regarding Gabriel's Gully road, and that he act upon, it at once.

On the motion of Cr Sim, seconded by Cr Ottrey, it was resolved that the insneetor report as to the advisability of opening roads leading from the flourmill to Heriot and from Crookston to Heriot.