WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13854, 18 March 1907, Page 3

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

All ordinary mcelin<r of Hie AVaihsmo County Council w.as held at Palmerstou on Saturday. There were present—Crs J. Ross (hi tho chair), D. Ross, T. Mnir, D. M. Philip, It. Mathcson, H. O'Neill, G. Clark, and J. O'CoimoH. rnorosED bridge assented to. Tho Mayor (Mr E. H. Clark), Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., and Crs Lofevrc and Robertson attended, as a deputation, from' the I'alliicrslon Borough Council, in connection with tho recent much-talked-of road down to the beach, known as the Bushoy Beach road. A bridge is wanted, and the Mayor, who explained the position, said the plans and specifications were complete, they had a Government grant of. £50, and were billing to guarantee whatever sum might still bo necessary, Mid all tho County Council was requested to do was to consent to tho work being done, under the supervision of tho county inspector.—Mr Mackenzie, who supported tho application, said no ordinary effort was required to get votes for country districts, and after votes had been obtained—as in respect of the formation of a road from the lower end of Moonlight to the Taieri River, in addition to the.matter under considerationit was regrettable it tho moneys were not utilised. To allow grants io lapse was to interfere- materially with tho prospect cf obtaining other voles for the district in tho future. If it were possible for tho money to be expended in accordance with proper engineering and other requirements he hoped it would bo done. It was owing primarily to the Borough Council that he secured the vote, but it was, of course, fully recognised thai the roads were imdei the jurisdiction of tho County Council. It was unusual ior him to take any such action as ho was now doing at tho request of the Borough Council.— Another member of the deputation pointed out that Mr John M'Keuzie, of Bnslicy, not only approved of. the work, 'but was willing to assist with a subsidy.—The deputation having withdrawn, the Chairman moved. Cr Muir seconded,.and Cr Philip supported—" That a former resolution of the council (adverse to tho Borough Council's wishes in the matter) be adhered to."—Ct Matheson proposed, and Cr O'Neill seconded—" That tho application bo granted, subject to the approval of tho .county engineer; the County Council to incur no expense in tho matter."—The amendment was carried by five votes to three. A PROTEST PUOlt MOONLIGHT. A petition wus received from residents of Moonlight emphatically protesting against tho action of the council in proposing to allow tho Government grant of JE3OO for tho Moon-light-Rock and Pillar road to lapse. The petitioners, in asking that tlic matter should be- reconsidered, pointed out that tho road in question was the shortest route to tho railway station, being four and a-liaK miles nearer than Hyde. It would also effect a saving of eight miles railage. The grade was as good as cither Hyde or Dunbac.l: roads, was all hard country, and ouce formed Would be easily maintained. Tho county inspector's estimate of tho coat of road to be formed to connect the two roads was £300.—After somo discussion, in which Cr Clark warmly advocated the proposed expenditure, it was decided to leavo tio question where it was until tho next meeting, whon a- motion by Cr Clark to rescind tho previous resolution will be considered inspector's report. Inspector Cruicksbank reported for the month as follows:—Macrae's Riding: I wrote to tho Messrs Donaldson asking which of their four outlets they wished to bo attended to. In reply, (hoy complained of the stato of tho road between John Sutherland's homoslcad and their mine. This road extends from Sutherland's to tho Sister Peaks, ami then turns into Robert Matheson's run. It is very steep, and after it leaves Horso Flat the ground is boggy and requires a good deal ot drainage. I have u lot ot work to do ill this district at present, and I have had tho promiso of two men and a team of Horses to give mo assistance.—Received, and the inspector instructed to effect the repairs suggested. Blue Mountiu Riding: I have been patching up the Main road to Dunback, and also the roads in the upper end of the riding. I inspected the Limekiln road,' and found that some banking and formation were required. It would take at least .£3O to effect any improvement, and (he large culvert over the gully would requiro to be lengthened by about lift. There are also some'stiff cuttings to be made. In tho meantime it is very hard to keep the water-tables clear.—lt was resolved to call for tenders for repairs to the Limekiln road. MISCKLMXKOUS. The Treasury notified that- the sum of .CI and £1 as respectively had been placed to the credit ot tho council in tho banks foi fees, etc.. ami [or miner's rights. The Clerk to the Waitaki County Council wrote informing tho council that Mr William Nicholson had been appointed representative on the conference re motor traffic on county roads. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee payments amounting to £170 !)s Id were agreed to. The usual meeting ot the Domain Board followed the ordinary meeting of the council. Mr D. Tunnock wrote forwarding the plan for the proposed recreation ground near Palmerstoii, with lists of trees and shrubs and notes on laying out the grounds.—Received. Messrs Kitchen, Ross, and Gow attended as a deputation from the l'almerston Caledonian Society in connection with a proposal to continue the track in the new domain, They could not offer any rent. It was proposed to lay down a grass track for the present. Whenever funds permitted this would be improved upon. It would bo necessary to make a charge for admission' (o the annual snorts when they were held.—The board granted tho request, subject to the approval of a subcommittee.