COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14381, 26 November 1908, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS

, WAIKOUAITI. The monthly meeting of the Waikouaiti County Council, held yesterday, was attended by Cre A. S. Orbell, J. M'Gill, G. E. Charlton, J. I'ootc, G. W. Mason, 1 and E. Laley. , ANNUAL MEETING. The County Clerk (Ivir Porteous) at noon took the chair vacated by Cr Orboll,' and called for nominatiwis for the position of chairman for the current year, according to statutory requirements. . Cr Orbell said he had great pleasure in moving tho appointment of Cr Charlton, who. although a young mombor of' the council, was very well acquainted with the business that came bwfora them, and with a littlo further experience would worthily occupy the of chairman. Cr'Foote said lie :-_ad much pleasure in seconding tho motion. He had known Cr , Charlton ever since he was a very small hoy, and was sure i.o bad the ability to conduct the business of the council with credit to himself and profit to tlio council. Thero was no further nomination. Cr Charlton, in taking the chair, thanked councillors for the -honour conferred upon him. Ho promised to do his best to preside over, their meefinw wild satisfaction to councillors and credit to himself,, r.Eroßis. The Inspector (Mr W. Rendall) reported w follows:—Hawksbury Riding: On the bridge ■ acro'si the Stoneburn River (lie centro pier has shifted «lown the river 15in, and has gone 4in off the plumb. Five of the deck planks aro broken, the netting and wire standards at each side aro down, the abutment at one sida is slightly damaged, and to put it in good repair will require an expenditure of £12. The gravel contract on the main road from Mount Royal v entrance boundary of county has been 'Minished; 27yds of gravel has been put on the different bridges on litis' road, and the Ballington ford has been repaired.— Adopted, the inspector to have necessary work done in connection with Stoneburn bridge by day labour. Mertop Riding. -The rotten-rock contract on Pullar's road has been completed, and 14yds of rock have been put on the different slips on the main road. The metal contract on -Russell's road is nearly finished, as also tl\e formation contract on Karitano School , road. The ford at the dip of the creek has been repaired, a portion' of the zig-zag track has been surfaced, and the blinding of metal' on Prydo's road is receiving tho attention of the surfaceman as time permits.—Adopted. Blueskin Riding.—Osburn Township was visited with Cr Foote, and it was agreed that if an expenditure of £3 was put on road (applied for by Mr M'Gregor) it would meet roquiremnets for a considerable time. 'The contract on School road, Lower Harbour, was in an unfinished state, and if not finished in three weeks the council should oomploto the work at contractor's cost. Strong winds and high tides h&vo damaged the Lower Harbour road walling, and this required attention. All the bridges in and around Waitati have been tarred, wjtft the exception of four, which will be attended to as time permits. Twenty yards of metal was required on Mackessar's road, and the onlrort below Gillanders's gate required attention.—Approved, inspector to .effect repairs to Lower Harbour road; cul vorts, and bridges, and spread 20yds of . metal on Mackessar's ;road. North-East Valley Riding.—Owing to the Waitati-Wakari road being blocked by slips last month, it. was necessary to put on a man to assist the dayman to make (he road .passable, and these had been repaired . so as not to interfere with .traffic but si ill required further attention. Mackintosh's ~. road had been repaired, but the ford required two days' cartage of gravel. All the information required regarding the application of tho Port, Chalmers Borough Council re closing roadlines and taking over private roads had not been obtained, consequently report on same could not I>3 furnished until next meeting. A list of con- .•■• tracts and progress made were submitted.— Adopted. The Finance Committee recommended payment, of accounts amounting to £235 7s 4d.—Adopted. I Tenders were accepted as follow:—A. Rhodes, metal, Mackessar's road, £8 8s 9d; J. Harris, metal, Pigeon Flat road, £42 10s; T.'R. Hammond, metal, Round Hill, £35. Fresh tenders- were called for the work in Purakanui township and ipetal for Knell's road. CORRESPONDENCE. The Auditor-general returned balance sheet for half-year ended September 30 last, diily certified..—Received, and the chairman was authorised to sign same. The Receiver of Land Revenue notified that £102 13s 8d had been paid to credit of council, amount of three-fourths accrued from March 1 to August 29 last-Received. Palmer and Son, Logan's Point, notified that in consequence of reduction in railway freight on metal to -public bodies they could deliver same at any station from Sawyers' Bay to Waikouaiti at 4s per'-ton, railage paid.—Received. T}ic Port Chalmers Borough Council noli fi«l that the cost of repairing footpath at back of Sexton's house, Mansford Town, would be £4- 4s 6d.—Received; 3& to bo contributed .to cost as agreed. J. L. and G. Scott, Port Chalmers, wroto declining to pay demand mado for breaking metal supplied to Merton road, less cost of screenings.—Received; further consideration held over till next meeting. The Chief Engineer notified that tho council was authorised >to expend £150 on White road (Merton), £50 on Pigeon Flat, and £50 on Snell's road.—Received; tenders to bo called for carrying out the works. The Intelligence Officer (Otago Military Distr-ici) wroto thanking the council for information supplied to roads ,and bridges ' in the county.—Received. G; S. M'Dermid, Sawyers' Bay, wrote asking for information as to roads the Port Chalmers Borough Council desired to lave closed.—Received; further consideration held; over. Walter Bayne, sanitary contractor to Port Chalmers Borough Council, wrote calling i attention to . obstruction caused by over- , hanging scrub on read leading to sanitary ■farm.—Received; the inspector to report to next meeting. John Wads-worth, contract, for footpath to Lower Harbour School, wrote complaining that inspector refused to pass the job, as he disputed the quality of material used. .He attended in person with his plans and specification, ami contended that, according to those, he had made a perfectly gocd job, and had used the best material obtainable.—After hearing tho inspector, the chairman, Crs Foote and M'Gill wore appointed to inspect the job and decide finally »ts to action to ho taken. i GENERAL. The chairman (Cr Charlton) was appointed to attend annual meetings of Dunedin Hospital and Benevolent Institute to vote for election of office-bearers, and also , to attend the conference of local bodies io ' discuss charitablo aid and hospital matters to be held on December-7. The chairman and Cr Orbell were authorised to.sign cheques for the current year. Jas. Moore's tender for supply of dog collars was accepted. On the motion of Cr Orbell, tho action of Cr Mason, in arranging to get- safety rails put on bridge at Lower Harbour was approved.-Ci- M'Gill seconded the motion. Cr Laley moved—"That metal of contracts 20 and 21 be blinded wnen spread; and inspector empowered to engage a man to do the work if necessary."—Cr M'Gill seconded. Tho day for next meeting was fixed for December 22. .TAIERI. The annual statutory meeting of tho 'Taieri County Council was'held at Mosgiel at neon yesterday; present—Crs W. Blackie, J. Gow, F. Freeman, J. Allan, J. W. Blair, R. Robinson, jun.,. F. Docherty, and J. Hay. / _ Cr Blair moved, and Cr Docherty seconded', that Cr Blaokio be elected chairman of the Taieri County Council for the ensuing .year. The'motiojn was carried unanimously, and tho now chairman -briefly returned thanks for his election. ORDINARY MEETING. ' The ordinary monthly meeting of the council was subsequently proceeded with. REPORTS. The County Engineer (Mr B. B. Couston) reported as follows:-" Contract and works—Tenders were accepted during the month fo>- three contracts—(l metal Allan-ton-Outram road, (2) rubble West- Taieri bridge, and (3) gravel and metal East Taieri riding. The first contract is already completed; the other works are making satisfactory progress. Tcndors are invited this meeting for the erection of traffic bridges over the Silveratroam, on Wingatui roadfand on Halfway Bush fo Muir's ,• road; for maintenance gravel repairs on Taieri Mouth road., and for delivery of metal at Harvey's Flat. It will be necessary to accept tenders for the two bridge contracts subject to the approval if the road engineer, Invercargill. The contractor in charge of road-grader will complete : tho surfacing of roads comprised ir his "schedule by Saturday of this week, and unlera the council has other instructions I shall stop work on that day. The breaking of- metal at Saddle Hill quarry is completed, and this metal will be run out on M'Master's road during the month. The. blasting o.f bluffs and of road!

on Sutton Hill is completed, l and three ohains of guard fence has been erected at the dangerous part of tho road. In Otokia riding 'tho ropairs lo Castledon street, Priscilla street, and Ramsey street, Allanton, huvo been carried out by day labour, in accordance with flood-damage schedule. In Outrani riding the Outram-Allantou road lias been rcgraded and metalled. In Deep Stream riding tho whole of tho repair • works are completed, ami at Si rath Tnieri, with the exception of a few culverts on tho bill loads, all minor repairs are now completed. I propose for next mod ins to invito tenders for raising Circular road, East Talon, raising Main South road at Christie's Dully; renewal-'of Brace's bridge and' Campbell's bridge, Outram riding; construction masonry culvert on Outram-Wainnn road, and the four arched ctilvorts at Strath Taieri. With regard to Duncan Saltlomoiit grant, I'havo submitted a proposal lo the Roads Department thai this vote be expended—first, in •completing tho formation of M'Coll's road in accordance with my original plans, and (secondly) • in gravelling Scrogg's Hill road, Creamery road, and M'Coll's road. Tho proposal lias been approved of, and the necessary specifications are now being prepared. I attach a draft of letter which I recommend bo sent to the Dunedin City. Corporation regarding injury done to tho Abbotsford-Wingaluiioad.''' Or Allan said he thought it was expecting too much to ask them to deal with the whole report in one motion. These things wero rushed through the council without proper consideration. Once n. thing like this had been pawed by tho council it was out of the council's hands. ' The report was then dealt with in detail. The Engineer pointed oul that it was too late to quibble at tho amounts allocated for flood damages. Cr Elair said the matters of lenders might very well be left to tho engineer. He had dono excellent work. The report wa.s adopted. Mr C. Mills (sanitary inspector) reported tho Kaikorai Stream to be much as usual, only tho water was getting lower and consequently dirtier. This report and that of tho ranger was ndovited. COBREBPOXDKNC.iI. Tire Treasury, Wellington, wroto notifying payment to council's credit of goldfields revenue, 19s 3d and £2 55.-Received. The; Minister of Internal Affairs wrote re transference of a portion of Taieri County to tho Borough of Green Island.--Received, A communication from Mr Thomas Mackenzie, M.P., suggested a conference of tho members of Parliament for Bruce and Taieri and representatives from the same county councils rj» Taieri Mouth bridge.— To bo informed that the council considers any advances in this direction should emanate from Bruce County, as being the county interested., , 'The Mines Department wrote stating that the members of the council were in error in stating that tho Inspecting Engineer of Mines undertook that the construction of tho Loch Louden dam at Waipori in accordance _ with tho amended plana would be supervised by him or any other Government officer.—Cr Freeman, tho engineer, and Mr M. Stevenson to communicate with the department. Taieri Drainage Board wrote asking terms of a lease of, say, gth of an acre of the county council grounds in Mosgiel and the use of the council chambers for a term of 21 years.—Consideration deferred for a. month. Failing'this, they applied for the use of the council chambers for mcotings until the board made Other arrangements.—Granted; W. CJ. Thompson, Middlemarch, wroto asking a reduction in a steep grade on the road from Middlemarch to Moonlight; also to have, part of the road surfaced — The engineer reported that he was allocating fourths as they accrued for reducing this grade, but ho did not Consider the work ono of urgency. The surfacemen had been instructed to attend Jouldon Hill road.—Dealt with in engineer's report. Annie Walker, Bumside, wrote re tho unsatisfactory state of the present drainage of sections adjoining Wallace street and Sootland terrace.—To bo informed that. these sections would soon pass from the jurisdiction of tho council, the writer to be recommended to apply to tho Borough of Green Island. T. and D. Dowio, Springs, wrote re grading of road section 11, block 11, Strath Taieri.—Work attended to. Town cleric, Outrani, wrote asking council to authoise tho ranger, when passing through Outram, to- impound any stock found grazing on' • the streets.—Council wero agreeable to his appointment to lift stock, but was unable to authorise him to do so. / George and William Brown, -Henley, 'wrote drawing attention to the state of the diteh near the Taieri Ferry Stool bridge.—Referred to engineer for action. Tho Town Cleric, Rosiyu, wstjte declining to contribute to tho cost of maintaining the Kaikorai road between the borough boundary and the Cattle Yards Station.— 'To be informed that the council intended calling a commission on the matter when tho boundaries were settled. GKNEKAL. In accordance with his notice of motion, Cr Freeman moved: "That the matter of sub-leasing 1 the quarry after the completion of the lease to the council, and arranging with Messrs C. and W. Shiel for the supply of metal'for contracts Numbered 110 and 111 bo left to the Finance Committee to deal with, be and is hereby rescinded." This was seconded by the Chairman, and 'carried unanimously. The Chairman, with ■ Ors Blair and Freeman, was elected a Finance Committee for the ensuing year. The same, 'with the addition of. Cr (low, were elected Electric Power and Lighting Committee. It was ■ resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Cr Freeman, that the mover, tho seconder, and the county clerk (Mr J. Logan) be appointed to consider and look after the proportion of tlie overdraft to bo charged to the Green Island Borough. The next meeting of the council was fixed for Deccmhei.' 18. It was decided to invite tenders for the sublease of the Mosgiel Quarry for a period of three years, and that the engineer submit an estimate of' the cost of purchasing a portable stone crusher and its installation. Accounts amounting to £903 4s 3d wero passed for payment. WAIIIEMO. The fnv,t meeting of the recently-elected Wnihemo County Council was 'held at Pahnerston yesterday, there being present —Cr.s Ross, D. 11. Philip, Clark, O'Connell, M'Lay, Bailey. M'Alhmv Sutherland, and O'Neill. Cr I). M. Philip was voted lo the chair pending the election of chairman, v The Chairman, after expressing regret that tome of the old members of the council had not been returned at the election, sincerely welcomed the new members to the table., At the annual meeting the half-yearly balance sheet showed a credit balance of £17 Us 2d. The clerk reported that-.this must be regarded as particularly satisfactory, as when the previous council went into office three 'years before there was a debit balance to face of £1168 8s sd. Their good position might be set down to the prompt collection of rates. On the motion of Cr Ross, seconded by Cr O'Neill, it was resolved-" That the balance sheet be approved, signed by the chairman, and published." On the motion of Cr Ross, seconded by Or O'Connell, Mr D. M. Philip was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing term. Cr Philip briefly returned thanks, and promised to do his best for the council. Tho business or the ordinary meeting was then taken up. nr.PORTS. iThe Inspector (Mr George Cruickshanks) re|Kirtcd as follows: — Blue Mountain Biding.—l have got the stones in about the abutment of bridges, but I fear more of this will have to be done if broom is allowed to grow in river beds. Overhanging trees on a Chinese gardener's properly are giving a deal of trouble, £■> during ilic recent winds several branches of I line tr-ros fell across the road. The irew are a menace to public safety, f.nd I would like a committee to sen them. I will attend to the bridle track betwcr.n Chapman's and Forbes's as roon a." I can get the men up.— Adopted.—Owner or occupier to lw notified that the trees must bo cut down.— Adopted. Goodwood Bid'ng.—f have got the Church. Hill road re-formed, but about. 40 chains on the south side remain to done.. I ha.ve renewed parts where the grave' wr> required, and the workmen are putting in a- largo culvert at Kennard's Creek.—Adopted. rOEREEI'ONDF.NTH. The Treasury forwarded vouchors for £45 10s lOd (goldfields revenue for September) and £1 5s (goldfields revenue for Oetoher).—Received. William M'.Kcnny. in reply to (ho council's letter of October 22, wrote giving permission for tho council to uso_ the river bed at Buchanan's Crossing providing no damage tog done to his properly. Messrs Downic Stewart and Payne applied, on behalf of the trustees of the Mount Royal Estate for the council's consent to th? proposed a'teiv.tion.of roads, and stating that if the council was willing

to close the road through section 1 and part of 3, and would give the closed road to the trustees, in exchange, tho trustees would give to (ho council a road from Mr Munro's land to the crossing at present used by Mr Coutts, the trustees to pay for survey and necessary fencing.— Agreed. All costs to be borne by the trustees. »

. The District Engineer wrote, 'in regard lo tits proposed crossing to give access to Mr A. Munro's property (Lot C, Mount Royal), stating that after interviewing Messrs Munro and Cruickshanks on tho property, the matter bad been hung up pending Mr Ritchie's consent to a proposal.—Received. The Clerk of Court (Palmerston) advised that the publican's license issued by the council •to S. Moir for the Junction Hotel, Dunback, had/ been forfeited by judgment delivered by/Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., in flic case Police v. Moir.— Received. F. S. Bloxham (Dunkiek) wrote asking for a light coating of shingle on tho road up to bis gate, and stating; that at present in wet weather it was impossible to got up the- hill.—Left in the hands of tho inspector to act, J. E. Winslo* and Co., Asbmirtcn, wrote asking for information re Hax in the county, as they contemplated opening amill at Shag Point,—Received. Tho Land Board enclcsed statement of thirds and fourths accrued dining period August 31- to October 31.—Received. The Department of Reads wrote asking for specifications' of works proposed to be dono with the money voted this year.— Received. The Department of Roads enclosed approve:' specifications for metalling between Dunback and Macraes, between Macraes and Hyde, and between Dunback, Pigroot, and Green Vallcy.+-RccciYcd. Tho ft-or-nary Aid Board wrote objecting to the council having paid out. £30 10s in cash as outdoor relief instead of the usual orders for poods, and asking for particulars.—Received. Action of the treasurer approved. Tripp and Koltaston, Timaru, wrote asking for information re the closing of certain roads through the -Kartigi Estate.— Received. FINANCE COMMITTEE. ' Cm '.Tames Ross and O'Neill wero appointed a Finance Committee for the ensuing 12 months. RENRRAT,. It was decided to call fresh fenders' for the Saltwater bridge by means of advertisement in the Ota-go Daily Times. Accounts amounting to £257 14s 7d wore passed for payment. A vote of £5 5s was passed to Mr W. B. Gallaway, who acted a3 roturning officer in the recent comity election. WAITEMATA. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 25. Mr V. F. Kerr Taylor was to-day reelected chairman of the Waitcmata County Council. WESTLAND. HOKITTKA, November 25. Mr S. G. Ferguson was to-day elected chairman of the West-land County Council. SELWYN. CHRISTCHURCH, November 25. At to-day's meeting of. the newly-elected Selwyn County Council tho following letter wa6 read from tho councjj's engineer (Mir A. Donald Patcieon):—" Owing to tho somewhat unsatisfactory relations existing between tho council and myself,. I beg to tender my resignation as engineer to tho council. This will enable the council to obtain the services of another engineer who may see eye to eyo with it on proposed schemes. I shall be glad to be remy duties as sopn as convenient, and if possible by the end of the year." After a lengthy discussion it was agreed to accept Mr Paterson's resignation, and give 'him three months' salary, leaving to Mr Paterson to decide when ho should leave. It was also agreed to'call for applications for tho position of engineer to the council at £400 per annum. ASHBURTON. ASHBURTON, November 25. At the first meeting of the newly-elected Ashmirton County Council to-day Mr John Lambie, senior councillor, was unanimously elected chairman. Mr 0. "J. Harper, who lias bsen chairman for the past nine years, was defeated. WAITAKI. (From Our Own Cop.rkspondent.) OAMARU, Noyembor 25. The WaiUki County Council to-day elected Mr Duncan Sutherland chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Sutherland was chairman for 25 or 26 years, until his retirement two years ago, but be was recently reelected for his old riding, Aluiriri. s , VINCENT. ' CLYDE, November 25. Mr James Horn has been reappointed chairman of the Vincent County Council.