TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15826, 26 July 1913, Page 10

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual monthly meeting of the Taieri County Council, held yesterday, was attended by Crs Freeman (in the chair), Dohcrty, 'Blackio, Christie, Elliott, Gow, Robinson.

GREEN ISLAND QUABRV BESERVE. A deputation from the Green Island Borough Council, consisting of the Mayor (Mr \V. Geddes), and Crs Kane and Samson, waited on the council in regard to the Green Island Quarry Reserve. Mr Geddes stated that the deputation was present in connection with the acquisition by tho borough of the quarry. _ It had been under the control of the Taieri Council for n number of years, but the council had made no use of it. The quarry lay within eight or 10 chains of the borough boundary,- and his council thought it could make use of it. Tho Taieri Council had been approached on tho matter before, but tho result had been futile. However, he trusted members were in a better frame of mind now, and as there were other quarries in the county they had decided to make another request to have tho quarry handed over.

Cr Samson also spoke in favour of the application, and remarked that the quarry would be of considerable use for local purposes, but it could not be used for anything else. Cr Kane also supported the request, and stated that if tho quarry were handed over much of tho borough's time would be saved, as at present a great deal of its metal had to be brought from Logan's Point. In reply to a question by the chairman, Mr Goddcs stated that the Green Island Borough Council would supply the Taieri Council with metal for the adjoining rpads at current market rates.

On tho motion of the chairman, seconded by Cr Christie, it was decided to hand over tho quarry, provided that metal for the county' roails within a radius of six miles be provided at cost price. engineer's report. The engineer (Mr B. B. Couston) submitted the following report:— "The Government grant contracts on Maungatua Hill and at Wharo Flat are completed with the exception of a,bout 30 yards of metal at Whare Flat, which is being kept for finishing off the metal after the ruts have heen raked in. The Mosgiel maintenance metal contract is also completed, and tho Kaikorai and Outram maintenance contracts are in progress. Mr R. Spiers, whose tender was accepted at last meeting for breaking metal at Flagstaff, has written me that he is not ablo to proceed with the work, as he cannot procure stone-breakers who will camp out for the contract. Tho Labour Department has sent a number of men to my office inquiring for work and I have offered to let contracts for any reasonable quantity— say, 50yds or 100yds—to any breaker or gang of breakers at 3s od per cubic yard. Mr J. M'Ennis (Public Works Engineer) inspected the site for the erection of the bridge over Boat Harbour Creek, at Brighton, und has approved of the plans, but it will be necessary to obtain authority from Wellington before the contract can be signed. I have written to Mr E.. H. Clark, M.P., asking him to try and expedite matters in Wellington. The stonecrusher has worked at Mosgiel quarry during the month. Four hundred and twenty yards of metal have been delivered'from the quarry and 300 yds stored at the depot, A number of minor bridge repairs have boon effected, and your instructions regarding flood box on Riccarton road, ■ repairs to Momona roads, surfacing of Mount Stoker road, and gravelling Woodsido road have received attention."

lii connection with the metal contract at Flagstaff, the engineer stated that Mr Spiers had come to Dunedin and had tried to get mem to go up there and break stones, but had been unable to do so. He bad also tried to get men to go to Flagstaff, but had been unsuccessful. In the circumstances he would recommend that the contractor's deposit be refunded.—This course was agreed upon.

In regard to the Boat Harbour bridge at Brighton, the engineer stated that ho had forwarded tho plans to the Marine Department and the Public Works Department some three months ago. No acknowledgement had been received from the former, and he had found it necessary to call on tho latter every week. However, he did not blame,the Dunedin office as much as he did the department in Wellington. Mr M'Ennis had inspected the site chosen and had stated that it was the best one available. With a view to expediting matters he had communicated , with Mr Clark, and he had taken up the matter. However, advice had been received that day stating that the plans were held up in Wellington in regard to matters affecting navigation.—(Laughter.) That was, of course, a farce, for the question of navigation did not enter into the matter at all— Cr Blackio remarked that some of the Brighton residents seemed to be throwing cold water on the scheme.—The Chairman said he thought the council should repair the old bridge, and not take any further trouble about a grant for the new bridge. —Cr Christio expressed the' opinion that two residents of Brighton were hanging up the whole matter with tho object of getting u more expensive bridge erected. —It was decided, on the motion of Cr Blackio, seconded by Cr Christio, that the erection of the new bridge be abandoned if authority to procoed with it "does not come to hand hefore tho next meeting of the council. In the alternative tho old bridge, which was not in a very safe condition, would be repaired. CORRESPONDENCE. Tho District Engineer, New Zealand Railways, wrote applying for permission to put down a iin water pipe across the road at the stationmaster's, residence, Abbotsford — Granted on the tisual conditions. The Te Awamutu Chamberof Commerce wrote asking for support to a motion to be forwarded to the Government petitioning that slep6 bo taken to minimise the risks of accidents to human life at railway crossings, and also suggesting that competitive designs should bo called for an apparatus that would, give notice of an approaching train.—Cr Blackio stated that the council should support this resolution, as thero were a number of very dangerous crossings in the country*— It was decided to support the resolution.

The Green Island Borough Council' wrote asking for a, donation towards the cost of extending the boundaries of the oometery.— It was resolved to ask for a copy of the balance sheet for the past five years, "when the matter would be considered.

Allan Mann and two others wrote petitioning for gravel for thcroad leading to the oatmeal milk at Woodsidc—To bo held over until gravel is available from Fulton's Creek. - •

Tho Taieri and _ Peninsula Milt SupplyCompany wrote asking for a, truck of metal to put down in front of its creamery at Otokia.—This letter had boeri received during the month, and tho' engineer had replied that a truck weuld bo forwarded if tho company would do the carting.—Thei company had accepted on these terms.— Action approved. C. E. Ilassell, Leo Stream, wrote, in reply to tho council's letter, stating that tho ratepayers had no intention of allowing tho "fourtlts" from fcbeir runs to b* expended on a bridge. The money wa6 required for roads. Ho had written in March Inst to the Land Board, objecting to tho " fourths " from his run being spent on this work or anywhere else but on roads giving access to his property— Received. T. W. 'Wise, Middlema.rch, wrote applying for a pipe to bo put in front of h ; e shop to toko away storm water; also, asking that a few loads of gravel be put on the road at the same place—Cre Blackie and Elliott were given power to act in this matter.

Mr Wiso furt.hcr wroto applying for pormifision to oarf) about 50 loads of river gravel for the erection of a : Sunday school in Middfemarcn.—Council to offor no objection.

R. Walker, Middlomarch, wroto drawintt Attention to some ncccssarv repairs to rondv in Middloiimrch, and pointing out tho want of a surfaceman in that locality.—Engineer to act.

J. K Jones, Brighton, wrote asking the council to take over the stormwater drain hading the water from Seaview street to the beaoh,—Cr Christie stated tot tho drain, wes in a road 1 over which the 'council had no jurisdiction.—lt was decided not to accede to the request,

G. Patorson, Winmitui, wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the road m front of his place, and asking that the matter be attended to.—Left in the hands of Cr Gow and the engineer. TI. A. Christie (secretory Concord Presbytoriaat sChurch) wrote asking the council, to take steps to, prevent the overflow water from the read running on to the church property.—Cr Freeman' and' the engineer to act.

E). R. Grant, wrote requestint; porniimon to take n few loads of eartii from a bank on the roanVdo near his plare on tho Main road.—Permission granted, subject to inspector's approval. _ W. Robertson wrote asking the council to blind tho metal on the road between Witlowbank and the township as it was unsafe to drive on.—Engineer to act.

"W". I).' Mason (chairman of the Arden and Middiem'nrch Drn-nnge Committor) wrote nsk'nff the council to take over the plans and love 1 '! for the drainage of M'ddlem&rch and \rdon- townships, and enclosing a list of 27 signatories who epdoreed the

proposal—The Engineer stated that the plans had been handed to the committee when the matter was first introduced three years ago.—lt was decided to give further consideration when the engineer is plans were returned to tho council.

R. M. Johnstone, J. M'Phee, and 11. M'Grath (Sutton) wrote asking tiw oouncil to devote some attention to tie road leading from their properties to the Sutton railway ading.—To be attended to.

FINAXCE. / The Finance Committee reported that accounts amounting to £881 15s Id bad been passed for payment. The receipts for the past four weeks had amounted to £34 14s 44 and the bank book showed a debit' balance of £5863 15s ld.-Adopted.

GENERAL,

Or Christie suggested that the engineer should be sent to Wellington to endeavour to obtain 6ome of tho grants for the various works in the county, and .he would movo a resolution to that effect—Several councillors expressed the opinion that not much good would result from this course, and the chairman remarked that it was hardly fair to depute a Bervant of the council to perform a duty of that kind.—The motion wns lost.

Cr Christie stated that he had received numerous complaints about the state of the water tables on the Brighton road between the creamery and Ruri Bush. He would suggest that they be cleaned out by ploughing, and that (his method should be adopted throughout the county.—A motion was carried to this effect