BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18141, 12 January 1921, Page 9

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Bruce County Council, held yesterday, was attended by Crs Gardyne (chairman), Bussell, Scott, Clark, iteuton. Driver, Johnson, Sheat, Bell, Allan, and Blair. INSPECTOR'S REPORT The county inspector reported that during the month endled December 31 a culvert of SJft concrete pipes had been put in at Gmny’e Bush above the ford to carry the new load. The grader is at present working on the Clarendon-Berwick road. A culvert of 3ft concrete pipes is required on the Milburn-Circle Hill road near the Main road to replace an old culvert of wood and stone. A start has been made during the montn to expend the Government vote tor continuing the Coombe Hay-Wangaloa road across Shagxee Swamp, the work being done by day labour. Tho contractor has completed the Aka tore Hill contract, and the metal carting contract to the Dakeside-Stirlmg road is completed. A start has been made with the two contracts on the road between Akatore Creek and Coast road, also with th~ Manuka-Mount Stuart metalling contract.—The report was received. ROAD FROM CRICHTON MINE. Mosers I. Patterson and T. H. Lee (Reefton) waited on the council as a deputation from, the Crichton Coal Company to support the offer it had submitted to the council for repairing and maintaining the road from the mine to the Crichton railway station. Mr Patterson stated that the company was prepared to meet one-third cost as estimated by the council’s inspector of putting the road in thorough repair. He hoped to have the coal widely used by farmers in tho vicinity, and that would mean that the road would be much more used. They offered to pay a rate of 2d per ton per mile for maintenance. They proposed to Jay a tramway to the railway line, but at the 'present time they were faced with strong opposition from the Railway Department. . , Mr T. H. Dee also supported! the proposal of the company. The Clerk read a letter from the council asking the company to pay two-thirds of the cost of putting tho road in repair. He stated that the total estimated cost of repairing the road from the mine to the Crichton railway station was £l9O, of which the council was to pay a third, the company a third, and the Government a third.—Discussion arose as to whether tho 2d rate should he charged on all coal taken from the mine and as to whether it should be charged as a flat rate for the whole distance of 90 chains or whether it, should be charged "per mile or fraction thereof.” Eventually it was agreed to fix the maintenance rate at 3d a ton for all coal going over the road, the agreement to stand for 12 months, and any necessary adjustment to be then made. Mr Patterson contended that it was unfair that the company should be made responsible for the whole of the maintenance of this public road. They were quite willing to pay a full share of the cost. Cr Clark said it was not intended to make the company responsible for tho whole of the maintenance. Mr Patterson suggested that as the company was bearing a third of the cost of the repair it should also bear a third of the maintenance. It was eventually made clear that the com pany would not bo expected to bear tho cost of traffic for which it was Uot responsible. Mr Patterson, before retiring, thanked the council for its fair and business-like reception and for its courtesy and consideration. CORRESPONDENCE. The Acting Clerk _of the Clutha County Council wrote replying that the estimated cost of erecting cattle stops at the approaches to the South Molyneux punt is £45. —On the motion of Cr Renton, it was decided *o have these cattle stops erected. Messrs W. MTntoah and E. Marten, Tokoiti, wrote reqtiesting that the council would place a culvert on the cross road at the north end of Tokoiti township.—Tho request was agreed to. D. M'Gregor Reid, Milton, wrote applying for permission to put a lin pipe across tho road to his house.—Permission granted. The Town Clerk, Kaitangata, forwarded a resolution from his council asking tho Bruce. County Council to remove the oridge ever the old canal, fill up the canal to the full width of Clyde terrace, and metal the surface and put it into proper order for traffic—Cr Ben ton said that the road belonged to the Eaitangata ' Council, and pointed out that the bridge might yet be wanted.—lt was decided simply to receive the letter. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, wrote offering a subsidy of £3OO (£ for £) to enable the council to carry out necessary repairs to the Kaitangaia-Wangaloa road.— Received. T. Gage, Kaitangata, wrote stating that he understood the council was seeking a grant for metalling the Kaitangata-Wangaloa road to Morrison Bros.’ mines. In the event of the council granting Morrison Bros.’ request for permission to lay a tramway along tho road he suggested that it be granted subject to all the mines on section 4, block IX, having their coal carried along this tramway on terms to be agreed upon and signed before the permit be granted. The Manager of the Kaituna Coal Company wrote with reference to the granting of tramway rights to connect up with the branch road constructed by the Public Works and themselves, stating that the company was not against this in any way. He asked the council to eee that all the mines did their share m the matter of back-loading metal—Held over.

Town Clerk, Milton, wrote bringing l before the council the necessity for a larger P}Pe th « culvert crossing the road near Mr Wilson a farm.—On the motion of Or Bussell, it was decided to write and ask the council what size of culvert was required. The Clerk, Tokomairiro River Board, wrote asking the council's attention to the willows growing at the Salvation Bridge, and also at the groyne above the bridge. The board considered it best that the council should attend to these willows, seeing they had been planted to protect the bridge and groyne.— The matter was referred to the members for the riding and the inspector to report. The Clerk, Matau River Board, wrote bringing under the notice of the council the necessity of raising the roadway to the height of the river banks where these cross the road at the Hermitage, end of Smith’s road, at Weir’s, at the end of Swamp road, and at Blackie’s.—Cr Renton said he had informed the River Board that it was its duty to undertake this work.—The county clerk said he had written to the River Board stating that it had permission to raise the roads to the required level, provided the road was not interfered with. The council would supply the metal necessary.—Cr Clark urged that the Council should co-operate with the board as far as possible, hut Ci Driver took the view that this work was the Oliver Board’s duty.—lt was eventualy agreed that the River Board should pay for tho surfacemen and the council supply the metal. John T. Wilson, Anderson’s Bay, wrote suggesting certain alterations in the proposed agreement for the acquirement of a portion of hia property in block IV, Hillend survey district, for road purposes.—The matter was left in the hands of Cr Clark to act. GENE&AL. Receipts for the past month amounted to £l2l 19e and expenditure to £1602 Is 7d. Tho ranger’s report showed that 31 cattle and four horses had been found wandering during the past month. J. Hyslop, Greenfield, wrote stating that, for health reasons, ho would not be a candidate for a position on the Clutha River Board The Secretary, Greenfield Farmers’ Union, wrote stating that the union had nominated Mr James Allan, of Greenfield, as candidate for a seat on the Clutha River Board.—Mr Allan was unanimously appointed by the council. The following tenders were accepted:—72 chains formation end metalling, Coast road, Glenledi (two tender's), James M’Guigan, £6 17s 6d per chain; 45 chains formation and metalling at Blackburn School, John Blair, £8 10s per chain; earthwork end cutting at BHokburn School, John Blair, £18; formation and metalling, Awamangu, John Blair, 17 chains rrt £8 150 and 60 'chains at £7 15s. There is a restaurant in London for men only, with a private chapel on the premises. It is in Pilgrim street, almost under the shadow of St. Paul’s Cathedral. In a large room decked with pictures, but otherwise furnished with monastic severity, one may lunch well and_ reasonably, but only on fish and eggs if it happens to be The most astonishing fact in connection with the coal position is the way China has developed as a coal-supplying nation. Formerly she bought from Britain, but now she is able to supply the whole of her own needs, amounting to 20,000,000 tons a year, and to sell fuel to other countries wmch were formerly British customers. It is interesting to know that, while other coal-owning nations are bemoaning decreased output, China is increasing her output.