BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18851, 2 May 1923, Page 4

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of tho Bruco County Council was held yesterday, when there were present: Crs Bell (chairman), J. Allan, King, Clark, Benton, Gardyne, Sheat, Johnston. Driver, Bussell, and Scott. OBJECTION TO HOSPITAL BOARD LOAN. The Secretary of tho South Otago Hospital Board advised, in connection with the £25,000 loan at 5j per cent, with a currency of 16 years it is proposed to raise, that the Bruce County’s share of the £3373 payable annually in interest and sinking fund would be £SBO Ci Clark did not know how tho estimate had been reached. As payments were made from year to year the amount should become less every year

Cr Bussell said that tho term was too short.

Cr Johnston thought that a term of 32 years with a payment of £260 per annum would be preferable.

Cr Russell declared that the present generation should not bo asked to pay the lot. He moved—“ That this meeting object to the proposal and ,that the term be doubled.’’ Cr Benton seconded the motion.

Cr Clark stated that he agreed with the council. Unfortunately, the levies were going to be somewhat heavier than had been expected, for a worse time for building could not have been struck. Further, tho board was’ not altogether its own boss,- and the department had'insisted upon the building of cottage hospitals up to a higher standard than it would have built - otherwise. - Tho department did not appear-' to be particular about the expenditure of an extra thousand or two. He thought that the council could rest assured that the board would do its best for them, and they could, also' bo’ sure that their levies would not come up to the eum they would Have had to pay into Dunedin but for the separation. «> The motion was carried. CORRESPONDENCE.

The Ohinemuri County Council asked that the council should support the following resolutions:—(l) That 'the Motor Registration Act of 1908 be so amended as to compel an annual registration, and tho payment of, a license fee for private vehicles, and that such annual license be fixed on tho weight, horse-power, and carrying capacity of the vehicle. (2) that the law bo amended so that the provisions of section 5, subsections 1 and 2, of the Counties- Amendment Act. 1915, shall apply mutatis mutandis to all the counties in tho dominion* instead of only to the counties named in the Act. —It was decided to forward the letter to the Counties’ Conference, which is to be held at Christchurch, to consider the question. The Education Board wrote asking for permission to open the road for the purpose of the laying of tho pipes to drain from the Hill end School property. —Permission granted The Kaituna Coal Company wrote that the Kaitangata-Wangaloa road at the airahaft was in a very bad condition. It was asked that this should be put in order.—The work to he carried out when (the necessary authority is obtained. The Milton ‘W.E.A., in conformity with its decision to ask members of local bodies to attend its meetings, invited the councillors to attend a discussion on "Society apd its Problems.”—lnvitation accepted with thanks. Johnston and Smith advised that «they found it impossible to do the work on the Moore’s Flat road for £2O, and they asked that tho council should consider payment of Is 9d per yard.—Received. James Knnrston, Taieri Mouth, wrote requesting some pipes for a culvert.--Request granted. Four residents advised that the road from the Main Greenfield road at Newton to Tuapeka Mouth was in a state dangerous to all wheeled traffic.—To be repaired in the spring. The Acting; Secretary of the Greenfields Farmers’ Union wrote complaining that there -was no definite rule of tho road observed on the • Tuapeka Mouth-Greenfield road along the river’bank It was suggested that notices should be put up at each end.— It was decided to advise the writers that it was not thought advisable to interfere with the existing rule of the rottd but to suggest that horsemen should pull to the side and stop on meeting other traffic. INSPECTOR’S DEPORT. The Inspector reported that on the 20th of the month cue- of Messrs Leonard Bros, traction engines broke through a small bridge on the Roxburgh Station road whilst creasing' without planks. This bridge was repaired the next day at a coat of £ls 15s 6d. Tho water-tables on a portion of the Stony Creek road had been cleaned out with plough and scoop, and stone quarried ready to fill the worst holes in tho road. Very little had been done during tho month in the way of ordinary county work owing to tho flood on the 22nd. —It was decided to ask Leonard Bros, to contribute towards the coat of repairing the bridge, FINANCE. The statement of accounts showed that the receipts were £llll and the expenditure £647 during the month. Cr Clark gave notice to move—“ That the rates for next year bo the same as last year, with (he exception of the hospital rate, which ho raised from 5-16 d in tho pound'to 7-16 din tho pound.” Cr Etenton reported on tho inspection that Had been mad© of the Matau bridge, recommending that it be re-decked.- -It was decided to call tenders for the work. FELICITATIONS.

At tho conclusion of tho mooting the Chairman thanked tho councillors for ths support accorded him. Jie was euro that every member of the council had done his duty by the ratepayers. The chairman also extended his thanks to tho staff and the press.

Cr Drive* extended thanks on behalf of the council, -and expressed high appreciation of the manner in which the chairman had carried through the duties of his office.