CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18954, 30 August 1923, Page 11

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting held at Balclutha on Tuesday was attended by Mr Thos. Maginness (chairman), and Crs D. Ji. Jack, W. M‘lndue, W. S. Thomson, A. B’. Harris, Wm, Lawson, George Hay, W. J. M'Kenzie, Jas. Gumming, and George Bunn. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr J. H. Lewis) reported for the period ended August 28: Bridges.—Work on Jacobson’s bridge had to ho suspended during the latter half of the month, duo mostly to delay in supply of timber. Everything is in readiness for quick completion as soon as the remaining truss timbers come to hand. Hay’s bridge gang did some work to Mitchell’s bridge, but were most of the time laying concrete pipes at Cullen’s and Finlayson's. Work has been commenced on the replacement of Milner’s suspension bridge. A ford has been made >o let traffic pass at Upper Mound bridge, and a similar course is proposed at the site of Hickman's bridge, or in the alternative to put up a light bridge of bush timber. Sundry repairs, have been made to Gow’s bridge, Walker’s bridge, and Kelso bridge. Metalling, etc.—ln Glenkenich Riding surfacing has been done on Telegraph road, Maitland Valley, and Kelso-Koi roads, and a culvert put in. on Maitland Valley road. Some protective work in cutting and plants ing willows has been done on the Poinahaka River near Kelso. In Waipahi Riding stone has been quarried in Webb’s quarry, and surfacing done on Waipahi-Clinton and WaipahiArthurton roads. In Poinahaka Riding the large concrete pipes have been laid on Clement’s road, and a 9-inch pipe on Millar’s road. Temporary repairs were made to a culvert near Laurie’s on the Pomahaka Downs road, whore new 21-inch concrete pipes arc needed. Stone has been quarried in Taylor's quarry ready for carting out. In Clinton Riding a culvert was put in on Osborne’s road; 135 yards of gravel was carted from Kuriwao Creek and put down on Fishponds road, the aides of which were also ploughed and graded in. Work is in hand at Marshall’s Ford. In Clydevale Riding surfacing has been, done on ClydevaleTuapcka Mouth, Mitchell’s, and Tnapeka Xloulh-Rongabere roads. In Clinton Riding the ploughing and scooping of water-tables on the Waiwera-Kaihiku section of Main road was finished. The metalling of Johnson’s road has been carried on, and Logan s Point metal laid on Jack’s road. Watertabling has been done on the latter road, and some surfacing on Main road and To Houka road’. In Richardson Riding water tabling has been done and metal spread on Croydon, White Plat, and Main Waitepeka roads. In South Molyneux Riding an 18inoh pipe culvert has been put in on the Glenoniaru-Ahuriri road. Water-tabling and surfacing has been done on Ahuriri Flat, Glonomaru-Romahapa, and Port Molyneux roads. In Catlins Riding repairs to cmverts ond clearing slips have been carried out on Cannibal Bay road, Friend’s, Woodrow's, and Owaka Valley roads. One new culvert was out in on Cannibal Bay road. Metal has been cleaned up and replaced whore washed off road. Water-tables, ditches, and slips have been attended to on the Main Waikawr. road. In Maclennan Riding practically ttio whole month was taken up with flood damage repairs on Kaler’s Saddle and Houipapa ’•cads. —Report adopted. On the motion of Crs M'Kenzie and Lawson it was agreed that tenders be called for next meeting for the first portion of KoiKelso road at sections 22, 23, and 24, block 11, Glenkenich, subject to approval of the Public Works Department. FINANCE. Receipts.—Rates £195 13s 2d, motor receipts £lO 2s, miscellaneous £l, rents £2 2s, flog tax £43, refund bridges £1 5s; —total, £253 2s 2d. Expenditure.—Bridges and ferries £lB2 Os Bd, land fund £37 10s, general £B9B 14s 2di — total, £lllß 4s sd. The Finance Committee’s report was odopted, and the paysheet passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. The South Otago Hospital Board forwarded account for levy for 1923-24 amounting to £4816 16s 7d, and advised that they would be pleased to receive same in monthly payments. —Received with thanks. The Chief Surveyor, Lands Department, Dunedin, wrote asking council to pass formal resolution of consent with reference to road in section 16, block XIV, Pomahaka Downs Settlement.—Consent granted. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, forwarded ranger’s report in connection with exchange by D. W. Morgan, of quarry reserve, section 2, block IV, Tautuku district, for part of hia property, and pointing out that the matter rested with the council and Mr Morgan to arrange.—lt was agreed that the member for the riding (Cr Lawson), Mr Morgan, and the engineer meet on the ground to discuss the matter. The Deputy Health Inspector forwarded monthly report of inspections made. —Received.

Dr J. E. K. Brown, medical officer, Balchttha, notified three cases of scarlet fever in Balohitha. —Received.

H. Simson, manager South Otago Freezing Company, wrote that the company proposed to put a flood bank along the front of the works at the boundary of the Finega_nd road, and would be pleased to discuss the matter with the council’s engineer before starting the work. —It was agreed to offer no objection to the election of the bank, provided the company maintained the width of the road and left it in the same state as at present Allan Clark (Glcnomaru) wrote objecting to the delay in erecting the bridge over thj Glcnomaru Stream at Jacobson’s, as until it was fixed up ho could not work his land, and pedestrians were put to great inconvenience.—Cr Hay moved that a temporary bridge bo erected. — Agreed to. James Caley (Paretai) again drew attention to the piece of Centre road, Otanomomo, left unfinished, and asked that the matter be attended to.—The Commissioner of Crown Bands wrote in reference to the same matter, and asked if the council would do anything on the 14 chains referred to.—Decided that the Land Board be asked to apply for a Government grant to compoleto the work. W. C. Mochen (Popotunoa) drew attention to the ■ bad state of the entrance to hia property, and suggested that council supply him with pipes to put in a culvert. —Left to the member for the riding and the engineer to attend to. A. Ombler (Puketiro) wrote soliciting the council’s support in requesting the Minister of Public AYorks to make a grant to complete access to his property on the Catlins Yalley-Table Hill road near ■ Puke tiro.—The Engineer stated there was a Government grant of £4OO {£ for £) for this road. —It was decided to ask the Government for a straight-out grant. Kenneth Simpson and five other residents of Finegand asked that something be done to the’ road leading off Finegand road at O’Hara’s corner, and offering assistance in the way of labour. —Held over. Mrs C. Sharpe (Tawanui) wrote protesting against the erection of buildings on the foreshore at Pounawea, as they interfered with the view from her residence. —The Chairman said the foreshore was waste land, and it did not com© within the jurisdiction of the council.

G. C. Godfrey, member of the Main Highways Board, wrote stating that five of the 17 proposed groups of counties had objected to the grouping. Fresh groups had been arranged, and the board asked council to give these their careful consideration, and indicate approval or otherwise as early as possible, as until the disputed groups were settled the. board could not make any further progress.—lt was decided to adhere to the original grouping.

F. W. Furkert, chairman Main Highways Board, forwarded schedule asking lor information as to the equipment possessed by local bodies which would bo suitable for the purpose of assisting the operations of the Main Highways Board. —Engineer to supply the information. .

T. W. D. Mncro (Tahakopa) made application for renewal of billiard room license. — Granted.

James Lee (Glenmnaru) wrote drawing attention to the impassable state of Havard’s road leading to his property.—Agreed to surface the road, on the motion of Cr Hay. G. Naumann (Pukctiro) drew attention to the menace to the dairying industry by the ragwort pest, and said it was high time something was done to keep this noxious weed under control, either by fines or grazing sheep.—;To be referred to Agricultural Department IV. J. E. M'Callum (Owaka) wrote with reference to the bridge at “The Landing.’ The writer stated that he understood this bridge was closed as unsafe for traffic, and yet last month it was strong enough to carry a four-ton load on a wagon and four horses, and he asked why the council would not permit the Public Works Department to cart metal oVer the bridge. If this permission was not granted the settlers could not get the road at Pullar's Hill metalled. He asked that if the permission was not given that the bridge be repaired so that the Public Works Department could get on with this necessary work.—The Chairman said the bridge was safe for light traffic only, and anyone who took a heavy load over it was doing so at his own -risk. It was a county bridge.—The Engineer said the Public Works bad not asked to cart metal over the bridge. —The Chairman moved that Mr M'Callum be informed of the position.—Agreed to. Hugh M'Coll and Wm. Burnett, Kelso, requested the council to have the willows cut along Swamp read, leading past Mr Dynes'*, and so improve the road. —Lift to Cr M'Kcncic to attend to. Alex. M'lniyre and 20 other ratepayers in Glonkenich Riding petitioned council to have the £SOO (£ for £ Government grant) on the Waikoikoi to Kelso road expended this year.—To be attended to later on. J. L. Christie (Puerua) wrote stating that his stock bridge had been washed away by a flood, and asking council to assist him in replacing it. He was to supply the wood and would do the work if council paid him for the time.—Referred to the engineer to report. Jas. Morris (Tahakopa) made application to lay a tramway across the road opposite section 2, block 11, Tautuku S.D. —Granted on the usual conditions, V. -J. Albrecht (Clydevale) acknowledged receipt of notice to remove buildings, camp, ew., from roadline, and pointed out that a mistake must have been made, as his property was on the Acclimatisation Society’s land. Mr J. Allan (Clydevale) had a shed on the' middle of the road, also two fences.— Held over till next meeting. E. F. Pannett (Clydevale) wrote pointing out the unsatisfactory way in which the Tnapeka Mouth punt had been running thie winter. The writer stated that owing to the low river traffic had been held up, and children had lost a lot of school time. Ho asked that something be done to keep the punt, going. He suggested dredging the slit bank that blocked the punt out, or r ailinr that, that the site be shifted.—lt was pointed out that the punt was under the control of the Tnapeka County Council, and it was codded to refer the letter to that body. Robert W. Duncan (Glenomaru) asked fust something be done to give access to his property, as the present condition of the road was out of all reason.—The Engineer f aid there was £SO on the Estimates for this road, and it was a matter for the Public Woncs Department. J ohn M'Donald (Houipapa) wrote a detailed account of the damage done by the flood of April last to the left bank approach to the Houipapa Ford, near the Houipapa railway bridge. The writer also drew attention to a deficiency in the road alongside the frontages of Messrs T. and F. Wilson, R. Thompson, and his sections, and asked that these matters be attended to. —The Chairman said it was a small matter, and he moved that the matters complained of be attended to. — A Councillor: Also that the writer be complimented on his literary ability.—(Laughter.) —Motion carried. H. G. Hunt (Clinton) wrote asking the council’s consent to erect a party lino on Clinton-Pomahaka road. —Granted.

W. H. Melton (Popotunoa) wrote on behalf of eix or more settlers applying for permission to erect a telephone party ware connecting from the Popptunoa School corner along the roddline to Mr Fletcher’s property.—Permission granted. John M’lmren (Eomah-apa) applied for the position of surfaceman.—Appointment left to engineer and Cr Hay. C. W. Body (Kelso) wrote that he bad got a man to do 10 chains of gravelling at Waikoikoi at 3s per yard. The grading would be done free.—lt was decided to accept the arrangement made. Thos. Chapman and 16 other ratepayers of Clydevalo Riding petitioned council to put in a ditch 2ft deep and 30 chains long on the Tapanni-Clydevale road, where it runs through the property of John Miller and Sons: also that six small pine culverts ho put in the road from the TVharetoa School to county' boundary.—Cr Bunn said tho road was a mere sheep track, and had not been cnlverted. He had already authorised £5 of labour on it by Mr Chapman, and thought he might bo able to spend up to £lo. —Left to the member for the riding. D. Finlayson (Purekireki) wrote with, reference to the state of tho Fnerua Valley and Lochindorb roads. The roads had been neglected for many years, and the proposal to make a road round the Mound did not overcome the difficulty., There were other outlets, however, that could be considered. — The Chairman said applicant’s proper outlet was through Katea into Owaka, and if the money were spent there it would be an advantage. That would mean dispensing with two of the proposed bridges over the Puerua. Tt was agreed that Cre Thomson, Harris, Hay, the chairman, and the engineer confer on the ground on a date to bo arranged, and report to the next meeting of council.

W. Wright and S. Linwood (Houipapa) wrote drawing attention to the state of a footbridge damaged by flood.—Bridge to be o'ttended to.

R. D. Yeitch, district telegraph engineer, asked the council to forward a fresh guarantee in respect to Purakauiti telephone office, and pointing out that the one received hardly covered what was required by the department.—A fresh guarantee to be procured from the settlers. POWER BOARD DISTRICT.

Hon. J. ■ G. Coates (Minister of Publio Works) wrote that the inclusion of the greater part of Clutha County in the outer area of the Otago Electric Power District did not submit that district to any rating authority, and there was no provision under the Electric Power Boards Act for referring the questions of inclusion in the outer area to the ratepayers. Any portion of the outer area could at any time by petition be included in the inner area, and it was suggested that if tho ratepayers of the county or any portion of the countv considered that they should be included in the district or inner area that a petition should be presented at once. —Received. RANGER’S REPORT. Tho County Banger reported having found the following stock wandering during August: —Cattle 16,, horses 6, pigs 4.—Received. COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE. The Clerk read a report of the main business at the Counties’ Conference in Wellington, and the Chairman thanked the delegates (Cr Gumming and Mr M'Donald, county clerk) for their services.—Or Gumming said the council's remit to the effect that the executive be appointed according to provincial districts in so far as the South Island was concerned, had not a chance to come on before tho election took place. However, tho president said he agreed with the spirit of it, and as it turned out the five South Island members were well distributed, and there wore two hailing from south of Oamaru—viz., Messrs R. A. Rodger and Lethbridge. As the council had got what they were after, he considered it advisable to withdrew the remit.

Owing to the painfully sudden death of Cr Bunn, during the course of the meeting, the council adjourned before all the business had been completed.