BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19136, 2 April 1924, Page 4

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Bruce County Council was held at Milton yesterday; prosent —Crs H. M. Driver (chairman), T. ►Scott, D. M‘( Iregor, W. Bell, T. Johnstone, A. Kenton, J. Clark, A. King, V. Wilson, D. Gardyne, and W. Sheat. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

The county inspector reported os follows on the works in the county for the month ended March 31 settlors at Hillcnd have completed the free grading on the Lovell's Flal-llillend road, and a start has been made to quarry stone for the metalling, Several settlers are doing sonic free grading on the road between Grange Hill and Moanariri, Glenledi Ridin~. Two concrete retaining walls have been built at Mount Sleep to protect the road where it was damaged by flood waters last year< Maintenance metal has boon put down on the Centre road, Inch Clutlia, Alexander’s and Murray’s roads, Clarksville, and a start has been made to metal Harvey’s road, Benhar. Two hundred tons of big stone has been put in at the canal lock and bridge, Koilungata, to protect the outlet and banks of the canal. Thomson’s bridge, on North Branch read, has been completed, and will be opened for traffic at the beginning of May. The following works under Government votes have been completed during tho month-.—Mount Stuart to Hillend, formation and metalling; Telegraph > road, formation and gravelling; Pearson’s Hill, formation; and several other works are making good progress. The 6in culvert across Quirk’s road has been taken out. Quotations have been received from three firms for various makes and sizes in graders, A hawthorn fence on tho road _at Mr Bartlett’s, Akatore, requires cutting back and lowering. The stone walls in the culvert across the Clarkosville main drain on tho school road are falling in, and I recommend that this culvert bo replaced with sft concrete pipes.—The report was adopted. RANGER’S REPORT. The ranger reported that during March the following animals had been found 'wan-

dering on the roads: —Toko Riding—seven horses, one cattle; Waihola Riding—horse, two cattle; Clarendon Riding—six cattle and 60 sheep.— I The report was adopted. _ . A deputation representative of settlers of Taiori Mouth and Taieri Beach, the Amenities Sociely ; and the Farmers’ Union, Taieri Mouth, waited on the council with regard to the erection of scrub fences to stay the drift of the sand.—Mr J. S. Joseph stated that the settlers had undertaken to assist in erecting a scrub fence, and one settler had offered £7 or £8 towards the cost. They asked that the council assist them, and also endeavour to get the Government to do something. Tho position was becoming acute, and half a mile of sand was gradually drifting over the road. If it went on it would cover and blook the road from Milton to Dunedin. —Tho chairman stated that when tho Minister was in the district ho had promised to send a report on the matter, and as the council had not yet received tho report he would suggest that the matter be left over for a month.—This course was decided upon, on the motion of Cr Bell. Tho Town Clerk, Milton, wrote extending an invitation to the members of the colincu to be present nt a reception to his Excellency the Governor-General, to bo held at the public school grounds on Luosday, April B.—Received. . . . The Tuapeka County Council wroth stating that it hod decided to erect a targe and conspicuous danger signal at the railway crossing at Round Hill.—Received. Tho Beaumont Racing Club and the lunpeka. County Jockey Club wrote intimating that wore prepared to subsidise any ► amount tho council might offer with a view to having the Bullock Track oyer Manuka Gorge gravelled and the ruts filled in before Easter, on a £l for £1 basis, the amount paid by each club not to exceed £7 10a. or £ls ior the two clubs.—Cr Sheat said that considering there was . another toad it would bo a waste of money to do this work. On his motion it was decided to reply stating that the offer waa a good one, hut that tho council could not consider doing the work. With the approach of winter and tho prospect <>£ bacf roads, Mr T II Barton. Milburn, wrote drawing tho council’s attention to tho road leading to his property. He slated that the road became greasy and dirty after tho least rain, and in winter was almost impassable. There were many pot-holes which needed filling, and some gravel he had on his property ho would give tho council if it would put it on the road. -The Chairman said ho know the road, and as the council would get the gravel for nothing it would not cost much to fill the pot-holes.—On the motion of Cr Bell it was decided to spend up to £5 on the work.

With regard to clearing out the creek on Station road. Mr T. H. Russell, Milburn, wrote asking the council to reconsider bis letter which was received at the last meeting. The creek carried a largo quantity of water, and was never dry. There was no doubt that a. heavy fall of rain would cause damage.—The Chairman said Mr Russell had communicated with him, and wanted it pointed out that. it. was not an ordinary ditch, but u watershed. He had also pointed out that if nothing were done he would fight it.—CV M’Gregor moved that n deputation consisting of the chairman, Crs Clark, Scott, Gardyne, and the inspector visit the locality and report at the next meeting.—(T Scott seconded the motion, which was carried.

A request for permission to remove soil on Tokoiti road, under the council’s inspector’s supervision, was received from Mr A. Allison, of Milton.—Cr Scott moved that matter be left, to the inspector to report.— Carried.

The Kailuna Coal Company (Ltd.), Kaitangata, wrote with reference to its contract for metalling, and intimated that it desired to cancel the contract and cart the meal free of charge,- It had been found that the company's outstanding royalty was more than could. bo overtaken at present, and it was therefore prepared to go on with the contract as it stood, and to cart such metal, over and above the contract, for the unmetallcd portion free of charge.— It was decided that the contract ho gotie on with. Permission to plant n few trees on the road at the rear of his house was sought by Mr fl. SmailJ, of North Balclutha.—The matter was left in the hands of Cr King and the inspector, with power to act. The Main Highways Board, Wellington, wrote stating (hat in connection with the proclamation of main roads within the Milton district, and before issuing the proclamation. the board would like to have an assurance from toe council that it would continue to carry out the work of maintenance on behalf of the Highways Board, at least up to the present standard, needing definite arrangements as between the ooard and the council for the, delegation to the council of some or nil of the powers of the board in connection with the roads in question. The council would understand that the board would pay one-third of the cost of such maintenance from date of declaration. With reference to roads which it was suggested for the purposes of section 22 should be declared Government roads ns well as main highways, and before taking any action in this direction the board wished to know whether the council was prepared to contribute lo maintenance on the basis of its present expenditure, leaving any further sum required to be made up from main highways fund. Any arrangements made now would bo subject to review from, time to time until a satisfactory permanent basis was evolved. -—cr Clark said he must protest, it was evident. they did not trust the council.—The Chairman said it was the council which was not trusting the board.—(laughter.) After a brief discussion it was decided to agree to the terms of tno letter. The Milton Borough Council wrote stating that, acting on the advice of the District Health Officer, it had applied lo the Governor-General, through the Minister of Public Health, for permission to control (ho river banke and stream of the north branch of toe Tokomairiro River from the intake of the borough’s water suppl- to the source. The council was taking (his step in order, as far as possible, lo prevent the pollution of the water. The Hep was taken entirely in the interests of the public health of Milton, and as far as the council wag aware would not. conflict with the interests of tho County Council.—Cr Scott, expressed the opinion that ft would do no harm, but that tnat they should know what was meant by control, and be moved that the matter he left over for a month.—The motion was carried.

The Clerk presented the financial statement. showing a total of £11,230 15s 2d for receipts, and expenditure amounting (o £2699 9s 7d,—The Chairman stated that the end of tho financial year called for congratulation' on the credit balance, which stood at £6504. The rates had come in well, and considering the fact that (he £SOOO damage caused by tho floods last year had been made up, tho council had every reason to be satisfied. Every councillor nad acted well in keeping expenses down, and the success of the year was due to their efforts. There was also £1125 in a sinking fund besides the credit balance of £6504. - *'e councillors expressed pleasure at (he results given by the chairman.