TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19530, 13 July 1925, Page 8

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL

Tno mothly meetmg of the Tuapeka County Council was held on Friday afternoon ; present—Crs MacDonald (chairman), Bennetts, Leary, Revie, Cotton, M'Lennan, Simpson, and Cameron. The Chairman extended a cordial welcome to Cr Cameron, who had been elected to represent Waitahuna Riding in succession to Mr J. Iv. Brown. —Cr Cameron briefly acknowledged the welcome. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr James Brown, late member for Waitahuna Riding, wrote thanking the members of the council and officers of the county for the courtesy and consideration shown him during the eigffi. years he had sat as a member.—Received. The Hon. J. ti. Oaatos wrote thanking the council for its message of congratulation on his elevation to the Prime Ministership, and stating that no effort would bo wanting on his part to merit the confidence that has been reposed in him.—Received. T. Stockdill, secretary Miller’s Flat Farmers’ Union, wrote drawing attention to the unsatisfactory condition of several of the roads in the ’ieviot district. —The Chairman explained that there was about £IOOO of Government money to be spent on these roads, but the engineer was not in favour of proceeding with the work till the weather conditions improve.—The writer to be informed that the work would be proceeded with when the weather was suitable. The Secretary New Zealand Counties’ Association, Wellington, wrote advising that as the Auditor-general did not agree with Mr T. F. Martin’s interpretation of separate riding accounts the executive of the association would confer with the Minister of Internal Affairs with a view to introducing legislation to remove ambiguity.— Received. The Public Works Department wrote in regard, to the Heriot to Roxburgh road, advising that amended specifications for the proposed expenditure under this vote had not been received; that the overseer, Mr Monk, had reported that work is actually being carried out on t;. , road. The writer pointed out the gravity of such a procedure.—Cr M'Lennan explained the conditions under which the settlers of the district had obtained this grant from the Minister of Public Works, and disclaimed any responsibility for the fact that work had been commenced on it prematurely.— Received. R. L, Kaye, assistant engineer (Beaumont) wrote asking if the council had any abjections to Public Works Department laying drain beneath road in front of Sheohy’s Hotel. —Consent given. E. F. Evans, chairman No. 17 District Highways Council, wrote advising that everything was in readiness to proceed with the work of renewing bridges and improving road in Manuka Creek Gorge, and asking that the Tuapoka County Council pay its contribution of £IOO into the public account at.once.—Received. E. E. Evans, chairman No. 17 District Highways Council, wrote advising that the council’s application to have Edievalo to •Pomahaika road declared a main highway had been forwarded to the Highways Board. —Received. E. F. Evans, chairman District Highways Council, wrote conveying the decision of the Main Highways Board in connection with the council’s recommendation that the two roads Gore-Tapanui (via Waikoikoi) and Waikaka-Kelso be declared main highways. The decision was that both these roads could not be declared, but that the board would favourably consider one of thorn, the council to decide which was the better claim.—Cr Revie suggested that they should cut out the Waikaka-Kelso section and leave in the Gore-Tapanui road via Waikoikoi.—This was agreed to, Cr Revie also moved that application be made that the section of road from Tapanui township boundary to Tapanui railway station (one mile) be declared a main road. Agreed to. Clerk Taieri County Council wrote soliciting the council’s assistance in providing a bridge for 'settlers on the Blaokrook runs witli a bridge over Broad Creek, near Lee Flat Station, capable of carrying stock a no motor traffic. It was hoped to obtain a free grant of £4OO from the Government, and the total cost was estimated at £6OO. — Received. The President N.Z. Counties’ Association, wrote in reference to the Motor Association's complaint of extravagant administration cost of counties, thereby entailing higher taxation of motor owners In order that the association might have full particulars of these administrative costs he asked to be supplied with a copy of the figures in detail that were supplied to the Statistical Department for the year ending March 51, 1924, with any comments considered necessary. —Received. Mr George Howat (chairman of the Tapanui District High School Committee) wrote sotting out the conditions under which Mr E. Arnold conveys the Dalvey children to Tapanui School per motor bus, and asking that no action be taken against him in regard to failure to take out a license until the matter had been considered by the Otago Education Board and Education Department.—Crs Revie and Bennetts expressed the opinion that there was no intention to impose this taxation in oases such as that referred to by Mr Howat, and it was resolved that the council defer the matter and write to the Minister of Public Works for exemption in the case of conveyance of school children. The Chairman No. 17 District Highways Council wrote advising that a conference of executives in Wellington at an early date to coincicTo with the consideration of the Main Highways Estimate* with the Public Works engineers. At this conference the board will discuss with executives the questoin of amendments to the Highways Act.— Cr Bennetts pointed out that there was much need for some amendment, particularly in regard to the board’s contribution to the maintenance of main highways and the payment of travelling expenses of members of councils.—lt was resolved that, if in order, Cr Bennetts represent the council at the conference. RANGER’S REPORTThe Ranger (Mr M'Neilly) reported that during the month he had found six head of cattle at large in Waitahuna Riding and four head of cattle and two horses on the road in Browns Riding.—The Chairman made reference to an accident that had occurred on the line between Beaumont and Miller’s Flat through wandering stock, and said the ranger had shown a disinclination in regard to the distance he had to travel. —Cr Bennetts expressed himself as favourable to some remuneration being given for visits to distant parts of the ridings. SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the council was held at 3 p.m. on the requisition of the chairman for the purpose of considering and, if thought advisable, revoking (he special order declaring the road from Round Hill to Roxburgh a main road. Cr M'Lennan said he had been instrumental in bringing this matter forward. The present-day conditions were not what they were when the road was declared a main road, and he contended that in the past they had been acting illegally in taking expenditure for this road from riding funds. By carrying the motion the council would not be deprived of any rights, and the riding would be in a better position in regard to future expenditure. Cr Revie seconded the motion. He considered that under present conditions they were in a fog between the Crown Law Officers and their county solicitor. Cr Bennetts defended the action of the past council in having the road declared a main road and averred that but for that action it could not have been brought into the condition it was to-day, and no injustice had been done to any riding. The conditions, however, had changed, and he was now prepared to support the motion for revocation of the previous special order. Cr Leary also supported the motion, as under present conditions they could not say where they wore. He suggested, however, that before coming to a decision they should get an opinion from their solicitor to see whether the effect of revoking the previous order would be just what they expected. Cr M'Lennan assured Cr Leary that he had every assurance that the effect would bo as he had pointed out, and after expressing his pleasure at the favourable manner in which his action had been received. The motion was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. UP-TO-DATE PLANT. Cr M'Jjennan introduced a large deputation of settlers from the Beanmont, Crookston, and Tapanui Ridings whose mission chiefly was to urge upon the council the necessity of adopting more up-to-date methods of carrying out road works in that part of the county. The speakers were Messrs Toting (Wilden Station), J. Tardley, G. M. Love, and M'Kenzie (2). The point war. emphasised that the present system of cpemling the county money in metalling was obsolete and was costing the settlers double what, it should. Tim speakers also complained that where they had undertaken to do the carting of metal the teams, owing to shortage of men, had been kept waiting, with the result that the work had been spread over a much longer period than was necessary. At the present rate of progress many of them had

little hope of ever getting a metalled road, and it was pointed out that the time had arrived when the councii should introduce a istone crusher so that metal would be available at reasonable cost. One speaker said the assertion had been made that they had no stone in the district suitable for crushing, ard in reply to this he pointed out that though the district had not been explored two excellent quarries were at their disposal on the Wilden road, the stone from which had been tested by the owners of a crushing plant in Dunedin. It was also pointed out that only by the use of a crusher could tliey ever hope to comply with the Government's conditions that metal must not exceed 2Jin. Crs Bennetts, Revie, Simpson, Leary, and the chairman spoke appreciatively of the great assistance the settlers of the Moa Flat district had given in connection with the carrying out of various imjportant road works and expressed agreement v/ith the view as to the benefits to be obtained by the introduction of more up-to-date plant. Crs Simpson and Leary, however, pointed out that while they recognised the advantages of a stone crusher and other plant for the upper ridings they could not see where it was going to be of much advantage to their ridings and, therefore, while agreeable that certain ridings might combine for its purchase they did not think it would bo a fair proposition that it should be a charge on the general fund. Cr Bennetts pointed out that 15 years ago they had timed down a proposition to procure a crusher simply because some members thought they would not get as much benefit from it as the others. Ho deprecated (his parochial spirit and urged the members to take a broad view and support the introduction of a thoroughly up-to-date plant. He thought the deputation was entitled to their thanks for coming to thei:: elbow and helping to push them along the road of progress. Their motor lorry had proved a |oo! ffivesta?. and L eir e. V 6!u £ISO 111 &*** months, and he thought they could not do better f me of their bank balance on up-to-date plant. matter having been thoroughly disSin timt h ib* airman lnformed the deputation that their representations in regard to obtaining a crusher at an early date would b® mvourably considered. m.l r KJ 0a ? l? iu thanked .. the chairman and membe.s of the council for the very cour--Bfkd s) T n P a thetic reception they had Soul-il d ®P utat ! on > and assured the S? A- had , not come in any spirit o. faitlt-nndmg, but with a genuine desire to induce the county to adopt more hav^tV. OUS I, m ® thod f so that thev* 1 might have the benefit of decent metalled roads within a reisonable time. 8 GENERAL. The accounts for the month of Jnne amounting to £ISSI 13s 3d. were passed for he ha - ak at is the k t ,ln Af r month’s accounts the balance will be £2070. The total to 1 £X424° f rat6S StlU outsfcandin fir amounts The Clerk explained that the engineer sum r oT!euq fr ° m u IG j Srs Br °? the MHV SU j S1 m y - on work carried out in Gabriel s and Teviot Ridings “5 !? lu , est Or Cameron the engin ™Jf\ dert °?u supply at next meetmg a r^P° r ‘ °n the Poison Creek roads. 8 lha Engineer explained that he was cm , Mr , Smith > their late inspootoK casually for the purpose of laying off ana keeping an e y e on works in the Tapanui and Crooksten districts, and he asked for s t. T'J a h ■VS ■i'Vhtl, 30 ’ wr d * 7 M"d- ,, Tl be Iligineer said he had learned fw,™ the Public Works Department that it was mtended to redeek the Beaumont briZ jmd he considered this a breach of their undertaking when it was , thlt th ° council should provide £T ated of £l2oo.—lt was consult with the Pu C blte n wSrkt D De^rt I S WS to h "” e On the siiggestion of the Engineer it was resolved that he be authorised to serve iwtice on those allowing broom find gorse block the watertables Cleri the erection of a small concrete Sled for the storing of booki and records, and the engineer undertook lo provide a sketch plan at next meeting. On the motion of Crs Bennetts and M Lennan, it was resolved-'That the council views with concern the increased traffic on the mam highways, and recognises that the subsidy of £l for £2 for maintenance is insufficient, and would ask that the sub sidy be increased to £1 for £l.” The engineer was authorised to make out a voucher m favour of Mr C. M'Govem for the payment of £5 for bridge work and two days surfacing. Or McLennan drew the engineer’s attention to a bad place on the main road near Island xsioc c which the engineer undertook to see to immediately. On the motion of Cr s Revie and Leary, Ur Rodger was granted three months’ leave of absence. The engineer's report for the month was received and approved.