CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19801, 28 May 1926, Page 12

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of Clutba County Council was held on Wednesday at Balclutha. , . , The Clerk (Mr D. Watt) occupied the chair, and called for nominations for the office of chairman. Cr MTndoe (retiring chairman) proposed Cr D. R. Jack as chairman for the ensuing year, and in doing so said he was sure Cr Jack would conduct the business with tact and ability, and that he would be a credit to the council. Cr W. S. Thomson seconded the motion, which was carried without dissent. Cr Jack, on assuming the chair, thanked councillors for the honour conferred upon him, and stated that with the assistance of councillors and the ex-chairman he could not go far astray. At all events he would do his best, and hoped at the end of the year their confidence in him would not be abated. ORDINARY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting was then held, there being present—Messrs D. R. Jack (chairman). R. MTndoe, A. T. Harris, W. S. Thomson, J. R. Wilson, Joseph Mosley, George Hay, W. J. M’Kenzie, Thomas Maginness, and James Cumming. The recommendations contained in the engineer’s report were approved. Cr MTndoe moved that the engineer be instructed to rebuild Melton’s bridge in concrete.—Agreed to. Cr Harris complained of the Telegraph Department carting lieai'y material on the Willowburn road and cutting it up, and moved that the attention of the department be called to the matter. —Agreed to. KORORO CREEK-KAKA POINT ROAD. The Engineer reported as follows:—In regard to the proposed road from Kaka Point to Kororo Creek, I have to state that I have inspected the route, and beg to report as follows: —The present terminus is at Beach street. From Beach street provision has already been made for a road along the foreshore as far as the boundary of the Native Reserve, a distance of about 10 chains. No provision has been made for a road along the Native Reserve, which extends to Kororo Creek, a distance of 58 chains, which it would be necessary to take under the Public Works Act. The most practical route is chiefly across sandhills, and would be costly to construct. Owing to the drifting nature of the formation it «vould be advisable to avoid as much cutting as possible. Consequently a considerable amount of filling will be necessary, for which sand would not be suitable. Fillings and the formation generally would at least require a heavy coating of stiff clay, which would have to be carted some distance. It will also be necessary to plant more marram grass and lupins to arrest the drifting sand, or otherwise it would be difficult to k?ep the road open. Several culverts will be required, including one of 36in diameter, pipes, and a bridge culvert at King’s Creek. The heavy seas during high tides force the kelp and other debris some distance up this creek, making it necessary to provide a large opening, or otherwise it would be easily blocked. Provision for fencing is also necessary along the portion to be taken from the reserve, and it is probable both side lines will need to be fenced in parts where the road is located some distance in from the foreshore. This would apply to about 10 chains on the King’s Creek end, and about 27 chains approaching Kororo Creek. I estimate the total cost of constructing this road as follows: — Purchase of laud required from reserve, 5J acres at £6, £34 10s; survey, £lfi; fencing, 95 chains at 255, £llß 15s; planting of marram and lupins, £10; formation, 16ft wide, 68 chains at £l2, £816; culverts, etc., £150; total, £1444 sa.

Cr Hay said they might get a grant from the Government for the formation, but he would like to know where the money was to come from to buy the land. He would suggest that the members of the deputation that waited on the council recently be asked to find the money for rhis purpose. In the meantime he would move that the road be carried as far as King’s Creek, and that application be made for a free grant for same. —Ur Thomson seconded. —Motion carried. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE.

Receipts to May 23Contributions roads, £250; heavy traffic license fee, £6O; motor drivers’ licenses, £56 10s; fees and fines, 15s; Land Fund, £42 13s 2d; dog registration, £4 ss; rents, £2 2s; rates. £527 l_4s; Southland Power Board rates, £76 17s 7d: total, £IO2O 16s 9d Expenditure:—Land Fund expenditure, £7B 17s lid; bridges and ferries. £282 8s 5(1; Stale forest fifths, £23 3s 6rlplants expended, £l4l 15s; Main Highways (grants), £372 16s 9d ; audit fees. £34 17s 8d : works and general. £1699 7s 8d; total, 1 £2635 6s lid.—The Finance Committee’s report was adopted and the paysheet passed for payment. It was decided on the motion of Crs Gumming and Harris that the council pay to the South Otago Hospital Board the sum of £SOO on account of levy. UNCOLLECTED RATES. Cr Wilson moved that- the motion on the books empowering the clerk to sue for outstanding rates bo put into force. He thought the members should not have discretionary powers to cut out certain ratepayers who were behind with their payments.—Cr Maginness seconded.—Crs Harris and Gumming pointed out that this would not do in all ridings. It was necessary to leave out people who were not in a position to'pay at the time, but would do so later. — Cr Maginness said the motion to sue should be carried out; there were people who were two years in arrears and in a position to pay.—Cr Mosley said the members should have some discretionary power in the matter.—The Clerk said the only way was to summons all defaulters.—Cr Maginness moved that defaulters get a final notice to the effect that if not paid within 14 days they would be sued. —Carried. CORRESPONDENCE. J. R. Marks, district engineer, forwarded approval of plans and specifications for the expenditure of £2OO on Paisley's road, Clydevale (£ for £). —Received. The Chairman District Highways Council (No. 17; wrote that the Highways Council had recommended the declaration of Balclutha to Papatowai road as a main highway, and asking for particulars of same for the information of the Highways Board.—Received. The Chairman District Highways Council wrote that the board had approved of the council's purchase of a road roller and crusher through the board. The board considered the price of a roller satisfactory but the price of the crusher appeared high in comparison with recent quotes received bv the board for crushers about this size A 12in by 6in crusher had been quoted at £l2l and a 16in by 9,in at £266. The matter was accordingly referred back to the council for further consideration. —The Engineer said the crusher was a portable one. and the board had been comparing it with a stationary one.- When the matter was explained the hoard was quite satisfied. The Chairman District Highways Council wro(e that the office of representative of the County Councils on District Highways Council was co-terminus with the office of such members as county councillors, and asking to be advised of the name and address of council’s representative.—The Chairman (Cr .Tack) was reappointed, and thanked councillors, stating that the matter of getting things done for the council was not so easy as it looked, as everything had to he sent on to Wellington. . The Chairman. District Highways Council. wrote asking if it was the intention of the council to advertise the classification of roads, and if so the names and lengths and the class in whicli it was proposed to place them.—The Clerk said it had been advertised.

The District Engineer, Public "Works, forwarded particulars and photos of a combined loader and sereener of gravel to carts without use of bins. —Held over in the meantime.

C. J. MTxcnzie (Acting Knglneer-in-cliiet. Public "Works Department) wrote under direction of the Minister of Public Works that it would be necessary to constitute at an early date the special board referred to in the Kawarnu Falls dam license issued under the Mining Act to A. C. Hanlon, of Dunedin, solicitor. The council was to have one representative on the board, and writer wished to bo advised of council's representative at an early date, so that steps might in' taken to constitute the board, the chief function of which Would be to determine when the dam gates should be opened and closed in accordance with the provisions of the license.—Cr Maginnoss moved that Cr Mosley he the councils representative on the board.—Carried, Cr Mosley returning thanks. W. B. Steel, secretary Otago Expansion League, wrote asking members of the council to attend* the annual presessional meeting of (ho league with local members of Parliament in the Savoy on Friday, Juno 4. —Received. O. A. Lewin. Town Clerk, Dunedin, wrote that the City Council had convened a conference for Tuesday, June 1, of the local

authorities in the heavy traffic districts es defined by the motor lorry regulations. The principal business of the conference would be to consider the basis of apportionment of the fees collected to March 31. —The chairman and Cr Macginnes were appointed delegates to the conference. The Ti ...i Clerk, Hamilton, forwarded resolutions passed by his council complaining of the increasing burden on the ratepayers fof the construction end maintenance of streets and roads through the damage caused by motor traffic, and urging that legislation be introduced to transfer an equitable proportion of this burden from the ratepayer to the users of the streets and roads.—Cr Mosley moved that the council lend Its hearty support. Agreed to. K. F>. Lothian, Town Clerk, Balclutha, applied on behalf of his council for permission to lay a water main (probably 4in) from borough boundary on the Main South road (opposite the residence of Mr James Guest) to the intersection of the new hospital road and Cossens street. Toshvnle. —Permission granted during pleasure of council, work to be done to the satisfaction of the engineer. David Rodger, Tapanui, wrote enclosing £2O towards metalling road leading to his homestead.—Received with thanks. Mrs 'i nomas Glass, Ratanui. wrote at length regarding neighbours’ horses dam aging her fence, also asking that something be done to the Lakeside road.—Cr Margin ness moved that the engineer attend to the matter.— Agreed to. Thos. Leslie, Tawanui-, wrote that he had made application to the Public MTorkb Department, Dunedin, for a Government grant to metai <0 chains of the Morns Saddle road. Tawanui cud. and asking council’s support.-Cr Macginness moved that council support the application. Seconded by Cr Wilson and carried. A A Campbell (Tawanui) applied for permission to erect a private telephone wire. Granted on the motion of Cr Wilson. A. MTntosh (Otekufa) and 65 others petitioned the council to apply to the Government for a grant to metal the parts of the Kororo Creek road.—Or Hay suggested that the Government be asked for a free grant of £IOO. —Agreed to. James Drummond (Romahapa) drew attention to the bad state of about 10 chains of road leading to his property, and stating that it was impassable for vehicular traffic owing to being cut up by the cattle of a neighbour (Mr J. Mulnne), who used it daily for this purpose, and had another track to his pasture which ha could use. Cr Hay and the engineer were deputed to inquire into the matter. F Courts (Tawanui) wrote suggesting that the scrub be cut on the inside of all the bends on the road between Houipapa and Tawanui.— Left to Cr Wilson and the engineer to attend to. , Stewart and Kelly, solicitors, Balclutha wrote regarding the taking of portion of land belonging, to Richard Campbell (In e - tiel) stating that the necessary memorial to the Governor-General and declaration that the provisions of the Public W orks Act. 1908, had been complied with, and ask.ng that the chairman and two councillors complete the document.—The chairman and Crs Thomson and Hay were appointed to complete the document. Peter Clarke and four other ratepayers of Pomahaka asked that the unmetalled portions of the road known as Maddens be metalled as soon as possible-y Left to Gr MTndoe and the engineer to view the road and estimate the cost. . . John T. Butler wrote withdrawing his tender for the Pomahaka bridge on the main Tuapcka highway.—The Engineer said the council could not go on until the spring, and in anv case authority had not been received yet for the work. Only two tenders had been received.—Decided to return both tenders, fresh tenders to be invited in the spring.

rosebank lighting. The Engineer reported in regard to the rating area at Rosebank in connection with the street lighting that the plan had taen received only that morning.—The Clerk said the lighting would cost £45 per annum for the 15 lights, and a farthing rate would be necessary.—Messrs Stewart and Kelly forwarded a resolution to ne carried at a special meeting.—The resolution was adopted the clerk to work out the amount of the rate.—The Engineer said did not rtink 15 lights would be sufficient.— The Chairman : We may make t 18.— Decided to allow for 20 lights in estimating the rate.

GENERAL. The Chairman extended a heartv welcome to the new member for Maclennan (Lr "or 01 M‘Kenzie asked permission to purchase a new grader for Glenkcnich Riding. Cr Maginness said the cost of road roller should be apportioned among (he ridings using it, and also a driver would need to be appointed. The usual way was to make a daily charge.—lt was decided that the engineer prepare ibo estimate for next meeting re £ erTe j to some roads in his riding that were being cut up by heavy carting from a sawmill, and, while not wishing to retard progress in any way, lie thought the persons doing the carting should be notified thatvthey would be responsible for repairs.-Cr Gumming referred to the carting of lime, and moved that it be advertised that anyone doing heavy carting in wet weather was liable to prosecution.—Carried. . - , The date of next meeting was fixed tor Tuesday, June 29. . . It was stated that the claim for compensation on behalf of the widow of the late Mr Fred Bates of Port who was killed in a blasting accident while in the employ of the council, had been settled by the Standard Insurance Co. for £650 —lt was decided that Mr v\. G. Hav, solicitor, be thanked for the way h® had conducted the case for the council also the Standard Insurance Co. for its prompt settlement without the necessity for legal proceedings.