MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19964, 4 December 1926, Page 8

MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Maniototo County Council was held on Wednesday last, Or T. Ramsay (chairman) presiding. It was decided to take steps to legalise the road leading to Mr T. R. Provan's property, and that the road to Messrs Marslin and Parfit’s coal pit at Idaburn be graded and the bridge over the Government water-race be put, in as recommended by the engineer, provided the owners of the pit contributed £lO and cartage as promised. The ranger and poundkeeper’s report showed that 27 cattle and four horses were impounded, and 31 cattle released, the foes amounting to £9 18s A separate report by the ranger stated that owing to numerous complaints and on instructions he had seized two bulls, which, so far, had been unclaimed, and would be sold or destroyed. It was decided to deter consideration until after the sale or destruction, when the total fees incurred would be ascertained before prosecuting. . . The Chairman of the District Highways Council wrote regarding loans from the Mam Highways Board, stating that such must bo subject to the usual poll, etc.; also that no allowance could be made for the engineer’s travelling expenses. , The Waipiata Soldiers’ Memorial Committee applied for permission to erect a memorial at Waipiata on the roadside close to the station. This would have a base ot 10 feet square —Resolved that no objection be offered, provided the necessary Ordcr-in-Council were obtained, and that tne monument did not encroach more than leet on the road line. Mr R. M'Naught, farm manager, Waipiata Sanatorium, sought permission to place a gate across the road from Hamilton road" to Pigburn Creek —1 he council offered no objection, provided no owner objected and the gate be removed on reqiThe New Zealand Counties’ Association asked for an expression of opinion against any award being made ns applied for by the Dominion Federated Drivers Union, which applied to include all County Councils. Decided that the council object to being included in any award made against county councils; no drivers of the council deriving to he in the award. The Counties’ Association ■ submitted a copy of the Valuer-general’s reply to representations by the associations executive regarding revisions of rolls, and inviting the council’s suggestions. The clerk reported that he had forwarded two suggestions: That notice of sale and t ia ” sf ®£ must be given within one month by both vendor and purchaser or their solicitors on a form prescribed, also that at the date of such sale or transfer, all the rates due must be paid before the transfer is completed. Further, that the Valuer-general communicate with the Law Society with: a request that all solicitors shall furnish notice of sale or transfer on the proper form for both parties.—Action approved. The New Zealand Counties Association forwarded a copv of the Motor Unions resolution requesting authorities to prevent cattle straying on the roads. Decided to advertise that all stock owners are liable to prosecution for/ permitting stock to stray on roads. The Railways Department wrote complaining that water had been diverted from the creek at Ranfurly. station and the health inspector complained of the smells from this creek, and asking what action the council proposed in the matter. Left in the hands of chairman and engineer to interview the district engineer of railways on the matter. ... The Stock Inspector replied to council s letter, stating what stops had been taken to deai with noxious weeds, particularly sweet briar. , ... . Attention was drawn to the itinerary ot the Duke and Duchess ot York, who would pass through Ranfurly on March 18. Cr Scott drew attention to the efforts of the Dtago Motor Club to have the tour made by motor car. This would curtail the time at many places, and make the route uncertain. If they travelled by rail the station could be the centre for local arrangements. It- was moved by Cr Scott, and seconded by Cr Davis, that in the opinion of the council the original programme by rail be adhered to.-Carried. _ .It was resolved that the clerk make inquiries as to the length of the stay at Ranfurlv with a view to the council presenting an address of welcome, and making arrangements for the children to visit there on'that day. The Chairman reminded the councillors that the first meeting of the council was held on January 4, 1877, and it would be only fitting to celebrate the jubilee in a suitable manner.—Loft to the Finance Committee to consider and report to next meetIt was resolved that applications be invited for the position of dog tax collector for the year 1927 in groups of three ridings alternately for the whole county, applications to be dealt with at the next meetTenders for contract No. 119, 1400yds gravelling Loganburn road wore received as follows;—F. J. More, £525; £412 3s 4d; and J. F. O Malloy, £274 3s 4d. J. F. O’Malley’s tender accepted, subject to the approval of the district engineer. Tenders for dog collars were also, received, and that submitted by J. L. Watson and Co., Invercargill at Dbs od per 100 was accepted. It was moved by Cr Aitkcn and seconded by Cr Morgan that consideration of the loah proposals tor plant, bridging, and office removal be deferred until April next, so that matter would come into next financial year.—Carried. The Engineer stated ho had covered 25,000 miios with the car, which had been purchased 17 months ago. Councilors expressed the opinion that a car should, be made to last two years. ’lt was resoived to purchase a new three-soater Ford for the use of the engineer, the old car to be part exchange. Accounts totalling £613 12s 6d were passed for payment. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer, in his monthly report, stated that the present authorisations were in excess of the Public Works Department s allocation for the year and any further road grant contracts carried out before March 31 next would not be subsidised this year. This was brought about by a heavy tecurrence of revotes whose expenditure became a charge on the following year, owing to previous grants not being utilised at the time. Notice boards were erected at parking places in Ranfurly. The site chosen in Charlemont street west was very exposed, and was rather unsuitable and he recommended that approval to a site round the corner in Granville place be grantee,. The following works were completed or recommended: —On the main highway a total of approximately 15 miles of bad sections from the Shag River to Idaburn were reformed, and a number of notice boards and signs were erected. On the Ewoburn bridge the structure was completed and the approach work was in hand. . , In the Hyde Riding maintenance gravel was spread on the \Vaipiata-Palearoa and Sanatorium roads. Sections of water-tables on Capburn and Hyde hill were cleared. The Chairman further inspected the Lower Swinburn bridge in the Kyebarn Riding, and it was decided that this work bo carried opt after shearing, when the nocesary assistance would be availab.e. Maintenance gravel was spread on Pass road, and the water tables cleared also slight deviation was formed at V\ illow Swamp. . . Maintenance gravel was spread on V\ ai-piata-Patearoa road and Ranfurly-Patearoa road. A 15-inch pipe culvert was inserted at Sowburn tailings, where a new grade was sluiced. A pipe culvert was inserted in ibe Swampy portion of Graham s road. Maintenance gravel was spread on Alhson’s Lane, in the Gimmerburn Riding, and side -ditchings formed near Eden Creek. Gravelling Was carried out on the Giimnerburn-Naseby road between tne school and Barney’s Lane. The entrance load to T. Provan’s run, being an old > .r----vey, would require to be jiroclairned a public mad and the work put in hand when (in, necesary consent was obtained from adjoining owners. In the Mount Ida Riding maintenance gravel was spread on the Waipiata and on Waipiaia-Patearoa road to Taieri; also on Raniurly-Patearoa road. The Hogburn Sludge Channel was-clearcd and straightened below the hospital. Surfacing was carried out on all main roads in the Idaburn riding, and repairs effected on Woolshed road. The Oturenua bridge was repaired and the Idaburn crossings attended to. The power grader would be started on the programme submitted to Cr Lowis immediately, commencing with M’Knight’s road. In the St. Bathans Riding a protective railing was erected at Muddy Creek, Live willow protection was planted and netted at Manuherikia bridge, and a quantity of filling added by/ the surfaceman. As instructed, he inspected Becks Creek crossing and bad sections on Mee’s and Aitkonhead’s roads in (he Lander riding. He i-ecominpndrd that Becks Creek crossing on (his road he bridged when funds permitted. The ereek crossed here at a very hud angle, and being the mailroad, with a fair amount of traffic, the ford gave a lot of trouble. This point was being

stoned up in the meantime. Aitkenhead’s road off Mee’s road was impassable in wet weather, and required grading for about 50 chains for access to heavily formed section. Cr Morgan visited Pauley’s road and it was decided to request Mr Pauley to hold over his gravelling offer until the bad sections wore reformed by the grader. The report was adopted.