MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20319, 30 January 1928, Page 12

MANIOTOTO COUNTY COUNCIL

The first ordinary meating of the Maniototo County Council for this year was held on Wednesday last, there being present Crs P. Bleach (chairman), Davis, N. Nicolson, E. Morgan, R. Scott, T. Hall, P, Aitken, and T. Ramsay. A considerable quantity of routine business was despatched. Season’s greetings were received from the Main Highways Board, Public Works officers, Waitaki County, Peninsula County, and Mr J. Horn, M.P. Grey District Jubilee Committee forwarded an invitation to attend their diamond jubilee celebrations from February 25 to March 3, and indicated that any old residents of Grey district would be cordially welcomed. The Main Highways Board forwarded an agreement for the hire purchase of plant for completion, and this was signed and sealed. The Under-secretary (Department Internal Affairs) forwarded an intimation that the validating clauses for county jubilee expenditure concerning Maniototo, Vincent, Tuapeka, and Taieri Counties, and also for Ranturly drainage loan had been passed in the local legislation Act. The South British Insurance Company wrote offering to take up a loan of £7OO. —The Clerk reported that he had negotiated with the company for this loan on most favourable terms for the ratepayers and had effected considerable saving. The company’s terms were accepted, and the clerk’s action was confirmed. The Health Inpector submitted modifications of the plumbing and drainage regulations to apply to this county, and it was moved by Cr Morgan and seconded by Cr Nicolson—“ That application be made to have the regulations gazetted with such modifications. Treasury advice of payment of goldfields revenue' (£2O 3s 4d) and also from the Receiver of Land Revenue of payment of £229 13s 3d—thirds and fourth—were received. Mr F. W T eir wrote offering to contribute £l5O towards the cost of erecting a bridge at Hall’s Crossing, alternately asking that if the council could not accede to his request, for permission to erect a light traffic bridge across the Taieri River on the boundary of his section with that of Mrs Mawhinney. Cr Davis moved and Or Hall seconded—- “ That Mr Weir’s offer be accepted, and that the work he proceeded with, provided the settlers contributed £250 towards the cost.”—-Cr Hall offered a sub-

stantial contribution towards this amount. —The motion was carried, councillors expressing appreciation of the generous offers made towards the cost. Permission was granted to Mr W. Beattie to lay pipes under the road on the usual conditions. The council approved of the formation and constitution of the Otago County Clerks’ Association and of the clerk’s membership of that body. Copy of regulations governing travelling expenses were received. Under the present regulation there is a slight increase on the aggregate expenses. Mr Maclean, officer of health, with Mr F. Varney, health inspector, waited upon the council with reference to Ranfurly drainage—JDr Maclean stated that he had inspected the township with the inspector, who had previously reported to the council. They asked the council to institute a night soil and rubbish collection service in the township. At present the majority of residents were burying nightsoil and refuse in gardens, the majority of the sections being a quarter of an acre. This was a dangerous practice, especially as .many were drawing water supplies by means of wells and pumps, and there was grave danger of these water supplies being contaminated. There was also the matter of waste water drainage, and they advised the council to provide sufficient drainage for this, as at present it was being conveyed into sumps in gardens or in some cases into creeks and street drains. This was also a menace to health, and there was a danger of causing outbreaks of disease. When providing such drainage consideration could be given to making provision . for drainage of soil, etc., with septic tanks, etc., so that when water supply was provided for the township the drains would be available for this service also. Dr Maclean pointed out that for the health of the community in such a growing township it was essential that the matter should be dealt with promptly, and he urged upon the council the fact that not only did such service lessen the clanger from outbreaks of typhoid and other serious complaints, but that It was a proved fact that where proper drainage was instituted the health of the community was considerably improved in other ways. He also gave figures showing the cost of similar work in other districts, and that the work could be done under the powers of the Health or the Counties Act, both of which gave the council full authority. The department was anxious to see this work carried out by the council. After discussion the following resolution was passed on the motion of Drs Aitken and Morgan, “ That a report be submitted to next meeting showing the number of houses to be served by night soil and rubbish service, and that the engineer submit an estimate of the probable cost of drainage for waste water having in voiw and making allowance or future full drainage system.” A vote of thanks to Dr Maclean and the health inspector for their information and explanation of the department’s requirements was carried. The engineer’s report for the month was read and discussed. On the engineer’s recommendation it was decided that the council purchase a medium-weight truck for gravelling, the cost and make to be considered at next meeting. On a discussion of the motion the question was raised as to the number of surfacemen which could be dispensed with, if a truck were purchased, and work on the squad system, and it was resolved that the motion be held over until next meeting for the engineer to submit a report on the matter. Tenders for gravelling Capburn Hill, Hyde-Kokonga road, were received—H. L. Inder £232 7s fid, F. J. Here £lB9, E. Dow £241 6s 3d, F. G. White £169 16s 3d, E. O’Malley £193 12 s lid. The tender of F. G. White was accepted. Accounts totalling £644 15s 8d were passed for payment. At a special meeting of the council Saturday was fixed as the weekly half-holiday for shops in the county.