MANIOTOTO COUNTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22716, 31 October 1935, Page 14

MANIOTOTO COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Maniototo County Council was held at Naseby on Friday, when there were present:—Crs P. Aitken (chairman), W. Howell, H. W. Davis, E. Morgan, T. A. Lowis, R. Scott, J. B. M'Gill. and T. Hall. RANGER'S REPORT. The ranger (Mr G. Graham) reported that during the month 32 head of cattle were impounded and 63 head of cattle were released before reaching the pound. The fees collected were as follows: Pound, £2 lis 6d; ranging, £3 4s;—total, £5 15s 6d. All roads in the county with the exception of Hyde had been visited.— The report was adopted. FINANCE. « Accounts amounting to £1740 15s sd, inclusive of £579 13s 2d unemployment vouchers, were passed for payment. CORRESPONDENCE. The secretary, Kildare Consolidated Gold Mining Company, Ltd., wrote stating that the directors of the company were not in favour of the council's proposal to construct a road across the company's property at Surface Hill, St. Bathans. —It was decided to defer consideration Until next meeting and in the meantime a copy of the letter be forwarded to Cr Nicokon for his comments. J. Huddleston and others wrote requesting that the road leading from a point known as West's corner or Dip road to the Auripo railway siding be graded and gravelled;—lt was decided that consideration be deferred until next meeting to enable the engineer to submit a report. Mrs T. Healey (Naseby) wrote requesting that an improvement be effected to the access road to her property.—The clerk was requested to advise the writer that application was being made to the Government for a grant to defray the cost of the work. The commissioner of Crown lands, Dunedin, wrote stating that gravel was being removed without authority from section 5, block XXI, Blackstone survey district (E. E. Ball), and suggesting that it might be possible to have a small area in this locality set apart as a gravel reserve.— The engineer reported that he had advised the commissioner of the circumstances. Mr T. M. Ball, board's representative, No. 16 District Highways Council, Dunedin, wrote advising that in connection with the control of goods and passenger service licences group traffic inspectors must carry out the- enforcement of these licences.—The clerk was instructed to forward to copy of the letter to; Inspector Laughton. t The Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) wrote advising that a subsidy of 12$ per cent, was to be paid on county rates this year and that it was not intended to introduce legislation altering the basis of_ the present subsidy on rates. —Received. The Minister of Finance (Mr J. G". Coates) wrote acknowledging receipt of the council's application for a £1 to £1 subsidy on expenditure on roads other than highways in lieu of the present rate subsidy and advising that the council's representations would receive careful consideration. —Received. The Under-secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, wrote asknowledging receipt of the council's letter relative to the question of alterations t 6 the present basis of the rate subsidy and advising that the same was being given consideration. —Received. '..'''.! Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., Wellington, wrote acknowledging receipt of the council's resolution relative to a subsidy on roads other than "highways in lieu of the present subsidy and promising the proposal his whole-hearted support.—Received. TENDERS. The following tenders were accepted: J. E. Watson and Co., Ltd., for the supply of dog collars, at £25 10s per 1000; G. A. M'Neilly, at £433 19s, for the approaches- and stonework protection at Kyeburn Bridge, Young's Crossing, Dansey's Pass road. GENERAL. The clerk was instructed to take steps to collect rates unpaid for the year 193334. ENGINEER'S REPORT. The engineer, (Mr 11. J. Black) reported as follows on the work for the month:— HIGHWAYS. St. Bathans Loop.—Station Creek bridge has the structure completed with the exception of downstream wings. Approaches are about ready for traffic to enable dismantling of old structure and completion of wings. Accidental damage to rails at Two Mile and Shepherd's Creek bridges is being repaired. Palmereton-Queenstown. —Grading was carried out from Lauder Creek to near the Shag boundary. A sharp corner near the Shag was improved and the batters left in favour of more urgent work in the meantime. Abutments were protected at Idaburn bridge. A 24-inch culvert was placed near Hogburn channel. Kyeburn-Middlemarch.—The grader is being worked north from the Rock and Pillar. Contract No. 250, Gill's Creek culvert, is commenced. Shoulder and water table work was continued over Capburn Hill and this party is now approaching Carey's. Improvement to the alignment on the flat was completed and a small culvert inserted. A nine-inch culvert was inserted near Gill's Creek and a 12-inch culvert extended. Idaburn to Moa Creek.—The grader is working on this highway. Waipiata-Styx.—The Waipiata-Sana-torium section was graded. Widening to uniform width between Waipiata and Hamiltons is being_ continued. Part of the widened formation on O'Mally's Hill as a result of Snowdrift Gully filling was reformed to cross section. One 12-inch culvert was inserted on the Styx Hill, and one 12-inch on O'Mally's Hill. Claims. —Claims were inspected for maintenance subsidies, amounting to £IOB7 4s 3d. Casual Labour. —Five additional men are now employed. RIDINGS. Serpentine.—A lorry patrol is working on drainage and maintenance on the Pacrau Runs road. Mount Ida. —Geddes's rdad, part of Ring Farm road, part of Itanfurly-Patea-roa road,' and the Naseby district roacU recently gravelled were graded. Hogburn channel contract at Naseby is completed. Approximately 3500 cubic yards of gravel were spread on roads from this contract. A 24-inch culvert was inserted at the Ring Farm, and one of the same size near the old chimney on the Wai-piata-Gimmerburn road. Approximately 70 cubic yards of gravel were spread in Ranfurly, and the Hospital avenue corner is being improved by the lengthening of two culverts and clearance of trees. In company with Cr Howell and Cr Davis, recent construction works were inspected, and several maintenance matters were noted fpr attention. Protective work 's recommended ahead of a Mines Department grant for Inder's section of the Hogburn channel. Kyeburn.—The Public "Works Department advised that the tender of Mr R. A. Winsley was accepted for Kyeburn (Young's) bridge, at £1464. Protection to races was carried out at Spec Creek outlet, and the camp crossing repaired. One 12-inch culvert and one 15-inch culvert were placed in Scott's lane new section. In company with Cr Scott, Kyeburn Dig gings and the Dansey's Pass roads were inspected and a working party started on maintenance work commencing at the Pass. It was decided to recommend ap-' plication for a small Government grant for contract for a minimum width and comer improvement for the upper five miles.

Lauder.—Approximately 16 chains of first gravelling on V. Wood's Uutistau Crock roiij was carried out. Maintcn-

ance repairs and one small culvert are required on Aitkenhead's road. St. Bathans. —A 36-inch culvert with necessary filling and ditching was constructed on J. Armitage's road. Approximately 33 chains were gravelled oh Auripo boundary road, and patch gravelling done on M'Nally's road. General surfacing was carried out on the Hawkdun runs road. The chairman and .Crs Nicolson, Morgan, and Lowis met the Kildare Gold Mining Company directors and Hawkdun run owners relating to the maintenance of Surface Hill track through the claim foe stock droving and supplies. It was recommended that a crossing be placed over tho tail race at the Blue Lake, and expenditure be arranged up to £SO for improvements to the track. Idaburn.—The Wedderburn Nursery road was graded. The east section of J. Nicolson's road and the Idaburn short cut road were graded. On J. Nicolson's road one 24-in culvert and one 12-inch culvert were placed. Gravelling at the homestead will follow. Approximately 30 chains o£ Idaburn Coalpit road were gravelled. Culverts and drainage work on the Wedder-burn-Gimmerburn road will be carried out next month. Hyde.—The Sanatorium road - was graded. Improvement to the 6harp-corner near the dip" on the Waipiata-Kokonga road was completed and surfacing carried out. Gimmerburn. —Water tables- and■ culverts were cleared on the Highfield : road and patch gravelling carried out. Improvements to alignment on W. Dowling'a road are in progress. The placing of au 18-inch culvert in Smith's road is in hand. Approximately 35 cubic yards of gravel were spread on the Maniototo farm road and surfacing carried out over the full length. Puketoi— Contract No. 244, RanfurlyPatearoa, gravelling 2J. miles, was completed and the spread dressed by the grader. ... , Claims. —Application was made for land fund scheme, £79 12s lid; Linburn road, £SO. ..- The report was adopted.