OTEKAIKE BRIDGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26958, 18 December 1948, Page 4

OTEKAIKE BRIDGE

REPLACEMENT NOT POSSIBLE COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING Advice was received at yesterday's meeting of the Waitaki County Council from the senior engineer, Ministry of Works, Waikouaiti, that it appeared that further repairs would have to be carried out to the existing bridge at Otekaike, as it was hot possible to consider replacement in present circumstances.—The engineer was instructed' to report on the inquiries made for repairing the bridge. Mr J. S. Adams was in the chair, and there were also present—Crs W. Muldrew, W. J. Gillies, W. M. Cooper, M. Francis, D. H. Borrie, D. H. Scott, R. L. Paterson and A. H. McKinnon. Mr R. Stevenson, Awamoa, waited on the council and lodged a strong protest against the delay in flushing out the drain through his property at frequent intervals, such as was promised by the council two yeajs ago. The seepage from many houses, he said, went into the drain and created a menace to public health.— Councillors agreed that the matter was urgent, and it was decided that an eightinch pipe in the drain be replaced by a small bridge, and that authority be sought from the Borough Council to take 2000 gallons of water from the nearest fire plug to flush the drain out weekly. In the discussion it was pointed out that the council should hasten the application to the Local Bodies' Commission for an adjustment of the Borough and County Councils. The highways engineer, Wellington, wrote acknowledging the county engineer’s reports in respect to the overloading of highways, and stating that the Main Highways Board was endeavouring to have the matter clarified. Any support from the counties would be most helpful, the letter stated.—Received. The application of Totara Lime Works, Ltd., for permission to relay the private railway line known as Perry’s Siding across District road adjoining the Totara Estate was granted. Cr Cooper was appointed delegate to the North Otago Progress League to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Cr S. M. Taylor. Mr G. W. Sargeant s application for permission to install a telephone at the taxi rank at Kurow was granted. The Department of Labour and Employment, Oamaru, wrote requesting the council to investigate the matter of a vacant house near the Totara railway, siding, and if necessary to take appropriate action under the terms of the Fair Rents Amendment Act.—lt was agreed to investigate tire matter and give the owner an opportunity to reply. , _ . The District Highway s Council, Dunedin, wrote advising the Main Highways Board's approval of the council’s acceptance of Messrs Fulton, Hogan's tender of £29,687 7s lid for the formation and sealing of six miles of the Weston-Ngapara highway, and re-sealing five miles of. the Otlake-Kurow highway. The Inspector of Health, Oamaru, advised that after April 1, 1949, it would be an offence for any person who was not. the holder of a registration certificate to

lay any drain or do any work in connection with a drain or sewage tank.—Received.

Letters from Messrs J. H. Beckingsale and A. McMillan, Herbert, drawing attention to the state of roads in their district were referred to the engineer for attention as soon as possible. The Waitaki Electric Power Board advised that street lighting had been restored to normal hours in townships and the Oamaru area. There was some discussion on the improvement of Fortification road as requested by the Post and Telegraph Department, which was instituting a rural mail service over this route. It was agreed that the staff put the road in order meantime, and that application be made to the Public Works Department for a subsidy to permit the road being brought up to a reasonably good standard. The action of the chairman in applying, after negotiation, to have the Government subsidy of £9OO on Grant’s road diverted to the Seven Mile road, Papakaio, was approved. Seven building permits were issued to the value of £69Ba.

The engineer, Mr B. H. Homer, reported that tenders had been called for the reconstruction of 60 chains of Seven Mile road, and plans and specifications had been prepared for another 60 chains of this road. An investigation was being made into the question of an improved water supply at Kurow.—The engineer was authorised to bring forward a report on the scheme.