COUNTY COUNCILS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1763, 5 September 1885, Page 3 (Supplement)

COUNTY COUNCILS.

Clutha County Council. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Council was held in the Council Chambers, Balclutha, on Friday last. There were present: Messrs Dallas (chairman), Brydone, Keys, Christie, Hay, Smith, M'Lachlan, and Scott. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Captain M'Kenzie wrote apologising for his absence, caused through his having met with a. slight accident. The secretary to the Treasury advised a remittance to the county fund of £275 14s Id, being amount received on account of deferred payments. The Colonial Secretary acknowledged receipt of a resolution, of the council merging the Clydevale road district into the county, and intimating that the same had been gazetted. Mr Moir wrote offering to take charge of the Clydevale punt under certain conditions. — The Ghaihman said the punt was formerly under control of the Clydevale Road Board, bufc the board having merged ifc was for the adjoiningcounties to take charge. The council might write to the Bruce Council upon the subject, and apply for control of the ferry, after which they would be in a position to arrange with Moir. — The suggestion was ageeed to, the chairman to attend to the matter. Mr W. J. Conradi wrote pointing out that he had never been remunerated for his services as returning officer for Wairuna Riding.— lt was agreed that Mr Conradi be paid £4 4s. John Caley wrote asking that a passable road might be provided to his property, he being unable to have his grain carted away. — Referred to the engineer, with power to do what was ab solutely necessary. James M'lntyre, Owaki, wrote enclosing £1 8s for rates and objecting to pay those due upon, the property prior to the date of purchase. — Matter left iv the hands of chairman to deal with. R. Chalmers again urged the council to have some culverts put upon M'Lareu's road, the same being impassable. — No action taken. W. Nelson applied for payment of £2 lGs for excess, work inadvertently executed by him ab Popotunoa station, — Agreed to. Alexander dimming, Wairuua, called attention to the necessity for opening up new road to the Wairuna siding.— No action taken. James M'Nutt- and Andrew Hill wrote askingthe council's assistance in erecting a footbridge across the Owaki stream so as to .give access to» their properties.— rNo funds available. FINANCE. The Finance Committee recommended payment of the monthly pay-sheet, amounting to £100 Is lOd ; also accounts Mackenzie and Co., £1 Is ; Mahoney and Stock, 7s 6d ; Mrs Stephenson, £2 ss ; and that an account; George Bain, £2 ss, be held over. — Report adopted. 11OADS AND WORKS. The engineer reported that tenders had been called for 'road works on Puerua Valley road, and on road Balclutha to Port Molyneux, via. Finegand. The following contracts had been, completed — viz., 152 and 165 on Popotunoa to Wyndham road, 167 on Upper Owaki road, and 171 on Popotunoa Station road. Contract 166, for fencing new road leading to Mount Mistake, had not been completed according to specifications, especially in regard to the quantity of posts specified and the distance between the bottom wire and the ground. The. mateiial used in the construction of the fence was of good quality. The length of the fence was 171 chains, and not 1M chains as given in the specifications. He had levelled the roadline leading to Warepa railwaysiding from the Clinton-Puerua road, and estimated the cost of formation a,t £45. — Report received. TENDEHS. Tenders were opened and dealt with as follows :—: — Contract 177, ditching and formation 117 chains, Telford's Swamp road. — George Ottoway, £228 16s. Fresh tenders to be called. Contract 186, formation and metalling five chains road, Balclutha to Invertiel. — M'Neil Bros, £22 (accepted) ; W. Wilkinson, £41 14s 5d. v Contract 187, formation 130 chains Puerua Valley road. — John Sinclair, £229 6s 6d ; G. J. Sutton, £204 15s 8d; Allison and Chalmers, £148 10s (accepted) ; Peter' Wright, £180. Contract 178, ditching and formation 133 chains at Waitepeka Creek. — George Ottoway, £212 (accepted) ; Beaton Marr, £246 15s Bd. MOTIONS. The following motions were passed : — Moved by Cr Brydone, seconded by Cr Keys — " That the rate for 1885-6 be three farthings in the pound on the capital value of all rateable property in the county, and that the rate be payable at the county offices on the first day of October, 1885." Moved by Cr Christie, seconded by Cr Hay — " That the decision of the ratepayers be confirmed, and that the East and West road line between blocks XVI and XVII and betweeu blocks XX and XXI, Clutha Survey District, be closed and exchanged with Mr Telford forI new road." Moved by Cr M'Lachxan, seconded by Cr Scott — " That the contractor for fencing road line leading to Mount Mistake be called upon to lace the fence between the posts and make up any deficiency in space between bottom wire and •ground before the contract be passed." Moved by Cr Christie, seconded by Cr Keys — " That the engineer be instructed to call for tenders for the formation of road known as Mosley's road from the Clinton boundary and the main road at Warepa, the Clinton riding to be charged with one-third of the cost." Moved by Cr Christie, seconded by Cr Keys — "That the engineer be instructed to prepare plans and call for tenders for new bridge at Hogg's and formation work at Fletcher's,, tenders to be opened at next meeting of council." Moved by Cr Keys, seconded by Cr Christie — " That the engineer be empowered to expend a sum not exceeding £10 in making a level crossing and side cutting on a road from Waitepeka railway station to Adam Halison's farm, he promising to spend a like sum in formation, and erection of a culvert." Moved by Cr M'L.achlan, seconded by Cr Scott — " That the engineer be authorised to call tenders for fencing the new road-line leading to Wairuna railway siding, on condition that the settlers interested — viz., Mr Camming and others, will contribute the sum of £10 towards the same ; the fence to consist of six wires, No. 8, and one barbed wire on top ; posts to Le 3x3, black pine, and not exceeding Bft centres." Moved by Cr M'Lachi.an, seconded by CV Scott — "That the engineer be instructed to call tenders for the necessary work from Begg's saddle to the boundary of Wairuna riding, Popotunoa and Wyndham. road, according to plans already prepared ; the work to be carried out

■only on condition of the school commissioneec contributing the amount formerly suggested." Moved by .Cr M'Lachlan, seconded by (V Smith —" That the engineer be instructed to take the necessary steps to place a few culverts on the new Ji-ead leading from Waipahi to Wairuna estate, so as to make the same passable for light traffic." Moved by Cr Hay, seconded by Cr Smith— ■"That the block road between Hocks 16 and 20, and between blocks 15 and 19, leading from the main district road to the Otanomomo railway station, be declared a main road under the Road and Bridges Construction Act, the engineer to prepare plans and specifications for same, and to forward sanie.tp Mr Thomson, M.H.R., without delay." Moved by Cr Cheistie, seconded by Cr Bbyt>one—"That the engineer be instructed to economise in the matter of surfacing in every possible manner, by reducing the number of men and wages, and particularly to employ only such men as are thoroughly trustworthy and efficient; -wages to be 6s 6d a day for the future." Moved by Cr Christie, seconded by Cr Keys " That this council supply poisoned grain to all the ratepayers within the county for the destruction of small birds. The council then adjourned.