BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1911, 6 July 1888, Page 13

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A. meeting of this council was held 'at Milton on Tuesday and attended by Messrs Clnrk (chairman), Smith, Macpherson, Calder, Noble, Inglis, Maekay, Haggart, and Dnthie. ' PUiST ON THK KOAU RIVEB.

Messrs Hay, Dallas, and Christie waited on the council as a deputation from tha Cfutha River Bonrd with reference to placing a punt' on the Krfau river. Mr Hay in addressing the council explained that the matter lwd been talked of. for some time, but want of fundß had been the muse of delay. He thought the river bonrd would assist the counties, and that a mutual advantage vould be gained by the ratepayers through fencing posts being' carried to one side and coal to the other.

Mr Dallas said the Clutha County had a rope that could be used, and the total cost would not be more than £250 or £3 0. He was of opinion that the Clutha Hiver Board should nay thy largest share of the work. "" - 1

Cr SiMiTH eaid he was in favour of the proposal. All the local bodies might contribute to tho work. A letter was also received from the Mayor of Kaitnug^ta enclosing a petition from 60 ratepayer* in favour of the establishment of the punt.' On the motion of Or Inglis, seconded' by Cr Haggart, it was resolved that a report ba received from the engineers of the Counties of Clutha mid Bruce as to the cost of n. punt, and that a deputation consisting of tho chairman, Cr Smith, and tho mover be appointed to wait on the Clutha Conntr Council; al»o that the Olutlm River Board anil KaitangAta Borough Council he atked to co-operate in the malt cr.

Cr Sjiitu moved and Cr Macphkhson seconded — "ThaL the Bruce County Council's deputation be empowered to agree to expend £50 on condition of the Clutha Council contributing a like sum, the Clutha River Board aud Kaitangata Counoil to pay the balance.

This motion was ultimately withdrawn, and it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Inglis, seonded hv Or MackAY— " That the sum to bo paid by each council be £30.

inspector's Report.

The Inspector reported that the county roads were in good order except Uie road from KMfciuiflnta to Mtssrs Bell and Mackay's coal mine*.. This road was very much cut up with the coal traffic. lie the Middle Ridge, road, he reported that the old Tokomairiro Road Board got a survey made of a road > p the Middle Ridge, but it was a deviation all the w y through Mr Higgie's property, and befoie it could be used an expenditure of £70 would be required for tho formation. Besides, Mr Higgle would have to be arranged with for the purchase of the new roa^. Mr Higgle would place no obstacle in the [council's way if it was intended to open up the road on this furvey. -Some repairs had been effected to bridges during the last two months, and another of the Manuka creek bridges would require a new decking. The Gienore bridge also requirrd to hi decked anew. He reported that the drum of tl c punt at Taieri Mouth had broken during tho the past month. It had been completely cut or worn through by the chair. A new one of a different pattern had since been fixed up. It workt dwit h ltss friction on the chair and was easier to ferry ncross. The receipts for tha last two months amounted to £711 13s 2d (including ratts, £592). The expenditure reached £518 5a 9d, the biggest item beine surla- in" and works. £113

Tho report was adopted, and it was resolved that steps bo taken to secure the land for the Middle Hidge roai, the dottel road lines to be given in exchange for the new road.

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Under-secretary for Puhlio Works wrote stating that the Governor had appointed Mr W. 11, Itevell, R.M., to hold an inquiry into the remaintenance a"d control of Milton bridge.— Received. A letter from tho fame source intimated that Messrs Stout and Mondy had written objecting to the taking of the new rnnd through Mr T/ios. Jnlit'aon's orchard at Wangaioa.— The Cuatoman stated that the Under- secretary had made a mistake with reference to the road the council wished to take. The road applied for was through Messrs Driver and Henderson's property, and not through Mr Johnson's. He had replied t.o th«t effect. The Ohief Surveyor asked for a return regarding roads made to open up Orown lands for tho year ending June 30.— The Chairman said he had no report to make, although £«0 000 had reen voted last year for the purpose mentioned throughout the flolony.

The Inch-Olutha Eoad and River Board wrole asking the council to raise part of the county road near the junction of the cross road to Lawsoh's, in order to form a flood bank. They also drew attention to the dangerous state of the bridge on the Centre road, near Allison's.— The inspector was instructed to carry out the necessary vorks. A circular was received Jrorir the "Wairarapa County Council, forwarded with the view of getting co-operation to rpaiat the demands of the United Districts Charitable Aid Boards, who, it was slated, drew rates from the country districts to support (lie poor in the cities. — It was rpsolve^ to acfie'de to the request.

The circular from the Christchnrch Oit.y Council regarding the abolition of the totalisator was s'mply received.

Messrs Macpherson and Johnson, of Berwick, applied to have JJr John Cumlnc appointed to flr»w plans and specifications for the Clarendon drainage works.— Tlie Ohaibman said ho had appointed Mr Oumine, and that tenders had been received for the work.

Ratepayers at Wangal' a petitioned the council to make the branch road on the line of fence hetween Messrs Hardie and Lawrenco'e propprtles instead of through the coal reserve, as formerly proposed.— lt was resolved that the praypr of the petitionprs he given effect to, and that the iospector report on the road at next meeting. The Kaitangata Do'ough Council wrrto drawing attention to t^e drainpge of the county road ami adjoining lands: Ab the outlet of the ditch was through private property, the owners were threatening to close (he ditch Trouble wa9 likely to arise unless steps were taken to prevent the land from being covered by water from the river.— Ab a qmstion had arisen as to which local body had fo take charge of the works, the chairman was 'instructed to get a legal opinion in the matter. Mr P. Calvert wrote asking the chairman to sign an order au'horlsing him to lift the Crown grant for a closed roid in South Tna^itoto in favour of Messrs 'Krazer and Ormiston — The Chairman stated that he had reu sed to sign the order until Mefsrs Frazer gave an assurance that they w<mld not interfere in any way with the present road. F. A. JoFeph wrote offering to give the land for a roai through his section for £20. He also offprfd to fence on one side of the road for the sum of 13s per chain, lhe other side to stand over in the meantime.—lt was resolved that Mr Joseph's tender for the fence be accepted. A letter was reefived from Mr \V. Smaill re Ihe proposed new road through his propei ty. Ho Bt at ed his willingness to eive the road for '£40— Tt mus resolved to inform Mr Smaill that the council intend fo take the rond under the Public Works Act ; also that tho closed roads would l>e given to him at the rate of £1 per ac-p.

OTHKTt BUTNESP.

The Chairman reported t.hat. the committee appointed to arrange with Mr Jnmes M Donald had ayrtied to carry out the contract as origin ill v propoted with some slight modificatl ms with reference to the cement and oAncrete works. — The action of the committee wf s approved. It was resolved to remit the rotes on the Afhenicam reeervc. The trua'ee* ■soa'd not raise funds to pay it owing to their engagements and tho withdrawal of the <-overnment subsidr. , The chairman. Cr Duth'e. and Cr Mocpherson were appointed a committee to open and deal with tenders for works in the Clarendoa drainage d!strict..

With reference to Mr I. Young's fence, the chairman was au<hor!spd tn secure a title (o the land and erect ths fencing on the sidp of game. With reference to the centre ditch contracts, the chairman was authorised to pay the contractors on receiving a certificate from" the engineer op the work done and the amonnts due on contracts. •

TKNDERS.

The following tenders were accepted :— Repaii s to jetty at Taieri Month, Jos. Fnrrnr, £i ; formation at Akatore Scboolhouse, E. Athie, £10 ]os.