CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1915, 3 August 1888, Page 14

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the aboye council was held at Balclutha on Friday afternoon. There were present— Messrs Hay (chairman), Christie, Hunter, Bradfield, M'Lachlan, Robertson, Mackenzie, Dallas, and Scott.

CORRESPONDENCE.

, S. Tiylor and Sons, Port Molyneux, asked the council to erect a culverb or bridge on the Block road between sections 7, 9, and 11, block VIII, and section 15, block 111, so as to give access to their property. They also called attention to a portion of the road that required raising for a few chains, and offered to do the work for £5. — Referred to the engineer for report.

David Hudson, Warepa, called attention to the fact of the water from the road flowing on to and damaging his property.' He offered to put in pipes to carry off the water if the council would supply them. — Thje pipes to be supplied.

William Brooks, Waiwera, wrote with reference to a long-standing water question, that if the council would free him from all responsibility for damage that may arise to the approaches to the bridge through the action of the water he would clean out the ditch from his gate to the river and put in a culvert at his gate to the satisfaction of the engineer. — After a long discussion it was agreed, on the motion of Or Dallas, seconded by Cr Bradfield — "That unless Mr Brooks clear out the ditch along his boundary line from the culvert across the road to the river, and protect the embankment to the satisfaction of the engineer within 14 days, steps will be taken to carry out the former resolution of the council,"

C. Olson, Arthurton, asked the council to form a road to give him access to his property. — The engineer to take steps to open the road.

James Graham, Glenkenich, wrote explaining that he had met with an accident at a culvert between Waikoikoi and Mr G. Robertson's property, the culvert having, as he understood, been condemned by the engineer as unsafe for traffic, and intimating that he would take legal proceedings to recover compensation ior the damage he had sustained. —Cr Mackenzie explained that the culvert was not broken down, and had not been condemned by the engineer. He believed the accident had occurred through the fault of the driver. — Cr Robertson said he had inquired into the matter and found that the accident had arisen purely through the neglect of the driver. — The letter was simply received.

Henry Gibson and William Carrick, Port Molyneux, wrote asking the council to erect some culverts and make side cuttings to give them access to their properties. —No funds available.

Richard Holmes, Waipahi, made a similar request ; same reply. , M. M'lntyre, Owake, wrote asking the council to get some assistance from Benevolent Institution for a man who had met with an accident. — M'lntyre to be advised to apply to the institution.

■ Mr Watson Shennan, Conical Hills, wrote asking the council to close a road line and take land from him in exchange as shown on a plan accompanying the application. — On tha motion of Cr "Mackenzie, seconded by Cr Dallas, it was agreed — " That Mr Shennan be informed that this council will agree to the exchange of roads proposed by him, between his land and that of M'Coll, Johnston, and Cunningham, provided that Mr Shennan makes the new road passable, and also makes deposit with the council sufficient to defray the costs of advertising and effecting the exchange as by law required. With regard to the application to close road line from the main road down to the Pomabaka, this council will agree to close that road if Mr Shennan will at his own expense, as by law required, give a new road line to the Conical Hills railway station, down by or near the old coach track.

John Bdie, Tuapeka county engineer, asked the council to quote •a' price for say 1200 ft of wire rope in their possession. — £12 quoted.

The Secretary* to the School Commissioners of Otago wrote, in reply, that the commissioners had no power to contribute towards the expense of surveying and purchasing some land from Mr Logan for a proposed road from Waikaka. — Received.

The Southland County Council, to whom a similar application had been made, wrote asking for a tracing showing the line of the proposed road. — Tracing to be forwarded.

William M'Phee made application for possession of section 11, block VI, Owake, known as " Catlin's claim " ; and asked what compensation for improvement the council would give him at the end of his occupancy. — Council to offer no objection to M'Phee occupying the section upon consideration of his paying the rates, bat cannot become responsible for compensation for improvements.

Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., wrote that the Minister for Public Works declined to give the unemployed labour asked for by the council.

Mr E. R. Ussher, district engineer, in acknowledging a letter from the chairman calling attention to the dangerously steep gradient from the level of the railway crossing at Begg's, Glenomaru, stated he had examined the bridge and found it in a very dilapidated condition, and in fact requiring a new one. All that was necessary was for the council to erect another bridge, and'in doing so bring it to such level as to give easy access to the railway crossing. The Government would on no account recognise responsibility iv the matter. — The Chairman espUined that although the bridge was some-* what dilapidated, it would wfth some repairs be quite serviceable for all traffic for the next 10 years — It was resolved that the chairman write to the Minister of Public Works, and fully explain the matter, with a view to the crossing being rendered safe for traffic; also to write to

the member for the district asking him to see the Minister on the subject. Mr M'Kerrow, Surveyor-general, wrote that the Government had arranged with Mr James M'lntyre for the purchase of a road through his property to give access to the Crown lands in block VIII, Glenomaru survey district, and that it was proposed to entrusb to the council the expenditure of £185 to clear and form the road referred to. In anticipation of the approval of the council he enclosed the necessary agreement in duplicate, the original to be signed and returned' by the chairman. — The Chairman said he had signed and returned the agreement.

Mr John King, audit inspector, wrote that when he examined the council's books on May 18 he pointed out to the clerk that the totals of his books required inking, raling, and balances carrying forward for his successor ; also a correct detailed list of uncollected rates, the whole of which he was to do that night and advise him (Mr King) so that he could return and finally complete his audit. On returning on June 14 he found things just as he had left them, which accounted for his not "receiving any further notice from Mr Reunert. — The Chairman explained that Mr Reunert before leaving had informed him that the books had been audited and the balance sheet forwarded to Wellington, and he had no doubt Mr Reunert believed this to be the case. — Some remarks were made by councillors as to the undue interference on the part of the Government auditor with the system of bookkeeping adopted by local bodies throughout the country, but no action was taken in the matter," the auditor's letter being simply received.

The Secretary^to the Land Board, Dnnedin, transmitted a statement of moneys obtained from the receiver of land revenue accruing to the council from deferred-payment land sales and perpetual leases from Ist August 1887 to 31st January 1888, and asking for plans of roads upon which these moneys are to be expended, giving separate amounts on each road. — Left iv the hands of the chairman and engineer.

THE KOAU PUNT.

Cr Dallas mentioned that an application had been made to the Bruce County Council, and also to the River Board, to have a punt placed on the Eoau branch of the river, near Taylor's place. The Bruce Council had agreed to givu £30 towards it on condition that the Clutha Council contributed a like sum. The Bruce Council had appointed a deputation to meet with a deputation from that council the following day to consider the matter. Re moved — " That the chairman, Cr Christie, and the mover be appointed to meet the deputation from Bruce." — Carried.

Cr Christie moved — "That the deputation be authorised to agree to this council contributing the sum of £30 towards the erection of the punt."

Cr Scott said that if , this sum were given it would have to be paid by the South Molyneux riding. , Cr M'Lachlan said the riding was about £1000 in debt, and it was for the members for the riding to say whether under those circumstances they would agree to the vote.

The Chairman, after some discussion, in reply to a question, said the punt would cost £300, and that the River Board would give the money for its erection, or if not the matter would drop. A man had agreed to take charge of the punt, he receiving the fees.

Cr Bradfield said he did nofe wish, to stop the thing, although ho deemed it his duty to explain the feeling of the ratepayers regarding it. He seconded Cr Christie's motion, which was carried.

EOADS AND WORKS.

The engineer's report was read as follows : — . I have the honour to report that the following contracts have been completed tinea last meeting of council, viz. :— Contract No. 293, on Ahuriri road ; contract No. 297, on new road to Wairuna railway station; contract No. 299, on WaipahiArthurton road ; contraafc No. 303, on Newhaven road ; contract No. 327, on old Lake road. The bridges erected on the new road to Wairuna railway aiding are not of a very substantial character, and when the creeks are in high flood I am afraid they will not contain the water. According to instructions, immediately after last meeting of council I took steps to make a survey of the new road Kelso to Waipahi. and when the field survey was completed I received a telegram from Cr Mackenzie advising delay, consequently no further steps have been taken in the matter. In reference to Mr Donald Cameron's letter complaining that the road leading to his place was nearly impassable from gorsespreading across it, I beg to report that this is so for a distance of about 30 chains. I may say that the original proprietor of the land on the opposite of the road line from Mr Cameron's made a mistake and ran his fence along the road line. The land since then has exchanged ownership twice. When the present proprietor bought it he put up a new fence in its proper position, and the Clinton Itoad Board grubbed up the gorae, and levelled down the sod wall where it encroached on the road line. That is now about 10 years ago, and nothing since has been, done to check the growth of the gflrse, consequently at some places there is barely room for a dray to pass. The road line is only half a chain in width. Protecting fences have been erected at Paiwata bridge, on school road, Kaihiku. Two of the piles on the east end of Balclutha traffic bridge are quite rotten, and I propose to replace them with some of the old piles on hand. As the piles requiring to be renewed are short ones the expense will be trifling. I may suggest that at aoon as the weather is favourable it will be advisable to paint the top Bides of the lower chords.— l have, &c, M. Patbbson. The report was adopted. MISCELLANEOUS.

The monthly pay sheet, amounting toj£l67 14s 6d, was passed for payment.

The following motions were passed :—": — " That the engineer call tenders for four culverts on Mr M'lntyre'a new road ; tenders ,to be opened at next meeting of the Finance Committee." "That a general rate of fd in the pound be made, and levied upon the values of all rateable property within the county, as appears by the valuation roll for the time being, said rate to be for the year ending March 31, 1889, and to be payable on October 1, 1888." " That the corner at the junction of the roads in Clinton township be metalled with rotten rock, tenders to be called for the work."

Cr Christie moved, seconded by Cr Hunter " That the unexpended money from loans obtained by the Richardson riding be placed to the credit of the riding, less the sum of £120 placed for "Veitch's bridge.".— The motion was lost. Several motions of which notice had been given were held over till next meetine.

This concluded the business and the meeting closed.

— Youngster : " Papa, what is a revenue cutter 1 " Fond parent (a hard-working clerk) : " The individual who employes me, my child. He has just reduced my salary."

Wells' Hair Balsam. — If grey, restores to original colour. An elegant dressing, softens and beautifies. No oil nor grease. A Tonic Restorative. Stops hair coming out ; strengthens cleanses, heals scalp.

— Griggs (treating a friend from out of town) : " This is the finest house (hie) in the city, Brown. They have an enormous business. I <io all my drinking here." Brown : "Is that so, Griggs ? They must have an enormous business."

" Rough 'on Rats."— Clears out rats, mice, roaches, flies, ants, bed-bugs, beetles, insects, skunks, jack rabbits, sparrows, gophers. At chemists and druggists.