CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1949, 2 July 1891, Page 8

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The Clutha County Counoil met at Balolutha on Friday afternoon. There were presentCaptain M'Eenzie (chairman). Brown, Christie* Mitchell, Hay, Simmers, Wallace, M'Lachlan, and alias. CORBBSPONDENOB. Tb Surveyor-general wrote' agreeing to the conn i] '{suggestion to expend the £100 available t ) roads in the Bankleburn district in the construction of a road from the south; east comer of seotion 3, ■ block I, along the river bank, ° and enclosing usual form of agreement for signature. With reference to the punt Bite he explained that the chief surveyor had condemned the lower site as fast shoaling up from tailings coming into the, river.— A brief discussion ensued, in the course of which it was pointed out that at the site fixed the punt could never be available for the settlers in the district, and would only benefit a saw mill at work there. It was thought by some that undue influence had been used to haye the site fixed at that point. It was also explained that the depth, of the river at the proposed site lower down had been tested by a number of settlers at the same time as it was examined by the surveyor, but with very different results. — The Chaibman said he had no doubt there would very soon be a main road constructed that way towards Lawrence, but the punt on the site fixed by the surveyor could not be available for the road.— lt was ultimately agreed to again call the attention of the Minister of Lands to the matter, asking him to have a further survey of both sites made.

John Campbell, manager Qaakerneld farm, Owake, wrote asking permission to erect stiles on the fence at each end of the road leading through the swamp, seotion 9, blook VIII, Glenomaru.— Mr Campbell appeared, and addressed the council in support of the application, which was granted. ; Messrs Cumine Bros, called attention to two oulverts on road passing through P. O'Connell's property that required repair; also, to the road through Long Bush to Purekireki, which was in a dangerous state. — On the motion of Cr Hat the Engineer was instructed to have the culverts at O'Connell's property repaired with scrub ; no funds available for the road referred to to Purekireki, which was merely a bridle track and not intended for vehicles.

R. S. M'Eenzie, Duntroon, wrote that he was anxious to settle on his property, sections 60 and 61, block IX, Gleoomaru, but there was no passable rpad to the property. He offered £5 towards the cost of cutting the timber off the road line if the council would subsidise it pound for pound or day for day for a man to do the work,— Cr Bbown said the General Government secured all the money from the sale of the land and should make the roads. The Counoil had do money for the work. — Cr Hay thought when settlers came forward offering to assist in making roads, the council should meet them half way. The sum required was small, and he moved that the council grant a subsidy of pound for pound up to £5. — Agreed to.

The Chief Surveyor asked—in view of the prssibilLy of the Government having -to take

roads across sections 8 and 9, blook VII, South Molyneux distriot, under the Public Works Act— to be informed what the property tax valuation of each seotion is, specifying the valuation in land and buildings separately. — Information to be supplied.

Mr C. Dallas, Te Honka, wrote reporting that a number of glazed drain pipes that had lain on his property for about 13 years, and had belonged to the late Pomahaka Road Board, had reoently been removed. — Mr Dallas to be thanked for his communication, and informed that the pipes had been taken for county works. Mr A. C. Saunders (Owake) called attention to the impassable state of the road running through sections 8 and 13, block 8, close to the dairy factory. — On the motion of Cr Hat the engineer was instructed to send a surfaceman to make the road passable with fascines.

Mr H. Turfcon, district land registrar, wrote with reference to road closing, that disapproval had been expressed to him that in certain oases roads closed by county councils had been sold to or exchanged with a person claiming an interest in the adjoining land only as a mortgagor, and that mortgagees and lessees consider themselves aggrieved by roads intersecting or bounding land mortgaged or leased to them being closed without their consent or knowledge. He suggested that before confirming the decision of the ratepayers to close a road, the counoil should obtain the consent of mortgagees or lessees of adjoining lands, or- their solicitors, under, the Lands Transfer Aot to the intended closing of roads. He would be pleased, if requested to do so by the clerk of the council, to furnish particulars of ownership as appearing by the registry. — Mr Turfcon to be thanked for his communication.—The Chaibman pointed out that the proposal to close any road, and also the meeting of ratepayers to decide on the matter, was always advertised as required by law, so that mortgagees, as well' as others, might have an opportunity of attending to their interests. The Seoretary to the Charitable Aid Board forwarded a list of persons residing within the county who are in receipt of relief from the Benevolent Institution, and asking the counoil to report on the matter.— The list was considered; recommendations to be fowarded as asked.

The Paymaster-general notified payment to the county fund of goldfields revenue £1 19 a 9d, also a payment of subsidy for damage done to the Glenomaru road, caused through heavy traffic in connection with the construction of the Catlins River railway, £250, less advance forwork in hand, £50— total £200.

Messrs D. and J. Clark notified that they were about to fence their land in blook 111, Waipahi. The fence would run alongside the road line and stop all traffic— Referred to the engineer for report.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Engineer's report was read and adopted, and the monthly pay sheet, amounting to £168 10s, passed for payment. The following motions were passed :— By Cr Mitchell, seconded by Cr Simmbks— •• That the engineer prepare plans and specifications for works to expend the meney voted by the Government for road making in the Rankleburn district; tenders to be called for next meeting." By Or MiTCHHLi,, seconded by Or Hat—" That the engineer oall for tenders for breaking and blinding metal on Terrace road, Olydevale riding." By Cr Bbown, seconded by Or Hat— "That the attention of the Government be called to the state of the road between Glenomarn and Catlins river, on which there is a large traffic connected with the railway works ; and that the portions of road opposite McDonald's farm on the main road, also the branch road called Hunt's road, should be maintained by the Public Works department ; that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister for Public Works." By Cr Chbistih, seconded by Or Mitohhll— " That two men be sent to work on the road at Lochendarb to the extent of £12, to be charged against the South Molyneux riding." ■ - Cr Chbistib called attention to the matter of a contract undertaken by a Mr Pollen, (where the wall of a bridge in course of construction had fallen down, and nothing further had been done.--Mr Keys, who was present, addressed the council, pointing out the urgent necessity for this bridge being constructed at once.— lt was resolved that the 'engineer take immediate steps to complete the contract and have the bridge erected.

The Chairman called attention to the respon* sibility of the council for damages for injuries received through holes in roads or bridges as shown by a recent action against the Wallace County Council, in which heavy damages were awarded. He contended it was impossible for the surfacemen to keep their eye upon every bridge and mile of road so as to detect every little fault. He contended that the state of the law regarding the matter was not suitable to the circumstances of the country, meantime, he thought the council should have all the bridges and culverts replanked where there were any signs of decay. — Several councillors suggested that the county councils throughout the colony should combine in a representation to the Government with a view to having the law amended and made applicable to the circumstances of the colony. — After tome discussion the subject was allowed to drop.

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