WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1933, 25 February 1892, Page 8

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of this county council was held in the Council Chambers, Palmerston, on the 17th, when there were present— The Chairman (Mr A. D. Bell), and Cvs T. Dent, C. S. Hay, D. Kennedy, T. JMuir, A. M'Laren, D. M'Leod, and J. K. Robertson.

DEPUTATION,

Messrs W. Craig, J. Dalzeil, and D. M 'Donald waited on the council as a deputation from settlers in Inch Valley district in reference to damage done to roads and bridges. The deputation represented that the work of the greatest urgency was the re-erection of the bridge over the river at Inch Valley, which was used by all the children attending the Inch Valley school except some few. Tho fords across the river were impassable, the only available one being what was known as Scott's, and their only means of communication was on sufferance and through private property. The deputation suggested that a small strip of land should be taken along the bank of the river to connect the higher and lower fords, and they bore testimony to the efforts of the inspector to provide means to give them an outlet through the properties of Mr Crawford and Mr D. M'Donald. The Chairman pointed out that it would bo unwise and unfair of the council to pledge themselves to carry out any particular work until they had received a general report from the inspector. The matter, however, would roceive, with other claims, tho favourable consideration of the council.

PAYMENTS,

Accounts for the month amounting to L 209 13s 3d were passed for payment. inspector's ueport.

The Inspector reported that in the Macraes riding the road had suffered severely from the recent floods, and the banking had been washed away from the bridges on the Nenthorn road, but no culverts had been disturbed. In the Moonlight and Horse Flat districts similar damage had been sustained. On the Main road at Deepdell a bridge would have to be elected, as the double culvert did not prevent the overflow of water doing damage. By taking out the centre wall of the culvert a timber and iron superstructure could be put on. On Matheson's road some of the banking had been washed away, and at the Fillyburn bridge some damage had been done to the banking. He had been informed that the Capburn bridge had been swept to one side of the Taieri river, and was hanging a complete wreck. He had not had time to visit the locality.— The report was received, and that part referring to the bridge at Deepdell held over for consideration. In the Green Valley riding the floods had done some damage, and the roadß required a few weeks' work t» get them in order again. The Main road was considerably damaged by being washed away at the schoolhouse, but with the assistance of a few men two or three days would put things right. The new road had sustained a little damage, the end of a culvert had been washed away, and at Green Valley a bridge had been washed down. This work, however, could be attended to by the surfacemen. The crossings had also sustained some damage, but had been repaired by men engaged by the chairman and Cr Dent.— Received. In the Dunback riding the Bluff road had stood well, and any damage done was near the stone bridge there, and at Galloway's the culvert had been washed away, as also the banking in Ritchie's road. The surfaceman had been instructed to put in a new culvert there. Three spans of the footbridge at Deems' were gone, and the wreckage caught the handrails and carried them away. The main bridge at Kitchener's had sunk in the centre a foot. The bridge, however, was safe for traffic. The cause of the sinkage was attributed to some soft substance below the reef, as the concrete and masonry were sound, except where the holding-down rods were fixed. The cost of repairs was not estimated as being large.— Received. In the Blue Mountain riding the river crossings had been badly damaged, and permission had to be obtained from Mr Isbister to cross througK his land. The same permission had to be obtained from Mr Crawford and Mr D. M 'Donald. The council would have to erect a gate and pay for surface damage. The two footbridges over the river at Inch Valley had been carried away, and the wreckage was lying down the stream unrepairable. The Horse Range road was in first-rate order, but the banking on the Shag river bridge had been cut away, and at the White bridge a clean cut existed through the road 30ft bylb'ft. One side had been repaired, but it would take some time to make it sound. In the Bushey riding the damage was confined to Muddy creek. The railway bridge confining the water, made the scour very heavy, the channel being scooped out for 40ft, leaving 6ft of dead water. A temporary crossing had been put on, but it was not very serviceable. At the lower crossing nothing would do but a low bridge or large stones put in. No damage had been done in the Goodwood and Meadowbank ridings.— Received, and repairs to Muddy creek crossing to be left in the hands of the inspector ; application to be made to the Railway department for supply and carriage of stones for improving the crossing free of cost.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From the Treasury, Wellington, intimating that the sum of L 2 Is, goldfields revenue, had been remitted to the credit of the council at the Colonial Bank, Paluicrston. — Received. From the Chairman of the Waikouaiti County Council expressing surprise at not receiving any reply to his council's offer re Stenhouso's road deviation in time for submission to the last meeting, when a tender was accepted for the first section of the formation. As the council's ultimatum would determine the question of whether there was to be a deviation that would place the road beyond danger at times of flood, and be a permanent and economic benefit to both councils, he requested a reply at the council's convenience.—Received. From the District Land Office, Dunedin, intimating that the sum of LCI 15s Ccl, deferred payment and perpetual lease thirds and small grazing run fourths had accrued during the period from August 3 to November 2, 1891, as follows:—Deferred payments : Budle district, L 2 5s 3d ; Highlay, L 4 12s 2d ; Dunback, LI 4s 2d ; Waihemo, L 2 Bs'(sd ; Rock and Pillar, L2O 5s 2d. Perpetual loases : Rock and Pillar, Ll3 12s lOd ; Highlay, L 3 Is 5d ; Dunback, Ll9 18s 3d. Small grazing runs— Highlay, Ll4 2s.— Received. From Mr J. Douglas, Mount Royal, again complaining of the impassable state of the track leading from his homestead to Stenhouse s. Ihe road had never been made, and the cutting and crossings made by himself, had been completely destroyed by the recent floods. One of the crossings when the ground was thoroughly wet became a quicksand, and he nearly had a horse smothered there. Both crossings were bad and the Waikouaiti County Council were prepared to act, as the only effectual way for improving the road was by bridging and rendering the road substantial and capable of resisting great floods.—Consideration postponed, until reply received to.cnairman s letter to Waikouaiti County Council. From the Allandale Coal Company calling attention to the fact that the crossing at Muddy creek had been carried away by the flood and the colliery works were at a standstill until it was made passable for drays, and requesting the council's immediate attention to it.— Referred to th frof rom P !fr°W. M'Culloch, Dunback, applying for the formation of a few chains of road leading to his place, the late flood havine completely shut hlmin and not leaving him a bridle track. He requested the counoil's earliest attention to the matter.-Roferred to the Inspector for a report. OTHER MATTEBB. The Inspector was instructed to submit estimate of cost ofa very light bridge, placed about 4ft ftfcoYe tJ»« ardtaary water level of the river.