WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1987, 24 March 1892, Page 8

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The annual meeting of this council was held in the Council Chambers, Palmerston, on Wednesday, the 16th inst., when there were present : Crs T. Dent, J. Hartstonge, T. Muir, A. M'Laren, D. M'Leod, and J. K. Robertson.

Cr M'Laren was appointed chairman in the absence of Mr Bell.

DEPUTATION,

Messrs A. Gilmore, J. Millar, and D. Walker waited on the council in reference to the damage sustained through the flooding of their land at the lower end of the valley near Muddy creek bridge. A petition on the subject from residents in the Bushy district was read, which stated that they have suffered very much from the effects of the late flood, and more so on account of the railway bank for 17 chains on the south-west side of the railway bridge. It is a solid bank, and being from 4ft to sft above the original level of the ground, this portion of the aforesaid bank nets doubly against us. Firstly, it keeps the water back, but as tho ground is very level a few feet banks up for miles back. Secondly, the present railway bridge stands in an acute angle and acts only as a side discharge or by-wash by sending the full flow of water to Muddy creek along the upper side of the batik on northeast side of bridge. That these banks cause the water to rise and destroy their crops they have good proof to show, and they requested the council's co-operation in trying to prevent a repetition of the same by getting these banks removed anil the ground reduced to its natural level. A rise of a single foot of water destroys a whole field which would otherwise be perfectly dry. Mr Gilmore referred atsomelengt ■ to what was necessary to be done to give the settlers who had been sufferers by the late flood relief, and urged the removal of the bank by the Railway department.

Messrs Millar and Walker also addressed the council, and pointed out the necessity of the causes which culminated in the recent flood disaster b.eing removed. Mr J.'Suthcrland appeared before the council to urge the removal of a gate across a very awkward part of the Alexandria road to another place higher tip where the grade was not so steep and a sharp angle would be avoided. He also_ asked to have the tussocks chipped and the road improved on the same road.

The inspector was empowered to have the gate secured, if in his opinion an improvement could be made. The other matter to stand over for consideration until next week.

The Finance Committee lccommendcd the payment of accounts for the month amounting to Ll3oGssd.— Adopted.

inspector's reports,

Macraes Riding. — In this riding the roads had boon got into a fair s.tate of repair. At Blackman's creek the banking had been washed away at the double culvert, which lequircd a small bridge. At the Killyburn the bridge required FOiuij additions to iiniirove the water outlet. The main creek at Moonlight and at Camp cieekon the Hordellat road : The bank had been washed away for half a-chain, Bft deep and the lower end

of the culvert had been badly knocked about. Hood's road from Horseflat tp Macreas had been badly damaged at the dajn at Camp creekThe inspector recommended that a bridge should be erected there at once. The old crossing $t the Taieri river had been cleared near John Ramsay's property. The horse traffic bridge at the Capburn had been washed down by the late flood and was lying a complete wreck on the Maniototo side of the river. A great deal of the timber was not much damaged, but stops would have to be taken to lift.it out of the river. The roads in this part «f the district would receive attention before winter set in. The new road made last summer opposite the Taieri Lake station had stood well, only the deep bank had subsided, which could easily be repaired. The Four-mile road was in good order, having been attended to. — Received, and resolved that tenders be called by next meeting for the work at Camp creek ; cost to be defrayed out of the land fund.

Blue Mountain Riding.— lnstructions having been received by the inspector to draw plans fol' a footbridge across tlie Shag river at Inch Valley schoQlhous'fJ, he liau prepared one on the principle or a foot-suspension bridge, which could be made stronger and used as a horse traffic bridge, the only timber used being the planks for the roadway, and this could be put together in a very short time. If used as a light footbridge it offered less resistance to the wind) and it could be raised to a proper height above flood level. There would be iid tfoles in the middle, the length of the span being 168 ft. The estimated cost of a footbridge 2ft 6in wide was given at L 18 0; and of a good substantial horse traffic- bridge L 240. The design was only suitable for rock'foundation and the roadway was much more simple, cheaper, and more secure than any plan he had seen in use before. The adoption of iron rail pillars was also neW, and he recommended tho council to give the design a trial. The roads in this riding were being repaired as fast tts the surfacemen could overtake thenii and would be rendered passable bdfore the threshing mill required them. A great many of the district roads required repairs with gravel and tenders wore recommended to be called for the Avork.— Received, and consideration held over Until next meeting.' Dunback Riding. — Malloch's crossing 'in this riding had been visited and inspected, and the rivet bed had been scooped out to the bare rock and was not passable. The fence was on this side of the surveyed road and if removed to its proper place .there would be no difficulty in making the road beyond the expense. The river crossing was very bad, but it could be made passable for dray traffic. Ijb was, however, very soft owing to the silt deposited by the flood. At Galloway's creek the roads were receiving attention, but in many places gravel was required, especially where the flood had washed over -the road rendering it very rough. Somo portions could be repaired by day labour, but the most important would have to be done by contract.— Received) and the inspector instructed to call for tenders foi' 600 yds df gravel to be spread oh main road from Palmei'ston to the stoiie Bridge.

CORRESI'ONDENCij. Frohi Mrs Oi-awford, Alexandra Hotel, calling attention to the planks across the Shag river having been Washed away by the late flood, and requesting the council to replace the same, as they were put there for the convenience of the Sublic— Tlie application was gi'antdd, subject to [r Crawford attending to the planks. ' From the clerk to the Waikouaiti County Council,, enclosing resolution passed at a meeting held in January last ds follows :— " That as the chairman of the Waihemo County Council has not referred and agreed to the terms of our chairman's letter of the sth December last re the Stenhouse road deviation, with offer to effect deviation to construct road above flood level, the offer be now cancelled and withdrawn, and the council --resolve to take steps to form the road in question upon original and surveyed lines ; that the chairman of the Waihemo County Council be respectfully requested to fix a date for his inspector to meet and confer with our inspector as to what is best to be done to render the road on present surveyed line fit for dray traffic— Received. From the Treasury, Wellington, intimating that the sums of L 375 and L 2 17s 6d, being subsidy and goldfields revenue, had been remitted to the credit of the council at the Colonial Bank, Palmerston.— Received.

From the Secretary to the Charitable Aid and Hospital Boards, Dunedin, applying for particulars as to the rateable value of the rateable property in the county for contribution purposes, and a list of persons resident in the county in receipt of outdoor relief.— The information to be supplied. From Mr J. Freeland, Shingly creek, stating that as regarded the-camp reserve at Pigroot, he had to inform the council that there had always been delay at Muddy creek, the mine having already been idle several days, owing to the drays not being able to cross to the Bushy station, the temporary crossing not being serviceable, except for light loads, and but for the generosity of the Shag Point Coal Company the mine would still have to remain idle. Temporary arrangements having been made to load on the Shag Point branch line, this had been stopped by instructions of the Railway department. — The inspector instructed to attend to the matter as soon as reply received from Railway Commissioners re the supply of stone. From Mr J. Munrq, requesting the council to repair the road leading to his property in the two gates to admit stock, and to be allowed two paddocks for camping. He was, however, quite willing to remove the fence. — Received. From the Clerk to the Palmerston Borough Council, asking the county council's co-operation with the borough council in endeavouring to dissuade the Government from poisoning and compelling settlers to poison rabbits in the vicinity of rabbit factories.

From the AUandale Coal Company, placing before the council the urgent necessity for the repair of the road crossing Blue Mountain riding, as they could not fence their land until the repairs were done, the road having been left in a very bad state since the late flood. — Received.

From Mrs Day, Shag Valley, asking the council to replace the planking across the Shag river at what is called Day's crossing. — The council resolved to supply the planks and secure the same. Lotters were read from the Chairman of the Wailconaiii County Council and Mr J. M. Douglas in reference to deviation and formation of Stenhouse's road, when the following resolution was carried: — "That the correspondence be received and the chairman of this council be empowered to communicate with or meet the chairman of the Waikouaiti County Council and make such arrangements for carrying out the work as they may consider necessary."

Voluminous correspondence was read with regard to the remarks made and the resolution passed by the council at the last meeting, in which the Hon. the Minister of Lands asked for an explanation and proof of the statements and reflections made in connection with the action of

the department and the recent rabbit prosecution cases.

After the Chairman and Crs Dent and Robertson had spoken on the question, in which they defended the action they had taken at the last meeting, the following resolution was carried :—: — " That the council do not desire <to debate the personal matters to which the correspondence sent from the Minister of Lands is chiefly devoted, but respectfully maintain the opinion expressed by councillors on public grounds, and trust the department will act updn the Same." OTHER MATTERS. The clerk was requested to write to the Railway Commissioners, urging upon them the necessity of having the bank at Muddy Creek removed at once, and that the petition be forwarded to the chairman while in Wellington with a view to urge the prosecution of the work ; also that the clerk communicate with the member for the district, the Hon. Mr M'Kenzici asking him to list) his influence in the matter. CONTRACT. The tender of Mr James Kitchen was accepted (L 86s 8d), for gravelling from Day's crossing to Muddy Creek. duncan's road. The council agreed to call for tenders for formation of road from last-named contract to junction of Macrae's road. ' The council then adjourned.