WAIKOUAITI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 33

WAIKOUAITI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of this county council was held in the Council Chambers, Hawksbury, on Friday last, at which there were present— The Chairman (Mr J. Green), Ors W. J. Bolt, J. C. Buckland, J. Crickmore, J. Douglas, aud J. Porteous.

PETITION. Forty-one ratepayers in the Lower Harbour and Purakanui districts petitioned the council, and asked them to form a bridle or sledge track on the road leading from the Lower Harbour, at Bonnnr's, to the junction of the Purakanui and Hay ward's Point road.— The council declined the request.

FINANCE,

Accounts for the month, amounting to L 216 14s Id, were passed for payment.

CONTRACTS.

Tenflers were opened for the following works :—: — Contract 473 : Formation and culverts on Stenhouse's road, C. Hodd, formation and culverts, L 67;6 7; formation and crossing, L 57. — Accepted. Contract 474 : Formation and culverts on road to Nenthoru, F. G. Fowler, formation, LSO ; ditching, 4s pc chain.— Accepted. Contract 475 : Gravel on oomb's road, Waitati, A. Allen, 3s per yavd. — Accepted. INSPECTOR'S REPORTS.

In his general report the inspector stated that all the roads in the county, except those that had not been metalled, were in very good condition, and the latter were almost impassable, owing to the very wet weather ; that in the North-East Valley the roads had received the usual attention ; that contract 470 was progressing, and would be completed iv the course of the month ; that the various roads in the Blueskin riding were very soft and sloppy ; contract 463 had been completed ami most of the metal spread, and contracts 471 and 472 had been satisfactorily carried out ; contract 474 had been tendered for, and contract 4(37 not commenced ; that the roads in the Merton riding were in a very bad condition, owing to the continued wet weather, and the roads in the lower part of the riding had been very much cut up by traction engines, one culvert near the Warrington railway station having been renewed, through the damage sustained, at a cost of LG ; contracts 465 and 466 had not been commenced on account of the wot weather ; that the roads in the Hawksbury riding were not so bad as in tho other ridings, and called for no special comment ; contracts 465, 469, and 462 had nut been commenced, owing to the wet weather. Reporting in reference to the complaint of Mr A. Young that contract 444 had not been completed iv accordance with plans and specifications, the Inspector stated that the work had been examined in the presence of Cr Douglas and Mr Young, and the charge had been proved, and admitted by Mr Young, to have been groundless. The reasons why Mr Young had preferred the charge against him (tho inspector) were best known to himself, but he asked what time must el ipse before he would be safe from^ .such charges of neglect of duty, of doing work in error, or of defrauding the ratepayers of the county. He expressed a hope that the council would x'rotect him against such statements as had been brought by Mr Young. — The council passed the following resolution — "That in the opinion of this council the charges referred to are groundless, and express deep regret that Mr Young should have made thorn."

Referring to Clarke's road, Waitati, the Inspector reported that the traffic was very heavy, and he recommended that tenders be -jal ed for 300 yards of maintenance gravel to enable the worst portions of this road to be repaired as soon as the weather would permit the work to be done, The council resolved to call for tenders for the work.

In reporting on the gorse nuisance at Flag Swamp the inspector pointed out that Messrs Johnston, Stringer, Galbraith, and Lindsay were taking steps to abate the nuisance, notice having been served upon them to that effect in accordance with instructions of the council, 2S days being given them. — Received. &

DEPUTATION,

Messrs Orbell and Nankivell waited on the council in reference to a road through sections 4, 5, block V, Hawksbury survey district, when Mr Orbell, as trustee, agreed to give the necessary land on certain conditions as to the payment and the conveyance of closed road line to Mr Orbell, as trustee.

CORRESPONDENCE,

From Messrs J. Maxwell and Son, Hawksbury, applying to have the culvert across Clark's road, opposite their property, enlarged, the present one being too small to carry off the surface drainage. — Referred to the inspector to ascertain if the top of the present culvert could be raised so as to meet the case. From the Commissioner of Taxes intimating that a voucher for L 125, balance of subsidy, had been sent to the treasury. — Received. From the Clerk Waihcmo County Council acknowledging receipt of statement made by Cr Douglas, and it had been read and minuted as received.

From Mr J. Purdie, Lower Harbour, enclosing resolution passed at a public meeting drawing the council's attention to the almost impassable state of the district road, enclosing school inspector's report, and pointing out that the condition of the road seriously affected the school attendance. — Referred to the inspector to effect what improvement he could with the surfaceman.

From Messrs T. Foynton and J. A. Adams. Blueskin, calling attention to tho want of a road leading from the Main road to Mr Poynton's property. — Roferred to the inspector to examine and to have the work flone if necessary by the dayman. From Mr T. Blockley, Evansdale, drawing attention to the road leading to his property at Murchison's, which required a culvert and the drains cleared to c:»rry off the water. — The council regretted that they could not comply with the request. From Mr J. Mills, M.H.R., Wellington, acknowledging receipt of letter re vote towards the maintenance of the district road from Seacliff to Merton, and promising to_ do all in his power to promote the matter. — Received. From Mr J. Clark, Waitati, drawing attention to the state of the Quarry road from the upper portion of the first pinch to near M'Robie's section. The water tables and culverts required cleaning out, which at present wore usele&s, causing the water to flow down the road. — Referred to the inspector to attend to as soon as he can spare the surfaceman. From Mr W. Perry, Sawyers' Bay, asking to have some repairs done to the Sawyers' Bay road, which had not received any metal for three years, and the old metal had been worn through, rendering the road impassable. — Referred to the inspector for a report. From Inspector Hickson, Dunedin, calling attention to the fact that the county bye-laws authorised constablos to impound but not to prosecute the owners of stray cattle on county roads, and as there were several cases landing in which action .should be taken, the council were asked to authorise, by resolution under the seal of the county, the constables to prosecute all offenders against the ~t>j'e-law in question. — The council expressed the opinion that it was not desirable to make any special appointment, and hoped the statute law and the bye-law referred to was still, as it has hitherto been, sufficient to enable the constables to prevent the trespassing of cattle on roads in tho county. From the Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, Wellington, re united action in connection with Arbor Day.— Received. From the Secretary to the New Zealand Farmers' and Country Settlers' League, Christchurch, forwarding copy of programme of the league, and inviting the council to take steps to organise a similar league in the county and offering to afford every assistance and generally cooperating for the benefit of the agricultural and pastoral interests. — Received. From Messrs Sutton, Watson, Purdio, and Smith, calling attention to the state of thee Bach road, Lowei Harbour, several portions of which were in a very dangerous condition. — Refer"* J to the inspector.

OTHER MATTERS,

The inspector was instructed to re j lon the most urgently-required repairs to the id known as Cowan's, on the Wakari-Waitati id, in the Blueskin riding. The council decided to levy a gene for the ensuing year of 3d in the pound, payable in one sum on the 18th day of August 1892. Resolved— "That the letter of Dr Truby King of the sth inst., taking exception to a paragraph in the county inspector's report on the work and

cost of road leading from the Scacliff Asylum to the Main North road, be received, and this council express their regret that any annoyance should have been given Dr King, as none was intended, the fact being that the council was not aware that the rules of the institution militated against the economical working conjointly with hired men, horses, and drays, which is practically referred to in Dr King's letter now under consideration, and the council express the hope that the friendly relations that have hitherto existed w ill continue unimpaired."

Cr Buckland said he had very great pleasure in proposing the following resolution •£—" That this council desire to place on record their regret at thc_ death of the Hon. Sir Harry Atkinson, and the misfortune the colony has sustained in losing the services of an able and honest statesman a valuable colonist, and one who devoted a life and talents to the best interests of the country, and express their heartfelt sympathy with Lady Atkinson and family in their bereavement, and the clerk be instructed to forward a copy of this resolution to Lady Atkinson." He expressed the belief that everyone, whether Liberal or Conservative, would echo the sentiment embodied in the motion and do the deceased statesman the justice his action as a soldier and a politician deserved.

Cr J. Porteous had very great pleasure in seconding the resolution. The Chairman, who had worked with the deceased statesmen in the House of Representatives, and who had conic in contact with him as a Minister and as a public man, endorsed all that Cr Buckland had said in the late Sir H Atkinson's favour, paid a high tribute to his singleness of purpose, his high integrity, his patriotism, his distinguished abilities, and his long yublic life, which had ever been devoted to protecting and advancing the material well-being and best interests of the colony. The motion was carried unanimously. The council then adjourned.