WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2009, 25 August 1892, Page 15

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of this council was held in the Council Chambers, Palmeroton, on Wednesday, tho 17th inst., when there were present tho Chairman (Mr A. D. Boll), and Crs T. Dent, D. Kennedy, T. Muir, A. M'Larcn, and J. K. Robertson.

DEPUTATIONS.

Mr It. Matheson waited on the council on behalf of Mr J. Frceland, Pigroot, in reference to a notice received from the council requesting him to remove the fence erected round Camp reserve. The Chairman explained that people had compl.iiaed about tho reserve being fenced in, and others driving stock were notawureof the reserve, especially stmogerd. He suggested that the matter uiisjht be arranged by Mr Freeland putting up a notice board to let tlie public know about the reserve. — It was resolved— "That permission be guen to Mr TTredand to retain the fence provided he ei-ect a hinged gate and afiix a proper notice board as to the reserve and keep the same in repair at his own expense." Messrs A. fiilmoro, Miller, and Walker waited on the council in reference to the embankment at the Muddy creek bridge. — The Chairman stafedthat the council had received no reply from lhe Railway Commissioners as yet. The Hon. Mr M'Kcuziean! himself had interviewed the Comrnisbioners when he was in Wellington, aad while •Mr Maxwell had admitted that the back water

had been tho c.vise of tho mischief complained of, ho recognised the difficulties that existed to tho removal of the obstruction, and if they let the water through as suggested it might interfere with thoso on the other side. If it mot tho" wishes of tho deputation he would press for a definite answer. Mr Gilmour considered this would be tho best course, as the ratepayers looked to tho council for protection in the matter. They did not want ft channel but an opening to let tho water away during the timp of tloocl, and the council were justified in bringing pressure to bear to afford ratepayers relief. He estimated that it would take LIOO to put the roads in tho same repair as they were before the flood, and of courso this meant so much of the ratepayers' money. — Tho Chairman promised to bring the matter under the attention of the commissioners and to press for a definite reply as to their intentions. Mr Gilmoro said theic was another matter ho wished to bring under the notice of the council. Wcro tho grazing rights over the county road« about expiring 1 For some timo past trespass of horses and cattle on the roads was disgraceful. — Cr Muir did not think it was right that ratepayers should have to come to the council to complain of cattlo grazing on the roads. The council employed and paid a man, and the ronds should be kept clear.— The Ch ai rman pointed out that tho duties of ranger were understood to be that when he found cattle trespassing action was to be taken, but he was not expected to be constantly on tho roads.— Resolved— ''That tho attention of tho ranger be. called to tho trespass of cattle on the county roads in the Bushy riding."

PAYMENTS.

Accounts for the month amounting to L2OO Is 3d were passed for payment.

I.\SI'F.CTOII'S IIKPORTS.

The Inspector reported that the roads in tho Macraes riding were being (placed in fair order, but that a portion of the Main road from Gifford's farm to Mrs Griffith's homestead was very bad. About 15 chains had been metalled, and 30 to 35 chains adjoining if done would prove of great benefit to the settlers using the road. He had inspected the road Mr Groyson wanted to his homer' stead, passing through Mr Curries section. Owing to itscurves the road would be difficult to make, the distance being from three to four miles, which if ever finished would cost a considerable sum. Mr Greyson_ had access to his propeity at both ends, but his homestead was at the junction of the Mareburn creek in a very deep gully.—Received, and postponed for consideration until next meeting.

In the Bushy riding the surfacemen had been getting the Shag Point road in order, and as the railway line prevented the clearing of tho water tables in the usual way, drays had to be employed to cart away the material. The quantity of gravel required to repair the road from Muddy creek to Main road was 500 yds, and the bridge at Walker's required renewing this summer. The bridge was erected 21 years ago, aud unseasoned bush timber had been used, which was now becoming decayed. Welsh's road also required attention. Throughout the county the gravelled roads wore worn thin, and would have to bo renewed the ensuing summer. Two bridges in the Blue Mountain also required renewing— one at Steel's homestead and the other at Ross' farm, the one having been built 21 and the other 22 years, and the timber was rotten and decayed. There was also another bridge near Terrace farm that was becoming very shaky, and required a considerable outlay in repairing the planking, &c. — Received, and consideration deferred, the inspector to attend to thp worst portions of the roads m the meantime. CORRESPONDENCE. From the District Land Office, Dunedin, asking the council upon what roads it was intended to expend moneys derived from sections 8 and 14, block V, Dunback. From the Commissioner of Taxes, Wellington-, notifying that a voucher for the payment of L 125, balance of subsidy due the council for the year 1891-92, payable under "Tho Local Bodies' Finance and Powers Act 1885."— 'Received. From Mr J. Douglas, Mount Royal, requesting the council to consider the Stenhouso road deviation question. He suggested that 'a committee of disinterested members should be appointed to personally inspect tho locale and decide (1) whether it would not be judicious on the part of the council to adopt tho indicated deviation diverting the section in question out of the county into the Waikonaiti County, arid in that event to determine (2) what would be an equitable contribution in lieu of the county's share of main tuiniug the section in question tor all time. Crs Kenncdj', M'Laron, and Robertson were suggested as a committee to accompany the two county inspectors. — .Received, and Mr Douglas tb be informed that the council are will* jng to treat with the Waikouaiti County Council in the matter. From Mr D. W. Philip, Slia« Vnljcy,- applying for permission to ciect a fence 4ft on roadliue round bib piopeily, r-ection 30, Work IV, Moeraki, to protect live hedge. He denied that the hedge pnerotched on the road line afi had been represented. — The application was granted. From Mr R. M'Elhvcc. Shag Vtillt-y, bringing under the attention ot the council the road to Janet's Peak, through Mr Robertson's paddock, as its state at prc-cnt was very unsatisfactory. He asked the council to inspect the road, and did not ask for any very great outlay, but wanted the road rendered passable for an empty dray, and to enable him to take two loads a day instead of one as at present. — Referred to the chairman. From Mr J. Deem, Waihomo, asking the council to allow the plank now hapging to 1 the old bridge to be used as a temporary crossing until such time as the council can erect something better to cross the river on the^ station side. Ho offered to assist the surfaceman to fix the plank and to look after it, but not undertaking 'any re. sponsibility in case of floods. — TEe application was , granted. From the Crown Lands department, Dimedin, intimating that the sum of 'LRQ 5s 4d, being deferred payment aud perpetual lease thirds and small grazing run fourths accrued during the period from February 1 to April 30, 18U2, had been paid to the credit of the council at the Colonial Bank, of which the following are the particulars :— Deferred payments : Budlc, LI 8s !)d ; Highlay, L 2 10s (5d ; Dunb.ick, L 3 13s 10.1 ; Waihemo, Ll2 I6s 3d. Perpetual leases : Ro k and Pillar, LlO Is lid; Waihemo, 14s 2d ; Dunback, |.22 3s 7d ; Budlo, L's 9d lid; High lay, 'Ll 0d sd. Small grazing runs: Strnth-Taien, L!) Ilia 4il : lligliluy, L 55 J0 a (id ; Duub.ick, L 39 15s 3d ; Waihemo, HO 10s; Budlc, LlO 15s.— Received.

OT.'IKII S!AITJ:iS. An application was received from MrWeston, Dunback, for permission to mine for gold on district road at sections 25 and 2(>, subject to his depositing a sum sufficient to cover any. damage done in the event of the road not, bumg left in good order. The resolution passed at the last meeting, making a general rate of live-eighths of a penny in the pound, was continued. coxnti'.'is. Tenders were opened for tho foJioA-ing woiks, and the lowest accepted : — Coiiti art 15)1: Supply of gravel, Wbitoade's roid. JJu.-by lidinsi— J. Kitchen, Js 2d \nr yaid; W. Kendall, lsSJd per yard. Contract 293 : Supply of gravel on district ru-irl leading t<j Goodwood U;tfl\vny station-J. Kitchen, Is per yard : J. Kendall, Is tid pur yard. The council then adjoin nod.