CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 11

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The above council met at Balclutha on Friday. Present: Messrs William Dallas (chairman), D. A. M'Lachlan, D. Wallace, J. Robertson, R. Simmers, W. Hay, Thomas

Knowles, Jameß R. Mitchell, and W. Christie.

The Benevolent Trustees and the Charitable Aid Board forwarded list of persons in receipt of aid within tht county for perusal of the council. — No alteration to suggest. The Resident Engineer New Zealand railways wrote with reference to the council's request for a level crossing at Otanomomo railway station, 6tating that the necessary stops were being taken to have this done.— Received. The Public Trustee wrote that the land known as Willsher's claim, Port Molyneux, would be brought under the operation of " The Unclaimed Lands Act 1892" if after inquiry he found no objections to this being done, and asking the council to let him know of any possible reason it may offer why it should not be done.— The council had no objections to The Paymaster-general advised the council of the payment into its credit in the bank of £120, being balance of loan of £1580, under section 10 of " The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act 1886 " for the construction pf public work* in the Richardson riding.— Received; South Molyneux riding to pay half the interest on same. The Paymaster-general also advised the payment of £50 grant to open up roads in block 11, Catlins : also £49, being second and final payment of grant of £149 in connection with the Rankleburn-Tuapeka West road; and £2l 16s 16d towards forming approaches to level

crossing at Arthurton railway station.— Received.

The Commissioner of Taxes advised having sent to the Treasury a voucher for the payment of £219 13s Id, balance of oubsidy for the year 1892-3.— Received.

The Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, wrote stating that the necessary steps had been taken to enable the council to sell 3 roods 39 poles of land in section 1, block 111, Woodlands, same not being required for a road as originally intended. — Received.' The Secretary of the Gera'idine Acclimatisation Society wrote asking the council to support them in recommending to the Government the necessity of adopting measures to make bird poisoning compulsory all over the South Island on certain specified dates.— The clerk to reply that the council do not consider anything of the kind necessary. The Secretary of the Wellington Federated Trades Union forwarded subscription lists in connection with the memorial to the late Premier. — Received. The Land and Income Tax department forwarded schedule of transactions in Crown lands within the county from the date of assessment to March 31 last ; also, lithographic maps of the new ridings. — Received. Mr Charles Wise, Kelso, wrote applying for the right of purchase or lease of the road reserve adjoining section 78, block 111, Glenkenich, for^fellmongery purposes. — To lie on the table for a month, pending Mr J. R. Mackenzie's consent. Mr John GihMand, Rongahori, wrote on behalf of Rankleburn settlers, drawing the attention of the council to the necessity of having the 25 chains of road formed between the school and Mr John Hewitt's place.— This matter had been attended to. X

Mr Robert Greig, Glenomaru, wrote requesting permission to lay down a tramway along the right hand side of the roadline leading from the point where the present tramway crosses. — Referred io the engineer. Five settlers at Ratanui requested the council to expend the money available on the formation of the road leading to the schoolhouse, tenders for which were called some time ago but not accepted. Mr W. J. Lary, Taukupu Valley, applied for a slaughtering license on section 1, block 11, Taukupu.— Granted. Mr B. R. Black, Owako, wrote claiming compensation to the amount of £14 6s in respect of the land and fencing taken from him for road purposes in section 14, block VII, Glenomaru. — Mr Black to be offered £13. Mr G. W. Draper again wrote applying for means of access to his section at Woodlands. — Received. Several other letters dealing with matters in the South Molyneux riding had been attended to by the councillors for the riding. engineer's report. The engineer's monthly report was read and adopted. It reported the progress made since last meeting on the various works in hand. The roads generally, with the exception of those in the South Molyneux riding, were in fairly good order. A number of bridges and wooden culverts had been repaired, but several of t the former would require replanking during the coming summer. The bridge over the Pomahaka, at Kelso, was not in a fit state for heavy traffic, and all loads over it should be limited to 30owt each. The piles and beams were wqrn cut, and a new bridge was the only alternative, the cost of which he estimated at £700. The river bank there also required protection on the Clutha side above the bridge. He directed the council's attention to the bad state of two bridges over the Kuriwao. New superstructures were required at an estimated cost of £400.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The monthly paysheet, amounting to £193 6s sd, was passed for payment. Fresh tenders were ordered to be called for advertising and printing. The following resolutions were carried : — Moved by Cr Knowles, seconded by Cr Hat — " That the engineer be instructed to call for fresh tenders for contract No. 531, Ratanui."

Moved by Cr Robbetson, seconded by Cr Simmehs— " That the chairman apply to the Minister for Lands to put the sum of £200 on the Supplementary Estimates to assist the Clutha County Council to open up road Kelso to Gore through blocks 1 and 2, Glenkenich district.—Copy of this resolution to be sent to Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R." Moved by Cr Christie, seconded by Cr Mitchell—" That the engineer be instructed to get some maintenance metal for the Port road, cost not to exceed £10." Moved by Cr Simmbbs, seconded by Cr Robertson — " That as sectiou 311, sub-section 13, of the • Counties Act 1886,' gives authority to the council by special order to make & by-law for regulating the times and conditions under which traction engines may pass aloDg the roads within the county,' the council pass a by-law (read) on the subjeot." Moved by Cr Hay, seconded by Cr Knowles— "That the road running between sections 28, 51 and 52, block J,, Catlins, be stopped, and that it be conveyed to Mr B. Morris in exchange for a deviation of the road through section 58, block I."

Moved by Cr jChbistie, seconded by Cr Wallace—" That'the general rate notice of Jd in the pound, and the Hospital and Charitable Aid rate of 3-16 din the pound, be confirmed." This was all the'business.