BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 19

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Bruce County Council was held on Tuesday, and attended by the Chairman (Mr H. Clark), Crs Smith, Macpherson, Calder, Noble, Crane, Haggart, Murray, and Mosley.

inspector's report.

The Inspector of Works reported that nothing had been done to the contract through M'Bride Bros', property, or to the road formation at Gardyne's, the contractors for these works being engaged with other works. The railway bridge over Lakes canal had scoured out around the piles to a depth of nearly 4ft, and step 3 were being taken to fill in around the piles with stones, to prevent any further scour, as the Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company's manager considered the bridge unsafe. A start had been made to one of the ditches in connection with the Matau drainage schenie (M'Kinlay's contract), and the timber was being delivered for the culvert under the railway line. Some bridging stono3 had been laid down to protect the mouth of the Lakes canal, as soon as the river was low enough for the work to be done. The receipts for the two months ended January 31, 1894, amounted to £714 18s 4d, and the expenditure for the same period to £608 19s Bd.— The report was adopted.

CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Treasury stating that the Government had provisionally approved of the council's application for a loan of £500 for the extension of the Lakes drainage works, on the condition that the council took all the steps necessary to comply with the provisions of " The Local Bodies' Loans Act 1885."

The Public Trustee wrote asking if section 31, block I, Clareadon district, were put up for lease it would bring 6d an acre rental. — The clerk was instructed to make inquiries and reply. A letter was received from the Surveyorgeneral's office enclosing a proclamation taking land for roads in the Tokomairiri, Waihola, and Clarendon survey districts, and asking that a copy of the proclamation be published in a paper circulating in the district.— The Chairman reported that the proclamation had been advertised in the Bruce Herald, and a copy sent to the Surveyor-general's office. A letter was received from the Undersecretary for Justice stating that the Minister proposed to appoint the Bruce County Council to have authority in terms of section 9 of "The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act 1893" throughout the licensing district of Bruce. — It was resolved that nothing be done in the matter in the meantime.

A circular was read from the Wairarapa North County Council asking the co-operation of the council in forming a County Council Association, with the object of watching and protecting the interests of local government outside of munipalities, and initiating such amendments on the existing law as would ensure the efficient carrying out of such government ; and the circular also asked that a member of the council be appointed to attend the first meeting of the association, to be held in Wellington during the first week of next session. — Received.

The Clerk of the Taieri County Council wrote stating that the council declined to continue to maintain|the Taieri Mouth punt or the approaches thereto as from January 1894; that, owing to the tide now acting directly on the approach on the north side, the work of reinstating and maintaining the same was one of great difficulty and expense, and the council was of opinion that it would not be justified in expending any more of its funds on a work which was constructed and was required solely for the convenience of residents and ratepayers in the Bruce county.— lt was resolved to instruct the puntman to stop all traffic by the punt until some arrangements were come to with the Taieri County Council with regard to keeping it in repair. The Inchclutha River and Road Board wrote asking the council to widen centre ditch from Bell's cross road up to and through Mosley's belt, and stating that the board would agree to give pound for pound towards the cost of the proposed work.,— The council agreed to the proposal of the board to the extent of £20, and the matter was referred to the member for the riding and the inspector.

Mr W. P. Watson, manager of the Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company, wrote stating that the bridge over Lakes drainage canal was in a dangerous condition, owing to the earth being scoured away from around tho piles, and asking that something be done at once to secure the bridge.— The Inspector reported that he had made arrangements to fill up the place scoured out with stones.

Mr Watson also wrote re culvert under railway, Matau drainage works, stating that the plan of the proposed culvert had been approved of by the directors of the company with some slight modifications suggested by its engineer, the principal one being that the timber should be jarrah or ironbark so as to make a permanent job. — The Inspector reported that the timber had been ordered for the work, and as soon as it arrived the work would be taken in hand.

The Chairman reported that on the day after the last meeting a tender was received for the erection of the wood culvert at Waugaloa. A s the tender was favourable he had referred the matter to Or Haggart, and he agreed that the tender should be accepted. This had been done, and the work was finished. — The action of the chairman in accepting the tender was confirmed. The Kaitangata Borough Council wrote calling attention to the unsatisfactory state of the culvert on the canal when the rivers were high. — Received.

Mr H. L. Johnson wrote asking that the bridge at Graham creek be widened, as the narrowness of the opening was the cause of the banks bursting, and stating that unless the bridge was widened the next flood would again burst thebankand overflow all theadjacent properties. — Received.

Mr John Higgins wrote asking the council to make a road to section 69, block VI, Clarendon, that he had leased in perpetuity, as at present he could not get on to the land for want of a road.— It was decided to allow the matter to stand over in the meantime until a reply was received from the Government as to the vote for village settlement roads.

Mr Thomas Parker wrote asking the council to remove all the obstructions on the road leading to sections part of 91)9 1 ) to 9S, block XI, Tokomairiro. through Ilelensbrook township.— lt was decided to take no action in the matter.

Mr George Graham wrote asking the council to remove all the gates off the road leading to his property, as he was tired opening them every day going to the creamery. — It was resolved that all gates on Riverside road from the township to the ake be removed. Mr A. Lee bmith wrote giving the council authority to remove his fence to the side of the new road on section 3, block VJI, Olarendon survey district.— lt was decided to thank Mr Smith for his ofier. Mr Edwin Palmer wrote stating that the approach on the north side of the Taieri Mouth punt got washed away with the heavy sea, an^

the traffic had been stopped, as the road was dangerous. — Received. Mr Andrew Haggie wrote asking the council to open up the road between Messrs Fairbairn and Green's properties to sections 8, 10, 26, and 27, block 111, Akatore district; also stating that he would be willing to help in the formation of the road if the line of road was laid off.— lt was resolved that the inspector report_ on tho works required to open the road in question. Mr William Houston wrote asking if the line of the formation through Fections 2 and 3, block XXIV, Waiholn district, was in the centre of the road, as he had purchased a portion of the land cut off by the road and could not find the boundary of Bame.- Referred to Mr Knarston. Messrs Adams Bros, wrote, on behalf of Mr Thomas Burton, asking that certain charges for cutting gorse on sections in Waihola Park township be reduced. — Received. Mr E. J. Boyd wrote asking the council to grant him a slaughtering license for a yard on his land in Inchclutha, section 6, block Xll.— The Clerk reported that this was a new application ; it had been advertised for four objections, and no objections had been received against the granting of a license.— lt was agreed to grant a license as requ3sted. Mr Thomas Fallowfield wrote asking the council to make a road to his section, as the road which had been formed by the council was on the opposite side of the section on which his house was built, and he could not get to it as he had to cross a deep gully. He would rather have the road through sections 55 and 56 opened up.— The council could not see its way to take any action in the matter in the meantime.

Mr J. D. Brown, of Wangaloa, wrote offering to surface the road from the schoolhouse, AVangaloa, to the boundary of the Kaitangata borough for £1 per mile.— lt was resolved to accept Mr Brown's offer. Mr Wm. Willocks wrote asking the council to take steps to have a deviation of road made through section 2 of 26, block I, Hillend, so as to give him access to his property, as the road as surveyed passed through a deep gully, and a level road could be obtained by following the leading ridge.— Referred to the Balmoral Road Board. The Inchclutha River and Road Board wrote requesting permission to lay a pipe and box culvert under the county road, Inehclutha — It was resolved that the permission asked for bo granted, the work to be done to the satisfaction of tho inspector. The Clutha County Council wrote enclosing an account for repairs and maintenance to the Clydevale punt, amounting to £83 12s 9d, being one-third of the cost of the works.— lt was resolved that the matter be referred to the Balmoral Road Board, and that tho proportions that the divisions pay be —Waitahuna two-thirds and Hillend one-third.

Mr Andrew Jeffrey wrote asking the council to clean out the Titri canal, in order to allow boats to get up to the railway siding.— Referred to the member for the riding to report on at next meeting.

Mr Malcolm M'lnnes wrote claiming damages to the extent of £60, for crops destroyed by water coming from the Lakes canal through the alleged negligence of the council in leaving the canal box open ; and stating that if the council did not give him any satisfaction in the matter he would take proceedings at the first sitting of the Kaitangata court.— The letter was received.

'Mr George Aitchison wrote claiming £6 damages for loss of crops and grass during the carrying out of the Lakes drainage works.— The matter was referred to Crs Calder, Mosley, and the Inspector to assess the damages and report to next meeting.

CLARENDON-HERWICK ROAD,

Mr Isaac Young waited on the council and asked it to put a culvert under the ClarendonBerwick road to drain his land and the road.— The matter was left in the hands of (the inspector to carry out the work if necessary.

ROADLINE VALUATIONS.

The Chairman reported that he had inspected the stopped roads in the Kaitangata and Tokomariro ridings, and fixed the following values per acre on the different roads : — Roadline between section 8, block I, and sections 1 and 9, block 11, North Molyneux district, and dotted roads through sections 1, 2, and 8, blocK I, Coast district, 6 acres 2 roods— William Smaill, £3 per acre, potted road through section 7, block I, Coast district, 2 acreß 1 rood— John Shaw, £3 per acra. Dotted roadline through sections 18, 19, 20, block IX, Kaitangata survey district ; roadline between Bections 6 to 8, block I, 1, 3, and 5 and part of 7, block 11, North Molyneux district ; and sections 20, 19, and part of 18, block IX, Kaitangata survey district ; roadline between sections part of 1, 2, 3to 8. block I, Coast district ; and section 20, block IX, Kaitangata survey district, 13 acres more or less — Wm. Aitcheson, £1 per acre. Roadlines known as Owen street, between section 1, block IV and reserve, township of Fairfax, 1 rood 4 poles— Fairfax Cemetery Trustees, £2 per acre. —The report was received.

MINING OPERATIONS AT WAIPORI.

Cr Macpherson brought before the council the serious damage caused to the county; roads in his riding owing to the mining operations at Waipori. — The inspector was instructed to estimate Ihe damage done, and the chairman was authorised to communicate with the Minister for Lands with the view of getting the Government to pay the amount of damage done, and to take steps to prevent further damage.

MOTIONS.

Cr Mosley moved — " That tenders be called for the remainder of the ditches, Matau drainage scheme, from Kelly's cross road to Stirling township ; that the route of the ditches be referred to Cr Mosley and the inspector ; and that the council advance for the works £150, on the ratepayers agreeing to a separate rate being levied to repay the cost."

Cr Calder seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Mosley moved and Cr Calder seconded — " That the centre ditch be scoured out, and that the works be left in the hands of the inspector." — Carried.

Cr Calder moved — " That the proportions that the divisions of the Balmoral Road Board pay for the Waitahuna bridge be— Waitahuna two-thirds and Hillend one-third."

Cr Haggart seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Cr Calder moved — "That the chairman and Cr Crane be appointed a deputation to meet the Taieri County Council with the view to arrive at some arrangement re repairs to the Taieri Mouth punt." Or Smith seconded the motion, which was carried.

Cr Calder moved — "That Mr Frederick Fuell be appointed to attend to the sluice-box, Lakes drainage canal, at a salary of £5 per annum." The motion was seconded by Cr Mosli;y and carried.