BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2358, 4 May 1899, Page 34

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

An ordinary meeting of the Bruce County Council, held at Milton on the 2nd, was attended by Mr R. Murray (chairman), Crs Clark, Driver, Crane, Hewitson, Haggart, Noble, and Rutherford.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT,

The Inspector of Works reported that the metalling contract on the road past Falconer's was not completed, and he had to stop the work as the road was too soft to put metal on it. He had great difficulty in keeping the portion done in good order owing to the continuous and heavy traffic over it. The road would soon be impassable for ordinary traffic if. the coal trade continued to the same extent as it had done during the past month. The traction engine that was hauling coals over Falconer's bridge had stopped in the meantime. The formation contracts at Hill and Pearson's, Akatore, were nearly completed, and a start had been made to the formation contracts on the Wangaloa road. The contracts for clearing out centre ditch, Inchclulha, were progressing very slowly. The cutting of the drain near Monaghan'B was now finished, and the slips and weeds had been cleared out of part of the Southbridge and Clarksville drains. A pipe culvert had been put d<Wn on the road near G. Campbell's, Circle Hill, and one on the road near Table Hill schoolhouse. The repairs to the Manuka^ Creek bridges were completed, and the contractor was at work putting the new truss on the last span of the Matau bridge ; he hoped to be able to do the work without stopping the ordinary traffic. He (the inspector) had taken levels over the new road from Fortification Coalpit to the main ridge at Akatore, and had called for tenders for the works. The receipts for the month ending April 29 were £799 "Bs, and tlie expenditure £250 2s 5d. — The report was adopted.

RESIGNATION OF CR SITITH.

Cr Smith wrote tendering his resignation as a member of the council. He felt that he could not now stand the long, rough journey to and from Milton, especially as the winter was coming on. He wished the members of the council long life and prosperity, and intimated that he intended to let his motion drop re the transference of moneys from the road board to the county, as he knew perfectly well that he had no chance of being able to get it passed with the council as at present constituted. — The resignation was accepted, and the following minute adopted — ''The council desires to express its deep regret that Mr Smith has been compelled to resign his position as member of the council owing to the state of his health. Mr Smith has been a member of this body since the County Councils Act came into operation. He has during all those years devoted his attention to matters coming before the council, and owing to his sound judgment and business ability he has done much towards passing measures which he believed would be for the benefit of the ratepayers, whose interests he had always at heart. In saying good-bye to Mr Smith, this council liopes that he may be long spared in life and health, and that the evening of his days may be spent in peace, prosperity, and happiness." — It was resolved that a copy of the minute be also sent to Mr Smith.

CORRESPONDENCE,

A letter was received from the Colonial Secretary's office containing an extract from the New Zealand Gazette with regard to the appointment and election of members of the Clutha River Board. The following are the members: Messrs John C. Anderson and Daniel Stewart (appointed by the Governor), Mr James Rutherford (appointed by the Bruce County Council) , James fc>im (appointed by the Tuapeka County Council), and James R. Mitchell (appointed by the Clutha County Council). — Received.

A letter was received from the Department of Agriculture stating that the Government intended to bring intc operation section 5 of "The Dairy Industry Act, 1898," so far as the inspection of dairies and cows from which the public milk supply was drawn was concerned. Tho powers at present held by the local board of health would be transferred to the Department of Agriculture, who would use the services of Government veterinarians as far as possible. The cost, however, would not be greater than at present. The department asked the council's views on the subject. — Consideration of the matter was deferred till next meeting.

The Berwick Drainage Board wrote asking the council to take the necessary steps to clear

away the willows in the Waipori River that were obstructing the free flow of the water from Mr Robinson's woolshed to the lake. — It was resolved tLat the inspector report at next meeting on the probable coßjb of the proposed work, and that a legal opinion be obtained as to Jhe council's right to remove trees from private property. Mr George Graham wrote asking what steps the council were taking to get the fence removed off the road on section 2 of 20, block H, Maungatua survey district. He also requested payment of the survey fee (£3 3s), which he had paid to ascertain if the fence was on the road or not. — A report was read from the member of the riding and the inspector to the effect that Mr Graham had no good grounds of complaint in regard to the matter, as there was plenty of room left for the traffic even if the fence was encroaching on the road. — The report was adopted, and Mr Graham's letter received.

Mr Joseph Smith, jun., wrote calling the council's attention to the want of drainage on his land on the side of the Kaitangata road, owing to the culvert leading into the river having been closed by the council. He also slated that the drainage into the Matau drain was not sufficient, and that if he had not erected a horse-power pump the road would have been covered with water several times last winter. He proposed that the cotmcil phould provide him with 12 chains of lft pipes and he would cart them and do all the work to the council's satisfaction. — It was resolved that the council supply Messrs Smith Bros, with a 9in pipe, and that they do all the work required to the satisfaction of the inspector. Mr C. Thomson wrote stating that he could not carry out his contract to clean out a portion of the Matau drain for the money stated in his tender. He made a mistake as to the quantity of work, and he could not make wages out of the contract. — Received.

Mr Wm. Smaill, of Summer-hill, wrote with reference to the fencing of the road deviation through his property. — It was resolved that tenders be called for the erection of a fence on the upper side of the road. Mr Robert Renton, of Stirling, wrote complaining of a nuisance created by the refuse from the dairy factory being drained into the main drain through Stirling. He also called attention to the number of pigstyes in the township, and asked that an inspector be appointed to deal with the same. — It was resolved that the inspector report pn the matter at the next meeting of the council. Mr John Stevenson wrote with reference to the road leading to Coombe Hay estate, and it was reeolved that a man be employed to clean out the ditches on the side of the road, as the council had failed twice to gel tenders for the work.

PETITIONS

Eleven ratepayers of Glenledi Riding petitioned the council to open up a road from Glenledi township to the road leading to Bull Creek, near the line of the old track through the Glenledi estate. — A committee, consisting of the chairman, Ors Clark, Hewitson, Driver, and Noble, was appointed to examine the proposed road, and report to next meeting of the council.

Nineteen ratepayers of Taieri Beach petitioned the council to expend the Government vote of £150 in opening up the road through Mrs Whalan's property, instead of expending it in opening up the road through Bush Reservo towards Mr John Reid's property. — Cr Crane moved and Cr Driver seconded — " That the request of the petitioners be granted," but the motion was lost on tlie voices.

ROAD AT AKATORE,

The committee appointed to report on the road through Mr James Scanlan's property at Akatore reports' 1 that they inspected the portion of- the road referred to, and found that ii was only fenced on one side. The track used as a road made a slight deviation from the surveyed line to avoid a rise on the ridge. The committee were of opinion that nothing should be done in the matter, as the surveyed road was suitable for all the requirements of the district. — The report was adopted.

TENDERS,

The following tenders were received for tho formation of road from Fortification coalpit up to the Akatore main road : — James Fer guson, £92 ; George M'lndoe, £100.— Mr Ferguson's tender was accepted.

GENERAL.

Cr Rutherford drew the council' 6 attention to the state of the road at the Stirling catcieyards, and moved that the inspector be authorised to put some rotten rock on the ooad in tin 1 meantime. — Agreed to.

Cr Crane moved — " That the road to Waihola railway station be repaired by a few loads of gravel."

Cr Driver seconded the motion, which was carried.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the council was then held, and attended by those who were present at the previous meeting.

A letter was received from the Auditorgeneral stating that he had certified to the. balance sheet, and asiung that a printed copy of the same be sent to his office.

On the motion of Cr Haggart, seconded by Cr Crane, it was resolved that the balance sheet be adopted, and that the chairman sign the same on behalf of the council.