TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2413, 7 June 1900, Page 8

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Taieri County Council, held on Friday at Mosgiel, was attended by Crs Chisholm (chairman), Samson, Harrison, Douglas, Peat, Robinson, Todd, and Gibson.

Prior to taking up the business of the council, the chairman referred briefly to the fall of Pretoria, and cheers weie given for the army and Lord Roberts.

Inspector White reported that the roads in some parts of the county were very bad on account of the want' of metal and"~gravel to carry out necessaiy repairs. The Railway department had stopped the Outram metal for a time, which was a serious matter, as the Huntly to Berwick road was in a bad place. He considered it high time the council were looking about for a supply of metal by getting quarries of their own. Gravel was scarce, and becoming a thing of the past on the plain, so that it was only a question of time when metal would have to be used. The Deepstream, Doughboy, and Centre road bridges had been repaired during the month, and were now in good order. In Deepstream Riding there were two bridges that needed repair. The metal contract on the Waipori road, at Round Hill, was finished, and the gravel contract on Centre road, Strath-Taieri, was progressing fayomably. — The report was adopted, and the inspector authorised to make inquiries as to'where a suitable quarry could be opened up. Inspector Bain reported that the Caversham Borough Council had instructed their contractor to take the nightsoil from the borough to R Sprott's farm at Corstorphine. So far there was no nuisance cieated. A petition sbiened by Gi residents of ' Green Island, and a letter from Messrs G. and J. Cook, on behalf of Mrs F. Jones, were then lead protesting against the deposition of nightsoil in Corstorphine district from the Ca-versham Borough. Mr Sidey, mayor of Caversham, alao waited on

the council m regaid to the matter. He explained, that the borough had been compelled to cancel their contract with John Ellis, and had made a temporary arrangement for the removal of the nightsoil to Mr Sproti's iarni, ■which drained towards the sea. — Cr Samson, as representing Kaikoiai Biding, said that he w<js placed in the position of supporting the petition. He went on to refer to the nuisance caused by the depot at Lookout Point, and said that the air along the load to the abbatoirs was so polluted at times that the meat carted into Diuiedm could not help being tainted by it. Further, the Corstoiphine district was a dairying district, and wculd be ruined for this industry if Caversham w«s permitted to send its nightsoil tlie:e. The Crunty Council was also liable to be piosecuted by anyone considering they had cause for complaint. Ho moved — ■"' That the contractors : Joyce and gchofield (Mornington), Didliaiu (Caversham), and Ellis (Dunedin) be given notice 'to discontinue the practice of depositing nightsoil in the Taieri district:" — Cr Peat seconded <he motion. — Cr Douglas moved — " That no action be taken in the matter." He said that he could feel for those boroughs who could find no place to put the nightsoil. He did not know a district that needed it more than the Corstorphine. As to the proposal of the city to take it out to sea, he thoiight that this would have a prejudical effect on the fish market. — Cr Todd seconded the amendment. — The Chairman pointed out that the borough had in the first place neglected to obtain the permission of the council. The nuisance created by Ellis had heeii before them time after time, and the Caversham Borough had over and over complained to the county about it. N"ow that x'ae council had an opportunity of getting rid of the nuisance hefcthought they should take it. — The amendment was "lost on the casting vote of" the chairman, and the motion .subsequently carried. The committee appointed to report on the lequest of the R"ew Zealand Refrigerating Company to atari, tallow and manure work's at Burnside having reported favourably, the sanction of the council was duly given. Four ratepayers in Deepstream Hiding wrote requesting the building of a bridge siding where the approaches were already formed. — It was decided to intimate that there weie no funds available for the work. Arthur Birtle applied for the position of dogregistrar, ranger, sanitary 'inspecor, inspector of slaughterhoiises, etc., at the salaiy of 8s 6d per day. — Received. Robert B. Benniston wrote intimating that he expected the council to pay the damage for an accident to his buggy caused by his hoise "stepping into a' hole in the road. — It was decided to disclaim liability. James Haggen, jun., wrote asking that the roa'l from North Taieri to Wyllie's Ciossing be attended to. — Inopector to act. Patrick O'Brien wrote calling attention to the condition of a footbridge over Lee Creek, Woodside. — Referred to the inspector for report. John Grant, secretary of the Maungatua Drainage Board, wrote requesting the council to have Lee Creek, from Ashby's farm to the Lake, cleared of obstruction. — The clerk was instructed to advise that it was not legal for the council to expend funds in any drainage district. Cr Samson moved—" That the Governor be requested to appoint Constable Christie inspector of all slaughterhouses in the district." — Cr Harrison seconded the motion, pro forma, but after a short discussion it was lost on the voices. On the motion -of Cr Samson, the clerk was instructed to write to mine owners notifying them to desist in putting coal dross beside any of the county roads. Accounts amounting to £496 18s 6d were passed for payment. The bank book showed a debit balance of £2711 7s Id, and was laid on the table.