CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 8

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Clutha County Coixncil was held at Balclulha on Friday last. There were present — Mr John Johnston (chairman), and Crs Cumming, Robertson, M'Neil, Clarke, M'Lachlan, Mitchell, Hay, and Saunders.

TIIE BALANCE SHEET,

The statement of accounts and balance sheet for the year ending 31st March last, certified by the Auditor-general, were submitted. Several councillors expressed dissatisfaction at the delay that had occtured with the balance sheet and with the large amount of rates uncollected, especially when the council had some time pgo passed a resolution that all such rates be handed to the solicitor for collection. Ultimately, on the motion of Cr dimming, seconded by Cr M'Lachlan, the accounts were passed, and the chairman was authorised to sign the balance sheet.

COEEE3POHDEKCS,

A letter was read from the Assistant Sur-veyor-general, in reply, stating that the Minister agreed to the money plrced at the council's disposal for works in Clydevale Riding being expended in the ordinary way instead ox by cooperative labour. — The engineer to call for Lenders for the work ; tenders to be received at next meeting.

The CierL Bruce County Council wrote that the resolution asking the Bruce Council to pay half cost of the workmo- and maintenance of the Clydevale m.steaci of one-tin: <l us at present had bjea hud before the council when is was pcunteil out Umi there wns no evidence before the council to wairant 8 charge of present arrangements. — Cr Mitchell moved — '' That the resolution be referred back to the Biuce Council for reconsideration He explained that ho had leason to believe that a different view would now be taken of the matter. — Cr Hay seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarded correspondence with reference to an application by Mr James A. Rix, teacher, Roinahapa, to be allowed to purchase the ciosed road fronting sections 109, block VIIT, and section 21, block IX, Eomahapa Survey' District, and asking the approval of the council to the purchase. — It was agreed to offer no objection to the purchase.

Mr John Davidson and other four settlers in Arrikiki Biish wrote asking that a road be made passable for diay or buggy from Hurring'.-s corner to section 20, block XIX, as at present they had no road to their properties. — The engineer to examine and report as to cost ox work at next meeting.

Mr A. T. Blyth wrote protesting against the valuation of section 3, block 111, Woodlands, being fixed at, £434, which he considered aHogether excessive.— The clerk to explain to Mr jSlytk .that the council had ncr power m the matter of the valuation of lis property, the valuation having been supplied by the Land Tax department.

John Peterson, Maori Hill, wrote explaining that he had surrendered section 4, block VI, Woodlpnd=, in February, and had been unable to take it up pgain as the Government had not put it in the market, but as soon as it was open for selection he meant to take it up again. — Received.

The Receive 1 - Land Revenue notified a payment of £76 0s 6d to the county found, being thirds " or " fourths " accrued during the period between April 2 and June 30, 1900. — Received.

James Chalmers, Clinton, wrote calling attention to portion of the Ciinton-Owaka road that was impassable in winter, and asking that it should be covered with clay or rock. — Referred to the engineer for a report at next meeting.

The Secretary to the Clutha River Board wrote pointing out that by " The Clutha River Board Empowering Act, 1898, Amendment Act, 1900," which was passed by both branches of the Legislative on Saturday last, the council is empowered to elect one member of the Clutha River Board, the election to take place a.s soon as conveniently may be after the passing of the act. Cr Robertson moved that Cr Mitchell be elected a member of the River Board.— Seconded by Cr Hay, and carried.

ekginseb's eepobt.

The Engineer reported as follows: — "I have the honour to leport that since last meeting of council oatract 868, on Clinton-Pomahaka Downs roau, has been completed. Contract 865, on Dickson's road, is also completed. For the last three months the weather has been most favourable for carrying on contract works, and it is to be regretted that all our contractors have not taken advantage of it to carry ovk their works that should have been finished before last winter. If the penalty lor noncompletion of woiks withm contract time was imposed it would be to the advantage of some contractors, in the way of keeping them at their work, and to farmers and the public the convenience of haying a road opened up at the ( earliest possible time means a saving of labour 'and time to them. I have inspected the road in Pomikiha -Dowiis settlement which Mr Erskinc at last meeting of council applied to get opened for traffic. What is required is one small bridge or a stone crossing, three small pipe culverts, one small gully to make up, and about 25 chains of sideling formation to make the road passable for traffic. Mr Ers-kine promises his team of horses for a week to work the grader (if required), and also cart the pipes for the culverts fiom Canton. He will meet the convenience of the council to do this work at any time, but if it is not taken in hand until after the ISiew Year he would be able to give more horse labour. It is necessary that the road should be made passable before harvest, in order that Mr Erskme may be able to take his ciop off that portion of his section lying on the east side of the creek which divides the section. Mr Eiskine is one of the original selectors. His first section adjoins the Main load, and seemingly he has faimed his land profitably to enable him to take up this section, to a portion of which he asks the council to form a road. Mr Erskine deserves encouragement, not only for his offer of horse labour to assist in carrying out the necessary works, but for his being a- successful farmer in that much-cried-down locality. I estimate the cost over horse labour at over .510." The report was adopted, and, on the motion of Ct ClsTke, it was agreed that Mr Erskine's offer of a team of horses for grading and other woik bs accepted. MISCELLANEOUS. The following ie.°olutions were cairicd : — Moved by Cr Hay, seconded by the Chairmar. — " That the engineer lay off the most practicable road through the Port Molyneux reserve leading to the Port Molyneux Cemetery, and call tenders, to be in by next meeting of council." Moved by Cr Robertson, seconded by Cr dimming — " That the engineer call for tenders for giavelling six chains 'in Granger's Swamp and Uuee chains on Bra-nd'a Swanip, Kelso-

Pukerau road. Tenders to be in ais next meeting."

Moved by Cr Saunders, " seconded by Cr M'Lachlan-^-" That tenders be called for next meeting.. for maintenance metal for Owaka Volley -road, to secure Government grant of £100."

Moved by Cr Hay — " That the engineer be authorised to erect a culvert on street line at Scott's place, Port Molyneux." Moved by Cr M'Neil, seconded by Cr Clarke — " That Mr M'Feeters, surfaceman, be appointed ranger for Clutha Riding, he to be paid £5 a year and to receive driving fees." Moved by Cr Robertson, " seconded by Cr Clarke — " That the council agree to pay is 6d per 100 for small birds' heads and eggs."

} The monthly accounts, amounting to £534 2s 7d, were uassed for payment. The following tenders were accepted: — Contract 894, metalling or gravelling 20 chains on Old Lake road, Mr Dunnet, gravelling, £89 ; !; contract 895, "metalling 12 chains on "Waiwera School road, W. Miller, £52 10s, accepted up to £50; contract 899, metalling 40 chains on Clarke's road, Pomahaka Siding, W. and ,C. Roy £182. Three tenders were received for contract 898, but these were held over. No tenders were received for contracts 896 and 897.

On the motion of Cr Robertson, seconded by O Mitchell, the sum of £15 was voted to the chairman for travelling expenses for the past year.— The Chairman returned thanks for the vote, and also for the courtesy that had been extended to him by the council during his term of office.

It was agreed thai; the annual meeting of the council, fixed for November 21, be adjourned till Wednesday, 2Sth.