BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2506, 2 April 1902, Page 31

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular monthly meeting of the Bruce County Council was held at Milton yesterday, and was attended by the Chairman (Mr "W. Noble), Crs J. Begg, H. Clark, J. Mosley, H. M. Driver, P. Haggart, J. Crane, W. Hewitson, and G. T. Martin. The Inspector of sVorks reported that the metalling contracts in hand were progressing slowly owing to the wet weather. The road past Edward Heid's to the railway line was fairly well advanced towards completion, and the road through Salmond's, via Linden Gully, was finished. A good start had been made with the road past E. M. Duthie's, and the road past M'Gunther's and Finch's completed. The contractor was laying down maintenance metal near Milburn. The metalling contract at Incbclutlia was progressing slowly owing to the metal not arriving regularly, and the same remark applied to the metal contract on Summerhill road. Slow progress was being made with work on the Hillend road, and Grey Bros, complained that the contractor for cartmg the metal was not putting on drays enough to keep the stone crusher working. The wet weather was also accounting for the delay. Some progress had been made with gravelling at Wangaloa. The formation contract at Surumerkiil was progressing slowly r as was also the formation contract at Mitchell's. Fair progress was being made with the formation to Forthill and at Kinness farm. The maintenance metal contract at Manuka Creek road was completed. Nothing had been done wiiivjegard to-the-main-tenance metal contract near Clydevale punt road>and, considering the state" of the road, tho formation contract on the side of the Clutha. River was making fair progress. The bridge over Akatore Creek was completed, with the exception of painting the railing, and the finishing of part of the approaches on the Taieri Beach side of the creek. The cleaning out of portion of the Clarksville drain was finished, and also similar work at the drain trough, Crescent estate. A start had been made to the main Matau drain, and the centre drain at Inchchitha. The recent rams was hindering this work. Nothing had b?«i done with regard to clearing portions of tbo Ciarksville and Southbridge drains. He ithe inspector) had approved of the proposed works at the Clydevale punt, on the Bruce side of the rivet, with the object of improving the working and landing from the punt. He had, with Cr Duvei. inspected a portion of the road at Circle Hill, and estimated that it would cost £30 to reduce thf grade. Portion of Morrison's Creek between the two lakes required cleaning out. Part of the concreting work at the Centre drain, Inchclutha. ha.l been repaired, and timber had been laid down as a kerb to the footpath leading to Stirling School. All the open ditches at Stirling township had been cleansed. The receipts for march* were £3350 7a sd, of which £-2-205 2s Ed was for rates ; and the expenditure £783 5a 5d — Great satisfaction was expressed over the last clause.— Cr Mosely complained of the irregularity with which metal was delivered by the Railway Department. It was very annoying to the contractor, and he (Cr Mosely) would like to eeo if 'something could not me doae in the direction of approaching the traffic manager on the subject. The railway people did the carrying at half rates, and did it when it suited them — The report was adopted, it being suggested that the clerk should write to tie Railway Department on the subject of forwarding the metal. The Minister of Lands wrote stating that £150 was available for the Akatore Creek "bridge, on the council complying with certain conditions. — It was resolved to agree to the condition. The Clutha County Council forwarded a codv of a resolution with regard to the Bnlclu'.ha. traffic bridge. — The resolution was as folio '\-b : " That the Clutha County Council continue the authority of having control of the bridge, and that for the purpose of repairing the bridge the council makes application for a loan of £1500 for a period of 41 years, and also appiy for the Government vote of £1500. Further, that each local authority pay an equal proportion of the loan, and that, as the bridge was dangerous for traffic, the Government ba asked to instruct one of its officers to proceed with the work at otice, in tc-rrns of the letter from Mr C. \V. Hursthouse to the Mayor of Balclutha, bearing date the 30th July lost. Also, that at least three recesses for foot passengers be formed when the bridge was repaired. It was also suggested that the bridge bo widened if practicable. — The Bruce County Council resolved to appitjve the resolution. The Milton Boiough Council, in reply to a letter from the Bruce County Council asking foi nssistance to metal the load to Bush Quarry, wrote that they had voted A2O for the proposed work. — It was resoved to thank the Boiough Council for their contribution. The Milton Borough Council also wrote stating' that they would communicate with Mr Wm. Casaerly re removal of fence off the district l oad.— Received. The S>denham Borough Council, writing in conection with the compilation of the valuation rolls, stated that in rpply to their circular a large number had approved of the proposal to get the rolls left to the supervision of the local bodies, or have the cost reduced. They askc-d for a retnrn of the rolls foi several years. — It was resolved to forward a list showing the cost of coinpilntioa during the jears named. Mrs C .Paterson. Berwick, wrote asking that two chains in hont of her house be gravelled, and provision made for carrying away surface water. — Referred to the inspector for report. Mr P Williamson wrote asking that the road through the Waihola estate might be improved by the metalling of four chains opposite Drake Bros, property. — It was agrec-d to comply with the request. A request was also received from the same gentleman that a portion of the road leading to Wilson's limekilns be formed and n:etalled. — Referred to Cr Crane and the inspector for report. Mr George Graham wrote with reference to the leveis of a ditch and culvert into Clarendon drain, already reported upon by the inspector. — It was decided that the inspector again wait on Mr Graham to ascertain what he actually wanted done in the way of drainage. The Fortification Raiiway and Coal Company wrote re the metalling at shoots, and asked at what »imi the council would undertake tho work. — The Chairman Ftateel that the council was not in a position to m«»tal the road as G. Cormack was occupying Dunn'b quarry. He thought the company should appiy to him to carry out the vvoik. Messrs Grey Bros , contractois for supply of metal lo± tie Hiller.d road, wrote complaining that Mr W. A. Allan was not carting away metal from the crusher, and that it was Ijing ir heaps.— Referred to Cr Begg aud the iuspector. It was resolved that the matter of clearing the ditch at Day's be left to the inspector. In connection with the non-payment of the Kaitangala Borough Council's share of the interest on loan for tha Matau bridge, it was reso!\ed that the pohcitoi's advice be obtained, and that, if necessary, action be taken to recover the money. The followuig lenders were accepted. — John Higgle, £3 12s per chain, for formation and metalling at D. Reid's road. The follow-in? tenders were reported by the chairman as having been accepted since last j meeting — Cleaning out centre dram, Inch- | clutha — H. Henderson, at Is 8d per chain; cleaning portion of ClarksviUe drain- D.