CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 15 April 1903, Page 11

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Clutha County Council was held in the County Chambers m Friday, 3rd inst., when there were present Mr W. Hay (chairman), Crs M. Pateraon, J. R. Mitchell, W. Nicol, A. C. Saunders, D. A. M'Lachlan, D. Clarke, W. Grainger, and J. Gumming.

Prior to the ordinary business a special meeting- was held, ,t which the following resolutions were confirmed:— The levying of a special xate of gd in the pound on the rateable value of property in Ahuriri special rating district; that broom be declared a noxious weed within the jurisdiction of the council.

COBEESPONDENCE

The Chief Engineer of Roads wrote stating that the department could not grant the additional £50 asked for the Owaka bridge, as the allocation was £200, and there was nothing further available. — Received.

The Chief Engineer also wrote forwarding authorisation for £300 for metalling roads in Ahuriri Flat.— Received.

The Receiver of Land Revenue notified having paid to the credit of the council £237 6s Id, being " thirds " or " fourths" accrued as follows:— April 1, 1902, to June 28, £64 2s lid; June 30 to October 4, £122 13s 7d ; October 7 to January 3, 1903, £50 9s 7d, — Received.

The Treasury Department notified having - paid to. the council's credit £150 foi Owaka bridge', and. having- retained £50 pending final, inspection, of -work;, also 12s 6d goldfields revenue for February. — Received. - The Chief Engineer of Roads forwarded copy of Order-in-Council consenting to closing the icad through sections^ 26 and 27, block VI, Pomahaka survey district, in terms of section 12 of "The Public Works Act Amendment Act, 1900."— The New Zealand and Australian Land Company offered at the rate of £4 10s per acre for the land closed.— On the motion of Crs Clarke tfnd Nicol the offer was accepted, Dr Frank Ogston, district health officer, asked for a return of all cases of infectious diseases treated by the council during the year ending March 31. — Received.

'Dr W. A. Fleming notified cases of scarlet fevei at Toiro and Owaka, while Dr Stenhouse notified two cases of scarlatina at Warep?. and one' at Waiweia Received with thanks. „ Gordon J. Reid, manager Commercial Union Assurance Company, Dunedin, notified that by leason of new clauses in " The Workers Compensation for Accidents Act, 1902," coming into force on April 1, the council's increase in premium would be 7s 3d. — Matter already -attended to. ' j The Valuation Department asked the ap•orojcimate date on which the council intend to levy its rate for the current year, also the date tHey require the valuation Toll to be returned. — It was decided to ask (for the roll to be returned by July 1. D. Stewart and . Son, solicitors, Balclutha. asked for a plan to be prepared of the load through section 75, block 111, Glenkenich, and section 34, block ,111. Greenvale district, to enable them -to . complete the transfer of the land from Mr "Logan. — Cr Hay said the matter ■was a question of whether it was portion of •the, engineer's ■work. — The Engineei said he considered this as part of his work, and accordingly Cr Hay moved arid Cr Nicol seconded — " That the engineer be instructed to prepare the. plans." — Carried. • J. L. Paterson. Port Molyneux, asked the council to have Brookdale road repaired and -about seven or eight chains metalled, and offered to contribute £7 towards the cost if the ■work was done at once. — The work to be undertaken and tenders to be called for within a fort■Kßta

D. Neil and nine other ratepayers of block XIII, Riinu, requested the council to transfer £14 8s (" thirds " and " fourths") from Joe's Saddle road toTßack Creek road, as part of the " thirds" for the latter road had been spent on the former road by mistake. — Application to be made to the Land Board for permission.

James Motion, Merrie Creek, askd permission to cart stone which he had emptied on the roadline some years ago near section 13, Merrie Creek Estate, as ho now required the stone for repairing his private road. — Alexander Hamilton wrote asking the council to refuse the above application and stated that the stone was nearly all off his own (Hamilton's) land, while others had been piled on the roadline by himself, because previously they were a danger to traffic, and he (Hamilton) now required the stone for drainage purposes. — Left in the hands of the engineer,_with power to act.

G. S. Souness, Puerekireki, asked for culvert to be put in on Caley's road, as portion of his property was simply a bog owing to the creek being dammed back. He had lost a dozen sheep and taken many more out of the bog.— The engineer stated he was not aware that the crossing was doing any damage. — The engineer to attend to the matter.

John Fleming, Kaihiku, notified that his son Thoma* had hi? leg broken and had sustained other injuries owng.to a fall of rock at Glenfalloch . quarry while working for the "'council. The Commercial Union Insurance .Company also wrote with reference to the accident Received.

AY ,C. Campbell,. Pqunawea, forwarded rates for the year ending March 31, but deducted rates on section 6, block 11, Woodlands (8s 6Jd), stating that he had. only a nominal claim on the section, as he had never paid rent for it, or even been asked to pay. He also desired to know why ratepayers in Catlins were required tc pay a loan rate for South Molyneux Riding when they personally owned no property in that r:ding.

The Valuer-gsneral notified that the council's name appeared on the valuation roll of the borough for section 1, block 11, Barr's subdivision, as follows • —Area 20 poles, capital value £535, unimproved value £140, improved value £395.— Received.

The Secretary to the Charitable Aid and Hospital Board asked the council to remit £36 6s and £23 6s 3d monthly for respective institutions, bsing amount based on last year's levy.

William Reid, Woodford, Toiro, asked for a small portion of road leading to his place to be formed, as it was very narrow ar.d steep. — The engineer was instructed to attend to tho matter.

E. Clements, Popotunoa, wrote that if the co\jncil desired to define the road near his propeity as outside the fence, he would be willing to put in a culvert or a ditch alongside section 4 and the river. He would also be willing to make road thence to the ford gratis. — Cr Clarke said this was a lisputs between two settlers as to where tho road was; Mr Clements had fenced the road, but another settler had pulled the fence down. — Mr Clements was right in his definition of. the road, and it was decided that the matter be left in the hands of the engineer to inspect.

John Harris, J. D. Sim, anl A. C. Farquhar, Purekireki, wrote stating that thore was about £150 Df unexpended " thirds " and " fourths " which had accrued on sections 30, block IV, section 4, block VI, and sections 1, 2, and 3, block VI, and asked that the money be spent on Brugh's road, which intersected al! the sections. — The engineer to inspect, ajid call tenders for metalling in worst places. amte-thiee raten»vers at Port Molyneux

Beach, brought under notice the necessity .of a road to get to their properties, and asked for the road past the old pilot station on the terrace and m front of James Paterson's house to be opened up ; it could bo made a good road at little expense.— Cr Hay said that the best road would be through Inglis', Bates', and Jenkinson's properties, and he would interview Mr Thomson, M.H.R., to see if assistance could be procured from the Government for stich a road. The engineer's estimate for the road proposed Ly petitioners was about £25. — It wai agreed that tho matter be left over till August, when tenders be called for the work.

James Sutherland, Kelso, asked lor money due on contract for maintenance gravel on Kelso-Pukerau road to be paid to Mr Grainger. Mr D. Robertson (late councillor) claims twothirds of the money, but as John Robertson and applicant signed the contract as equal works applicant claimed half. — It was shown that about £69 had been paid to Mr Robertson, while there was about £63 yet to be paid. — Mr Robertson ti be asked to return to the council the money a.ready paid, pending a settlement of the dispute

Eighteen ratepayers in Clutha County and seven in Southland County asked the council ta join with the Southland Council in petitioning tha Government foi a grant towards gravelling or metalling the main Kelso-Pukerau road at Landslip Valley. — Cr dimming, said this was a very bad road, and he moved that the Government he asked to grant £100 for metalling on. the Clutha portion. — Carried.

J. P. Shaw, Finegand, notified that two small breaks had occurred in the river bank below the school reserve. Willows haw. been planted some time ago, and were holding well, with the exception of the two breaks mentioned, but if the river got behind the whol of (he willows (about 30 chains) would be swept away. He would alsc like to know if the river bank road was still open, as the whole of the original roadline bounding sections 8. 9, 10, and 11. block XIII, and sections 11 and 15, block XXII, had been washed away, and the present uncertainty of owner°hip was unsatisfactory. — Several of the councillors were of opinion that a road on the river bank was always a road, but the engineer stated otherwise.— Cr Hay moved — " That the engineer inspect, and report at a meeting two months hence." The Treasury Department forwarded a lengthy correspondence from Mt J. M'Coll Smith with reference to the council's action re Ahuriri special rating districts and asked for an explanation. — The reply hod already been sent by the chairman detailing the matter from the commencement, and this reply being read by the c'.erk, the chairman's action was approved of.

DRAINING OTANOMOMO SWAMP.

A comprehensive scheme for draining the Otanomomo swamo, at a cost of £700. was reaJ from Messrs J. P. Shaw and T. TeHord, who asked the council's sanction to the scheme, and also to build a new bridge in connection with it. — The application was granted, subject to the engineer's approval.

PETITION.

A petition was read from 12 »ettiers en Pomahak' Downs Estate asking that the Government grant of J£2O< be spent at Pomahaka. while a counter petition was read from 63 settlers asking that the money be spent in maintenance metal from Clinton railway station westewarda, the latter stating that the money was allocated for that portion of the edin, "refuses tc grant permission for the money to be spent at thp Clinton »nd, considering load. — It appears that the road surveyor. Dunthat the money is more urgently required at Pomahaka.— Aiter mutual recriminations had

passed between Crs Clarke and M'Lachlan, it was decided that the engineer write to the Chief Engineer of Roads as to what locality the money should be spent on.

FIXAXCIAL.

The Clerk reported the receipts for the past month as follows:— Rates, £1039 14s; Bruce County Council, £147 14s 3d; goldfields revenue, 12s 6d; Government vote (Owaka bridge), £150; deposits, £20 15s 6d ; rents, £34; dog tax, £39 5s Id; land fund, £237 6s Id;— total, £1669 7s sd. The paysheet amounted to £1154 7s Id, of which £97 Is lOd was land fund, £47 14s 6d Government vote, and £1009 10s 9d general fund

engineeb's beport.

The Engineer, in his report for the month ended April 3, stated : —Tenders have been called for the various works authorised at last meeting, also works in connection with Government grants. Plans have been approved in connection with Government vote (£SO) for blocks I to XII, Warepa. Contract No. 71 is in connection with Government grant of £500 for Waiwera bridge, and the Road Surveyor, Dunedin, has allowed the balance to be spent in the vicinity of the approaches \o the •bridge. Contracts in operation are progressing slowly. Th reconstruction work by day labom on Clinton-Owaka road has been completed. 'Surfacing^ has been extensive all iver the county, and a considerable amount of work has been done in cutting ! gorse, ragwort, and Canadian thistles in the river roads. There isa doubt as to the council's liability/ in cutting noxious weeks on roads adjoining streams when, adjoining landholder claims to the centre' 1 of the stream, and he suggested the opinion of a lawyer on the subject. An accident occurred to one of the surfacemen while working at Glenfalloch Quarry. The surfacing on Little Puerua road has been completed. The allocations of land fund had been prepared and forwarded to the Land Board. I have examined the bridge over Kororo Creek, and find that for heavy traffic a new bridge would be required at a cost of about £20, as the old bridge would cost about £12 to repair. I recommend that J. R. Bowpi's request for small reserve at the junction of Old Lake road with WaiweraPomahaka road be granted. Re Mr Brand's application, I suggest that the council underfake the clearing of the ditch on an agreement that Mr Brand pay half-cost. There is about three-quarters of a mile of ditch affected. I have been requested by a puntman to ask the council's direction as tc the working 1 hours of the punt.— lt was Tesolved: That the clerk write to Mr Brand, Kelso, asking if he agreed to the engineer's suegestion ; that a new bridge be erected over Kororo Creek on Balloch's road ; that the engineer be authorised to complete the metalling on Clifton road. TENDERS. Tenders were received and dealt with as follows : —

Contract No. 55.— Culverting and formation, Jackman's Creek road, Glenomaru— T. A. Kennedy, £85 (accepted). Contract No. 64.— Ten chains metalling, Popotunoa Station road— P. M'Rorie, £46 5s (considered too high).

Contract JSTo. 65.— Mainteaance metal f-250yds), Pomahaka Ford road and Waiwera-Clyilevale read— P. M'Rorie, not accepted It was decided to use the crusher for the contract.

Contract No. 66.— Five chains metalling near old Waipaai Hotel.— John Cameron, £19 18s lOd (accepted) P. M'Rorie. £25. Contract No. 67.— Widening track, Morrison's read, South Molyneux— Only one tender received, which was informal. Contract No. 68.— About 20 chains metalling, Aburiri Flat road (out of JE3OO Government

grant)— D. and A. M'lntosh, £110 (accepted); 1 ' another, tender was informal. . , Contract No. 71.— Seven cbainsfnjetalling Waipahi-Arthurton road.— John Canteron, £3< 10s Id (accepted) ; Peter M'Rorie,- £49. Contract No. 72.— Eight chains metalling-. Waipahi-Arthurtoa road— P. M'Rorie, £36 (ac- - cepted. '

jNo tenders were received for contract No. 47, bridge and approaches Waikoikoi Stream.; contract No. 53, two chains metalling Esler's road, Catlins; contract No. 62, widening cuttings, M'Noe's road, Glenkemch; contract No. 74, 250 yds maintenance metal, Waiwera bridge. Informal tenders were reisived for contracts Nos. 68, 69, and 70, metalling out o| JE3OO grant, Ahuriri Flat road

GEKEEAL.

Moved by Cr Nicol,_secondecl by Cr Mitchell— "That the engineer, be instructed tc expend £J2 on formation 'on "Young's road, Warepa, from sawmill towards Young's."— Carried.

It was mentioned that the stone-crusher hadt finished required work at Owaka, and it waa decided that it be sent to Waiwera.

Cr Hay brought up the matter of a rdajl through Willsher Reserve, and said the petitioners were willing to bear half the cost. At the time the petition was before the council' there was no money available, but now there were y funds,-and he moved— "That the engineer; call tenders for 'the work, to be opened, a fortnight hence." — Seconded by Cr Cumming; and carried. - ' i

" Scribbler," writing to the Gisbqrna Times,' suggests that the most striking sign t of the degeneracy' of the Maoris is their ? anxiety to rush into print' at -every available opportunity. While Mr Seddon and other members of the Ministerial party were entraining on the' south express on Saturday, an enterprising fruit vendor announced his wares as "Pre» mier fruit — sixpence a bag." Mr Seddon jocularly suggested to the man, "You wouldn't put the Premier in a bag, would you?" "Oh, no," was the "airy response, " we'd give the bag in for sixpence.'^