BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 13

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Tho ordinary monthly meeting of the Buice County Council was held in the Council Offices on the 6th , present— Crs Haggart Begg, Bryce. Adam, Cioi\, Tough, Sutherland, Noble, and Mosley.

CORBESBOXDENCE.

Ba" clutha Traffic Bridge. — The Di&tiict Engineer wrote enclosing the Mimscei's reply in regard to the cr.-ryn-'g-out of proposed repairs in connection with the Bp.lclntha traffic bridge. The reply stated that the Minister had directed that the balance of each local body's contribution must be paid into tlie public account before work is again started on the bridge. — Received. dames Allen, M.H.R., wrote enclosing a letter from the Hon. W. Hall-Jones supplying particulars of work done under the £200 gram for road in Barnego Estate. The work actually done was as follows I—Formation,1 — Formation, 29 chains on Sunflower road ; 180 ft of pipes on same road ; six chains of metal on Wa-tkins's road. — Received.

The Clutha County Council wrote asking the council to agree to an increase of wages to the puntraaii at Clydevale from £1 to £1 5s. — Request complied with.

Robert M'Leod wrote asking for the use of the council's pile-driver for the purpose of erecting a tramway bridge over the Tokomairiro Rivea- for the Biuce Coal and Railway Company. — Request granted on payment of £1. D. Stewart and Son on behalf of J. Crawford Anderson, wrote asking the council's consent, under seal, to plan attached of land recently purchased for a road at Stirling. — Agreed to. James Hyslop. of Greenfield settlement, wrote requesting the council to put down four culverts on Riverside road, opposite sections 52a. and 53a, so as to permit oi his children attending Clydevale School in wet weather — Received.

James Mackay, of Berwick, wrote that he had met with an accident when returning from his work through his horse falling and rolling over him, and Uiat it was his intention to claim compensation from the council for injuries sustained and loss of time. — The Chairman stated that the injuries referred to were a sprained ankle and injury to the foot, and that the claimant was galloping after his mate's horse when the accident occurred. He also stated that particulars had been forwarded to the district agent of the Government Insurance Department and said the question involved was whether the claimant was entitled to compensation, ths accident having occurred when claimant was not at work. The accident was the first that had occurred to anyone in the council's employ during 25 years. — Received.

The Levels County Council wrote enclosing a resolution recommending that a superannuation fund should be established for the benefit of County Council officers and employees. — Mr Begg thought if employees were to insure in some of the life insurance companies they would get more benefit than from any little scheme of their own. — Received.

The Balclutha Borough Council wrote expressing willingness to pay half-cost of formation on boundary line between the counties up to £1. — Received.

The Land Board wrote that arrears of rates due on sections in Barnego Settlement would be paid when the transfers were registered a week or two hence. — Received. Telegrams were read from Mrs Crossan, of Berwick, re the flood bank on the Taieri side of th© river, and asking that something be done to protect settlers on the Bruce side. It was stated that ratepayers in the district were all prepared to pay interest on a loan of £400 to erect a bank on the Bruce side, and the council was asked to take the necessary steps to raise the loan.— Resolved— " That the necessary steps be taken to comply with the wish of the ratepayers." The Valuation Department forwarded the i*ew valuation roll for Glenledi riding, -which showed that the total valuation for the riding had been raised, from £85,237 to =644 046 aa increase of £8809, equal to 25 per cent, overthe previous valuation. — Received. Messrs Kilroy and Sutherland wrote asking for permission to us© the County Hall for one week from July 3 for the sale of goods.— Left m the hands of the clerk to arrange. Mr F. CaJrert. Dunedin, wrote asking leave to erect a boat shed on the margin of Waihola I/ake, and stating that it was proposed to erect the shed near Mi J. F. M. Fraser's boat-house. — Request granted.

The Clerk of the Milton Borough Council wiote asking the County Council to agree to the control of tlie Tokomairiro Domain Board being placed under the Borough Council. — B.equest agreed to.

SLAUGHTERING LICENSES,

The Agricultural Department wrote acknowledging receipt of notification of renewal of slaughtering licenses a® follows:— J. Keen, W. P. Pennell. A. M'Kechnie, A. M'Laren, E. Orossan, G. Anderson, E,. Wyber, and J. DrapeT.— .Received. _ James Smith (Greenfield) and John Clements (Kaitangata) wrote applying for slaughtering licenses, and A M'Kechnie asked te a license for a> new slaughterhouse he w«s erecting on sections 7, 17, and 18, M'GilPs subdivision of I Milton. — Approved.

Applications w«re received for renewal of slaughtering licenses from. James Jarvis, K-ugh- Lamont, and Thomas Sinclair. — Approved.

engineer's report,

The Engineer reported as follows: —

" Works. — The works on hand have all made good progress since last report. The widening of the load at Circle Hill Schoolhouse is completed. A start has been made with the road foimation at Akatore. but the metal will be held ovor till the spring, as the new fojinatiou is not in a fit state to receive the metal. Tho cleaning of tho ditches on Inchclutha and over tho Matau drainage scheme has made goo<? progress, and is nearly, all completed. The mieta-lling of Centre road, Inchclutha, is nowcompleted, and also the portion of the road leading past the old English Church site. The flood bank for the Matau protective works is nearly completed. A large wood culvert on the Clarendon- Berwick road broke down and was renewed. A wood culvert over the South bridge drain broke down with a traction engine over it. Timber has been laid down to repair the same, but the work is held over for tho council's instructions. A number of culverts were placed over the Southbridge drain when it was cut. This is ths first one that has given way, and the question now arises who has* to keep these culverts in repair, the owner of the land or the council. The erection of the bridge over Morrison's Creek is progressing satisfactorily. The piles are all driven, but the works are all stopped owing to n<m-arrival of tho planking, but it is expected every day. I w»s asked by the ratepayers in the Clarendon Drainage District to examine and' report on tha flood, bank in course of erection, on the north side of the "VVaipori River by the Berwick Drainage Board. The previous banks erected by th-e board above the bridge fndled to keep the water from spreading over the land, and there is now erected a much strong-er bank and higher, with ■fche evident intention of keeping the water in the bed of the river until it reaches the bridge. The bank is raised up to the planking on th© bridge. I was informed that there was a proposal to raise and lengthen the bridge, as it is quite apparent if the bank ffta-nds the bridge will bo carried away with, the first high flood. As this bridge is kept in repair by the Bruco County Council.

and h^.lf the cost recovered from *he Taieri County Council, it ivi'll be necessary to advise the Taieri County Council of the danger to tho bridge from the flood banks, so that joint steps may ba taken either to protect the bridge or ciect » new one to a higher le.Ve!. The est'iratecl cost of the bridge is £601). " Proposed Bridge over the Waitahuii., River. — In company with Mr John Edie, engineer to the Tua.-'eka County Council, I visile:! the site of the proposed bridge over the Waitahuna River to connect the road leading to the Greenfield settlement. A very suitable site can be got near the present footbndge, and the estimated cost of a bridge with concrete piers and iron girders is £850, and it is recommended that a joint application be made to the Government for a vote to erect the bridge. I did not examine the site of the proposed bridge over the Waitahuna River at the lower end of the Greenfield settlement, a* 1 was advised by the Chief Surveyor that thf Roads Department was going to examine- ard report on same and also the deviation of roar" through Begg Bros.' property to connect oto the new bridge. '" General.— A supply of maintenance metal lias been ordered to repair portions of main roods and several of the district roads. Several of the ratepayers have agreed to cart the metal from the stations on to the road free of cost. On one of the bridges over the Manuka Creek one of the beams showed signs of giving way. and it will be attended to as soon as the timber arrives on the ground. Thp bridges over Bounder Creek and Meggat Burn. Clarendon-Berwick road, require some repairs and some new planking."

The Chairman said with regard to the culverts over the Southbridge road that this work was done out of money specially provided for the purpose-, and he had been informed by the county solicitor that morning that the council had no funds out of which repairs or renewals could be made. Counsel advised that a special rate would .require to be stiuck over the district affected; or the persons affected could, if they so desired, keep the culverts in repair with the sanction of the council. — Cr Tough said he would undertake to see the parties affected, and he would consult with them as to what was best to bs done. — The Chairman : The money in ha,rd on this account is for the special purpose of paying interest on loan and meeting 1 sinking fund, and cannot be otherwise applied.

On the motion of Cr Sutherland it was resolved — ' That a deputation, consisting of all the members of the council, be appointed to confer with the Taieri County Council re the flood banks and bridge on Waipori River."

The engineer* rpr>nrt wfl" +Tien 9i3ov>te<3 -as presented.

MATAU DRAINAGE WORKS

The Chairman reported that he had attended a meeting of the ratepayers of Matau Riding on May 13. at the Athenseum. Stirling, for the purpose of considering the raising of a loan of £500 for the extension of the Matau drainage works. The meeting agreed to raise the loan and carry out the following works: — A by-Tvash from Gilroy's to Kaitangata Lake, along Distriot road ; an extra culvert across the road at Stirling township ; the main drain to be widened from May's to Bryce's corner; that the old ditch from Swamp road through Kaitangata totmsihip into the Clutha River be opened out and a new culvert put in same, with a lock at river; that Messrs Blackie. Smaill. and Kelly lay off the line of the ditch at the lower end, and Messrs Anderson. Smith, and Farquhar do likewise for the ■Stirling portion of the works. — Approved.

GEKEEAL.

On the motion of Cr Noble it was resolved that a committee consisting of Crs Tough, Adam, the chairman, and the mover, be appointed to report upon the deviation at M'Guigan's road, and that no action be taken until such report is received.

Ct Crane brought up the question of heavilyladen vehicles with narrow tyres making us© of county roads at Waihola, and the Chairman suggested that it might be necessary to put a prohibitive tax on such vehicles.

TENDERS

The following tenders were received for contract 666 a, general carting work: — D. Gordon, 4£d per 100 ft for timber, and 2s per hour; Reid's Livery Stables, 4d per 100 ft and Is 9d per hour for miscellaneous cartage. — The latter tender was accepted. Contract No. 666, raising road on side of Taieri River : J. E. Sinclair, 16s per chain; Reid and Andrew, 32s 6d per chain. — The lowest tender was accepted.

ACCOUNTS,

The receipts and paysheet for the month, ended May 25 were read and approved as und«r: — Receipts, £357 2s lid; expenditure, £406 Is Id.

SPECIAL MEETING

A special meeting of the council was held at the conclusion of the ordinary business, at which a resolution was adopted confirming the imposition of a special rate of one-twelfth of a penny in the pound over Inchclutha subdivision of Matau Riding, such rate to be applied to the payment of interest on a loan of £350 for metalling the Main Centre road. It was also resolved that for the purpose of providing interest and other charges on a loan of £500 for extension of Matau drainage works, the council hereby makes and levies a special rate of three-sixteenths of a penny in the pound on all ratepble property in that portion of outlying district Matau Riding comprised in blocks V and VI ; sections 1 to 5, block VII; sections 1 to 4, block VIII; sections 1 to 8, block S; sections 1 to 10, block XII; part sections 1 to 5, and all of sections 6 to 10 block XIII ; part of sections 1 to 5, block XIV, on the south side of railway line; and part of Stirling township on part of sections 1 Vo 3. block XIII, on the south side of railway line, all in North Molyneux survey district. That for the purpose of paying interest and charges on a loan of £400 authorised to be raised for an embankment ou the south side of Waipori River, a special rate of 2d in the pound be levied on all rateable property in that portion of Clarendon Riding comprised in sections 18. 1 of 20. 2 of 20, 1 of 22, 2 of 22. Icf 24, 2of 24, and 28. block II ; and sections 1 of 1, 2 of 2, and! 4 and 5, b^ck VI, Maungatua survey district.

Ct Mosley reported that the required majority having signed consent for the Matau drainage works the taking of a poll would not T>e necessary.

The Native race is rapidly diminishing in Southland and Wallace (says the Western Star). There are two Natives in Southland, 98 in Wallace, and 112 in Stewart Island— a total of 212.

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