TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 28

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Tuapeka County Council was held at Lawrence on Friday, and was attended by Cis Cotton (chairman), SirupFon, Sim, Ottrey, Oudaille, Bennet, Bennetts, Walker, and M'lnerney.

CORRESPONDENCE.

D. M'Taggart, Waitahnna, wrote drawing attention to a hole in the road opposite section 26, block XVI. — Referred to the chairman and engineer. The secretary of the Ardmore Dredging Company wrote asking for permission to dredge acioss the road near Watson Abrarn's.— - Granted, subjoct to the approval of the engineer and a bond of £100,

W. F. Smyth, on behalf of the Golden Rise mining party, wiote asking the council's permission to work that portion of their claim abutting on tlie Wotheratones road from the bridgo upwards to a point near where the creek ciossed the road at corner of enclosure round Mr Simpson's residence, and for the privilege of working ju3t as much of the roadline as the council's "engineer considered prudent to allow, and undertaking in the event of the request being granted to comply with conditions as to feaicing, filling-in, etc. — Granted, subject to the fulfilment of conditions stipulated by the engineer and bond for £100.

Charles Cassidy, Greenvile, wrote drawing attention to the road from Ardinore's stables p»3t Henderson's. — The engineer stated that the worst portions of the road had been gravelled two months ago. The road at tha place complained of was low, and' could not be properly improved till the creek was diverted. Mr Herbert had given a verbal consent to tho diversion of the creek, but would not give it in writing. — It was resolved that Mr Cassidy be informed that the council was not responsible for the delay, as it had been unable to get written authority to divert the stream. Ife was further agreed that Crs Sim, Ottrey, and the engineer wait on Mr Herbert with a view to obtaining a written authority to divert the creek.

Gideon A. Smith. Roxburgh, wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the road on the western boundary of section 13, block I, Teviot, and offering to do the ploughing free of chargo if the council would grade a portion of it. — Offer accepted

J. W. Gent. Rongahere, wrote complaining of want of access to his property and his inability to make use of his land unless something was done to improve the road. He stated that a passable load could bo made for £10, and guaranteed himself to make it for tthat sum. — The Engineer said! the road had been surveyed 011 the wrong side of the hill. — The member for the riding and the engineer to interview the Chief Commissioner of Lands In regard to the securing of a new road.

James M'Harry wrote complaining of the stato of the road past Mr Herbert's stables.— Received.

D. Haugh wrote re road to Dunrobin siding, stating that unless the road was finished within six weeks ne would withdraw his offer to fence the roadline. — To be informed that tho work was being proceeded with as fast as possible.

Chow Tie wrote applying for charitable aid fc-r an aged countryman. — Three shillings per week was recommended.

Firday Muiiro wrote drawing attention to the state of the road passing his property. — To be attended to by the surfaceman.

M. Whelan and eight others, Wetherstones, wrote asking for a path from Mr Roughan's residence to the Main road at Parson's bridge. — Request granted.

Thomas and party wrote asking for permission to deviate the road in Munro's Gully from a. point below Mr W. O. Dawson's and terminating just below Mr Thomas's freehold. The road they proposed making would be at a Shigher level, with solid rock foundation, and they undertook to gravel it to ihe satisfaction of the engineer. — Request granted on the usual conditions, that the ratepayers in the district be not inconvenienced, and a bond given for £ 100.

*The District Agent, Public Trustee, wrote stating that on applying to the Roads Department for payment of compensation to the estate of tha late David M'Kellar for land taken by the Crown ho was referred to tho council. — To be inormed that it was ?„ case of mutual exchange of roads. R. T. Kinaston, Roxburgh, wrofe applying for charitable aid for a resident of that town. — Five shillings per week recommended.

Thomas Whelan, Roxburgh, wrote asking to have Haughton's gate on roadline lemoved. — The council resolved to adhere to its previous ie3oluTion.

Richard Kittq, jun., wrote stating that the Golden Bed Company had opened up a waterrace across the road leading into his property at Miller's Flat. He asked for an open crossing or culvert to give him access. — The company to be asked oy the engineer to make the crossing required. The Audit Office wrote notifying that the balance sheet for the year ending March 31, 1905, had been certified to with an exception. — Received.

Dr Gilmoiur, Roxburgh, wrote notifying two cases of scarlet fever in that district.— Received.

The Secretary Department of Agriculture •wrote in reply to the council's communications, stating that once- a local authority had declared a plant a noxious week it could not r?voke its acticn; therefore the request to have ragwort excluded from the weeds to bo "dealt with within tha district could not be granted without legislation . — Received.

Scott Bros., Waitahuna, wrote asking the council to remove bluff of rock on the road down the east side of the Wadtatiuiia River leading to Scrubby Block, their propel ly, and stating that the making of the road passable fot tiaffic .(a work in which they were willing to assist) would be a great convenience to them. A letter was received from A. R. Ward, manager of Roxbiugh Station, Glenore, on the same subject. — The chairman and engineer to interview Mrssrs Scott Bios, to ascertain to what extent they would assist m the formation of this road.

A return submitted by tli9 Charitable Aid Boanl showed that 26 persons, including 14 Chinese, were in receipt of outdoor relief to the total amount of £7 12s per week.

The Inspector of K"oxious Weeds. Tapanui, wrote drawing attention to the growth of gorso anid broom a'onsj Swift Creek, Heriot and also en bank- ' iver adioining Lischner's coalpit. Cor. 1 ik— Attended to.

Marsrai" iv, Tapamii, wrote asking for a refund of 3~3 Cd paid for rates, which she claimed she had paid whilst not entitled to. — Referred to the Valuation Department.

Messrs Hiscook and Co. wrote asking for an increase on contiact No. 672 to 2s 2c! per yaid, oiherwise they would abandon it. — Not dealt with.

engineer's report.

The Erginc-er reported ro road deviation through the* propel ties of Mr M'Lelland and Mr M'ClellanJ v. Mr Kerr's farm. The best grade coi'ld bo got through Mr Kerr's farm, but the cost of making the road would be very expensive, the cross section beang very steep and mostly reck. Tho road tlnou^h Messrs M'Lelland and M'Olelland'a -iropei+ies would answer all requirements. Cost of formation would be £100, and the total covt of deviation, say, JEI7O. The road from Coal Creek to tha county boundary had been repaired at a coat; ol £50. Xhs rou<l to tka iiili fceliiiui l\S.7i«4

homestead hacl been laid off, and tenders could be called for the work at ?ny time. A goodly number .of cuttings would be required, in the deviation of seven miles, but the cTOwn of tho ndge could bs utilised until the road was properly formed The matter of road deviation through Mr Nicoll's land had been arranged very satisfactorily to all parties. The work of grading requested by the Dunedin City Council had been held back owing to the unfavoiuable weather. The road from Greenfield Estate, tluougb, athenseiini reserve, to the Vaitahuna River, had been laid off. Owing to tlhe steepness of the grade it was found necessary to deviate the whole length horn tho o!d surveyed road. Plans, etc., would be sent on to the chief surveyor, Dunedin. A vsry suitable site had been selected for the proposed bridge ever the Waitahuna River to fit in with the road referred to above. The estimated cost of the bridge, with concrete piers pnd iron girders, was £850, and it was recommended that the council should join the Bruce County Council in applying to the Government for a grant for the erection of the structure. During the pa,st two months the bridges and culverts had required a good' deal of attention. Timber had been ordered for Teviot bridge and also for the punt at Tuapeka Mouth. A considerable amount of gravelling had been done at Blue Spur, but more was wanted. The roads throughout the county were in fair order for the time of the year, but the requests foxwork to be done were growing stronger -every yeao\

On the rnotian of Cr Bennetts and Sim the report was adopted, and it was resolved that the road betweeji M'Lelland's and M'Clelland's b-3 gone on with at^once.

GENERAL,

Messrs Leary and Winn waited on the council as a deputation from the Borough Council to ask for the services of the engineer for the purpose of obtaining a report on the silting up of the Wetherstones Creek. — It was resolved on the motion of Crs Bennetts and Sim that the engineer's services be granted for tho purpose of reporting as desired.

H. H. Leary, Mayor of Lawrence, wrote enclosing the accounts in connection with the reception and entertainment of his Excellency tho Governor aad suite, and asking if the council would contiibute a third of the cost (£7 14s). — The request was granted.

R. S. Poison, chemist, Lawrence, wrote offering to supply poisoned grain "on the Sfi.rn.e- terms as last year. — An order for £ 50 worth, half to bo crushed, to be given to Mr Poison at once. John Tyson appeared before the council lo urge that steps be taken to have Elliot's road, leading to the bridge at Kclso, opened for traffic. At present he was taking a dredge from Lawrence to Kelso, and it was a great inconvenience to have to make a detour and ford the river. — It was decided that the clerk should write to the Government, urging the opening of the road as soon as possible— Later in the day a telegram, was received from the engineer to the Clutha County stating that the road 'had been gazetted as open, and asking for authority to erect and remove fences, which was immediately given.

Or Ottrey asked what was going to be done in regard to the footbridge at Heriot, which was passed to bo done some time ago, and for which the timber had been lying there since January; in fact, the engineer absolutely refused to do it. — The Engineer explained that owing to the demands on the surfacemen's time for the carrying out of urgent works he had not been able to get the bridge in hand. He pointed out that th» district was not badly served at present, as there was already a bridge at each end. He further complained to having offensive communications addressed to him by the member for James riding. — Cr Ottrey ictorted that h^ was simply passing on the complaints of the ratepayers round about Heriot. He complained strongly of the neglect of his riding, andi he objected to take ths blame for it.

Th'a application of a resident of Beaumont for charitable aid for her mother-in-law was granted. On the motion of Cr Sim, seconded by Cr Eennet, the balance sheet, as laid on the table, was adopted.

Leave of absence was granted to Mr James Bennet for the session.

Accounts amounting to £1752 11s lOd were passed for payment. It was resolved that the decision of the ratepayers of James riding, passed at a meeting held' in the schoolroom, Dunrobin, on Monday, the Ist day <of May, 1905, regaiding the closing of road between sections 17, 20, and 21, block VIII also the road between section 2, block XII, and section 21, block VIII. and througii part of section 21, block VIII, Crookston Sur- -. ey District, be confirmed. Cr Bennet asked for the improvement of about 10 chains of main road near Rae's Junction; also, that something be done to the road from the Stonehouse towards the Otago No. 2 dredge. In regard to the lastnamed he mentioned that the company had contributed JEIO. He moved that these works be undertaken.— Seconded by Cr Sim, and carried.

Cr Sim moved, and Cr Bennet seconded, that the engineer give notice to the dredge-owners to fill up all packer holes' on or alongside roadlmes immediately they were done with. — Carried. On the motion of Crs Bennetts and Bennet, It was resolved that the rate, for tho ensuing year be Id in the pound. Cr Bennetts moved that tenders be called for tho road-inrough Teviot Station passed some time ago.— Seconded by Cr Simpson, and carried.

Cr M'lnerney drew attention to <Jio necessity for a footbridge over the creek at Evan's Flat but as the chairman pointed out that there was no money to spare for new works no action was taken.

Cr M'lneiney asked that something should Le done to the footpath from the town boundary to Robertscn's Hotel, and the chairman undertook to see what work was necessary.

On the motion of Cr Oudaille the engineer was instructed to prepare duplicate plans of the road and bridge through Waitahuna Athenseum "Reserve to Greenfield — one for the Chief C'ommissioner^and th© other for the petitioners. Cr Ottrey asked if this was not the meeting when applications for Government votes should be ptit in.— Cr Bennet explained that there

was no particular meeting at which these votea should be brought up, and suggested that members, who had any special work that wars required, should leave the particulars with tho cngineeT, when an application for the various amounts could be made.

NOTICE OF MOTION.

Cr Ottrey gave notice of motion that he would move at next meeting that the services of the county engineer ho dispensed with. — Abridged from Tuapeka Times.