CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 25

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Clutha County Council was held at Balclutha on Friday; present— Mr W. Hay (chairman), Crs J. R. Mitchell, W. Nicol. D. A. M'Lachlan, J. Clarke, W. Grainger, J. F. Ayson, J. dimming, and A. C. Saunders. CORRESPONDENCE. The Under-secretary for Lands and Surveys wrote, in reply to the council's nomination m Mr Andrew Mitchell Wyhe as a trustee of the Port Molyneux Cemetery, that it would be well for the council to revoke its power of appointment of trustees and bring the cemetery into line in the matter of tiustees with other cemeteries in the county. — The Chaiiman said it would be as well to agree to have the council's power 3of appointment revoked and the trustees appointed by the Governar on recommendation of the council. — Agreed to. The Superintendent of Electric Lines, Wellington, wrote stating that authority had been given for the erection of a telephone line to Kaihiku.— Received with thanks. Tlm Secretary Land Boprd Duneclin, wrote enclosing statement of "thirds" and " fourths " from Ist April to sth August, total £129 5s 8d. — Left with engineer and clerk to attend to matter- of the allocation of the fund. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Otago •wrote re transfer of land fund from Rollinson's road to Kaler's Saddle road, stating that ho bad requested the ranger to report after visiting tli9 locality. — This was in respect to Mr Gwyn's application to close portion of Rollinson's road. — Received. The Secretary of the Benevolent Institution wrote re the council's application to increase the charitable aid grant to a family in the county, that the allowance now granted was the' largest on the books, and could not be increased.— Cr Nicol said the reply was not satisfactory. — Received. J. A. Park, Dunedin, wrote re restrictions placed on the powers of local bodies by the proviso to section 3— (1) of " The Public Works Act, 1903," considering it an interference with their legitimate functions, and asking expression of opinion of council on the question. — The council adopted a resolution agreeing with the contention embodied in the circular. The New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Dunedin, wrote re freehold of acquired roads at Clydevale, which were not yet vested in the council.— Ths Chief Surveyor (Mr D. Barron, Dunedin) also wrote on the subject, and enclosed plans— lt was decided that the necessary steps be taken to vest the roads in the council. David Wallace, member of the Waiwera Public Library Committee, wrote the council charging rates on building when the library was a public one, and had been for a number of years.— lt was resolved that the rates be remitted. W. Nelson, jun., clerk to the Clinton Town Board, wrote enclosing resolution passed by his board asking that the water table leading from Mr M'Kechnie's 1 be cleaned out.— Left with the engineer to attend to. Mrs Shaw, Finnegand. wrote withdrawing offer to assist in formation of road between house and the cross road running to Otanornomo. — Received.

Wm. M'lntyre, Hunt's road, wrote offering to give two days' labour free to help to get water tables on Hunt's road at his property put in order to prevent water flowing over his land. — Request granted; the engineer to attend to the matter. R. Chalmers, Waiwera, wrote re roads in his locality which required attention. — The Engineer said there was very little land fund in hand for this work. — It wns decided that the work be attended to as soon as funds were available. T. Gray and 12 other settlers wrote asking that two pinches on Hunt's road — one near the railway station and the other opposite "Hi Byers's house — be reduced. — The engineer to inspect the place and report to next meetins. Hugh Tolmie. Waipahi, wrote asking the council to extend the metal on the road from Waipahi Railway Station during the summer. — Letter received; Mr To'mie to be informed 4 that a. contract for metalling would be let later on. John Campbell, Seafield, Owaka, wrote re Seafield Creek, the course of which was interfered with by cattle breaking the banks and culverts which caused his land to flood. — Engineer to attend to the matter. John Pullar. John Todd, David M'Lachlan, and David Wi-atten, Owaka. wrote re bad state of Newhaven road. — Tbe engineer to attend to thj matter.

Wilson Bros., Port Mosyneux, wrote re dogs belonging to the puntman at South Moljneux punt annoyins their sheep, and notifying that if a man of bad character was sent as puntman the council had better remove th-e buildings at once, as they were too close to their houses, and they would not stand it any longer — To be informed that the necessary precautions would be taken when appointment was made

Hem-y Hurring wrote asking for riglit to occupy quarter-acre on part of road reserve near Fleming River bridge, Tautuku. TheLaii'l Board also wrote that, in regard to Huxiing's application to them on the same subject, the matter was one for the council to say whether They had any objection to it or not. — The council had no objection to granting the lease.

D. Finlavson. Lochindorb. wrote r-e bvidpes damaged by floods on the track to Clinton from the Station — The engineer to attend to the matter.

William Tel ford wvo*e applying to exch;iv>°<j road line through his section, Woodlands distinct, for a new and better load. — It was decided that the matter be held over for a month, and if no objection -were lodged the request be granted. All expenses to be paid by applicant.

Jean Mackenzie. Dean Bank, Puerua, wrote ra state of road at her property at the Ankiki Bush Settlement. The writer offered to supply metal off the property and give services of a man and a three-horse- team at 12s per day, or two horses at 10s — Offer accepted.

James Ford, Tahatika, telegraphed making application on behalf of Mr David Wright to occupy unu&pj road line during pleasure of the council. — Application to be made in the usual way.

engintcee's p.EroRT. The Engiueer (Mr J. Walker Johnston) irportcJ as follows- — Beyond ,ordmarv :,uifacing vciy little work was done during the incaith. The follo-winsf tiseful woiks, liowever, nrig'ht bo nientio'ietl as being done Lv regular employees, assisted h? a little casuil labour. — Clydevalp Riding: Giading M'Ksnzie's roud; Imid fund -expenditure. RicliarcJson Riding: Maintenance mctaJ, Shaw's {rack, and cutting gorse and broom on Riverside road. CTutha Riding' M'Neil's Hill maintenance Mr M'Neil gave his team for five or six days free of charge. Clinton Riding: Mam South road, scooping and ploughing. In connection with the detail instructions of the month I have the following remarks to irafce : — Be James Cooper and otfrea-s-., Houi»

papa. I visited this place, and went a.3 far up the Catlins Valley a,s thc-re is settlement. ■ The road is very bad. and overgrown vrAh scrub. I arranged to have this cut at ones. On the part from Houipapa up to the Jiew railway camp the road is quite dangerous for i any sori of traffic whatever, a.nd I think a strongly-worded protest i&hould be made from the council to the Public Works Department! and at least a.sk them to put this part of the if ad in decent repair when the weather anil state of the road is suitable. Re broom and gorse: This paa-t of my instructions has been mentioned previously. Re Main Owaka road from Hunt's road to Dutton's. I niado some preliminary arrangements as to this work, such as visiting quarries, etc., but the work will not actually start until next month. A start has been made on the work of repairing the South Molyneux punt. It is proposed to thoroughly overhaul the old pontoons, etc. The spare boat from Clydevale has been sent down for that purpose. In connection with this punt, I have to report that the puntman had to leave during the month. Mr Mulrine has kindly consented to carry on the punt until a permanent appointment is made. I would suggest that applications be called for the position. The creek diversion and bridge on school rqad near Kaihiku has not yet bee.n started. The matena.l has all come to hand, however, and I am waiting the convenience of local farmers baforc starting with the earthwork. I have to recommend in connection with the Swanip road, near the Port Molyneux punt, that pipes be put across the road and a box put at the punt to relieve the drainage iv the ditch down the Swamp road ; probable cost £20. The engineer's report was adopted, and Wm. Tilson, who was present in person, was appointed puntkeeper for a month on trial in place of G. W. Carveth. CLirTON TOWN BOARD LEVELS. The Chairman reported that since last meeting the deputation appointed by the council had- visited Clinton and examined the channelling, etc., on which the Clinton Town Board had applied for a subsidy. The conclusion arrived at was that as soon as the board did the work it would get the promised subsidy. The board had" not completed the work in terms of the braird's application, and the subsidy would be paid when it was so completed.-^=The report was adopted. GENER.VE-. It was resolved that, with the view of proceeding with the various works throughout the county during the 'summer months, the engineer be requested to communicate with the Minister of Public Works respecting the votes placed on the Estimates and endeavour to get the necessary authority for expenditure as soon as possible. It was also resolved that tenders be called for 100 yards maintenance metal for Main South road, near Kaihiku bridge. It was decided that the vote of £20 for M'Lay's road be increased to £70*. It was decided to give Is 6d per 100 for birds' eggs during the ensuing season. The engineer was instructed to arrange to get repairs effected to piers at Kaihiku bridge at Douglas's place when convenient to prevent damage. The Olerk said that Mr William Telford had informed him verbally that he was prepared to purchase the closed road line at Mr James Ayson' s boundary. The matter had been before the council on a former occasion. — It was agreed to accept £3 10s per acre for the land, purchaser to pay all expenses cf transfer, etc. The tender of W. Beccord at £5 5s per chain was accepted for contract No. 157. Mr Ayson reported that Mr T. Telford was opposed to the closing of the road line applied for by Mr D. Farquhar to be closed. ACCOTTHTS. Receipts for month ending September 26: — ' Rates, £1207 5s 6d; dog tax, ss; deposits, £li 3s Cd; rent, £6 10s;- total, £1228 4s. The expenditure was as follows: — Land Fund, Ahuriri road, £15 16s 7d; Government grant, 12s 2d ; Ahuriri loan account, 15s 103 ; general account, £496 9s 9d; — total £513 14s 4d.

John Adlam, *a well-known Waihi settler, attempted to commit suicide in a novel manner recently. He deposited lib of blasting powder wrapped in paper, in a hole in the ground, and, laying a_ train of matches, laid his head upon it and awaited the explosion. The powder exploded with a loud noise and the unfortunate man was severely burned, but not fatally hurt. H« has been in ill-health for some time.