BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 17

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Bruce County Council was neld in the Council Chambers, Milton, on the 9th, the members preseut bsing— Cr3 Mcsley (chairman), Begg, Adam. Bryce, Crane, Driver, Tough, Brown, and Noble. CHAIRMAN'S VISIT TO WELLINGTON. The Chairman (Cr Mosley) reported as follows: — "I proceeded to Wellington on Tuesday, 18th September, and bad a good passage. I wrote to Mr Jiunes Allen, M.H.R., asking him to introduce ma to the Hon. the Minister of Publ:c Works and to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. I accordingly waited on Mr Hall-Jones with Mr Allen re the grants for Bruce, and I made a very strong claim on ' behalf of the Taieri* Mouth bridge and other votes. The Minister said that owing to the very large demands- from all parts -of the colony he could not grant all the requisitions, but if I could go over the amounts for Bruce and place those most urgent before him he would place them in tlie most favourable light "befor« Cabinet. I accordingly telegraphed to Mr"Nelson. and upon rscs.ving his reply I again waited on the Minister, and laid our wants b?fore him, when he reiterated his previous promises. I may say that the Minister seemed to favour a grant for the Taieri Month bridge. I then waited on Mr M'Nab. along with Mr Allen, and laid before him the matter of the silting up of the Molyneux and consequent damage to the lands of the settler 3of lnchclutha, causad by the stoppage of the drams thiough the filling up of the bed of the river. The Minister considered

this was a case in which the Government

■-hcu'd assist, as the filling up of the river was brought about by causes over which the settlers had no control, and he vould lay the matter before Cabinet in the most favourab'e light as to assistance being given to the .sertler?"- As instructed, I made inquiries from tlie Premier as to ths b^st course to pursue re the memoiial to the late Mr Seddon. Sir Joseph Ward said: 'By all means erect your hospital in honour of the

man s memory

In addition to the foregoing type-written statement, the Chairman said he had been received courteously by the powers that be, that he had the council's business prompt'y nttend-ed to. and was allowed to get ay.ay quickly, although others who had been in Wallington from the opening of the session had not got away yet. Summing up the lemlt of the visit, he said, although the council would probably net get all it asked for, it would no doubt get a fair share of the loaves and fishes.

Cr Noble congratulated the council on the success of the chairman's mission to Wellington, and said if the visit had not been made the council would not have got as much as it now would.

In addition to the foregoing type-written statement, the Chairman said he had been received courteously by the powers that be, that he had the council's business prompt'y nttend-ed to. and was allowed to get ay.ay quickly, although others who had been in Wallington from the opening of the session had not got away yet. Summing up the lemlt of the visit, he said, although the council would probably net get all it asked for, it would no doubt get a fair share of the loaves and fishes. Cr Noble congratulated the council on the success of the chairman's mission to Wellington, and said if the visit had not been made the council would not have got as much as it now would. engineer's heport. The County Engineer reported as follows: — " I have the honour to report on the state of the reads and works for the month ending 6th October, 1906. Roads.— The loads, owing the 'continued dry weather, have very much improved since my last Teport, and are nearly all in a good state for traffic. Works. — The works at Berwick bridge have mpde no progress since my lost report," but the timber is now arriving at the works, and the contractor expects to be able to rrw.ke a start in a few days. The work of widening the road up the Barnego Settlement (near Morgan's) is now making fair progress. This work hag been delayed owing to ihe soft state of the 'road, it not being m a fit condition to receive tlie metal. The whole of the vote for the Sunflower has now been expended, and the load has been formed up to Mr Holgate*3 outer stable and buildings. On Clarke's road (Barnego) the water was held back on to the road by a pipe -drain through Holgnte and Stevenson's lands being blocked. The drain is being opened up to find tlie place where it is blocked, to as to relieve the road of the water gathered on it The deepening of the ditch through the Crescent F-state is now completed. The ditch on the side of the Swamp road is being deepened up to connect all the diains to the new one that enters the river a short dmance below the lnchclutha bridge. At Deep Creek, Wangaloa, the culvert has been extended by the addition of four new concrete pipes, and the road made up to the proper width across the creek. I took levels over the Circle Hill road, between Campbell's and M'Neil's, and found that the grade between those places on a short portion was one in pight, and with an expenditure of £25 I can only get a grade of one in 850 Uns road is a dotted track through Mr George Campbell's and Mr H. M'Neil's properties, and it is a question if it is laid on the proper line. At anyrate, a deviation will be iequired before a road with a suitable grade can be got over the present line. I also took levels over a portion of the new road between Wangaloa and Coomb Hay, from Gold Creek to Shagrea Creek. This road goes along the side of Shagree Creek through the bush on a very rough and uneven line, and tenders have been called for the works at thiß meeting. The road from Southbndga past J. A. Duthie's farm to Lovell's Flat has now been fenced off, instead of going through Mr Duthie's farm, and several culvert* and formation are required to make it fit fr,r traffic. S°veral of the boxes in connection with the Clarendon drainage works are getting out of repair, and timber has been ordered to renew same when the creek is at its lowest level. A ford is also being madeacross the Waipon River to accommodate the traffic. The bridge will only be closed for a short time against wheeled traffic. Some slight repairs have bsen made to bridges and culverts since my last report. ' (The receipts and expenditure return for the same period accompanied the report ) Cr Begg remarked that the valuation of £100 charged for Government valuation was very heavy. They had, be understood. pp,d a similar si.m a short time ago —The Chairman thought the amount charged was too hig-h altogether, and suggested that if local bodies bad power to make their own valuations it would be more satisfactory - It wad resolved, after dis=cu»sion, to refer back '.o the -engineer the matter of levels over Circle Hill road in order to astertam if a deviation rould be made through Campball's property The report was then adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The Chief Engineer for Roads wrote eating that an Order-in-Counci! had been signed by his ExceTencv the Governor exempting that portion of the District road forming the south-east boundary of section 7 blo_-k I, Hillend district from the provisions of secYon 117 of " Ths Public Works Aot 1905 Re width of road in front of sections laid off near Benha r works the Order-m-Countil was notified in Gazeite Xo. 80, p. 2455 of September 20. 1906— Received The Chief Ergmeer for Roads a'so wrote stating that he had been directed by the Hon. the Minister for Public Works to suggest that the best course to pursue towards the erection of the bridge over tlie Taieri River near its mouth would be for the council to prepare plans of the bridge and take the steps required by section 118 of " The Public Works Act, 1905," with the view to i&£ Isiil. lUiiOliUiA. J£bj££ d 4 ht£^ l t& £iU pa

] bsnefited by the bridge contributing to ttie cost in manner provided by law.—^t was

resolved on the motion of Cr Noble — " That the Taieri County Council be written to, enclosing plan of pro-posed bridge, and a-skmg that council to con+r-bule towards the cost on the present basis — namely, half cost. j The Chief Kngineei for Roads wrote sta-ting

that if the Biuce County Council would pay iiito the public account the sum of £50, and if the ooher two local bodies wou.d act simi arly, the work of repairing the Balclutha. traffic bridge would be taken in hand. The proposed works were the renewal of the north

and south piers, and -tb-e estimated cost of same was > £300 — It was resolved that the council pay its share towards the repair of the bridge. l%e Secretary oi the Marine Department wrote stating that %£ had received a report from the CoLector of Customs who had been appointed to investigate ie the wharves at Taieri Mouth. The writer stated that it appeared fiom the: report that some nrisunderEtanding had arisen as to the ' position. Th© hcense granted only gave Mr M'Kegg tlie right to the foreshore for building two wharves, and the public had a right to usethe wharves subject to such conditions and payment of dues as might be provided by the Goveinor-m-Ccuncil. Mr M'Kegg had not asked tiiai, the dues should hs proscribed, but should he do so care would be taken that they wou d be reasonable. — The Chairman stated -that Mr M'Kegg would have to build a wharf before he could apply to have the fees fixed for using it. and in the meantime the wharf would be open to anyone who required it. — Received The Cerk to the Taieri County Council

■wroie. re Berwick bridge, giving notice that the Taieri Council objected to any raising cf the level of the road at the Taieri end of •th-e bridge, as it had never agreed to auy such a'teration of the leve' — The Chsirman stated that the raising of the road had been agreed '.o at a conference of both councils, he'd at Berwick on July 15 1905, when it was resolved that the new bridge be raised not less than 2ft above the level of the old one. and how a bridge could be raised 2ft above its present leve, and not raise the ap- i pioaches was a matter beyond his comprehension. The minute provided that the Government be asked to give pound for pound . as a subsidy up to £800.— A letter from the road engineer was read on the same sub- ' ject — The letters were received. • j The Road Engineer wrote slating that the i sum of £49 w.s available for works on , Stirling-Benhar road, and the sum of £37 , 15s for works on roarls in Table Hill blocks near M'Aupine's. — "Work to be carried out. m'gii/l's township. D. Reid, go icitor. waited on the council with reference to the streets in t-be M'Gill township. He stated thai M'G-ill's trustees wished to give the owners of the sections , purchased a title, but that could not be don« until the council approved of the plan, which h« subn?ibted— John Nelson, on behalf of fcimse'f and others, al.so appeared before the , '• council, and objected to the uigning of-the j -plan on the grotrad that the trastees had , 1 Tiot'caxried out the formation of the streets as required by the, act.— After some discus- j i sioii it was resolved that the council con- , suit Mr John MacGregor, solicitor, on the' • eubiect in dispute. ' ! The Secretary of <the Obago Harbour Board forwarded correspoftdertce re the petition dealing with Harbour Board endowments.— J^me* ' Allen, M H.R.. wro.te forwarding copies of the Irocal Subsidies Bill and Valuation Aot Amendment Bill; also giving information re votes for works in the county, and other matters. The writer also stated that ' the Tuapeba County Council had agreed to do rock-cutting at Scott Bros., Waitahuna- j Greenfield road, provided Bruce Council at- j tended to the rock-outting within its , boundary.— Tuapeka County Council also wrote re the same matter, the estimated cost of the work in that county being £30.— The first of the letters were minuted as " received," and in regard to the Waitahuna-Greenfield road, ' it was resolved to instruct the engineer to Teport upon the cost of the work in Bruce County. J. Smith, se-cretary of the Greenfield branch of the Farmers' Union, wrote stating that at a meeting of the branch, held on the , 29th ult.. a resolution was nasped affirming that the settlers on Greenfield Settlement insisted on the new bridge promised near the mouth of the Waitahuna Kiver being started , at once in order to give the settlers a j reasonably decent ro?d to Bnlclutha, their natural market town — The engineer to report, and send his reply to Wellington. 1 The Secretary of the Counties Association \ wrote mt:mat!ng that no conference would be held tins year, and stating that the Government did not intend to proceed with the Ijocpl Government Bill this session. — Received W Duff, convener of the Clarendon Cemetery allotment holders, wrote intimating that j Messrs James Sutherland. George Grey, William Bell James Duncan James Taylor. Wil- j ham Duff, and William Hore had been nomi- , rated as trustees — It was resolved to declare j the persons named as trustees under the ( Cemeteries* Act. I The Collector of Customs reported that grold to the amount of 330z 16dwt llgT had been purchased in Bruce County for the month of July. — Received. t ' Mr A. Maopher'on, Clarendon, applied for r read to be stopped through section — , ] l.lork VII, Clarendon Survey District.— The Chairman staged that the road was omitted when others were closed in exchange for other icads given by Mr Macpherson — Necessary steps to be taken to close the road. i Messrs King, Newall, and Paterson, Burnwell Township, wrote asking that steps op 1 taken to carry away sewerage from houses on ' the Dictnct rcwd and Yett street.— Received ; i already attended to. '• The Town Clerk of Kaitangata Borough Council wrote forwarding a cheque for £24, being the amount collected by the council as a contribution to the cost of the Matau drain — Ttsceived with thanks. The ClctU reported that the necessary public notification had been made re the apphcitir/n of Messrs Foster and Gordon for j permission to plax-e gates on the road near Cajiada Reef and on the Hill road to Waipon at the Woolshed — Perini°pion given to erect gates to the satisfaction of the engineei. I E. G Reid wrote asking the council to ' clofe the road on the bank of Tokomairiro River and the road through section 191, block XX. Tok-orutinro district, as th» roads were to be exchanged to his father for the present Msun road taken through the property in 1861-G2 -The Chairman said the I roumil couid not deal with the rood on the bank of the river as " The Public Wot'ks Act, 1505," expressly stated that no road j . on a ri\er b-ink could be closed; but he saw . ( :>o objection io the poiti-on, fection 191. being t loee<l as another road (metalled) had been provided in heu thereof — -Cr Adam thought every as«ntance should be given to Mr Reid • till the other holders had their transfers Hn moved — " That representations be made to the X<ands Transfer Office to givo a title, I and that necessary steps be taken to have the road referred to closed " j | INCHXI.UTm DRMXAGE I.OAS i live c-ounui "".fiimaj, m aj^^-twl meeting.

the special order providing for a loan of iH.509 for the extension of the drainage work at Inehc utha; the special rite to be levied over -ihe special rating district to be Jd in the pound; the loan to be for 41 years, bearing interest at 5 per cent.

TEXDEBS.

Tenders were accepted as follow : — Contact No 713. formation of road, WangaJoa-Coombe Hay. £180 4s ; contract 714, metalling 70 chains Hiliend road — No tenders received, decided to call for fresh tenders; contract No. 175 (gravelling at Halpin's, Lovell's Flat, Tweed Bros.. £% 19s per chain. It was resolved that tenders sent in for flax on roadlines in Wangaloa Riding be not received, and that fche flax be offered at 7s per ton.

SEPABATE HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID

DISTRICT.

The Clutha Couoty Council forwarded the following resolution : — " That the Chitha County Council join Bruce County Council. Milton. Kaitangata, and Balclutha Borough Council in , forming a separate Hospital and Charitable Aid District, the hospital to be erected at North Balclutha." The. communication further stated that .the council, having agreed to join on the erpress condition that the hospital be erected at North Balc'utha, "we shall be glad to co-operate with you to bring about the desired change in this condition." — The Chairman stated that when he was in Wellington he had waited on jhe Premier re the bill for dealing: a separate Hospital and Charitable Aid District for Bruce and Clutha, and the Premier had stated that he vrould give the bill every assistance. Sir Joseph Ward stated that in a district such as the one referred to • * local hospital was needed. In regard to th© letter from the Clutiba County Council, they had undertaken to meet thai body in a fair spirit, and he thought the site suggested for the hospital at North Balclutha a central one, which would give general satisfaction. — Cr Tough : Does the Mayor of Kaitangat* oarree to the suggested site?— The Chairman: He agrees to having it there or anywhere in the district in preference to 50 miles away in Duredin.— Cr Noble moved that North Balclutha be chosen as the site for the hospital, and, after some conversational discussion, the motion was agreed to.

A CHARITABLE AID CASK,

The Secretary of the Otago Benevo'ent Institution Trustees wrote intimp+in« that an allowance of 7s 6d per week would be grunted to a Glenledi applicant for three months. — The Chairma.n explained that he had met the board and bad put the matter before the trustees.- He asked for an allowance for a year, but only three months' assistance had been granted. It was the on'y case from Bruce where the full amount aaked had been granted. — Cr Noble: They did not give it to the chairman. — The Chairman : No ; in th« principle of economy he was taken to town.

GENERAL.

The accounts for the month ended Bth October showed receipts £550 7s 2d, and exnenditure JE533 9s 3d.

Cr Driver stated that a £ax mill h*& started at Berwick, and the creek «m polluted thereby, and the creek was a'.eo damned up. — Resolved that the engineer be instructed to have the dam removed from the creek. trod that stevs be -taken to prevent ftttur* pollution of the creek.