WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 23

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual meeting of the Waihemo County Council was held at Palmerston on the 16th mst., when there were present — Cra J. Ross (chairman), D. Ross, D. M. Phillip, J. E. Stenhouse, H. O'Neill, J. O'Connell, and G. Clarke. An apology for abserce was received from Cr Matheson. BKPOKT. Inspector Cruickshank reported for the month as follows: — Dunback Riding: The contractor for the gravelling in the DunbackMacraes road completed his work withm contract time. The road 3 in this riding are at present very loos© and very rough. In th» other ridings the workmen have been burning the grass around the approaches to the bridges and culverts, as a precaution against fire. I have repaired the culvert on Matheson's road, which will meet Donaldson's requirements I have received a complaint that poison is being laid on road lines. — Macraes Ridinc I inspected the turn at Hyde bridge. It is a rocky siding, and if a

few feet were taken off the side it would impzove it. We have quarried some stones, and they are ready to build a retaining wall ; but owing to the scarcity or horses for carting purposes I have been unable to make a start with the work. — It was docided tb-prb tenders ba called for effecting improvements to the road at Hyde bridge, the cost not to exceed £30. CORRESPONDENCE. The Minister of Health wrote stating that owing to the recrudescence of plague in Sydney he would suggest that a house-to-house inspection should be instituted in all boroughs in the- Waihemo County, and other precautions taken for ensuring the safety of the public from disease through unhealthy localities. — Received. The Valuer-general, Wellington, intimated that a sitting of the Assessment Court would be held at Palmerston, probably in May, for the hearing of objections to Government land valuations, and asking that the council appoint an assessor. — It was decided to appoint Mr James Service (Shag Valley), as assessor. The Chief Engineer (Department of Roads) wrote in reference to the council's proposal for the expenditure of the grant for the Moonlight to. Rock and Pillar road, which the district road engineer declined to approve of on account of the steepness of the grades, stating that the matter had received consideration, and that the expenditure as proposed by the. council would be approved, provided the cotincil secured to the Crown a legal title to the land required for the deviation and paid all compensation out of its own fund. — It was decided, by four votes to two, that the vote be allowed to lapse, the mover (Cr Phillip) stating that the expenses, in connection with receiving the required land for purposes of deviation -would be too heavy for the council to undertake. DEPUTATIOire. A deputation consisting- of three members of the Palmerston Borough Council waited on the council in reference to the grant of £50 for the Bushey Beach road, and suggested that as it was evident it would cost more money to put in a crossing than was advisable it would be better to spend the £50 in making approaches to the proposed bridge — The council decided to adhere to its former decision in regard to the grant— that is, to take no further steps in the matter of having the amount expended. G. Donaldson, manager of the Golden Point mine, Macraes, waited on the council and complained that moneys received by the council as gold revenue had not besn expended on the roads leading to the mines. The ' money was granted yearly for that specific purpose, but the company had been compelled to make its own roads for the past 15 years. If the council would do nothing they would be compelled to apply to the Minister of Mines and have these moneys withheld from the council.— lt was decided that the county engineer wait on Mr Donaldson with a view of ascertaining what portions of the Highlay road required attention, and report to next meeting. GENE7UL. The Receiver of Gold Revenue reported that goldfields revenue for the Waihemo County for the half-year ended December 1906, amounted to £58 4s 9d. The Secretary of the Charitable Aid Beard intimated that the number of outdoor cages receiving relief from the Benevolent Institution on January 1 numbered seven, the amounts totalling £2 15a per week. — It w»s decided that the attention of the board be called to the fact that one recipient was already receiving the pension. Accounts amounting to £194 3s 7d were pa°sed for payment.