WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 10

WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.

The last meeting of the Waihemo County Council, as at present constituted, was held on Saturday, when Cr D. M. Philip presided over a meeting attended by Cib Hogs, Muir Stenhouse, Matheson, H. O'Neill, J. o'Conn.eU, and G. Clark. KEPOBTS. The Inspector (Mr George Cruickshanks) reported as follows : — " Blue Mountain Riding. — The contracts for gravel have been finished, and the Aver crossings are getting into fair order with the' exception of Buchanan's and Lun-ha-n's, neither of which is safe for traffic." — Cr O''Neill said Buchanan's Crossing was quite 6afe except in one part, and this should be marked off with pegs. He had heard a good deal, of dissatisfaction expressed at the closing"- of the crossing. — It was resolved that Messrs O'Neill and M'Kenney" be written to asking for permission for the public to use tho river bed at the place, and that notice boards be placed warning the public of the dangerous tord. — The report was then adopted. " Bushey Riding. — 'vve are getting the stone forward for foundations, and expect to have it finished next week. Walker's bridge has also been repaired, and will now carry a traction engine. In Green Valley a deal of repairs after the floods remains to be attended to, and this applies also to Macraes and Dunback." — Adopted. " Goodwood Riding. — The roads in this riding are in a. fair state of repair. Some small culverts and some of the bridges require repair, end the Church Hill requires re-grading. "<— Adopted. With regard to Church Hill Cr Stenhouse said it certainly needed attention, and something should be done to it. He moved — " That the inspector be authorised to carry out the work at his convenience." — Cr Clark seconded the motion, which was cairied without dis3ent.« CORHESPOSDEKCE. The Secretary Ota.<jo Hospital Board and Charitable Aid Board wrote informing the council that the annual election of memfoers of the respective bodies would be held at the Waihemo County offices on. Wednesday, November 4, and that the--annual meetings of the boards would be held in Dimedin on December 2.— Received. Dr Hi=lop wrote, notifying a supposed case of scarlet fever at Goodwood.— Received. D. H. Finnic wrote drawing attention to th.3 neglected btate of tho Moonlighb road from Brown's farm to the boundary of the Taieri County. — In-spectcr to tako stops to have the road repaired. Th?i Dunback Church Committee wrote rogue.-ting tho council to givo favourable consideration to the matter of exempting the committee from payment of rates on church property, as their fihancial position was not very good. — Application r ran ted for a year. The committee to ai range to have ths man.-ie, etc., brought under a separate \aluation from the actual church property. The Dunback Farmers' Union, wrote chawing attention to the necessity for a pate on each .side of the foot bridge at Dunback to facilitate the crossing of s-heep. — Request granted. The Intelligence Officer (Otago Military District) wrote asking for infoi - mation a^ to any new roads or bridges in the county finc-e October 1, 1906. — Recehed; clerk! , and inspector to reply. The District Road Engineer wrote inquiring what the council proposed to do in tho matter of read exchange at section 9 and 47, bkeks. IX and VI, Mceraki.— Referred to WJaitaki Council. Tho Department of Roads advised that a vote of £100 had been authorised for expenditure on the Pigroot road, that £50 had been voted for the Bushy to Bcacli road, and £100 for the Dunback to Hyde road. — Received. Tenders to be called for repairs to Dunbaek-Hyde road «,t £50, Dun-back-Macraes, and £50 Macraes-Hyde.

The Land Board wrote enclosing statement of "thirds" and "fourths" for period March 1 to Aug-ust 29, 1908.—Received. Roderick M'Kenzie (Bushy Park) wrote stating that owing to reosnt flcods he was now without access to nearly 400 acres of the flat land on his property, and asking for a traffic bridgo on the Bushy to Beach road. — Loft in' the hands of the member for the riding and the inspector, with power (under favourable circumetanoss) to call tenders for the work. GENERAL. In connection with the question of the. reads on the Mount Royal Estate, after Cr Ross had reported on an interview with Messrs Downie Stewart and Payne, it was resolved, on the motion of Cr Stenhouse, seconded by Cr O'Neill — " Tha.t this council declares the provisions of section 117 of 'The Public Works Aot, 1505,' shall not apply to any of the roads ehown oh the plan" cf pairt of Mount Royal Estate prepared by R. S. Allan, and dated July 10, 1908." Or Matbe6on was the only councillor dissenting. A man's application for am increase of 2s 6d per week in hJs charitable aid allowance was refused. FINANCB. Tho bant passbook, which was laid upon the table, showed a credit balance of £326 17s Id, and the finance report showed that rates wens outstanding to the extent of £129 13s 9d. The total liabilities were £715. VALEDICTOBT. The Chairman said he would like to say a few words in regard to Ors Matfoeson and Muir, who had been members of the council for 15 and 21 years respectively, and whosdid not intend seeking re-election. Or Matheson was a valued and trustworthy member of fhe council, and he would be missed by the dnoomiinig body, whoever tho members were. He was eorry Cr Matheson had decided not to seek re-election this year, but hoped he wtould do co at some future date. With reference to Cr Muir, he hard-ly knew what to say. Cr Muir was the "grand old man" of the council, having celebrated his majority as a councillor. He had always dome liis dmty well and faithfui'ly, and was essentially a worker. The Chairman concluded by hoping to ccc Or M-uir also at the council table at a future da/te. In thanking the chairman for his kind remarks, Or Matheson -gave some interesting reminiscences of past Life in the council. Whoever his successor was to bo he would be taken to the heart of the council, and his youthful feet taught to tread in the, old path <as he himself had been many years before. Or Muir said his only reason for leaving the council of his own accord .was that he had sold his property in the riding he represented, and thought the electors should have a fresh man. He concluded by thanking tho council for many kindnesses and courtesies. '