CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3015, 27 December 1911, Page 22

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the above body was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday afternoon; present —Crs Edwards (chairman), J. Begg, Clarke, Mitchell, Hay, Cumming, Smith, Quin, and Nicol. ENGINEER'S EEPOTIT. The Engineer (Mr J. Ramsay) reported as follows for the period ended December 20: " Repairs to the approaches of the Balclutha bridge have been completed. The timber for Finlayson's bridge, Little Puerua, is now on the ground, and the work of erecting the same will be carried out immediately. New metal is being put on the Port Molyneux road from the sandhills to Inglis's corner. Forty yards of maintenance metal have been put on the main Clinton-Wairuna road, and 12 yards on the Waipahi-to Clinton road. Grading road near Reid Bros.', Waikoikoi, leading to Waikaka Valley, has been "completed. The first and second sections of Flynn's road, Clydevale, have been completed. Contracts Nos. 449 and 450 (bushfalling on roads giving access to'sections in block XIV, Rimu survey district) have been completed satisfactorily (Government grant). Metalling

contracts are practically at a standstill owing- to the continued wet weather, and grading has had to be discontinued for the same reason. Roads in the Catlins district are in a deplorable condition, and are now, if anything-, worse than in the winter time. The surfacemen, with the help of casual hands, are filling up and repairing the worst places. Nothing more can be done until th© weather is more favourable. The main Clinton-Tapanui road from Wairuna dairy factory towards Whiteside's requires grading and, if possible, metalling. The surfaceman has lpt away water and done all that was possible until the road dries up. The ordinary surfacing, water-tabling, and general repairs are being carried out throughout the county. Matters referred to me at last meeting:—Dr Truby King's request for metalling through section 1, block 11, Rimu. This portion of the road is in a bad state. No metalling can be done except repair and to let the water off where possible. Mr Martin's request for repairs to Tahakopa Valley road: Instructions have been given to the surfaceman to carry out temporary repairs until the road dries up. J. Evans's (Dunedin) request for road at Pounawea: The cost of this work will be about £lO. Fencing material for Clydevale Reserve will be on the

ground in the course of & few days, and tho erection of the fence will be- proceeded with. G. F. Perkins's request for metal on Balclutha-Owaka road: I am of opinion that if large stones now forming part of the metalled road were broken and (say) three trucks of metal put on to fill up the worst holes the road would be made passable. Tenders have been called for gravelling Seddon road, and should be before you to-day."—The report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. Quaife and Sons, Russel's Flat, wrote re plough (for which they previously claimed £5 ss) that it had been borrowed by the county surfaceman.— Cr Mitchell moved that the plough bo purchased.—Agreed to. Da-wson and M'Kechnie's application to lay a tramline at Long Point was granted, on the motion of Cr Smith. Assistant Under-Secretary, Public Works Department, wrote that the request lor ieeue of an Order-in-Council consenting to closing road through sections 11, 9, and 7, block XXII, Clutha S.D. (freezing works site), was receiving .attention. —Received. Assistant Under-secretary, Public Works Department, wrote re council's request that the £6O vote for Glenomaru, block IV. should be unconditional instead of pound for pound. i;t was not permissible for the Minister to make any variation after Parliament had approved of the vote. —Received From the same that the Minister of Public Works had approved of authority for £IOO being issued to assist council to provide road access to section 29. block VIII, Catlins S.D., occupied by Mr Jas. Kirk, it being understood that tho council would spend £45, and Mr Kirk would contribute £2o.—Left in tho hands of the engineer, and that he be authorised to spend £47 on the work. Clerk, Bruce County Council, wrote asking if the council would bear half cost of erecting telephone across Clydevale ferry, cost riot to exceed £3.—Left in the hands of county engineer.—Cr Mitchell in moving this, said that an electric bell would be cheaper From Public Works Department, stating that the following votes had been put on the Estimates:—Hanning road (Catlins), £SO straight out; Owaka-Purekireki road, pound for pound up to £3000; Stuarts road (Catlins), pound for pound up to £100; Seddon road (Glenkenich). pound for pound up to £100; Swamp road (South Molyneux), pound for pound up to £125.—1t was decided to accept the grants, subject to approval by the ratepayers Cr Mitchell was re-appointed the council's representative on the Clutha River Board. He briefly returned thanks M'Kenzie Banning. Kahuika, asked permission to sow grass seed on tho road line along his frontage, in order to prevent growth of weeds. —The request was granted. R. H. Clapperton, Owaka- Valley, wrote that Martin's road was "giving a prospect of a splendid crop of Canadian thistles." Ho suggested that it be sown down in grass.—Cr Smith moved that grass seed be sown on the road.—Agreed to. D. A. M'Laohlan. Clinton, wrote acknowledging the council's resolution of his services as a councillor, and trusted that the council's deliberations would continue to maintain a standard second to none in the Dominion. —Received. Owaka Town Board Committee wrote asking the council to reconsider the petition for an area in Glenomaru S.D. being declared Owaka Town District, and to rescind the resolution objecting to sections 5 and 10 being included in the area. —Cr Smith gave notice of motion that the resolution objecting to the inclusion of sections 5 and 10 be rescinded. MOTIONS. Cr Hay moved that tenders be called for works in the Government giants for South Molyneux riding. Tenders to be in by next meeting.—Agreed to. Moved by Cr Begg. and seconded by Cr Clarke—" That the Clinton Waipahi road from Wairuna siding to Whiteside's be graded."—Carried. Cr Mitchell moved—" That the engineer and mover revise the hours of duty for puntman at Clydevale."—Seconded by Cr Hay and carried. Moved by Cr Nicol and seconded by Cr Quin —" That the sum of £25 be added o the clerk's salary. Likewise that £lO be given the engineer towards unkeep of motor bicycle. Likewise that £5 per year be added to puntman's salary at Clydevale."— Carried. Moved by Cr Begg, and seconded bv Cr Clarke —" That the engineer procure three trucks of metal from Logan's Point quarry to repair Main South road in Clinton Town District." —Carried Moved by Cr Edwards, seconded by Cr Begg—" That tenders be called for metalling about 16 chains' on Mr D. Jack's road."— Carried GENERAL. Tho committee appointed to deal with the erection of the Purekireki Coronation Hall reported the following tenders: — Robert M'Lean (Owaka). £214 17s 6d; G. T. Harrington (Purekireki), £212 9s; Arthur Gwyn (Purekireki), £IBO. —Agreed to accept tho lowest tender. It was decided that the usual Christmas holidays be given to the office staff and permanent surfacemen on full pay—the former from December 25 to January 9, and latter December 25 and 26, and January 1 and 2. No tenders were received for tho supply of dog collars, and it was left with the chairman and clerk to arrange for the plyThe following were appointed dog tax collectors:—Catlins. Mr Thos. Fitzgerald (Purekireki) ; Pomahaka. Mr Geo. Rov~(Wairuna); Clutha. Mr D. F. Scott (Waiwera); Glenkenich. Mr Jno. Stewart (Waikoikoi); Richardson. Mr D. F. Scott; Clinton. Mr A. M'Lean (Ahuriri Flat, conditional) : Clydevale. appointment left with Cr Mitchell; South Molyneux. Mr J. M'Kenzie (Roma.hapa): Waipahi (portion) Mr J. Steward, and Mr A. M'Lean (portion). Receipts for the poriad ended December 18 amounted to £619 12s 3d and expenditure to £B9l 17s 9d. Rates collected up to December 18, 1911. amounted to £2711 7s 3d, outstanding £5751 17fl lid. Cr Clarke moved that all rates unpaid on January 25 be sued for.—Seconded by Cr Hay and carried.