TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 13

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual statutory meeting of the Tuapeka County Council was held on Wednesday at noon, present—Crs R. Wood (retiring chairman), J. Rose, G. Howatt, G. H. Stewart, P. MTnerney, 11. M‘Donald, J. K. Simpson. The Retiring Chairman said that before vacating tho chair ho desired to thank the members of tho council for their generous and loyal support during his term as chairman, and alfo the officials for their unfailing courtesy and assistance in supplying him with all the information required. Since assuming tho office of chairman he had been amazed at the number of requests for work (such requests being altogether beyond the means of tho council to carry oat). After deducting the Hospital and Charitable Aid and General Fund (amounting to £4000) only a balance of £6OOO remained for allocation in tho various ridings. It did not require much calculation to see that with a thousand miles of roads the Average amount to maintain roads was very small. Consequently the chairman and engineer had to exercise their discretion as to which in their opinion were the most urgent works to bo done. The past year had been very wet, and the roads had suffered in consequence. The Government votes came to hand so late that they had to be “hung up” for tho season. During the year 12 contracts had been completed. Tho total expenditure on county work had been £B2OO. The Treasurer read the financial statement showing the position of the county. This showed the council to be indebted to tlio bank to the amount of £3509 17s sd, as against £1954 7s 4d at the same date last

year. On tho motion of Crs Bennetts and M £ Donald, it was resolved to place on record tho council’s appreciation of Or Wood’s services as chairman during the past year, and on the motion of Crs Bennetts and MTnerney, Cr Rose was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year. Cr Rose returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him, and said he would endeavour to mete out even justice to all pants of the county. He intimated his intention of visiting all parts of the county at an early date. Ordinary Meeting. The ordinary meeting was afterwards held. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr John Ewin.g, manager of the ToviotMolynoux Gold Mining Company, wrote in reference to completing tho 98 chains of road towards Lake Onslow, for which tenders had boon called, and pointing out that the 61 chains which the contractors would complete in a few wee to would not benefit him nor anyone else. Ho indicated what financial assistance his company was prepared to give towards the continuation of tho work to a point that would be of benefit to it, and enclosed copies of letters which he had forwarded to the Minister of Alines and the member for the district in regard to Government assistance. —It was pointed out by the member for tho riding (Cr M'Donald) that an application had been made for a Government grant, and that in the meantime tho council could do nothing further. —The letter was received. The Chairman of the New Zealand Counties’ Association wrote pointing out that tho Railway Amendment Bill threw upon lop.il bodies tho cost of bells, gates, and other appliances required by the department for all future level crossings, also tho cost of converting level crossings into subways or overhead bridges, and asking tho council to make representations on this matter through tho member for tho district.- —Tho clerk said that letters had been written to the Hon. James Allen and Messrs A. S. Malcolm and R. Scott, M.P.’s, and that tho first-named had replied stating that lie had placed tho council’s objections in the hands of the Minister in charge of the Bill, and that Mr Malcolm had forwarded an amended copy of the Bill showing tho objectionable clause deleted. Mr J. A. Moyle, solicitor, Heriot, wrote advising that the settlors of Moa Flat and surrounding district wore presenting a petition to tho council for the formation of a road board, of which he enclosed a plan showing boundaries.— Received. Mr G. M. Love, secretary Mca Flat Expansion League, wrote asking for a number of returns of expenditure upon roads within the boundaries of the proposed new road board for various periods.—The clerk pointed out that tho preparation of the returns asked for would involve m enormous amount of labour, and that then tho figures would only bo approximate.—Resolved to inform tho writer that tho council regretted that it was impracticable to comply with the request Mr 11. T.- Stewart, Island Block, wrote applying for permission to divert the course of Stables Creek at Island Block to facilitate mining operations. —Permission granted, subject to approval of tho members for the ridings affected, the chairman, and the engineer. Air R. O. Moore, solicitor, wrote enclosing agreement between the council and Messrs Johns and party in re dredging ;n the Molynoux at Miller's Flat and the stacking of tailings along tho west bank for protection. —Agreement approved, the Chairman, Cr ATUonald, and the clerk to sign same.

Mr James MTntyrc and other settlers, Tuapeka West, wrote asking for tho renewal of tho footbridge which was washed away in order to enable their children to attend school. They offered to give some assistance in its ro-crection. —The engineer was authorised to make provision for its repair, the offer of assistance to be accepted. Air John Uickison, Tapanui, wrote threatening legal proceedings for recovery of rates overpaid.—Received. The Puntman, Rongahcro, wrote complaining of the insufficiency of the accommodation provided for him.—The matter of improving the conditions was left in the hands of tho member and tho engineer. Air C. J. Ghcaring and others, C'rookston, wrote with reference to silting up of crock in Air G. Simm’s property, which did damage to road. —Referred to the engineer to act.

The Otago Hospital ?nd Charitable Aid Board wrote asking tho council to give title to piece of closed road in the Tapanui Hospital site. It was agreed to give tho title conditionally on tho cost being equally borne by the Tapanui Borough Council, tho Hospital Board, and tho Tuapeka Countv.

Mr W. D. Williamson, Murray’s Flat, wrote asking tho council to reinstate Ford’s bridge.—The Chairman said a Government grant had been made towards tho work, and

the engineer was authorised to prepare plans and have the work carried out,. The Clerk, Bruce County Council, wrote with regard to the repairs to the boundary road near the Waitahuna West school, agreeing to pay half cost of work. —The engineer was instructed to have the work carried out as soon as possible. The Clerk, Taieri Council, wrote stating that his council could not agree to tlve Tuapeka County Council’s proposition with regard to the stock bridge over the_ Lee Stream. —Held over in the absence of the member for the riding. Messrs Waigth and Sons, H. Craig and Co., and D. 'll. Jones, motor proprietors, wrote pointing out the frequent interruption to motor traffic through the flooding of the Beaumont creek, and asking the council to consider the advisability of having a bridge suitable for motor traffic erected over tho stream. —Cr MTnerney exnressed himself as averse to a large expenditure for a bridge for motor traffic only. Ho would prefer to pay a little more and have a bridge suitable for ordinary traffic. —Tire question of site and cost being raised, the engineer was. appealed to, and gave it oa his opinion that tho cheaper site would be near the Coronation Hall. He estimated tho cost of a bridge capable of taking motor traffic only at between £2OO and £SOO. —Cr Simpson said they must recognise the importance of the motor traffic and make some provision for it. Cr Bennetts also put in a strong pica for tho erection of a bridge. Ho drew attention to the heavy motor traffic that was likely fo be inaugurated by the conveyance of fruit from Toviot to the railway at Athenaeum Flat, and pointed out tho serious loss and inconvenience that would be occasioned by the holding up of the conveyances by flood. He thought it would be a fair thing for the petitioners to subsidise the construction of a bridge, and if the Goveriment could bo induced to give a subsidy of, say, £SO, the cost to the council would not then bo a very aeriods matter. — Cr MTnerney said ho would be agreeable to a bridge being constructed if the petitioners contributed, say, a fourth of tho cost. —It was resolved tnat tho council erect a bridge suitable for motor traffic at a cost not to exceed £l5O, conditionally on the petitioners agreeing to contribute one-fourth of the amount It was also resolved to telegraph to the Government asking it to place a vote of £SO on tho Supplementary Estimates.

The Town Clerk, Lawrence, wrote in reference to a complaint from Mr Cecil 'l. Cross (the borough's tenant) as to the impassable condition of the road through the endowment. (Mr B. W. Winn appeared tn support of the Borough Council’s letter). — Cr MTnerney expressed his pleasure at the opportunity afforded of giving the borough deputation an eye-opener as to the County Council’s treatment of this particular ratepayer. He contributed £lO per year in rates, which, after allowing for administration and Charitable Aid, left about £6 for expenditure In the riding. Not long agp he (Cr MTnerney) had spent about £BO in Mr Cross’s neighbourhood, and notwithstanding this Mr Cross had abused him and practically accused the engineer and himself of incompetence and dishonesty in regard to the carrying out of the road construction through the endowment towards Tuapeka Mouth, telling him that a larger sum had been voted by Government than had been expended, and that a good road to Tuapeka Mouth could have been provided for less money than it had taken to form the road through tho endowment. Ho evidently wanted about 14 years’ rates spent in one year for his solo advantage. Brown’s Riding was overdrawn, and ho was not going to do any financing for tho especial benefit of this ratepayer to tho detriment or rhe others. Some l.ttle assistance might bo given to enable him to get his crop out, but beyond that he would not suffer any hardship by having to wait until they got another Government grant for the continuation of this particular road.—Mr Winn said that, after the remarks of Cr MTnerney, there was no occasion for Ids saying much; still, as the borough’s representative, it was his duty to put its tenant’s position as fairly as possible. The position, ns the Borough Council was -nformed, was that tho road was quite impassable owing to tho county’s not repairing some damage that had been caused by the heavy rains, also that a contract which had been let to one Cruiekshanks some time ago, and which would have helped matters, had not yet been started. A considerable sum of money had been spent on tho road, and it was a pity that it should bo allowed to stand in its present unusable condition for the want of a little expenditure. Ho was pleased, however, to hear Or MTnerney state that assistance would to given to enable Mr Cross to get his crop out.—The engineer pointed out that Cruiekshanks’s contract bad nothing to do with the present road.—ln the present state of tho riding funds, the letter was simply minuted as “ received.” ENGINEER'S REPORT. The Engineer, in tho course of his report, stated that there had been a great df'fil of wet weather, which had kept tho roads soft, but on the whole they were very fair for this time of the year. A start had been made grading in tho Crookston, Beaumont, and Teviot Ridings. He hoped to have all tho teams at work in a week or two. It had to bo kept in mind that the contractors were principally farmers, and must bo allowed to get their farm work done before they could go on the roads, otherwise the council would have to pay more for its work. He would like to get authority to give repairs to the Main road, Lawrence to Roxburgh. The Miller’s Flat bridge had had a new centre deck put on, and a capital job had been made. The motor bridge over the Bengerburn had been completed. This was a first-class piece of work, and reflected great credit upon Mr Doako. A start lias been made in the erection of the bridge over Ilcriothurn road, Kelso, to Paradise Flat. The report proceeded to deal in detail with expenditure on works in the various ridings, and full reports were submitted on the various contracts throughout the county.—lt was resolve'’, that £IOO be spent on repairs to tho main road between Mr C i. Bonnot’s and the Miller’s Fiat bridge, and that repairs be effected between Messrs Tubman’s and Bain’s, and at Coal Creek.—The report was adopted TENDERS. Tenders were accepted as follows: Metalling Big Hill, Mr J. U. Knarsto/i; gravelling Herbert's Hill, Messrs Uillon Bros.; maintenance gravel, Heriot, Mr R. Marshall; collection dog tax, Mr John BoyIcn ; supply dog collars, Mr W. Varcoc. RIVER ENCROACHMENT. In reply to Cr M’Donald, tho Engineer said that no report had yet come to hand from the Government engineer with rc-

gard to l the fiver encroachment at Miller’s .Flat. Cr M‘Donald) said h'e had sen-t a wQv half a dozen telegriiriis on the subject, and it was strange that -v no, reply had been received. The position was that the western bank was crumbling?- dway, and the prospect of a heavy loss was becoming more pronounced every day. / The expenditure of £SOO now would mean the saving of £6OOO later. Cr M'lnerney advocated: the putting in of a groyne at a cost of between £2OO and £3OO, if stone was procurable. Cr Howat thought the engineer could come to some understanding with the district engineer as to the best means to be adopted to protect the river bank and the bridge. Cr _M‘Donald moved that the engineer take immediate steps to arrange with the district engineer for the erection of & groyne.—Seconded by Cr M‘Lnerney. and carried. GENEBAL. On the representation of Cr. Simpson, the engineer was authorised to expend up to £ls in erecting a footbridge over the Wetherstonea Creek near the railway crossing. Accounts amounting to £2073 5e Id were passed for payment. The clerk waa instructed to write to the traffic manager of railways, Southland, asking him to instruct the engine-driver on, the Tapanui branch to sound hie whistle for a quarter of a mile on approaching from the south the level crossing at Wooded Hill (Kelso). A proposal by Cr M’lnerney to procure another grader was not favourably received, it being pointed out that owing to the scarcity of teantS it was impossible to keep their two graders employed. A resolution of sympathy and condolence was passed to Mr J. J. Woods in connection with his recent bereavement. At the request of Cr M’Donald. the engineer undertook to have repairs to several roads in the Teviot Riding attended to immediately. It was resolved that tenders be called for the supply of £IOO of maintenance rnetal for the Hcriot-Kelso road; that £SO b« spent on patching between “ Mainholm * and the coal pit, and £25 in gravelling between Pott’s and M'Kay’s.