TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 9

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the Taieri County Council was held on tho 20th ; present—Crs Freeman (in the chair), Blair. Blackie, Kempshell, Dochorty, (low, and Christie.

The District Engineer, Now Zealand Railways, wrote asking whether the council desired to proceed further in the matter of the department giving up certain land .- •■: Wingatui for road purposes.—The chairman, Ci- Gow, and the engineer to interview tho railway engineer. Mr P. Scott, M.P.. wrote acknowledging a copy of the council's resolution regarding the silting-up of tho Waipori river and kke, and pointing out that immediately cfter the present session of Parliament it was intended to set up a commission to go fully into tho matter and to make recommendations respecting remedial measures. — Received.

Mr John Russell wrote asking permission to fence a small piece of land on the river bank at Henley.—Referred to Cr Kempshell and the engineer. Mr W. G. Jones wrote asking for attention to the road between Matarae and Sutton, in the way of additional culverts.— The council decided to endeavour to secure from the Minister the £SO vote that was put on the Estimates for this work.

Mr A. L. Wescombe and six other West Taieri ratepayers wrote asking for a continuance of metal on the road known as John Marshall's road before the winter. — Accompanying this was a letter from Mr A. F. Marett offering the metal free if the council indemnified him against loss.—Cr Kempshell and the engineer to interview Mr Marett, with power to act. A circular resolution was forwarded from the Pafce-a County Council strongly condemning the inclusion in the reinforcement drafts men of enemy parentage or their employment in any capacity in the defence system. —The Chairman remarked that such matters could well be loft to the defence authorities —a view that was heartily endorsed by all present. Mr R. Leishrnan and some eight other ratepayers of North Taieri and Whare Flat wrote asking the council to have the section of road between the schoolhouso and Le.ishman's crossing gravelled as soon as possible. The writers also suggested that the state of the road should bo brought under the notice of the City Council, as that body did most of the heavy carting on it.—lt was decided that the City Council be asked to make a contribution towards th. 3 cost of metalling the road, estimated at ££o, and that Cr Gow and the engineer interview the city engineer regarding the matter.

The following report was presented by the engineer :—The Pukerangi-Matarao formation contract is completed, and has been passed by the Government Inspecting Engineer. The three metal contracts let at last meeting have been satisfactorily completed. Tenders are called this month for two contracts for maintenance, metal at .South Taicri and Strath Taicri. The grader trams have finished work for the season at. Middlemarch and are now employed removing- high liars from sides of roads in Maungatua Riding. The graveling of road to Mrs Kempshall's. Mill Creek road ("Berwick), and Jones's road (Brighton), have been carried out. pipe culverts have been inserted on the Takatau road, and the Mount Stoker road and the old Dunstan road have been surfaced. The quarry squad have worked at Mossiel quarry crushing metal for the three delivery contracts and for Mosgiel Borousrh. With regard to the Lee Canal bridge at Robinson's, a protective fence, of "willows was erected by the surfaceman, and there is no objection to the Drainage Board erecting a permanent, fence ; n its place. Arrangements have been made for inserting a. culvert, at Miller's. Maungatua, and for clearing; the ditch on Main road near the Fcrrv bridge. T recommend that tenders be called for the supply of Sin bv 4in blue-orum or javrah for hridcre repairs. There is not a plank obtainable in Dunedin. and T have been obliged to order a truck of heart red pine for emergency repairs.

The engineer's report wns adopted, after some discussion on the shortage of hard ■woods, and if- was decided that tenders should he called for a supply of Sin by 4in timber, either native or otherwise. The Finance Committee reported that the ro<-.'. : rir= durinsr tlie month had amounted fo £'S3 10~ 3d. Aceonnts amounting to £948 2a 3d were recommended for mivment, leaving a, credit balance of £379 14s 7d in the bank. —Adopted. The usual formal resolution w.i« carried fixing the general rate in the various ridings for the ensuing rear at lid in the pound. The following- tender?, v-ere accepted:— Delivers of 186 tons of metal for South Taieri. " Cnsev Brofl., Dunndin, £?0 3s; dieliverv of 124 tons of metal in St rathTaieri." J. TT. Thomson, £ll IRs SPECIAL MEET] At tho close of the genera balance sheets for the year imli -year ended March 31, 1916, whirl v>ery re-

turned from the auditor without comment, were considered. —The customary resolution passing the balance sheet was carried, and the chairman was authorised to sign it.