CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 27

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting the Clutha County Council was held on Friday. Cr T. Maginness presided. ~ The following payments for the month were submitted and approved:—Grants, £ll6 17s lOd; bridges and ferries, £133 19s 7d; land fund, £63 12s; loans, £3B 6s 4d; general, £1526 12s Id. Receipt* for the period ending May totalled £471 5s 6d. . ' The engineer reported inter alia that a light sheep bridge had been put over the Waikaka Creek to allow stock to cross during floods. The bridge #ould also be used by motor cars.—Cr Christie, in moving the adoption of the engineer's report, drew attention to the bridges at Kaihiku, which, in their present state, necessitated traction engines going round five or six miles of road. This caused damage which could be saved by the repair of the bridges. The bridges would have to be repaired no matter what the cost of labour was. —The engineer said he had arranged to do the bridges, and part of the work was in hand now. —The report was adopted. The Acting TJnder-secretary, Public Works Department, wrote in. reference to the Catlins Valley road, informing the council that a report had been obtained from the district engineer, who stated that the completion of the metalling of the Catlins Valley roaa between the Catlins River bridge and Hompapa was an urgent matter, owing to the nature of the ground and the frequency rain. It was unusual for the Government to provide more than £1 for £1 subsidies for the metalling of roads, but the Minister of Public Works had,- owing to the special circumstances"in this case, decided to boar the whole cost, and an authority for £3OO was being issued for the district engineer, who would undertake the work. The Minister of Public Works wrote that ns the road leading from Clinton station to the Taumata Settlement should be metalled at an early date in the interests of the settlers, he was prepared to issue an authority for £2OO (£ for £), in anticipation of the necessary provision being made by Parliament next session. Detailed plans, specifications, and estimates of cost have been submitted to the district engineer and approved by that officer. The State Advances Office wrote stating that it had been decided to entertain the council's application for a loan of £1250 for the purpose of erecting a bridge over the Catlins Estuary in the Hina Hina district. The currency of the loan was 36£ years, and the rate of interest 4^i per cent. . Mr H.. D. Atkinson, secretary New Zeaand Counties' Association, wrote stating that a meeting of the executive committee would be held on the 2nd inst. for the purpose, amongst other things, of fixing a date, to be notified later, for the forthcoming conference of delegates representing affiliated counties, and asking the council to forward the names of the council's delegates.—The chairman and clerk were appointed delegates. The Minister of Public Works wrote in regard to the Waikaka-Kelso road that the district engineer considered an expenditure approximately £I3OO would be required to complete the gravelling of the Clutha County portion when tho present contract is finished. Tho item of £2OO (£ for £), which was taken on the Pubic Works appropriations last year, had been fully authorised, but as the gravelling of tho road appeared to be an urgent matter he was preparing to issue a further £650 (£ for £) in anticipation of the necessary increase being made in the item next session, if plans, specifications, and estimates of cost were submitted to and approved by the district engineer. The Minister of Lands wrote in regard to the removal of derelict logs in the Catlins River. After carefully looking into the matter and considering the reports which had been made in connection with the subj'ect, he did not see that this was a case where the Crown could recognise responsibility. An inspection, of the logs showed that they comprise principally old timber felled at least 20 years ago. Permission to fell bush on tho river bank reserves was given only two or three years ago by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and only one settler above the blockage had exercised this right, and the felling was carried out within the past six months. In the absence of any special drainage or river board he would suggest that this was a mttter which the county council should deal with under the Land Drainage Act.