CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3448, 13 April 1920, Page 25

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Clufcha County Council w&i heia on Friday, wnen there were present: Ors A. M'intyre (:n the chair), H. Morrison, Thos. Magmness, A. Cooper, J. Christie, J. Oummiug, J. Edwards, H. B. Steel, and A. North. EiSliiJNjiii,ii'o iii.j.-uili. -The Engineer yux &.• xtamsay( reported a s follows: —"ine ioiu.daD.ons 01 iviurrays ' "brioge, YVaipaiu, nave t>een stiengi/neneu, •aha a concrete oase has put in rounu the loot 01 eaen pier. The bridge on Cannibal Bay road Has been repaired and strengthened; also the bridge over the Gwaka Stream at Pui-ekireki. A start has been maae to renew (iaw's bridge on Clin-ton-Waipahi Main road, and th.s work is bow neariy completed. A new bridge is required'on tiie Lilian road near u*eiualiocn gate. Heckler's bridge over the Kaihiku Stream requires new decking. The bridge on the Tort Molynoux roua near the surfaceman's house collapsed through a traction engine passing over it,, and temporary repairs nave oeun ettecttd;' but a now bridge is required. Extensive repairs are required to tho decking of the Baiclutha bridge. Owing to the contmual traffic, the repairs on the old portion' of the bridge will have to be carried out piecemeal, as it is in>possible to close the bridge tor traffic. The formation on the Waipahi Station road has been completed, and a new road has been, formed through sections 5 and fc, Si) or wood township. This new connects with Worcester street, and gives an ample outlet to the Waipahi station. The mc'calling on the Gore-'Koi road should bo consisted by the end of the month. 'ii'iO iiuets-JLiig oti the Middle road and the Puerua 111 vor road should be completed about : the end of the present month. Maintenance gravel is now being put down between the Gap road and Waiwera Church. During the month two quarrymen have left the council's employ; also two bridge men. Their reason for leaving was that they found other employment at a higher wage than that they reoe-ived from the council.—The report was adopted. COiIEESVUWUIJiKCIi!. The Minister ol Tubi.ic Works wrote stating that the department would adhere to the proposed route for the deviation of the Tuano road ,aud that the road would be widened at the bad bends to pionde s«mciently wide curves for the class of tra.fhc likely to use it. ; The road Vould cro=3 a swamp, but it would bo raised above tfas level on the swamp portion, and- this cost would not be neariy so expensive as erecting a new bridge over the MacLennan Itiver, which, as estimated, would cost approximately £2OOO. —it was agreed that 8 copy be sent to petitioners. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, asked it the council, would be willing to find pound for pound up to £2OO towards the cost of completing tfte metalling of a piece of the Catbns-Houipapa road. —Received. The Engineer also requested the council to cut down a number of fir trees that were growing and almost touching the road giving access to sections 65, 67, 68, and 69, block VTIf, Gienomaru. —Left to engineer and member to attend to. The Undersecretary, Publio Works Department, Wellington, wrote stating that further representations had been made to the Minister regarding the erection of the proposed bridge over the Catlins River at Hina llina. It was probable that a firstciass bridge would cost up to £6OOO, and ho was directed to inc[uire if the council was prepared to find half that sum on a pound-for-pound basis.—Cr Maginness said the settlers were willing to carry out their part of the bargain, and, if the council found its frhare of the money, the work should be done by the Publio Works Department. The council had made arrangements to find £1250 as asked, and he moved that the Government be asked to adhere to its agreement. —Cr North seconded the motion, which was carried. The Manager, South Otago Freezing Company, wrote in reply to the request of the council concerning: Otariomomo-Cheet-wood-Romahapa road that the company considered it left the road better than it found it, and could not see its way to do any more in the meantime. —Or North moved that the matter bo referred to the council's solicitor to take action for the recovery of the amount of the damage done to the road.—Seconded by Cr Cooper, and carried. The Clerk, Bruce County Council, wrote enclosing a copy of a letter sent to the Baiclutha Borough Council in connection with the removal of earth, etc., from the north bank of the traffic bridge. The Bruce Council considered the interference would very seriously endanger the bridge in time of flood, and disclaimed all liability in the event of damage being incurred. —It was agreed to disclaim all liability for the borough council's action. The Secretary, Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, wrote stating that the protest of the council against the way Drs trengley and Wylie conducted the recent inquiry had been sent to the Inspectorgeneral.—Received.

D. M'Rae (Pomahaka) wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the road leading from the Main road to his property at Conical Hills. —Cr Gumming moved that the writer be informed that the road will be attended to. —Carried. A petition was received from 29 residents of Tahakopa Valley calling attention to the abandoned tramway bridge across the Tahakopa at the Rocky Ford, and asking the council to take over the bridge and maite it possible for the passage of vehicles carrying not less than SOcwt. —The matter was referred to the engineer to report at next meeting. David Milne (Stirling), wrote claiming £7, value of a heifer drowned off the South Molyneux punt on March 16. He contended that the animal was lost through the negligent of the puntman.—W. Tilson (puntman) forwarded his account of the accident. —The council disclaimed liability. D. Marshall (Paretai) wrote asking for an outlet and metal for road.—Cr North moved that the Land Board be approached and asked for an outlet to the man's property, and that the matter be left to the member for the riding and engineer.—Carried. GENERAL. Cr H. E. Steel moved, and Cr Christie seconded —" That the council apply for a loan of £4OOO to erect bridges in Romahapa Riding."—Carried. Cr Maginness moved, and Cr Cooper seconded —" That the council sr,bsid : se the Public Works Department yp to £IOO (pound for pound) for work on the Ratanui to Papatowai rond." —Carried At the suggestion of Cr Christie, it was agreed that the clerk make inquiries regarding the establishment of a fund for granting sick nay to permanent employees. The Finance Committee's report showed that the rcceints amounted, to £38?4. and expenditure t0'£2696 7s lOd.