BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 7

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL

Tho monthly mooting of the Bruce County Council, held on the 11th, was attended by Crs Gardvne (chairman), Russell, Scott, Clark, Renton, Driver, Johnson, Sheat, Bell, Allan, and Blair. INSPECTOR’S REPORT The county inspector reported on the work done during December. —The report was received. ROAD FROM CRICHTON MINE. Messrs I. Patterson and T. H. Lee (Rcefton) waited on the council as a deputation from the Crichton Coal Company to support the offer it had submitted to the council for repairing and maintaining the road from the mine to tho Crichton railway station. Mr Patterson stated that the company was prepared to meet one-third cost, as estimated by the council’s inspector of putting the road! in thorough repair. He hoped to have the coal widely used by farmers in the vicinity, and that would mean that the road would be much more used. They offered to pay a rale of 2d per ton per mile for maintenance. They proposed to lay a tramway to tho railway line, but at the present time they wore faced with strong opposition from the Railway Department, Mr T. IT. Deo also supported tlie proposals of the company. The Clerk read a letter from the council asking the company to pay two-thirds of the cost of putting tho road in repair. He staUd that the total estimated cost of repairing the road from the mine to the Crichton railway station was 4MSO, of which tho council was to pay a third, tho company a third and the Government a third.—Discussion arose as to whether the 2d rate should be charged on all coal taken from the mine and as to whether it should be charged as a flat rate for the whole distance of 90 chains or whether it should bo charged “per mile or fraction thereof.” Eventually it was agreed to fix the maintenance rate at 3d a ton for ail coal going over the road, the agreement to stand

for 12 months, and any necessary adjustment to be then made. Mr Patterson contended that it "as unfair tßat the company should be made responsible for the whole of the maintenance of this public road. They were quite willing to pay a full share of the cost. Cr Clark said it was not intended to make the company responsible for the vholc- if the maintenance. Air Patterson suggested that as the company was bearing a third of the cost of the repair it should also bear a tLTd of tho maintenance. It was eventually made clear that the com pany would not be expected to bear the cost of traffic for which it was not responsible. Mr Patterson, before retiring, thanked the council for its fair and business-like reception and for its courtesy and consideration. CORRESPONDENCE. The Acting Clerk of the Clutha County Council wrote replying that tho estimated cost of erecting cattle slops at the approaches to the South Molyneux punt is £ls.—On the motion of Cr Renton, it was decided >o have these cattle stops erected. Alessrs W. MTntosh and E. Marten, Tokoiti, wrote requesting that the council would place a culvert on the cross road at the north end of Tokoiti township.—The request was agreed to. D. M'Gregor Reid, Milton, wrote applying for permission to put a lin pipe across the road to his house. —Permission granted. The Town Clerk, Eaitangata, forwarded a resolution from his council asking the Bruce County _Council to remove tho bridge ever the old canal, fill up the canal to the full width of Clyde terrace, and metal the surface and put it into proper order for traffic —Cr Renton said that the road belonged to the Naitangsia Council, and pointed out that tl;c bridge might yet be wanted. —It was decided simply to receive the letter. The Under-Secretary, Alines Department, wrote offering a subsidy of £3OO {£ for £) to enable the council to carry out necessary repairs to the Raitangata-Wangaloa road.— Received. T. Gage, Kaitangata, wrote stating that he understood the council was seeking a grant for metalling the Eaitangata-Wangaloa road to Morrison Bros.’ mines. In the event of the council granting Morrison Bros.’ request for permission to lay a tramway along the road he suggested that it be granted subject to ? u , th€ mines on section 4. block IX, having their coal carried along this tramway on terms „o be agreed upon and signed before die permit be granted. Tne Manager of the Kaituna Coal Company wrote with reference to the granting of tramway rights to connect up with the branch road constructed: by the Public Works and themselves, stating that the companv was not against this m any way. He asked'the council to see that all the mines did their share m the matter of back-loading metal. Held The Town Clerk, Milton, wrote before the council the necessity for a larger UvVV , culvert crossing the road near ~ " itson s farm.—On the motion of Cr Russed, it was decided to write and ask the C °pf c ‘ r ,) V; i at of culvert was required. -the Clerk, lokomainro River Board, wrote asking the council’s attention to the willows growing at tne Salvation Bridge, and also at th ? groyne above the bridge. The board considered it best that the council should attend to these willows, seeing they had been planted to protect the bridge and groyne.— Tne master was referred to the members for tne riding and the inspector to report. The Clerk, Alatau River Board, wrote bringing under the notice of the council the necessity of raising the roadway to the height of the river banks where these cross the road at the Hermitage, end of Smith’s road, at vVeirs, at the end of Swamp road, and at Biackie's.—Cr Renton said he had informed the River Board that it was its duty to undertake this work.—The county clerk said he had written to the River Board stating that it had permission to raise the roads to the required level, provided the road was not interfered with. The council would supply the metal necessary.—Cr Clark urged that council should co-operate with the board as far as possible, but Cr Driver took the view that this work was the River Board’s duty.—lt was eventualy agreed that the River Board should pay for the surfacemen and the council supply the metal. John T. Wilson, Anderson’s, Bay, wrote suggesting certain alterations in'the proposed agreement for the acquirement of a portion of his property in block IV, Hillend survey district, for road purposes.—The matter was left in tlie hands of Cr Clark t-o act. GENERAL. Receipts for the past month amounted to £l2l 19s and expenditure to £1602 Is 7a. The ranger’s report showed that 31 cattle and four horses had been feund wandering during the past month. J. Hyslop, Greenfield, wrote stating that, for health reasons, he would not be a candidate for a position on the Clutha River Board The Secretary, Greenfield Farmers’ Union, wrote stating that the union had nominated Air James Allan, of Greenfield, as candidate for a seat on the Clutha River Board.—Mr Allan was unanimously appointed by the council. The following tenders were, accepted:—72 chains formation and metalling, Coast road, Glcnlodi (two tenders), James M’Guigan, £G 17s 6d per chain; 45 chains formation and metalling at Blackburn School, John Blair, £8 10s per chain; earthwork and cutting at Blackburn School, John Blair, £18; formation and metalling, Awamangu, John Blair, 17 chains at £3 15s and 60 chains at £7 15s.