CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 22

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Clutlia County Council was held on Friday, when there were present—Urs J. Gumming (chairman), A. North, W. Lawson, H. Morrison, T. Maginnese, A. M’lntyre, Harris, M’lndoe, D. R. Jack, and W. S. Thomson. FINANCE. The Finance Committee reported that the receipts for the month were as follow: — Rates, £4721 Os 6d; motor registration, £4 15s; drivers’ licenses, £3; contribution from ratepayers, £7 10s; dog tax receipts, 2s 6d; rents, £7 15s; traction engine licenses, £1; refund team account, £7; land fund account, £225 13s sd; deposit £3; —total, £4980 16s sd. The exrienditure was as follows: —Bridge account, £lO5 9s lid; loans, £153 12s 8d; grants, £355 19s 7d; land fund, £27 12s 4d; general account, £1951 16s 4d; —total, £2604 lCs lOd. CORRESPONDENCE. The Secretary, Otago Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote asking for payment of levy of £BBO 10s 6d. —Received. The Clerk, Southland Electric Power Board, wrote that it had been reported that the growth of gorse along many of the roads along which the power lines have to be taken was, very bad, and asked that the gorse be cleared.—The Chairman said he did not know of any gorse on any roads concerned.—The letter was received. The Secretary, Otago Motor Club, wrote that the club was prepared to erect discs as requested by the council.—Cr North moved that the club be thanked, and the discs erected as asked at Kaka Point, which was carried. / Thomas Heffernan, Waikoilcoi, wrote asking the council to attend to a clay road leading to his property.—To be attended to. Thomas Bates, Houipapa, wrote comolaining of cattle wandering on the Catlins "Valley road. —The clerk was instructed to write to the owner of the cattle and notify him that if the nuisance. was not stopped legal proceedings would be taken. L>. W. Morgan, secretary Wharuarimu Cemetery Trustees, wrote asking assistance in surveying and lavirm out cemetery.—On the motion of Cr Lawson it was agreed that the matter be referred to the new engineer to assist. 0. W. Taylor, secretary Ratanui Presbyterian Church, wrote offering to pay halfcost of cleaning out ditch in proportion to the length of their frontage.—Cr Maginness moved that the committee be-informed that the committee would pay half-cost if the settlers find the other half. W. M’Kee, secretary ICatea Road League, wrote asking the amount of money spent on construction of tramline and other work done in opening up quarry at Kate-a.—The clerk to supply particulars. W. Falconer, Owaka. wrote with regard to rates on the Gospel Hall. Owaka. —To be held over for further inquiries. R. M’Elwain. Heriot, wrote offering to gravel from Mr Crossan’s to Mr M’Gi’llivray’s at 16s a yard.—Held over. W. Prentice, secretary Otanomomo River and Drainage Board, wrote asking the council to contribute half-cost of clearing out drains.—Held over. George Lindsay, Waikoilcoi, wrote that he was ready to start gravelling on the Mait-land-Koi road. —Received. Latta Bros., Tahakopa. wrote stating that they had verbal arrangements with regard to the tramway and bridge. They were willing to assist with the alteration of the bridge.—Cr Lawson read a letter from the solicitors of the original holders of the right. He thought the council should go on with the work and allow the carpenters to do the necessary improvements, the settlers finding the timber.—lt was agreed that Cr Lawson explain the position to the writers, and that the carpenters be sent to do the work as requested. Keith Ramsay, Dunedin, wrote asking for permission to lay a tramline from Maciennan Company’s mill to the railway, and to ask permission to use the Maclennan River bridge.—On the motion of Cr Lawson it was decided that the request be held over J. H. Lewin, Purekireki, wrote drawing attention to the state of the Clinton-Owak-a road from his place, and asked that it be attended to before winter. —Cr Harris said a deviation was needed, and ho moved that the request be held over for the new engineer. James A. Henderson, Kaka Point, wrote asking the council to fill in a gully. 110 forwarded £5, and asked the council to subsidise it and spend it on the work.—Request granted. The Valuation Department wrote notifying payment of subsidy of £1668 7s 6d on rates. —Received. District Engineer, Public Works Department, wrote forwarding- letter from Roland Partridge, Glenomaru, with regard to grant of £SO for Hay’s road. He asked if the council intended to spend the money.—Cr North said the matter had been hold un for some time. There was a verbal arrangement with Mr Spence in connection with tlio matter. He moved that if the settlers find the money agreed upon the work be done. —This was agreed to. The District Engineer wrote approving of the plans and specifications for work on Young’s road, Arthurton, ’Koi to Maitland, Arthurton-Landslip, Howilcn’j road, Conical Hills School road, Clvdevule to Wliuretoa.—Received. James Logan, Owaka, wrote asking permission to erect fence and gate across road between sections 77 and 108, Glenomaru.— Request, granted. A petition from A. A. Eason and nine others, Purekireki and Awatea, was received asking for the following works to be carried out: —Reducing grade and metalling hill known as Tuck’s Hill, two culverts, one at Eason’s and one at Sime’s. —Cr Ma-g-imiess said some of the work was authorised, but it was hard to go(, labour.—The matter was held over in the meantime. W. 11. Hughes, Pa rotai, wrote asking for permission to cut a ditch opposite his section. — On the motion of Cr North permission was granted, the work to bo done to the satisfaction of the council. W. Prentice, secretary, Otanomomo River and _ Drainage Board, wrote asking for a subsidy towards the cost of erecting the protective bank at the Waitapeka canal. The

estimated cost of this work was £4500, and of this amount tho board had to pay about £3OO. The Public Works Department was contributing the balance by way of subsidy. As this work will be of benefit to the country road the board was of opinion that the council should contribute to the cost. A deputation consisting of Messrs Plew, Marshall, Tweed, Prentice, and Bransgrove waited on the council on behalf of the River Board. Mr Plew explained that the board was in need of assistance, and asked tbe council for help in connection with the protective bank on the Waitapeka canal. The work was done before the present board was in existence. It was not satisfactory, though he believed it was passed by the then engineer of the council at the time it was built. The swamp road was often blocked for days. The work was a large one, and would cost over £4OOO. It would be of great benefit to the county, and would certainly protect the road. They thought the council should assist to the extent of 10 per cent, of the cost. It was decided to hold over the request till the next meeting. TIMBER CARTING. Mr W. M'Lennan waited upon the council in reply to the council’s request that the sawmillers should make some arrangement with regard to the damage to roads done by cartage of timber. Mr M’Lennan explained that his firm was not connected with the other sawmillers. They were builders, and required most of the timber for their own use. They were willing to pay any reasonable rate. —Cr Maginness said the council was willing to make any satisfactory fair arrangements. Mr M’Lennan was the first to come forward; the other sawmillers had not recognised the council. The council would have to come to some arrangement with every sawmiller and be thought tbe matter could be held over in the meantime. —lt was agreed to ask all sawmillers to meet the council in conference on April 1 to discuss the whole position. GENERAL. On the motion of Cr North it was decided that the offer of Mr C. J. Baker, District Engineer, dated June 4, 1920, to do 40 chains of widening and metalling on M’Kenzie road, Glenomaru, he accepted, the settlers being agreeable to find half-cost of widening—viz., £3O. It was decided that 10 per cent, be added to unpaid rates after March 31. Rates amounting to £53 15s 8d were written off. It was agreed that the next meeting of the council be held on April 1. On the motion of Cr North it was decided to apply to the Land Board for payment in connection with roads in Otanomomo Settlement. It was resolved to request the Public Works Department to go on with the spending of the grant of £IOO on Stoddart Factory road on the Papatowai-Tahakopa road.