CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 13

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Clutha County Council was held on Friday; present—Crs J. Camming (chairman). D. Jack, R. MTndoe, W. S. Thomson, A. T. Harris, A. MTntvre, H. Morrison, T. Maginness, W. Lawson, and A. North. The question of wandering cattle was brought up and the appointment of a ranger discussed.—Cr North said that the system of a permanent ranger was not so satisfactory as was the case when a ranger was appointed from time to- time. People got to know a permanent ranger and to expect him, but if a ranger was appointed: to act when necessary he came as a sort of surprise, and the effect was beneficial. —It was decided to empower the engineer to- appoint a ranger in the various ridings from time to time as he found desirable, the riding concerned to bear the cost. The Finance Committee submitted a report recommending the following rates:—Gatlins, Id in the £; McLennan, IFd; Clinton Town, Jd; Clinton Outlying, Id; Clutha, Id; Clydevale, Id; Glenkenich, Id; Pcmahaka, Id; Richardson, ljd; South Molyneux, ljd; Waiin, Id. It was recommended that the Hospital and Charitable Aid rate be increased to -Jd in the £, that the Clinton Gorge special rate and the Otanomomo special rate be not collected this year as there was sufficient on hand to pay the yearly interest, etc., on these loans, and that only Jd in the £ bo collected on the- Owak-a Valley and Owaka Township special rates, and JcS in the £ on the Ixatea special rate.—The Chairman explained that these were the minimum the committee considered it possible to get along with for the current year.—Cr Maginness pointed out that his riding (Gatlins) had to pay heavily owing to its having been recently revalued. The Id rate meant that the riding would be paying £2OO more than any other riding, a total of £2280. Of that amount more than £BOO would go for general expenses. He supposed that the ratepayers would have to bow. to the inevitable, but it seemed hardly fair that they should have to pay so heavily owing to being revalued, while nearly all the other ridings continued to enjoy the old valuations.—'The Chairman pointed out that the rates had to be apportioned according to the Act, and there was no help for it.—The recommendations were agreed to. Mr H. C. Chittock was appointed dog tax collector in Glenkenich and Waipahi. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer reported that the footbridge —7oft span —across the Puerua River at Lornmend’s had been completed. Repairs had been effected at Davis’s bridge, and were being carried out at Buttar’s bridge (Clyde-vale-Tuapeka Mouth road). The repairs to the Kelso bridge were in hand. New decking had been placed on three email bridges in the Glenkenich riding. Good supplies of bridge decking were in hand throughout the county. A 2ft concrete pip® culvert had been laid on the- Purekireki road, and 12in earthenware pipes on Brown’s road and M’Kenzie’s road. The metalling contract on Howden’s road had been completed, and contracts were in hand for the Arthurton-Landslip road, Young’s road, Koi to Maitland, and Koi to Kelso. New nretal had been paid on Webb’s road (Toiro), and grades had been reduced oil two hills. Metalling had also been carried out on Caley’s road (Gatlins Riding). Maintenance metal (290 yards) had been laid on the main road, Clinton to Tapanui. A commencement had been made with metalling the Mokoretu road, and Logan’s Point metal was now being laid from Tahakopa Station onward. Stone had been quarried for Cross road (Otanomomo), for which the settlers were providing free carting. The school road, Kakapuaka, had been metalled, and metalling had also been carried out on the Middle road, Sutherland’s road, Waiwera-Kaihiku road, and Warepa road, also a good deal of patching.—Received and adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The District Engineer wrote stating that the Engineer-in-Chief was prepared to order the material to go on with the Pomahaka River bridge as soon as the council would make a contribution of £IOOO (on account of £7020, me estimated cost of the bridge), to be paid into the Public Account in the usual way. If the council would make the contribution tenders would be called for the erection as soon as material was to hand.— It was decided to notify that -payment would be made as spon as the timber arrived. The Undersecretary, Public Works Department, for warded schedule regarding estimates for reads and bridges. He Raid that the items should be enumerated in order of urgency, the list to include in addition to now works those items on last year’s appropriations for which the whole or part of the votes had not been expended and payment made before April 1 last.—lt was decided to forward applications for necessary works, the applications to include the unexpended amounts granted last year. The South. Island Motor Union wrote in regard to trees and fences at dangerous coiners. The desirability of a tax on tyres for the purpose of raising money to construct and improve main roads was also dealt with. —It was decided to report on corners where the view was obstructed, also to meet the wishes of tile union by having a representative present at a conference in Christchurch if circumstances permitted. The bank notified that interest at the rate of 7 per cent, would be charged on the county fund account overdraft until further advice.—Recei\*_d. The Otago Hospital Board forwarded account for £ll3B 14s 2d, hospital lev;-.—The Chairman said that it was practically laid down at the conference, in Dunedin that all the debits owing to South Otago would ■b© paid to tlie Otago Board. That being the position, he took it that the levy would have to be paid. “'He suggested that payments be made monthly.—Cr North pointed out that the amount claimed was only an estimate, and he moved that the Otago Hospital Board be asked to forward a definite statement. —The motion was carried. J. Pilgrim, Paretai, again wrote in regal'd to the Lower Riverside road leading to iris property.—Referred to the engineer, with power to act. “The Secretary of the Katea District Roads League applied for a statement of the Katea district special loan and grant.—Statement to be supplied. The South Otago Progress League asked for a donation towards the scheme for providing in Balclutha- a women’s rest house.— Cr North said the matter was one. for individual generosity rather than for the county. It was also questioned whether the council had not power to make a grant.—The request was referred to the generosity of memTiers. D. Finlayson requested attention to the state of a small bridge and culvert on the Puerua Valley road.—Referred to the engineer to do what was necessary. Four ratepayers from Tahakopa wrote requesting that attention be given to Back Creek road.—Left to the member for the riding to attend to. Mrs Geary, Owaka, requested that Hanning road be put into bettor order.—To bo attended to when the weal her nermila

Messrs Stringer Bros., Kelso, asked that the ditch along tlieir !roundury be cleaned out. Left tp the engineer and the member for the riding. The District Engineer wrote stating that the Postai Department desired to secure a site at Clydevale lor a post office building, and asked whether a portion of the 6tock reserve held by the council would be available—about half an acre would be required.—• Granted; the member for the riding to look ever the ground and specify the site. Messrs M’Kenzie Bros, wrote asking the council to take over a road at Locliindorb. The letter was held over from the previous meeting. Cr Harris slated that he wa® not at all sure that the council should take th« road over. There was a motion in the name of ex-Cr Begg that the council should do so, but he (Cr Harris) thought the council would not be justified in such action, as the road would cost a great deal to form. tie moved that the engineer inspect the place and report.—The motion was carried.