BRUCE-COUNTY COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 15

BRUCE-COUNTY COUNCIL

Tire usual meeting of Hie Bruce County Council was held at Milton on the 6th ; present—Crs Bell (chairman), Allan, King, Clark, Renton, Gaidyne. cheat, Johnson, Driver, Russell, and Scott. On the motion of the chairman, a resolution of condolence was carried with the relatives of the late Mr James Hvsion, exchairman, anc! a member of the ooun-JTI. CORRESPONDENCE. The District Engineer. Public Works Department, inquired if the council could arrange for surfacemen to work for a month on the Main South road and the MiltonI.awrence road, with a view to securing returns of the .raffle for the use of the council to be set up under the Highways Act. —It was resolved to comply with the request. The Dominion Lime and Phosphate Company offered to supply 25 loads of screenings free for the road alongside the company’s works, and to supply the b dance required at 7s 6d a load. It was decided to accept, the 25 loads. The ratepayers of Milton asked the council to metal the load from Circle Ilill to opposite the Dominion Lime ami Phosphate Company’s quarry, offering 10 do the carting themselves.—Cr Russell suggested that they might wait and see if they got a grant, which had been applied lor, but said he was quite willing to go on with the work if the council thought (it. —Cr Driver considered that the council should assist any ratepayers who came forward with an offer like that. He suggested that the applicants might be satisfied if half of the road was done this season. —Cr ttoott moved accordingly.—Carried. Regarding a prosecution against Mrs Andrews for pasturing her cows on the roads, A. W. Draper (Waihola) wrote to the effect that he had never seen her cattle trespassing. and that they were always attended when they were driven along the road, although other people’s cattle were not. —• The Rev. V. C. Bryan King wrote to the same effect, adding that he had never seen any delay in taking her cattle to the paddocks while he was at Waihola from December 27 to January 27. He considered that (he charge was without foundation, and was the outcome of petty spite.—The Chairman pointed out that the charge related to a date before Mr King Cr Driver: What has it got to do with us? The case lias been heard. —The letters were received. INSPECTOR S REPORT. The inspector reported that main(e..anoe metal had teen put down on the main road in Waihola Riding, and gravel on the Kai-tangata-Wangaloa road between the Saddle and Morrison’s mine. A portion of the Wangaloa road between the school and Roper’s Creek had been partly graded, and be expected this work to be completed before next meeting. The girders in B.lack bridge and the two viaducts at Fairfax, also the new girders for Thomson’s bridge, have been painted during the month. The contractor had nearly completed sledging stone at Clarendon, and he expected to start crushing next week. Mr Fowler had done a considerable amount of free work on the Clarendon-Circle Hill road in preparation for the metalling when the stone was crushed. Messrs Johnston and Smith had made a start with two of their metalling contracts on the Riverside road. The surfacemen had been employed during the month at general surface work and repairs. The report was adopted. Tlie financial statement showed receipts amounting to £541 6s 3d, and expenditure to £BOB Is lOd. The ranger forwarded a return of stock found wardering, amounting to 14 horses and 27 cattle. GENERAL. After a short discussion in committee it was resolved to communicate with neighbouring counties with a view to so riding a deputation to Wellington regarding the competition between heavy traffic on the roads and the railways. A deputation from the Stirling Dairy Factory Company, consisting of Messrs J. G. Weir, R. Anderson, find J. Smith, waited on the council with a request for road deviation in order to permit them to secure room for the extension of the factory. Their request was granted, subject to fhe in-spec-tor’s approval, and on condition that the applicant paid all expenses. Cr Driver moved that notice be given to the owners to clean out the drains in the Clarendon Swamp.—Carried. It was resolved to suspend the calling of tenders for Thomson's bridge until after the harvest. Cr Russell reported on a visit to Quirk’s road (Tokoiti), and proposed to go on with the formation of five chains at a cost of 9s a chain.—Carried. The council was hospitably entertained at luncheon by Mr Potter.