BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 23

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Bruce County Council was held on Tuesday, there being present Crs T. Scott (in the chair), V. Wilson, A. King, W. Bell, A. Renton, W.i Gardyne, W. J. Sheat, T. Johnston, 11. MJ Driver, Jasper Clark, and D. M’Gregor. GENERAL. It was moved by the cliairmai (Cr T Scott) that a message of condolence be sen' to his Excellency the Governor-General ex pressing the council’s sympathy ii respect to the death of the late Queei Mother. The motion was carried, th members of the council standing in silence HIGHWAY MATTERS. The District Engineer wrote asking foi further information regarding the eoun ell’s proposals as to tho use of raotoi lorries and the classification of Main Highways.—lt was moved by Cr Clark and seconded by Cr V. Wilson that the council fall in with the Taieri County Council an.l declare the Main Highway through the county a third-class road.—The motion was carried. * CORRESPONDENCE. A communication was received from the Lauds and Survey Department asking the council’s consent to the closing of the byeroad between the public roa l and Uillend church site. It was decided that the matter be attended to. The District Engineer wrote approving the acceptance of the tender of Mr A. W. Robinson for repairs to the road from Mil ton to Flett’s Bridge, further stating that information in regard to the certificate would be forwarded later.—The letter was received and the clerk instructed to write asking the cause of the delay in settling this matter. Permission was received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands to remove gravel from section 3, Block V., Kaitangata District, on payment of royalty of threepence per yard.—Received. A letter was received from the Town Clerk, Milton, stating that the Borough Council had agreed to contribute one-third of the cost of installation a.id upkeep of a light at the south-end bridge.—Received. Mr D. Watt (Balclutha) forwarded an application for a crossing to give access to lus property from Yarmouth street.—lt was decided that a letter be sent to Mr Watt informing him that the council did not put in private crossings. A petition was received from the residents .of Milburn asking that whilst the grader was working in the district, it should be allowed to assist in necessary repairs to the roads at Kapiti leading from Mr Bowie's property, and adjacent to Mr Carr’s section. It was further requested that the road to the top of the hill be metalled before next winter. —It was resolved that the right-of-way be metalled, but that the remainder of the work sta-nd over in the meantime. A letter was received from the ratepayers of Waihola petitioning the council to have repairs done to the Main road from One Tree Hill to O’Connor’s corner.—Received. CONVERSION OF HOSPITAL. Mr E. Gray, secretary of the Milton Branch of the Royal Health Society, wrote in reference to the proposal to convert the local hospital into a maternity home, and conveyed his committee’s protest against the proposed conversion. He pointed out that the expense to which the ratepayers had been put in the matter of the erection and equipment of the hospital warranted their being entitled to any benefits which might accrue. It was further stated that a separate staff and equipment would be necessary, and that the local maternity home had already been put to considerable expense .to meet the requirements of the Department of Health. Cr J. Clark said that he was very pleased to hear that the local hospital had been a success, and that the people were taking such an interest in the institution. As a matter of fact, such a proposal had never been mooted.—The letter was received. GENERAL. A letter was received from the Wanaka Motor Company requesting that it be allowed to increase the speed of its cars through the county in accordance with the new motor regulations which allowed for a speed of 50 per cent, increase of speed in the case of mail and passenger vehicles. The County Clerk stated that he had lately taken action against the company for speeding, but had agreed, on the representations of its solicitor, to have the case held over, providing the company undertook to supply the council with information as to the weights and capacities of its Hrariousr vehicles. This.'vthe company’s solicitor had agreed to. but it was evident that the council had been “let down” badly, as no information had been forthcoming until receipt of the letter that morning.—lt was decided that the action be proceeded with, but that nothing bo done in the matter of permission to increase speed until such information as was required be supplied. It was pointed out that the council was not specially against the Wanaka Motor Company in this last respect, but was simply abiding by the regulation laid down by the Government. It was resolved on account of thKj holiday season, that no meeting of tluS council be held in January, and that the! next meeting be held in February. In the! meantime Crs Scott and Driver and the* county clerk were empowered to attend to t the passing and payment of wages accounts. ( Cr T. Scotl, in consequence of an in 4 spection made of the Salmond’s Creek bridge, said that he was of the op\ -on that something should be done in regard io its improvement.—Cr J.. Clark paid that ho was agreeable, provided the residents of the district would assist.-Or Scott suggested that a bridge capable of bearing 30cwt would be sufficient. The width ehould be about 7ft. —Cr Clark considered that 6ft 6in woujd be sufficient.—Cr Scott moved that the inspector prepare a roport on the probable cost of erecting a bridge 60ft long by 7ft wide and capable of bearing 30cwt. and also that he should ascertain what assistance the residents wore prepared to give.—TTio motion was carried. FINANCIAL. A xjounts amounting to £1536 12a Id weral passed for payment.