TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 24

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The first monthly meeting of the newlyelected Taieri County Council was held on Friday. Cr J. W. Blair was elected chairman, and Crs A. Scott, F. Doherty, R. A. Kempshell, T. Carruthers, D. M‘lntosh, W. Blackie, and J. W. Blair were present. Cr Matheson wrote thanking the councillors for the courtesy and consideration extended to him during the period he had represented Strath Taieri. He wished the new r council every success.—The Chairman moved that the council place on record the services of* Cr Matheson. —The motion was seconded by Cr Blacks and carried.

The Finance Committee reported the receipts for the month to have been £333 Is 9d, and recommended for payment accounts totalling £l6 0 Os lid. The bank pass book showed a debit balance of £B3B 7s 7d.—Adopted.

The Inspector of Works* reported as fellows on «,he work completed for the month ending May 15: — East Taieri Riding.—The willows have been cut on Circular road, and gravel raked in and surfaced. The break in the Silverstream bank at Harvey’s has been repaired. On Highway No. 2 242 yards of maintenance gravel has been spread jn the section from Mill Creek to Muir’s. On No. 1 Jighway potholes have been filled with metal on the section from Mosgiel Junction to Cullen’s—a total of 75 yards being spread. North Taieri - Riding.—General surface work has been carried out on this riding, and the following roads have been surfaced:—Halfway Bush to Muir’s, Whare Flat, and Silverstream Valley. In this riding surfacemen Davidson and Rankin met with slight accidents—Davidson being off for nine days, and Rankir. is still unable o work. Kaikorai Riding.—General surface work has been carried rat in this - riding, and the following .oads have been surfaced: — Kaikorai Valley, Sydey's, M‘Meek in’s, and Green Island Bush. A timber water iug on Black Head road was broken down, and has been rep. ir A pipe culvert has been put in on Townley’s road. Otokia Riding.—The clearing of lupines and the levelling of the parking place opposite Mrs Callander’s, Brighton, has been completed. Seventy yards of maintenance gravel has been run out to fll the potholes between Brighton and Big Stone 5° a j following roads have been sur-faced:—-Coach and Horses to coal stage, Scroggs Hill, Allanton, M'Laren’a Gully, Tukatau, and Green Island to Taieri Mouth.

Outram Riding.—ln this riding the following roads have been surfacedAllanton to Berwick, Hickey’s, Bruce’s, D. MilMr’s* Hackett’s, Kirk’s Drain, and Outram to Hindon. Maintenance metal has been fua out on Hackett’s road from Momona

School to the river. Twenty yards of maintenance gravel has been ran out on Main Highway No. 2, from Outram to West Taieri Church. The gravelling of Beehive road is in progress, but the work has been delayed owing to the wet weather. Maungatua Riding.—ln this riding the following roads have been surfaced: — Allanton to Berwick, Mill Creek. Otokia, Maungatua, Outram to Berwick. Henley to Berwick and school. The gravel pit on Mr Hore’s property has been opened up and the gravelling of the riding roads in the vicinity is in progress. The running out of the maintenance metal from Henley to Centre road is also in progress. On the hill Main Highwav No. 2 has been surfaced from Outram to Whare Creek, and also Lee Flat road. The new bridge over Broad Creek on this road will be finished this week. After consultation with Mr Marks. Public Works Department Engineer, regarding the class of bridge to be placed over Whare Creek, on Main Highway No. 2, plans and specifications are submitted for the council’s information, on the lines of his recommendation.

Deep Stream Riding.—The following roads in this riding have been surfaced:— Hindon Railway, Hindon to Outram, M’Donald’s, Hindon to Lee Stream. A new hauling rope has been placed on the cage over the Taieri River at Deep Stream. One hundred yards of stone nas been quarried on the road_ from the school to Lee Flat. The Main - Highway has been surfaced from Lee Stream to Clark’s, and schist spalls have been broken on the soft portions between the Red Cate and Sutton. Strath Taieri Riding.—ln this riding the following roads have been surfaced:—Mt. Ross, Mt. Stoker, and Moonlight. The grading and gravelling of the Dry Ridge road is in progress. On contract No. 10, the delivery of 976 yards of gravel to the depot at Cottesbrook bridge should be finished this week, and contract No. 11, the delivery of gravel on the Moonlight road has been delayed owing to wet weather. The contractor is placing another lorry on this week, which will hasten the completion of this work. In this, as in all the other ridings, the roads have suffered considerably owing to the wet weather Received

Of matters referred to the inspector for a report at last meeting, he reported as follows:—Strath-Taieri Riding: I inspected the road from the junction at Moonlight to Mrs Macaulay's at the Sheepwash (’reek. This portion of road requires 200 yards of gravel. Mr Ewen Cameron consented to allow the gravel to be carted through his paddock from the river. Regarding Mr Thomson's letter, asking for a cage to be placed over the river at Long Ford, owing to the river being high, I was unable to report on this. East Taieri Riding: Regarding lengthening the oulvert at the junction of Riccarton and Centre roads, I estimate that this work would cost £l2.—lt was resolved to carry out both works mentioned, and to await a report at next meeting on Mr Thomson’s application.

The Inspector recommended as follows: East Taieri Riding: That 40 yards of metal be run out on Riccarton road from the railway to the Main road; 40 yards on the Owhiro-Gladfield road from the Owhiro station to the Main road; 200 yards of gravel run out on Centre road. Outram Riding: That tenders o called for the delivery of 100 yards of metal for the Outram to Allanton road; 200 yards metal from Allanton to county hut on the Allanton to Berwick road. Maungatua Riding: That 150 yards of metal be spread from the county hut to the Henley-Ber-wick road; 200 yards for the Otokia to Maungatua road; 80 yards for “B' drain road; 200 yards for the Henley-Berwick road. Deepetream Riding: That 30 yards of metal be run out on the Hindon railway road from Hindon railway to Listen’s. —Approved. On the Chairman’s motion, it Was decided to include some gravelling at Bathgate’s corner, Outram Riding. The Sanitary Inspector reported favourably on the slaughterhouse houses within the county Soundaries and on the piggeries at Green Island The ditch through Mr Aslin’s and Mr D. M'Kenzie’s sections at Brighton had been inspected, when it was found that it had been cleaned and the water was now getting away.—Received. The Ranger reported that he had taken proceedings against a resident >'f Maungatua for allowing stock to wander on the Canal road, when a conviction was recorded and a fine inflicted.—Received.

The Chairman District Highways Council wrote (a) asking to be supplied with name of representative appointed by the new council to the District Highways Council; (b) enclosing forms for highways estimates for 1926-1927; (c) enclosing forms for information to be supplied in respect to Moonlight and Green Island to Taieri Mouth roads, for the Main Highways Board; (d) regarding signs for defining county boundaries on county roads.—Cr Blackie was re-elected the council’s representative on the District Highways Council. —The other matters were received; the clerk to attend to details.

The engineer of the Public Works Department wrote regarding estimates for 1926-27, and showed unauthorised balances for the year 1925-26.—01 d balances to be carried forward, and it was resolved to add an application for a grant of £250 for Jones’ road, Scrogg’s Hill, and a sum for Graham’s road, Hindon.

The engineer of the Public Works Department directed the council’s attention to the superior quality of gravel obtainable from the New Zealand Railways' pits, Manuka Gorge.—Received. The inspector to procure some as a trial when the weather was suitable.

The acting engineer-in-chief, Wellington, forwarded a copy of the regulations relaing to the control of motor omnibuses.— The chairman and Cr Blackie to attend to the matter when representing the council at the conference to be held in Dunedin on June 1. The town clerk of Green Island wrote regarding the Main South road through the

borough, and calling a conference to be held in the Motor Club room, Dunedin.— The council's representatives at this conferance detailed what had taken place, and the council decided to accept the offer made at the conference, Cr Blackie and the clerk to be satisfied as to tho length of road to be covered by tho offer.

The Hamilton Borough Council wrote respecting the road maintenance and motor taxation. —Received. The town clerk. Dunedin, wrote respecting appointment of motor lorry fees and calling a conference for Tuesday, June 1, at the Town Hall, Dunedin, at 11 a.m.— Received, the chairman and Councillor Blackie to be the council’s Notice was received from tne Noxious Weeds Inspector to clear gorse from Bedford Parade and Duncan Settlement gravel pit. Held over for one month, the parade apparently not having been legally dedicated as a road when the property was subdivided.

The scheme for expenditure of “thirds” and “fourths” accrued to April 30, 1926, was presented. It amounted to £2 6s 7d. Received. John Mitchell, Mossburn Township, asked for an entrance crossing at his place; he would supply the pipes necessary.— Agreed to. ...

W. G Renwick, Wingatui, wrote regarding repairs to the road leading into the Dunedin City Corporation’s subdivision, a portion of which he had leased. Twenty yards of metal to be put down. G. F. Welch, Outram. asked for some gravelling at his entrance at West Taieri Bridge.—Granted; inspector to attend. . The secretary of tho Abbotsford Tileries Company wrote regarding filling up a hollow in front of the works, and asking the council’s requirements in respect to tne open drain there.— Work to be attended *°Messrs Aspinall and Sim wrote on _>ehalf of J. H. Hutton regarding water flooding his section at Brighton View township in time of heavy rain—Cr M intosh sugge ted a small pipe culver be inserted to give relief.—Agreed to. Isabella M'Coli (Saddle Hill) drew attention to the road to her place needing repair.—Liability disclaimed, as the road was a private one. The Telegraph Engineer advised that the poles on parking place at Brighton would be shifted if the council paid the cost, estimated at £l3. —Agreed to. J. H. Moir asked for permission to cut a motor entrance into his property at Seaview, Brighton.—Left to the inspector, who would direct where the spoil must Kirkland (Fairfield) wrote regarding the road at his entrance; a truck of metal would im >rove it greatly. Granted; to be attended to when metalling at Hatalie’s was being done. A. P. Burton (Brighton) wrote regarding widening of Jones road and gravelling up to his place.—Cr M'lntosh and inspector to report. J. Sparrow resigned his position as surfaceman, as from June 15.—Accepted, T. G. Paulin (Outram) wrote respecting water lying at his entrance. M’Neill’s road, and asked for two trucks of metal for his gateway.—Chairman and inspector to attend to.

Mrs D. C. Ferguson (West Taieri) wrote asking for the cleaning of the ditch in the property opposite her gate, as the water flooded back into her paddock and at the gateway.—As the dfain runs on private property, the owner to be asked to clean it.

W. Watson (Brighton) drew attention to the culvert at his place, which was not large mough to take the water in heavy rain.—Left with the engineer and Cr MTntosh to report at next meeting. The Secretary. Middlemarch Farmers’ Union, asked that Brown’s road be gravelled; that a bridge be placed across the Six-mile Creek; am' that a coating of gravel be put on Mount Stoker road from the intersection of Moonlight road to Washpool Creek.—The Inspector reported that the aber for the Six-mile Creek bridge had come to hand, and the work would _ soon be commenced. His, recommendation regarding gravelling at Macaulay’s would cover the request regarding the Stoker road. Brown’s road to be graded and gravelled from hospital corner to top.—A. Carruthers asked for a second bridge on the Six-mile Creek, but he was informed that there was no money allocated for this work in the present year’s estimates, if writer would find the teams the council will round up the road with gravel. The Otago Expansion League notified that the annual pre-sessional meeting of the league with the local members of Parliament would be held on June 4. Delegates to attend from the council. Andrew Carruthers (Ngapuna) drew atention to the state of the road leading to his property known as Pugh’s. GENERAL. Rates.—Notice was given to strike a general rate of l£d in the £ in all ridings. The Finance Committee was re-elected. It was resolved to repair the pot-holes m the Green Island to Taieri Mouth road from the Lagoon bridge to Braid’s. The annual meetings of the Allanton Domain Board and the Maungatua Domain Board were held after the close of the County Council ipeeting. The balance sheets were read and adopted and duly signed by the chairman.