WAIKOUAITI COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 67

WAIKOUAITI COUNTY.

MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING.

Tlie monthly meeting of the Waikouaiti Council was held oh Tuesday, and was attended by Crs P. Briscoe (in the chair), G. Gilmore, E. Laley, J. Preston, A. Heckler, and J. Al'Lachlan. CORRESPONDENCE. ’

The district engineer (Mr T. M. Ball) wrote in reference to payment of subsidies on traffic inspectors’ wages, and asked, so that the question might be fully considered, that the county forward a statement showing what portion of the inspectors’ time was taken up on duty on main highways, and what portion on other roads, and in other duties.—lt was decided that the county clerk and the inspector obtain and forward a statement containing the necessary information. A letter was received from the railways district engineer requesting the council to ask the owners of properties in the county who had trees which obscured the view at level railway crossings to have these trees cut back.—The matter was left in the hands of the inspector, with power to act.

A letter was received from Messrs Hope Bros, drawing attention to the state of the road between Onrrmi and Evansdale.— The inspector reported that repairs to this road were already in progress, and the letter was received. A letter was received from Messrs T. Driver and J. Hodgson (Purakanui), in which each offered to provide a man, horse, and dray for one day to assist in repairing the road to Long Beach, providing that the council would “put the work in hand immediately.—Agreed that the matter be left in the hands of the inspector, with power to act. Mr T. A. Walker (Sawyers’ Bay) wrote pointing out that the surface of the Upper Junction-Port Chalmers road was gradually becoming worse, and stressed the necessity for having repairs put in hand as soon as possible.—lt was decided that the West Harbour Borough Council be written to, asking what it proposed doing in regard to this road. GENERAL.

. An application from the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company, Ltd., for permission to erect a cream stand on the roadside at Seacliff was granted, subject to its being erected -where and as directed by the inspector.

The secretary of the Karitane Amenities Society wrote drawing attention to the nuisance created at Karitane by wandering cattle, and asked that the council bring pressure to bear to see that the bylaw in regard to this matter was strictly observed.—A letter embodying a complaint along similar lines in respect of county roads was received from the Otago Motor Club.—lt was decided to write -to both bodies, informing them that the county would take action when they were prepared to bring forward a specific case and submit evidence to establish the ownership of the cattle. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

• The inspector (Mr T. Lang) reported as follows on the work done in the various ridings during the month:— Hawksbury Riding.—Several portions of Mount Watkin road have been surfaced, and culverts cleaned out, and a portion of Mill road has been graded. The culvert on River road been lifted and .relaid at a lower level. Two culverts on Macaulay’s road have been renewed with nine-inch and six-inch pipes. Arrangements have been made to metal a few chains of the road at Taieri Peak with schist rock and to deviate the creek for a short distance to avoid the willows which are blocking the culvert at present. Merton Riding.—The metal has been raked in on Pryde’s road and blinded, and water tables cleaned out. The road to Aitcheson’s run is now being surfaced, and several culverts which -were silted up have been cleaned out. The formation on Barra street at Karitane has been completed. Blueskin Riding.—Manson’s Ford has been put'in order by carting gravel from the power ford to level it, and the footbridge has been repaired. The road from Waitati to the cliffs has been badly scoured from the top of the hill down to the railway, and metal is now being broken on it. The stone is being carted for the wall on Purakanui road. Several portions of the lower end of this road require metalling. The metal can be got from the heap of crushed metal at the top of the hill.

North-East Valley Riding.—The new bridge on Duke street, Sawyers’ Bay, is nearly completed. The footpath on the Main road has been surfaced A culvert on Pine Hill road is broken down and will have to be re-covered.

Main Highway No. 1. —This road has been graded during the month between Merton School and Pleasant Valley, but is stopped just now for repairs to the grader. Forty-five yards of gravel from Shield’s gravel pit have been spread on the road between Flag Swamp and Waikouaiti, 34 yards of river gravel opposite Cherry Farm, and 30 yards on the hill. The new metal has been raked in on the remainder of the road and blinded. Crushing has been stopped in the meantime. The total amount crushed for 'this road was 950 cubic yards.

Main Highways No. 2. —Sixty-seven tons of Logan’s Point metal have been used to repair the road between Karitane and the top of the hill above . uketeraki and blinded with gravel. Ninety tons have also been put on the road between Evansdale and the railway crossing between Warrington and Omiini, and partly blinded, and 10 yards of pit gravel have been put on the road between Merton station and Karitane. Main Highway No. 3.—Twenty yards of gravel and stone have been carted from the river at the fords to repair the lower end of this road. The report was adopted. FINANCE.

Accounts amounting to £919 10s lid were passed for payment.