The Reporter.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 23, 11 September 1897, Page 8

The Reporter.

SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. The monthly meeting 1 was held yesterday and attended by the Chairman (Mr W. F. Ward) and Councillors A. Dunlop, J. Hamilton, C. Robertson, McCalium, L. Fraser,, J. McQueen, T. Green, and I. W. Raymond. An application trom Messrs W. Watt, D. Stewart, and A. Thompson, Dipton, asking that road be gravelled at Stoney Hill, was simply received, the Engineer reporting that there were no funds available, while the road was well served at present. James W. Kelly and other ratepayers in block 8, Win ton Hundred, wrote asking for drainage and culvert upon the road north from Forest Hill tramway to allow children to get to and from school. The Engineer reported that as far as settlement went the road was formed and culverted, but as drainage farther on was necessary he recommended that the petitioners be referred to the Land Department. —Recommendation adopted. In regard to the application of the Otago School Committee with regard to the road deviation in section 34, Oreti Hundred (Taringatura District) it was decided that the Council pay cost of exchange, and transfer the closed road to commissioners who are to reserve part of section 105' for gravelling. The Engineer reported in regard to C. Dean’s application for formation of road from Winton dairy factory to “ The Larches ” that one chain of formation and gravelling was necessary. Surfaceman to attend to same. It was decided to give Robert

Stewart, Otakau, the old planking from the iron bridge and £lO, on condition that he construct the new bridge he asked, for, applicant to do the carting. W. P. Lawrence applied for repairs to Tisbury Road.—Will be done as soon as Railway Dept, start to deliver gravel. A large number of settlers /from Limehills railway station to the Otapiri stream petitioned the Council to have the road bounded on the south by section 23, made fit for traffic. The Engineer reported favourably. —To be included in the schedule of works. D. McLeod wrote pointing out that if the bridge-is erected over the road at Boggy Burn as intended, it would render the greater 'part of his farm valueless. The Engineer reported that a culvert was necessary and it was decided that it be pot in. S. Richardson, Centre Bush, drew attention to the bad state of the road leading north of Boggy Burn. On the suggestion of the Engineer it was decided to recommend applicant to apply to the Land Dept, for a vote for reading and drainage. D. McKay (Bast Winton) wrote re road to section 16, block 6, and the Engineer reported that after the gorse was cleared a few chains of tussocking could be done by the surfacemen. —To be be informed accordingly. Wm Halliday and others at Eoslyn Bush, asked to have the road line from Mr J. E. Irving’s to Mr J. Lamont’s graded, as it was in a deplorable condition. They would chip and'dear the tussocks.- To be attended to. Robt Dickson, Croydon, requested the Council to make the road leading to his property passable. —To be included in the schedule of works. W. L. Kerr, on behalf of the Oteramika Small Birds Committee, wrote that a meeting was held recently in the Oteramika district to consider the small birds question. It was the opinion of a good many present that a rate should be levied, and that it be made compulsory to destroy the birds. In the meantime they would pay for birds and eggs. Last year they paid for 160 dozen eggs and 46 dozen birds, and used oix bushels of poisoned wheat. Cr McQueen gave a striking illustration of the results that could be obtained by using poisoned wheat at the proper time. For linnets, during the early part of the sowing time seemed to be the best, but sparrows took it better in winter time.—Cr. Hamilton urged the necessity of supplying poison early to the farmers. —Cr. Fraser thought the Government might quite well appoint an inspector, as was done in dealing with rabbits. —Cr. McCallura said a great many if the poison was offered to them would not use it. — The chairman said that in the past many had been disheartened by the poor results, but with proper instructions he was sure it would be to the advantage of any farmer to use it. [Lett sitting.]