SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 17060, 5 June 1912, Page 3

SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Southland County Council was held yesterday when the following were present:—Mr J. R. Hamilton (chairman), and Crs J. Fleming, D. Gilchrist, D. Dickie, H. J. Middleton. T. Fraser, C. Kerse, C. Robertson, and J. P. Wilson. CORRESPOX.DEXCE. In response to a letter from Mr William X’ichol re the Waikaka Valley road, the Council decided to instruct the surfaceman to improve the condition of the road. Mr J. D. Giilies’ letter catling attention to the state of the road to his property at Myross Bush again came before the Council, and was left i» the hands of the member for the Riding and the engineer tyith power to act. An application by Mr J. B. Taylor and another to cut a flood channel across Taylor Road was left in the hands of the member for the riding and the engineer. Andrew Stevins, Winton, announced his intention to commence concrete pipe making and solicited a share of the Council’s orders.—The letter was received.

Mr J. Brookland directed the Council’s attention to the state, of, the Awarua Bay Road which, he said, was axle deep in mud. The engineer reported that the surfaceman had been instructed to fill in the worst of the holes and to plough off the shoulders of the ■ gravel. Mrs A. Hewitson forwarded a request that the Council remove obstructions in the shape of fences and gates from the road leading to her property at Kennington. —The Inspector was instructed to report on the matter to the next meeting of Council. Mr J. A. Dewar, storekeeper, at Chaslands, drew attention to the very bad state of the Waikawa Road, and said that the holes therein were almost impassable in consequence of the recent wet weather. —The Council decided to call the engineer's attention to the matter.

A complaint concerning the deplorable state of the road passing his house was received from Mr S. King, of Wallacetown, and the Inspector was instructed to report. The bad state of the ford known as McLeod’s Crossing was complained of by Mr A. M. McEachren, of Hedgehope, and the writer recommended that the ford should be paved with rock, which could be got close by.—The Council decided to ask the engineer to report on the matter. In response to a request from Mr C. E. F. Anderson, of Caroline, the Council decided to instruct the surfaceman to report on the state of the Caroline Valley Road.

Messrs Smith and Dolamore wrote with further reference to the application of Mr R. A. Orr, of Balfour, for a lease of the reserve situated on section 235. ITokonui District, stating that they had received notice of. the Council’s resolution, stating that it did not consider it advisable that a lease for such a lengthy period as twenty-one years should be granted. As Mr Orr intended erecting substantial plant and machinery on the premises if a lease were granted: his desire for a long lease was not unreasonable, but if they would again consider the matter he would be prepared to accept a lease for n term of say ten or twelve years,—Crs Dickie, Robertson and Kerse were requested to report on this matter.

The secretary of the Wondonvilie Hall Committee wrote requesting the Council to put in a new culvert at the corner of the Wondonvilie School Road and the Main Road. —The request was acceded to. GENERAL BUSINESS. The Finance Committee reported having examined the vouchers, and recommended for payment the sum of £4OOO O.s 6d. It was agreed to accede to the request of Mr G. Nichoi, of Mataura. for the iinpi’ovoment of the North Eud settlement Road at EdemUUo. Mr A. Way to and 33 other ratepayers of Hokonui ami -Mataura, petitioned the Council to put in hand without delay permanent improi ements in respect, to the Ota mi la bridge.—The Council authorised the expenditure of £l5O in re docking the bridge mentioned. Of this sum C9O was voted from the Mataura Riding.

Fifteen petitioners’ urged the Council to make strong representations to the Minister for Public Works, through the member for Awarua. towards securing a vote of £IOOO for the Wilsons’ Cross-ing-Tussock (.'reck Road. —The Council decided to apply for a grant up to i’aOO. The request of tlm engineer that the Council purchase a traction engine, convertible to a road roller with a scarifier attached, was held over for consideration at a special meeting to lie hold on the e*. cuing previous to the next ordinary meeting. The surfaceman was instructed to attend to repairs necessary to Wilkie's Road, about which a complaint was received from J. Hardwick, of Otaitara. Permission was granted to Mr D. W. Thomson, of X.ochiel, to cross tire main North Road with a drain to carry* housewater. Mr J as. McColgan was granted permission to plough the side of the road at Waikiwi in order to get rid of gorsc. Alex. Clark and twenty other ratepayers and householders of Rimu and Dorig Bush, called the attention of the Council to that part of the road from Rimu school to Long Bush railway station on the north side of tho bridgs crossing, t lie southern branch of the Wailiorai. —The Council decided to attend to the matter. Messrs Bcgg and Thompson were six months’ extension of the 'Jqme granted for the carrying out of t'M’ir contract on the Wilcox Road ditching. A deputation from Tisbury approached the Council with a request that they construct a crossing over the railway line, and the Council agreed to carry out the work on the ratepayers contributing £5 towards the cost.

RATING. The County Kate Collector reported that; —The sum of £36,784 Os Sd of 191112 rate had been banked leaving a balance of £143 os still outstanding. The balance not sued for to date was £6B 17s Id. During the discussion on the question of rating, Cr Gilchrist moved that’ the Council approve the system of differential rating. The motion was seconded by Cr Wilson and carried. Cr D. Gilchrist gave notice of motion for next meeting that rates as follow be struck in the County:—Waihopal Riding, 2d in the £; Awarua, l%d; Wallacetown, l%d; Winton, Oreti, l%d; Hokonui, H4d; Waikawa. l%d; Mataura, l s id; Toi Tois, 2d. It was decided to apply for subsidies for works in the various Hidings up to the following amounts; —Waikaia, £900; Toi Tois. £3,025: Hokonui. £1,300; Mataura. £1,550; Oreti, £2,950; Awarua, £2,250; Winton. £1,910; Wallacetown, £3,100, and Waihopai, £4.600, making a total for the County of £19,585. The following tenders were accepted:— MacDonald’s Road, Hokonui, formation, etc., A. Davis, at £66 11s 4d; Mcßae’s Road, Otapirj. formation, etc., Messrs Bullman and Reid, at £l4B 6s Sd; Otcramika Block XIV Road, ditching, £llO, and Miller’s Road, Mandeville, formation and gravelling, £ll3 os.