COUNTY COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 18971, 19 June 1923, Page 7

COUNTY COUNCIL

WALLACE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Wallace County Council was attended by Councillors Linscott (Chairman), Garden, James, McGregor, Fowle, Buckingham, Crawford, Cody and Dyer. J. O. Harper, Tuatapere, asked permission to remove a building with horses two j chains and across main street, Tuatapere.— I Granted under usual conditions. I Rosa Ayers, Colac Bay, requested that I ditch running through township and his 1 section be cleaned out, the Railway DepartI ment having cleaned out their part. —Mat- [ ter being attended to. ■ M. J. Brookes and eleven others, Tua- ; tapere, petitioned Council to have the following improvements effected in main street, Tuatapere: (1» Footpath to lie ■ formed and asphalted: (?> street gravelled [and raised; (3) proper drainage to keep road free of stagnant water; and (4) four street lamps.—The Engineer stated that it would cost £243 for street work, £2OO for read work, and £3O a year upkeep. —Matter held over. J. C. Thomson, M.P.. advised that, in reply to bis representations regarding Fall? Creek road, Orcpuki, the Minister of Public Works had informed him, under date of May 28, that he is agreeable to the grant of £lOO, £ for £, being offered to your Council for expenditure on above road. If the Council would take the usual steps in regard to submission of proposals covering the work to the Engineer, arrangements would be made for the issue of authority.— Left in hands of Engineer to deal with. Win. Ford, Lsla Bank, wrote that, as a result of M. Haywood cleaning outfall, the water on the roadline had gone down 12 or 13 inches. He stated that if the watercress was removed for a reasonable w’idth to the extent of 12 chains, the water would be further reduced at least 12 or 18 inches. He asked that the work be completed as speedily as possible.—Mr Haywood to be instructed to clean outfall sufficiently to clear the pipes. Thomas Borlan, secretary Riverton School Committee, drew attention to the unsatisfactory state of the footpath leading from Havelock street to the school, and asked that, a few’ loads of gravel be spread.—Left in hands of member and Engineer. A. Macpherson, secretary Western District Sawmills Co., wrote with reference to the upkeep of Scott’s Gap road, stating that his company had fulfilled their part of the agreement, but complained of the failure of the Council to do their part towards keeping the road in repair. Ho asked that Council earn’ out their part of the agreement, and they would do their part.— Received. Messrs Macalister Bros, forwarded legal opinion regarding the above question,—Received. J. C. Thomson. M.P., w’rote that the Minister of Public Works had advised him in regard to his representations in reference to the Merrivale-Te Tua road, that authority would be issued for the expenditure of £l3O, and that the Council could take the necessary action in regard to submission of proposals to the District Engineer. On receipt of advice from him that the proposals were in order, formal authority would be issued. The vote on the Estimates was £375 (£175, £ for £).—Resolved to apply for a £2OO free graut and expend it. Macalister Bros., solicitors, on behalf of Mr Mills, wrote asking for the consent of Council to the enclosed plan of Ohai Extension No. I.—Plans approved of, Mr Mills to deposit a sum of £2O as a guarantee that the balance of the work will be done, without prejudice to any further subdivisions. R. Murrell, Manapouri, wrote stating that the matter in question was the Hill-side-Man apouri road. He agreed that on the work being put in hand subject to Government subsidy as per motion, that instead of £6O, the sum of £240 be spent between Hillside and Manapouri.—Writer to be thanked; terms accepted. C. A. Macdonald, Dipton, wrote that the river had cut into the protecting bank on his property, and stated he had interviewed Mr N’orman, of the Southland County, who was of opinion that the two counties should work in conjunction with a view to deviating the river. The Southland County Engineer was going to inspect it, and he asked that the Council send up their Engineer the same day.—Resolved that members and Engineer get in touch with Southland County. The Chairman, Crs. Fowle, the Engineer and the Clerk were appointed to represent the Council in connection with the Timber Royalties Commission at Invercargill on Saturday and Monday, June 16 and 18. The Commission is to inquire as to the extent to which local authorities may have incurred or may incur loss of revenue from royalties consequent on the passing of the Forestry Act. H. D. Atkinson, secretary New Zealand Counties’ Association, wrote that a conference would be held in Wellington during July, 1923, and asked that remits be forwarded. Circular letters were also forwarded dealing with timber royalties and matters connected with the Health Department.—Chairman and Councillor McGregor appointed to attend the conference. Rangers’, Health Department and Wallace Hospital Board's reports were received. W. McGregor, clerk Waihemo County Council, asked Council to support a resolution protesting against the present system adopted in elections for members of Hospital and Harbour Boards, which gave an undue advantage to the towns in the election of a representative.—Received.' T. McKibbin, Medical Inspector of Health, forwarded regulations dealing with eating houses, and asked that Council confer with the District Health Inspector re same.— Held over for consideration, to be dealt with by Findhce Committee at next meeting. John Winsloe, secretary Southland League, made application to Council for continued support towards the League's funds, and asked that last year’s contribution of £5O be doubled, as a large amount of work had to be undertaken in the incoming year.— Decided that subscription be £5O. R. Barker, Orawia, drew attention to the impassable state of road leading to his pro- I perty, and asked Council to apply for a grant.—Engineer to apply for a grant of £5O, £ for £. The Finance Committee’s report was adopted, and accounts amounting to £2045 4/1 were passed for payment. Notice of motion was given by Councillor Janies: “That the existing arrangement with Western District Sawmills Co., regarding the upkeep of Scott’s Gap road, be cancelled.” The Engineer was instructed to write Messrs Kilkelly Bros., advising that they must not deposit sawdust in Waimotu Creek. Notice of motion was given by Councillor Buckingham that the following rates be struck:—Orepuki, lid; Waiau, lAd; Pourakino, Ud; Waimatuku, Id; Aparima, lAd; Otautau, Id; Waiau, lAd; Wairio, Id; and Mararoa, Id; and that the Charitable Aid rate be |th of Id in the £ on the capital value. It was decided that Mr Ussher be notified to take steps under the Drainage Act for the purpose of obtaining outfall. Councillor James drew attention to the present unsatisfactory supply of truck gravel, whereby the work of the countv was disorganised, and moved that the chairman, Councillor McGregor and the Engineer endeavour to make more satisfactory arrangements. Seconded by Councillor McGregor and carried. The Chairman reported that he had attended the Afforestation Conference in Invercargill, when interesting papers were read, and a Forestry Committee composed of members of the Southland League had been set up.—The chairman was thanked for his report. The sum of £240 was authorised for expenditure in Waimatuku riding on the motion of Councillor Linscott. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The following report was submitted by ' the Engineer, Mr J.' G. C. Baker: Since last meeting the weather has been good, 1 and with an exception here and there only ordinary surfacing And bridge repair work ;

has been carried on, the latter work being the repair of the Lenham bridge on McClure’s road. In connection with Mr Mark Riddell’s complaint re state of Falls { Creek road, there is a Government grant i on the appropriations for the road, and the I work will be done the coming summer. I With reference to the request from Messi’s j Sutherland and Co. for repairs to the gravel j on Keenan’s Creek road, Councillor Garden j met Mr Sutherland and inspected the road, which is in a bad state, requiring considerable maintenance. Councillor Garden decided to leave over the matter of maintenance until summer, and in the meantime to supply six cubic yards of coarse gravel to fill the worst ruts, Mr Sutherland to take delivery and lay the gravel. Regarding the request from the Orepuki Progressive ! League for improved access to beach at Falls Creek, Councillor Garden met members of the League and looked into the proposal, which is a fairly costty one. The matter of a Council contribution towards j ihe work was deferred pending the League’s I securing .a Government grant for the work. I In connection with Mr R. M. Fitgerald’s ! applcation to have footpath for 40 feet and j fronting new hall at Tuatapere asphalted or concreted, Councillor Garden met Mr Fitzgerald, and it was decided that consideration of this matter be held over pending the Council’s decision in connection with the request now before this meeting, asking that the whole of the township footpath be asphalted or concreted. Regarding Mr J. Deegan's application to have the Wakatipu-Round Hill road made fit for traffic, Councillor Garden met Messrs Deegan and Roberts with reference to this matter, and stated that the Council would do all in its power to have the road opened up. I have rent the Public Works Department specifications for approval for the expenditure of the balance of an old Government grant and part of one now on the appropriations in order to complete the J bush-felling and stumping when this work 1 is done, the balance of the new grant and i an additional one of £5OO now applied for by the Council will be spent on necessary 1 formation and plant. Regarding Mr O. ' Lee’s letter re Lees and Pollard’s road, etc., Councillor Garden met Mr Lees and ar- 1 ranged with him to make safe the bridge ' complained of by sheathing the ditch at ’ abutments with Sin x 3in planking. No action was taken as regards the grant for * this work, and the same applies to the mat- ' ter of the roots in road ditch, as it is no ! use removing logs and stumps from the 1 ditch until Lake George is lowered, for | which latter work the Council has re-applied ' for £3OO. In connection with Mr L. 1 Ward’s complaint re state of water-tables on 1 Ward road, Longwood, Councillor Crawford 1 inspected and arranged for the surfaceman to get the work done. Regarding Mr Adam ! White’s application to have repairs made to ' new metal on lower end of Watson and J White road, Councillor Crawford met Mr White and had a look at the road, and arranged with Mr White to do the work as i per his offer to the Council. Regarding Mr Robert Shearing’s request for maintenance i on portion of Watson and White road near his farm, Councillor Crawford inspected the road and decided that the application be noted for reference when laying out the coming summer’s maintenance work. Regarding Mr A. Robson’s application to have the outfall cleaned out to his 4-inch drains on section 64, block XV., Wairio Survey District, and through part of Mr Muirhead’s property, section 32, block X., Aparima Hundred, Councillor James met Messrs Robson and Muirhead and inspected the blocked outfall ditch, about six chains in length. Mr Muirhead refuses to clean out the drain, which work would cost about 25/- to 30/- unless Mr Robson assists him in the piping of same to the extent of the difference between the cost of three. or four- ‘ inch tiles (about £2). Mr. Jobson, however, refuses to contribute. Councillor-James has decided that the outfall should be cleaned, and if Mr Robson makes an application under the Land Drainage Act of 1908, the Council will serve notice on Mr Muirhead. With reference to the request of the Opio School Committee that something be done to improve the condition of, Casey and Robinson road, Councillor Cody has instructed me to apply for a £5O, £ for £, grant for gravelling this road. In connection with Mr Grant-Ussher’s request for outfall for his drains from his property, Merriv'ale road, Councillor James met Messrs USsher and Greenslade (the lower owner) and looked into the matter. There appears to be two outfalls for Mr Ussher’s drains, one down old ditch (now badly blocked) along Mr Greenslade’s east boundary, and the other by road ditch running west along south side of Merrivale road for about five chains to creek, this ditch being also blocked. Mr Greenslade contended that the latter, if cleaned out, was sufficient outfall, and Councillor James, at my suggestion, therefore decided that levels be taken, which has been done, with the result that the ditch from Mr Greenslade’s east boundary gives ample fall for Mr Ussher’s box drain, the ground falling naturally in this direction, five inches per chain. As regards the other outfall along road to creek, the road ditch when cleaned out to a grade of 2 inches per chain, would be 6 feet deep in two places, but the present normal water level at creek is 12 inches higher than Mr Ussher’s box drain. If, however, fall were brought up in creek from 10 feet inside Mr Greenslade’s fence, the normal water level would be reduced 12 inches, but the fall from Mr Ussher’s box drain would not be improved.—Adopted.