WALLACE COUNTY

Southland Times, Issue 21604, 16 January 1932, Page 10

WALLACE COUNTY

MEETING OF COUNCIL. Tho monthly meeting of tho Wallace County Council held in tho council chambers at Otautau yesterday was attended by tho following councillors: Messrs W. B. Hopcroft (chairman), G. Stroud, John Horrell, 11. F. Blatch, J. H. Smith, W. T. James, W. J. A. McGregor, T. A. Buckingham and F. J. Linscott. Messrs W. F. Duggan, J. J. Johns, P. Chamberlain, W. P. Finn, and G. F. O’Connor, Wreys Bush, applied to have the work of deepening the main ditch through their properties done by unemployed men in the district. —Left in the hands of the member and engineer to inspect.

Mr F. Turnbull, Orepuki, asked that something be done to put Falls Creek road in order, as it was in a very bad state. — Left in the hands of the member and engineer. Mra IL F. McCliskey, Orepuki, wrote thanking the council for forming her road. She asked that a drain pipe be put under a portion of it, and requested that two or three loads of gravel be placed on the road at the start of Slaughter's line fence, and also at the end of the new road. — Left in the hands of the member and engineer. Mr T. W. Shirley, Orepuki, drew attention to the fact that the grass on the side streets and byways was getting very long, and asked permission to cut same for hay. —Granted, subject to securing adjoining ratepayers’ permission. Mr H. Garden, secretary of the Orepuki Cemetery Trust, applied for a grant to enable the trust to carry out some necessary work in the cemetery. —The sum of £lO was granted. Mr G. O. Cassels, Town Clerk, Riverton, forwarded a letter submitting the following works for favourable consideration under the unemployment scheme: (1) The cutting and cleaning out of the existing ditch from the boundary of Mr G. Wholer’s property, being section 7 of block 23, Jacob's River Hundred, to the lagoon on tho Riverton Harbour Endowment, a distance of approximately 45 chains. This work, while being of material benefit to farmers in the immediate neighbourhood, would ultimately be the means of bringing a large area of swamp# land under cultivation. (2) The cutting of a channel from the Taunamau creek, Riverton Harbour Endowment, to the Ocean Beach. The cutting of this channel would not only enable the undeveloped land to be brought under tho plough, but. provide improved drainage facilities to the dozen and one farmers whoso farms abut the Taunamau creek. (3) The extension of the road formation and gravelling from the south end of Richard street, South Riverton, to the Corporation Reserve sections 22/28, 4G/48, block 2, Jacobs River Hundred. The opening up of this road would give ready access to this reserve, and enable some 50 acres of land mostly in bush to be felled and brought into almost immediate use. The matter was held over in the meantime until the engineer’s reports are received. Mr W. Pearce, the Highways Board’s representative, No. 18 District Highways Council, wrote with reference to the application of the council for the payment of a £3 for £1 subsidy on the reconstruction of bridges on the Argyle-Tuatapere main highway, and advised that the special subsidy of £3 for £1 was payable only in respect of ordinary maintenance work. It did not apply to any construction or reconstruction items in which category the work in question lay nor did it apply to special maintenance items. He regretted that no alteration could be made in the subsidy payable in respect of these bridges.

Mr McLaren and other ratepayers, Eastern Bush, wrote stating that nothing had been done to the road along the top of the terrace on the Eastern Bush-Black-mount road, and requested that something be done immediately.—Member for riding and engineer to inspect. Messrs Murrell Bros., Manapouri, wrote pointing out the disabilities which they had to put up with in connection with run 427, Waiau riding, which was situated on the west side of the Waiau river, three mile below Lake Manapouri. They stated that nothing had been done for 66 years in providing road, punt or stock bridge access, and asked that the member for the riding inspect tho property. The council could not see its way to do anything in the matter.

Mr J. J. Crampton, Nightcaps, wrote requesting the council to extend the work on the road leading to Crampton run another two chains as the 10 chains done last year ended coining to a culvert and the ground was low and required filling up. "He was prepared to do the forming and filling at his own expense with the assistance of the surfaceman, and would cart the gravel at 5/- per yard if the council approved of the extension. —The writer to be informed that the council will do the formation if he will do the gravelling of two chains. Engineer’s Report. 'flie engineer (Mr J. G. C. Baker) submitted the following report: Since last meeting the weather has continued mild, and work has been continued as usual. Further drainage work approved under No. 5 unemployment scheme is the Rurikaka swamp drainage at Bahia, and the drainage works under this heading now under way are the Tewaewae Settlement, the Allenby Settlement, and the Oraka and mid-channel Waimatuku schemes. An effort will be made to get further approved schemes under way before next meeting. On the 12th inst the contractor made a start with the rebuilding of Devery’s and Gorrie’s bridges on the Cameron road section of the Argyle-Tuatapere main highway, and this section of road has been closed to traffic until the work is completed. The Tuatapere Domain Board’s application for street kerbing work at Tuatapere to be done under No. 5 unemployment scheme has been approved by the Southland executive, but the work is to be held over until the winter. The report was adopted. It was resolved that Wednesday be the day on which shops shall close in Wallace County. Special Meeting. At a special meeting of the council it was decided that the following sanitary rates be struck for Ohai township: (a) a uniform annual charge of fourteen shillings for house, refuse removal, a rebate of one shilling to be made if paid within 29 days after demand (weekly service up to 10 gallons); (b) a uniform annual charge of £2 17/6 for each pan of nightsoil removal, a rebate of 2/- to be made (weekly service); (c) a uniform annual charge of £1 17/6 for a fortnightly service, a rebate of 2/6 to be made if paid within 29 days from date of demand. Regarding a note from the Main Highways Board in regard to the control of expenditure, it was resolved that the board be informed of all commitments and intended expenditure as requested. With reference to a letter from the Transport Department, it was resolved that the inspector supply the desired information. Mr T. J. Walker was appointed ranger for the Wairio riding, his duties to include Wairio township. It was resolved that all rates, including arrears, must be paid by March 21 to enable ratepayers to receive the 121 per cent, rebate. Tenders. The following tenders were let:— Formation and gravelling, Jones’ road, block 3, Aparima Hundred.—Messrs Dick and Chisholm; formation 20/-, reforming i 10/-, culvert £1 and gravel 3/7. Gravelling and maintenance gravelling, : Merrivale—Te Tua Road: Mr I. Cloughley, < gravel 4/- and 2/6. Maintenance gravelling, Alton Road—Mr W. Herrich, 4/-. Maintenance gravelling, Hundred Line west of river.—Mr J. W. Dick, 5/-. 1 Maintenance gravelling, Wairio-Wrey’s Bush road.—Mr J. Dockerty, 5/9. • 1 Maintenance gravelling, Dunearn road.— Mr J. Doherty, 5/9. i

Before the termination of the meeting the chairman welcomed Councillor Buckingham back to the council table, stating they were all pleased to see him. Councillor Buckingham briefly replied.