WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13568, 8 November 1912, Page 6

WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

Tho monthly meeting of tho Waimea County Council was held yesterday Present: Crs. P. Best (chairman), H. Everett, A. Driunmond, T. Hewetson. G. Maemahon, J. Corder, and E S Hoult.

Tho bank pass book showed the following balances:—

THE ENGINEER'S REPORT.

v?l c .p?lmt.v Engineer (Mr. G. S VVhiteaide) reported, inter alia-—Mail Sr£ i i f 11GW cotlcrcto and iron budge had been put across the road at Alborough's. A" subdividing traffic bridge was required at Oldham's creek to accommodate, passenger traffic — ■ W ai-rti riding : The wood work of the new bridge at the. Forks, Wairoa Goroe was completed. The formation alid metalling of Wliitby street, Wakefield plGted V, A f^tbridge had been erected near Smith's, Wai-iti Valley Atter inspecting the Forty-line ford the chairman, Cr. Hoult, and himself decided to , f ,pen 1-LWij,,,' hne _ The gineor drew attention to the encroachment of noxious weeds throughout this lidmg.—Alotxipiko riding : A bridge over tho creek at Best's, Dovodale, was one X J VT St ".^^fy works the Council +£? of°T Jt- Tlio concrete piers of Tj taV^y Brook hvk]r^ were comliall s Bluff was progressing satisfacS'; VT POka- «di nK: "About 14 chams of formation on Wadsworth's road through Gibbs', had been completed. Noxious weeds were bocomincr very prevalent m this riding.—Motueka riding: Ihe Takaka. hill rtfSl was much cut up with heavy timber traffic and was a good deal out of repair. 'More culverts were wanted, tho scrub alonotho sides required cutting, and extensive metalling was needed. If possible the stone breaker should bo used on the job. Men when working on the hill should camp on tho work. The- waterfall bridge at Pokororo reouired renewcng this summer.—Moutere riding: On Bell's road 47 chains of new formation had been made with the. road machine at a cost of £10 10s, chargeable against "thirds." A bridge at the corner of the road at Upper Moutere wa s reported to have some cracks in the stringers, and required renewing. At Tasman a 15 feet span bridge and two large culverts had been built in jarrah. Several of the councillors had inspected the roads at Tasman. Regarding the deviation at Horton's, the question to bo decided was—(l) whether to divert the road through Horton's, regaining tho road at Dr. Deck's corner; (2) go through Horton's and join tho syndicate's sub-divisional road ;or (3) to leave the road as it is. At this stage of the road construction it should bo a very weighty reason to influence the Council to alter the lino of road, -and an investigation of the locality, conditions, and ground at the present stage hardly justifies an alteration of the lino of Jx>undary. r

On the chairman's motion it was rewolml that the- Engineer submit at the next mooting alternative estimates for (1) the erection of a bridge at Oldtham's creek; (2) improving the ford. It was resolved that a I'eiice be erected across the 40-line road at a point ljetween Arnold's entrance and the Waiiti river that may be decided upon by the Engineer.

The Engineer was instructed to prepare an estimate for the erection of a bridge between 11. Thorn's and Best's, ■Dovedale.

On Cr. Drummond'g motion it was resolved to erect a new bridge across the istream at Pokororo to replace- the iWatorfall bridge. The Engineer was instructed, on Or. Everett's motion, to consider the advisability of placing a. scries of broken anetal depots on the Takaka Hills, the stone breaker to be used for crushing the metal. Cr. Everett expressed the opinion that about a couple of yards an ihour could be dealt with!

The conditions of the employment of nion engaged on the Takaka Hills was iieft in the hands of the Engineer. On Or. Hewetson's motion it was I*o--»olved that the bridge in Upper Moutere near Drummond's hop garden bo repaired.

It was resolved, on Cr. Hewotson's motion, to give notice to the property ■owners at Ta'sman to clear the obstruction out of a drain from the mudflat to Mr. McKee's property. Tiio report was then adoi>ted. RANGER'S REPORT. The ranger (Mr. Peter Coleman) reipartod vi&iting various parts of the county, and linding the roads fairly cioar of ©traying stock so far as the day wti'3 concerned. It was at night the stock was turned out, and in several cases he had found pcopJo taking their ht' "k otf t'ne roads at 3 a.m. Cr. He nit moved that all fees colbct»jii by the Ranger bo .handed to the Council in view of the fact tliat he was bcijig. paid a. fixed siim oi' 30s per day fr-_- two days a month. Seconded by Or liniinmond. # jr. <_r. Everett opposed the motion as ■Liv- prccent remuneration was so small. .Mr, Col?man, he added, uas a very effieUMit ranker. The motion was carried.' Cr. Evfrott said as C'v. Houlfc had complained about stray cattle in the

Wai-iti riding ,ho thought tho Ranger should be instructed to pay special attention to this portion of tho comity. Ho moved that tho ttangcr bo instructed to visit thp. different riding's more frequently. Seconded by Cr. lloult, and carried.

PROTECTIVE WORKS AT MOTUEKA.

The chairman reported that in company uith Mr. VV. Bo.vcu, Town Clerk, MoUieka, he- iutor\i'wo(l the Minister I'-on Public; Works in rog:ml t;> v. grant for protective works at iSotuoka. The iYtinister was .sympathetic. unJ >.iid that buforo making any promise he would obtain a re-porti from an oflictj ol tho Department. Cr. Be&t acknowledged tho iu.si.;tanc(.. lie lnd reecii ed from i ho lion R. MclveuKie, M.P. for Motueka. Cr. Best said he noticed there was a grant of'£looo on tho Estimates for 'the- work.

STOKE WATERWORKS RESERVE.

The chairman said that he had obtained an interview with the .i'riuK: -vauistei through.the offices of Mr. R.xUmore, M.P. in regard to a grant for .acquiring land at Stoke for a waterworks reserve. 'Ihe Prime Minis/tor Wius sympathetic but nothing had lx>en done.

NEW CEMETERY FOR STOKE

Cr. Order reported re new cemetery for Stoke. On Mr. Black's property, under offer, a hole was sunk and water was. struck at 4 feet 0 inches. Mr. Black oirorod to take oil some of the HVpnta.ge. .extending the depth which was on higher ground. A hole was sunk to a depth of 6ft 3in and an examination next day showed it to bo free from water. It was resolved to complete tho pun-has© of three across at £100 per acre.

CORRESPONDENCE

Tlie assistant Under-Secretary of the Pub.ic Works Department iii'timate<l that the Minister could not see his way to vary his previous decision in reference to Edward iroad being lc-ss than o(j teefc wide.

The Department of Agriculture drew the, Council's attention to the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act, 1908, requesting that effective measures be taken to clear same.

It was resolved to take the necessary action and to draw the attention of the inspector to the noxious weeds growing in various parts of the county for which the' Council was not liable.

The Nelson Hospital and Charitable Aid Board asked the Council if it would utilise tlie services of a .sanitary inspector, if one was appointed, and what amount would be contributed towards his salary.—Resolved that the- Council was not nrepared to contribute. The Minister of Public Works wrote stating that he had noted tho petition of Mr. J. H. Price, of Baton, and promising careful consideration of same when the Estimates were being compiled.

The .secretary of Tasinan Fruit Lands Company inquired if the services of Mi. Davis and- his gang were available, as suggested by Councillors for road formation on Ocean Beach road, the Company accepting all Tesponsiflbiility and payment.—Cr. Hcweteon moved, and Cr. Maemahon seconded pro forma, that the request be complied with. Cr. Maemahon considered that the grader should be sent to Dove-dale before the summer. Cr. Corder .supported the motion. After some discussion tho motion was put and lost.

Messrs. F. R. and 1:1. A. Chapman, Wellington, asked the Council to do eoine work to allow access to their property at Tasman.—'Left to the Engineer.

Cr. Everett said that as it would bo several years before the coxinty would be re-valued, he suggested that as there was likely to be heavy expenditure on roads in this district, settlers should form themselves into a special rating area to get what money they required. Mr. John A. Wilkinson, Stanley Brook, informed' the Council that the road down the Motueka river encroached on his property to the extent of about 12 chains and asking tho Council to pay about £8 for fencing in consideration thereof. —Referred to the Engineer.

Mr. H. L. Thomas asked the Council to form an entrance to his residence on tho Arthur Estate, Wakeneld.—Applicant granted permission to do the work under the supervision of the Engineer. Mrs. B. Grossi, Tadmor. again asked the Council to be allowed, to occupy a piece of land near the Tadmor bridge, and to erect a. "crib" thereon.—Per-: mission granted at a rental of Is per year, provided the Council has a title to the land.

Mr. L. Blanchet, Tadmor, made an offer of £2 9s 7<l for lease of gravel reserve on Tadmor Hill. Mr. Tracy McCarthy, junior, tendered at £3 J2s*6d.— The latter's tender was accepted. Messrs 0. Smith and Thomas, applied for assistance towards the formation of a road through their property in the south branch of the Maitai.—Referred to Engineer and Cr. Corder to report. Mr. J. T. Veysey, secretary of the Stoke Progressive Association, wrote re the purchase of land in Poor Man's Valley for a waterworks reserve.—On Cr. Corder's motion it was resolved that a preliminary survey be. made by the Engineer of the land required, provided all charges incidental to the raising of the loan are paid by the Association. Mr. F. A. _Bainford, !:on secretary of the Tahuna■ Progressive Association,, askod the Council to meet the committee, and discuss the best means of dealing- ivith an obstruction in a. ditch at the junction of Muritai street and Main road, Tahuna.—Request to be complied with.

Mr. B. M. Field asked the Council to attend to culyerfc opposite his property on Motueka river.—Left to Engineer. Mr. F. I. Ledger asked the Council for information re widening of road at Gardner's Valley, Upper Moutere. — Resolved that the writer be referred to the Upper Moutere Road' Board.

Four Wai-iti ratepayers informed the Council tliat they had contributed money and labour to the value of £5 7s on protective works at Wai-iti river, and asking the Council.to contribute a like sum. —Resolved that the Council contribute three rolls of wire netting towards the work.

Mr. T. H. Torode, Lower Moutcre, requested permission to remove a fourroomed cottago along the main road; and also to widen Reay's ford.—Left to the Engineer.

Mr. j. T. Veysey, lion, secretary of the Stoke Progressive Association, '-ailed the Council's attention to the bad state of the main road through Stoke, from the Orphanage road to the town boundary, and also of the Rocks roa«l to the same point. The writer stated that this portion of the road had been described as the worst between Blenheim and Belgrove.—Resolved that the writer he informed that the matter was in the hands of the Engineer.

Mr. G. Brougham wrote offering to. purchase a piece of iron bark timber at Jubilee bridge, Lower Moutere.—Left to Engineer.

. On letter from Mr. H. Biggs, Tapawera, re gravel reserve, it was left to Or Druminond to explain the position.

GENERAL,

On Or. Macmahon's motion it was resolved that the formation of the road from the foot of the hill to the Dbvedale hall be carried out as soon as'possible. On.Cr. Everett's motion it was resolved that application be made by the Engineer for the- grant of £750 placed on the. "Estimates for the Peninsula bridge.

It was resolved, on Or. .Druramond's motion, that a fordway be constructed in the Pearce river at Edwards' road.

. Several other matters were dealt with and the Counc:l rose at 4.45 p.m.

Dr. n , £ s. d. trcncral account C8i5 19 2 Cr. Contractors' deposits' 38 % 0 Irfuid fuxid thirds 4ot> 19' '/ interest Rocks rond 103 13 9 interest Ngatimoti bridge n -4 10 interost .Haton bridu;c 1U 6 5 Interest Sherry bridge 9 14 7 Ijiterest Peninsula- bridge *>7 10 i Accounts amounting t o £1450*( ff eneral account) and £80 hum tuml thirds were passed for paymont