WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13815, 9 July 1915, Page 2

WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Waimea County Council was hold yesterday. Present:. Crs. H. Kvorett ■■ (chairman) , Best, Drummoud, Hewetson^ Macmahcn, Cbrdfr, aii-1 lunniciitfe. FINAXCTC. The bank pass book showed the following balances: — Dr. S8 is. 39. General account 4i 27 8 8 Ci\ Contractors'1 deposits 19 7 0 Interest accounts — Rocks Road loan ]~'V " 9 Ngatimoti bridge 21 7 6 Baton bridge h2-\ 18 0 Sherry Bridge 14 11 H. Peninsula bridge 79 K> 5 Stoke waterworks reserve 43 17 1 Land fund thirds 303 9 1 Accounts were passed for payment as follows:-—L.md fund thirds £72 0s 6d; interest, £7 IS:; 5d ; grants. £306 19s 9d; Hospital raid Charitable Aid Board, £308; general account, £965 Bs. COUNTY ENGINEER'S REPORT. The County Engineer (Mr. G. S. Whiteside) reported, inter alia, on work done in the various ridings as follows: Maitai: A gang had been at work metal patching between Wangamoa accommodation house mid the . Collins Valley. The other gang was at work between the Wahgamoa accommodation house and the saddle. The cost of maintaining this road had increased considerably during the past two or three years. Metal patching had been done through Tahuna and Stoke. "There is still," adds the Engineer, "trouble in -getting men to see the difference between putting metal only in the holes sufficient to fill them, 'and tipping a dray load where a shovel full would do "better. This results in a waste of metal, increase in cas_t,_ and inconvenience to traffic." —Wai-iti: A start had been made with the concrete, kerbing and footpath at Wakefield. Mr. T. Hunt was the only one to agree to putting his fence back to widen the road. Most of the fences in the main street, Wakefield, encroached on. the road as originally laid out. The way Department had' agreed to shift the cattle yard at the railway crossing to accord with the widening of the road. The concrete bridge at White's corner, Pigeon Valley, had been opened for traffic— Motupik'o: The Big BushRainy River grant was now in progress. Various culverts on the Glenhope road had been renewed. The Tophouse and Kerr's hill roads had been improved. It was proposed to put the No. .1 road machine to work on the Kohatu to Tapawera and Berryman's road.—Wangapeka: On Hepgood's road the grant was expended, with the exception of .£25. Several bridges required to be built before the rftad could be satisfactorily opened for traffic. These would make a hole in £200. The grant for Fairhall's road had been received and the work was in hand. Work was proceeding on the iShcTry-Manu and Poko-roro-Graham grants.—Motueka: A start had he<?n lvnde with the new ferro-concrete bridge to replace the :'Siglifc-angle<; brir.p/' Ngatimoti. A little metal patching ras required on the road between Npitimoti school and Black bridge. The Talraka hill road was now in good order. The cost of maintenance had fallen during the past eighteen months. .Mob! patching was being done in Riwaka, but the quality of metal was not of the best. The Council should consider the desirability of procuring a quantity of hard metal

broken by the stone crusher.—Moutere; Authority had been received for expenditure of grant on Harley's road, and the-work was. in progress. The new bridge at Drummond's corner had been opened for traffic. Ford's new ferro-concrete bridge was completed, and the approaches would bo filled in due course. Metal patching had been carried out on tho Moutere hills, and work arranged between the Council and the motorists completed. It was resolved that a bridge be erected over the large creek on the Tadmor-Wangapeka road, on the S.W. bank of the Motueka river. It was resolved to apply to the Government for a grant of £200 to complete the bridges on the Tadmor-Wan-gapeka road. It-was resolved that the worst places on the road between the Ngatimoti school and the Black bridge be improved. The report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows:— From the Public Works Department, regarding exemption of Edwards' road, Lower Moutere, from section 117 of the Public Works Act.—Received. Mr. R. P. Hudson, M.P., wrote in reference to the deadlock in the expenditure of Government grants towards the erection of certain bridges in the county, arising from the Council wishing to carry out the works with the Council staff, while the Public Works Department wanted its staff to do.the work. Mr. Hudson stated that he had had interviews with the Minister of Public Works and with the Chief Engineer, and suggested that a deputation go to Wellington to meict the Minister, or that he (the member) should come to Nelson and meet representatives of the Council. The chairman said that the Hon. AY. Fraser, when in Nelson, entirely agreed with the attitude taken up by the Council, that the work should be carried out by the Council staff. \ Cr. Best and the Engineer endorsed the chairman's remarks. Councillors expressed the opinion that as the Council had to provide half the money, the Council should carry! out the work. ■ j It was resolved that a deputation, ; ; consisting of the chairman and the :• Engineer, proceed to Wellington to mii i terview the Minister for Public Works i on the matter. . The Public Works Department wrote • regarding the appointment of a commission to inquire into the apportion- [ merit of the cost of repairing and main- [ taining the Motueka-Riwaka bridge, , stating that tho Council must first make a bona fide attempt to amicably settle i the differences between the Council and . other'contributing local authorities. It was resolved that the Mottieka ' Borough Council be written to and ask- ! Ed to receive a deputation from the • Council, and endeavour to reach an I amicable arrangement in regard to ■ maintenance, It was further resolved that in the event of a favourable reply, ■ the deputation consist of the chairman, ■ Crs. Best and Macmahon.. A number of applications for renewal of slaughterhouse licenses were approv- > cd. F. Carlton, Timaru, and J. R. Bruce, \ Timaru, cdmplained of the action of the • Council in issuing summonses agains? them for rates —8s 9d in one instance and 13s 5d m the other. Both writers ; stated that it was the first summons 1 they had received in their lives, and ' thought that "reminders" might have • been given before such "high-handed action" was taken against them.—ReL eeived.

The Town Clerk wrote as to the County Council's contribution towards Belgian relief, stating that the amount on a population basis would be £53 18s 2d a month.—Resolved unanimously that the amount be paid. The chairman pointed out that two months ago the Council agreed to pay their contribution,' and had simply asked the City Council what the Council's quota would be.

The secretary of tlie Stoke- Progressive Association wrote regarding installing electric light at Saxton's road, Orphanage road, hotel corner, Marsden's creek bridge, Poor Man's Valley road, and Racks road.—Approved, except the light at Marsden's creek bridge.

Resolved that the Council's seal be affixed to the deed of dedication of the Stoke cemetery.

From D. G. Barnes, regarding state of roads, Bronte.—Referred to Upper Moutere Road Board.

From Messrs. Snodgrass and Milner, complaining that county workmen had damaged their fence, Moutere hills, by throwing material from the cutting on to it. —Attended to.

From T. Houlker, complaining of the state of a portion of the Moutere Inlet road.—Referred to Engineer. From J. B. Finlay regarding Old Ridge road and F.dwards road, Lower Moutere. —Resolved tiiat notice be given to property owners to clear noxious weeds from roads.

From J. B. Beatsou, Suggesting the protection of the sides of the Peninsula bridge to make it safer for children.—Necessary protection to be done.

From W. W. McGaveston regarding .state of Johansen's road, Woodstock.— Resolved that a sum not exceeding £5 be expended.

From Hannen Bros., Tadmor, regarding bridgo to their property, applying for a Council grant.—Cr. Drummond gave notice of intention to rescind previous resolution; regarding thite matter. From E, H. Bromell, Baton, asking the Council to meet him half way in grading and forming road near his new residence.—Referred to Engineer. From I. Tunnicliffe/ secretary of the Wakefield branch of the Farmers' Union, enclosing balance-sheet concerning expenditure in connection with small birds' nuisance. C. Limmer forwarded balance-sheet of the Lower Moutere Sparrow Club. From the Tadmor .Sparrow Cluli and che Mata.riki Farmers' Union branch, suggesting that the price paid for bird heads and eggs be increased. On the chairman's motion it was resolved to increase the price to Is per dozen for sparrows and linnets, Is Sd per dozen for blackbirds and thrushes, and 3d per dozen for eggs, until further notice. .

From Porcy Baigent, ro obstruction on road in Pigeon Valley, and asking the Council to remove same.; —The overseer reported- that the obstruction was on Mr. "Baigent's property.—Resolved that Mr. Baigent be notified to remove the obstruction, and when this is done the Council will remove any obstruction it is liable for.

From \V. Fawcett, Wakefield, offering to light street lamps at Wakefield and keep generators^ in order for >s Od per weok. —Accepted. From H. C. Gibbs, Wakefield, stating that embankment erected by the Couu■;:il in Church Valley was backing ■iter on 1o his property.—Left to tho Engineer and the member for the riding.

Mr. E. Heine, Wakefield, -wrote asking the Council to remove fence and ;a<{> erected across by-rond leading i\o liis property.—Deferred till next meeting for-report. Mr. A. Griffith, Stanley Brook, asked that a culvert be put in on. main road. --Uefblvwl that the overseer inspect Mrs. Alice Hanron/ Stanley Brook, wrote asking the Council to legalise gate on the public road through section J5, block v., Wai-iti.—Acceded to.

Messrs Fugle Bros., Stanley Brook, wrote asking that gate erected across road by R. J. Polglase- be removed.— Resolved that Mr. Polglase be given a month's notice to remove tho gate. Messrs. Kinzett Bros.j Tapawera, drew attention to tjie state of the Glen Rae road.—Resolved that the Engineer interview the Public Works Engineer regarding having grant of £50 made available. DEPUTATIONS. Mr. C. E. Lowe waited upon the Council in reference to metalling of subdivision roads through Tasman West (formerly known as Flasmore Estate), Central Moutere.—lt was resolved on Cr. Hewetson's motion that a deputation of the whole Council inspect the new roads, on Saturday,'l7th, at 10 a.m., with conditional power to act. Mr. Lowe further extended an invitation to the councillors to lunch on the occasion of their visit, which was accepted with thanks, a Mr. T. McCarthy,. Baton, waited on the Council regarding road from the Clarke river to the main Baton road, for which there was a Government grant of £100, and requested that the construction be expedited. It was resolved that the chaii-man, Cr. Drummond, and the Engineer visit tho locality and report. The chairman reported on his visit to Tasman in regard to a ranger, and it was resolved that his action be endorsed. _.___ GENERAL. A special meeting was held to coiisider the balance-sheet..—Resolved that the balance-sheet be adopted Resolved, on the motion of the chairman, that not exceeding 10 chains of 'Poley bridge road (Lower Moutere) he gravelled. Cr. Corder brought up tho matter of metal from Mr H. Dodson's quarry, stating that Mr Dodson was willing to accept £5 in full settlement.—Agreed to pay this amount. Or. Macmahon referred to a fcmall deviation, to avoid a steep bank, required on the Motiipiko old schoolhouse road. Mr Ed. Ccleman was willing to give the land requisite. He moved that the work beTkme. —Agreed to. Cr. Macmahon asked that the metalling at tho foot of the Dovedale hill road near Brandy Creek bo done. Tho road was in a horrible state, and it was a pity that heavy traffic could not be kept off the road* for a time. A small deviation near Mr Jordan's would be a great advantage. In "reply to a question, the Engineer said, that" Brandy Creels, bridge would be started in probably six weeks' time. It was a bad sea-son of the year for construction works, especially for concrete. The chairman referred to tho 'by-law of the Council regarding heavy traffic during the winter months. Hundreds of pounds of Gox rornruent - and council money had been spent on the Dovedale main road, which was now reported as in a deplorable state. Was the Council going to allow the heavy traffic to go on in spite of the by-law? Cr. Tunnicliffe said that the heavy traffic was not the cause, which was that the grader had deposited the soft stuff from the waiiertables on to the centre of tho road during the summer, and this had now become mullock. Had the load been metalled at the time there would not have been any difficulty. As a matter of fact, the heavy timber traffic had stopped, as the road was not fit to take it. Cr. Hewfctson said thai large mobs of sheep did incalculable harm to the road The chairman moved that the Engineer furnish a special report on this road for next meeting. Seconded by Cr Best, and carried. Cr. Best drew attention to the splash on the Appieby road near tho railway station. This "was in a bad state, and lie moved that, the Richmond Borough Council be written to on the subject. Recently a car was stuck in the pool.— Seconded by Cr. Macmahon, and carIt.' was resolved that Mr Ha-gen be paid the balance due in respect of ,a horse- impounded and sold by tho poundkeeper at Spring Grove Mr D. J. Rouse and others presented a petition for a Government grant for a stock bridge over the Tadmor river near the railway station.—lt was resolved to endorse the petition. Cr. Tunnicliffe moved that the chairman, Cr. Best, himself, and the Engineer be deputed to inspect certaia small requirements in Brightwater, with power to act —Agreed to. Cr. Colder, on behalf of workmen on the Wangamoa hill, made a request for an e-stra"shilling per day as camp I. rig allowance, in A-iew of tho distance the work lay from their homes. The work would last sbout three-weeks only.— Accreed to make the allowance. "Cr. Drummond moved that patching with fine gravel be made on the Tadmor main road. —Agreed to. Cr Tvnnicliffe moved that banks be cut down at tho cosfc of a day or two's work at Burnt Ridgo Gully, Trass Valley.—Agreed to. Cr. Hewotson drew attention to wator from tho cocnty road damaging Mr John Schwass's private road.—Referred to Engir-eer.

Cr. Howetson also drew attention to the intolerable nuisance of stray catt.o in the Lower Moutertf district. The Council rose at -1 o'clock.