WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14529, 5 October 1917, Page 3

WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Waimea County Council was held yesterday. Present: Crs. H. Everett (chairman), P." Best, A. Drummond, T. Hewetson, G. Macmahon, J. Covder, and H. Tun■nicliff.

FINANCE. The bank pass book showed balances as follows:—>

Accounts were passed for payment amounting to, general £944 0s 9d, land fund thirds £2 18s 6d.

ENGINEERS REPORT. The County Engineer (Mr. G. S. Whiteside), in his monthly report, stated, inter alia: —M'aitai riding: .Arrangements had been made. for the lengthening of the large concrete culver o at the starp turn in the road near O'Beirne's, Wakapnaka. Routine maintenance work had been carried out on the road from Rai Saddle to Nelson. —-Tahuna drainage: As to the proposed works to improve Tahuna during times of flood and reJieve stormwater. inconvenience, he had taken the levels"' of -the main road between the bead-' and Rawiti street, and also obtained the levels a,t Rawiti street as well. With that data/ he had given the mat- ! ter careful consideration. It times of flood or after heavy ram the small stream at "X" on the accompanying plan overflowed tire road. That oc- | cui-rence had never clone much damage to the road, a few shovelfuls of gravel being displaced. The water after it had passed over the road was a sourse of _discomfort and annoyance to the residents on the west of the main road. That inconvenience, to a certain extent, migl:t be remedied by a kerbing or small concrete wall, to prevent the overflow ; a larger culvert might with advantage be placed under the main road at Rawiti street, it had been suggested to divert the stream, and stop it from flowing down Rawiti street to the .lagoon, by turning it to the seaward along the main road. If that were done, no doubt it would be of advantage to some of the residents on tfce west, but generally the project offered several serious objections. The fall of the main road was approximately 3 inches, to "the chain, while the fall down Rawiti street, where the stream naturally ; flows, was 8 inches to the chain. 'There was1 objection to taking a stream which, flowed nearly constantly along a main road with' so little slope for the flow of drainage. The moist earth would cause a luxuriant growth of vegetation, and silt would accumulate, necessitating frequent attention and maintenance. A large drain (unless absolutely necessary) was very -undesirable on a main road. It would, however, increase the comfort of the residents to provide a catch water drain or water table largo enougb to carry off the storm water that falls: on the catchment area northeast of the stream, and, passing this water through to the sands by a 2ft. diameter culvert near the same position as. the present 12in. pipe culvert. If this catchment drain could be; taken inside the fence on the land occupied by Mr. Richmond, so much the better. But the land would have to be conveyed to the Council, as it would not be legal for the.Council to construct a public drain on private land without getting a proper titjje. to the land to avoid future complications.—Wai-iti riding: A start lad been made with the work of widening the footbridge over Wai-iti river at Quail Valley to take motor traffic. The shortage of suitable workmen for the job has' de-' layed the work. A bridge in Pigeon" •Valley near Palmer's had had three new stringers 30 feet long placed tinder1 the traffic way; also most of tie deck planks had had to be renewed on account of the old timbers being so much decayed. The bridge at A. Gibbs's,' Church Valley, Wakefield, had been completed with the road tteretd.— Motupiko riding: River protection j work was being done in Norris's i Gully; also river protection work along! the Motueka river at Kohatu.—Wan-; gapeka riding: As to the proposed! diversion of the road at the junction of Orinoco and Rosedale roads to avoid the long splash, an investigation of the- ground led him to. believe that a traffic bridge would cost less than deviating the road. The deviation woujd necessitate a small* bridge, compensation for land required, fencing and severance. As to the settlers' stock bridge over the Big Pokororo which the Council had been asked to assist in building, the proposed structure did not appear to him to be satisfactory for the situation. A stringer or log bridge was not suitable for the locality and river. If the waterway of the river was curtailed or throttled, it would induce a scour in the river, which would take away the bank and road. A light suspension stock bridge could be built for less money and be more satisfactory.—Motueka riding: A small concrete bridge lad been new-j ly built over the stream near Bcatson's on the Ngatimoti-Pangatotara road. Work is .progressing on the MotuekaRiwaka bridge. An occasional flood in the river had retarded the work.— Moutere riding: The road in the Seaton Valley had been formed and metalled by the Bronte Land Syndicate a-s required by the Cou,uty Council. Tie traction engine is at work metalling on the Moutere hills. General work inia been carried out throughout the

The Engineer estimated the cost of the proposed work at Tahuna at £115. Councillors suggested tlat the Engineer give an estimate of a floodgate culvert. • -After some discussion it was

resolved that after the estimates had bean obtained they be forwarded to tho Talvuna Progressive Association. On the motion the chairman, seconded by Cr. Tunnicliff, it was resolved that provided the settlers inter-! estcd contribute £20 towards the cost of the works the Council would put in a culvert to abate the flood water nuisance at ( Brightwater. | On the motion of the chairman,1 seconcfd by Cr. Drummond, it "was iesolved that.it was not advisable to erect o, stock bridge across the Pokororo jftver and the Council declined to contribute towards the work. It was resolved tlrat the Mo^tere Amalgamated Fruit Lands Company be notified that they were not required to carr_y out any further work on the Senton. Valley road. The report was adopted. ~ APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEER. The' Council then further, considered ■the applications for the position of overseer, three,names' Iraving been left over from the last meeting for consideration. After three ballots the,

choice' fell upon Mr. Michael Fonnell, of Westport. correspondence: From the Minister of Finance, re war loan, thanking the chairman for the part taken in bringing about suet' a splendid result. From the Chief Telegraph Engineer, ro proposal to establish direct telephonic communication between Reefton and -Nelson, Stating that to 'provide'a [practicable service would, be a fairly costly undertaking, and that estimates were being prepared for submission to the Postmaster-General. From the secretary, Cawthron TrusI tees, inviting councillors to be present jat unveiling of memorial on the Btb inst.—Accepted. I From the secretary of the Counties j Association, forwarding suggestion by the executive committee that a-tini- | form system of book-keeping in connec- | tion with county accounts would be advantageous to county councils, and requesting to be supplied with a specimen copy of what the Council considered the most suitable form.—Left to the chairman and the clerk. From the secretary of the Counties Association, re the establishment, of a mutual accident and insurance association, and requesting information as to the amount paid in premiums, etc., by the Council for the three years ending March 31-st, 1917.—Information to be supplied. From J. B. Lammas, Dor/edaie, drawing attention to obstruction in tie Pigeon Valley river, causing damage to his land, and asking the Council to have the obstruction removed.—Leit to 'Engineer.

From R. S. Booth, drawing attention to state of Wairoa Gorge road, particularly .to a spot between Park's house and writer's gate, where-there was a bog through whicb a motor car could not pass without a horse to drag it tarougu.-—The Engineer reported that the matter was being attended to.

From Thomas Hunt, ECoreke, re light traffic bridge over the Wai-iti river at the Quail Valley crossing promised the settlers a year ago, pointing out;that although the. £30 contribution to the cost by the settlers had been paid in eleven montls ago, no start had been made with the exception of the timber having been placed on the site.—Resolved, that the writer be informed that the work is" being proceeded with. From J. F. Allcott, notifying his intention to clarge 6d a, load for all gravel taken on nis property, Lower Moutere.—Received.

From Mr. R. P. Hudson, M.P., informing the Council that the Minister had agreed to place £500 on the Estimates for completion of road from foot of precipice to Mapua conditionally on the Council contributing a similar amount, and stating that he saw no necessity for an interview.- A further letter from Mr. Hudson stated that tie Minister would make provision for a grant of £500 for completion of the Mapua-Tasman Bluff road, but did not feel disposed to sanction expenditure until he knew exactly how it was to be expended.

The chairman said that the second letter had been received in reply to a letter sent by the clerk asking for permission to go on with tie work, as it was a ca.se of urgency. As far as. the Council Avas concerned, they were willing to find the money and go on with the work,_ but the would not sanction the expenditure unless certain' conditions as to route were complied -with.

Cr. Hewetson moved, and Cr. Macmahon seconded, that in order to expedite matters tie chairman, Engineer and mover interview the Resident Engineer, with potter to act. From Kirk and Wilson Wellington, on behalf of the engineers for the Moutere Inlef Orchards Company, re Council's requirements before accepting dedication of certain roads, pointing out .that all the work required by the Council in a letter of 7th October, 1914, had been carried out, and. submitting tlat the Council had no power to require further expenditure in regard to metalling.—Resolved on Cr. Hewetson's motion, seconded by the chairman, that the Council's solicitor's advice be forwarded to Messrs. Kirk and Wilson,, and that the Council insist on the metalling being done. From the secretary, Moutere Amalgamated Fruit Lands, Ltd., requesting the Council to regulate carting of flax over Seaton Valley road, so as not to cut u»_ the road. It was stated tlat there would be a fair amount of fruit to be carted over the road in the summer.—Resolved, that carters be notified that if any damage is caused^ they will be held responsible.

From A. W. Grindle, Kohatu o applying for permission to carry telephone wire across road.—Granted, under Engineer's direction.

From F. W. Gibbs, Tapawera, requesting clearing of the Wangapeka track from Rolling river to top of Wangapeka Saddle, ana from Wangapeka river to top of Kiwi Saddle.— Resolved, tlat £5 be granted for the purpose;

From D. Haining, Mariri, drawing attention to state of the Moutere Bluffs, road from Jubilee bridge towards Tasman.—The Engineer was authorised to spend £25 on the road.

Prom E. H. Bromell Baton, drawing atteritionto bad state of the Baton Saddle, ■which was stated to have been practically impassable for wheel traffic all the winter.—Left to the Engineer. From F. I. Ledger, stating that Mr. Tillson 4 of Braeburn, was subdividing portion of his property fronting IJpld-av.-ay's road, and with access to r the Ngatimoti main road, and asking the Council to apply for exemption from the provisions of the Public Works Act, 180S, section 117.—Application to be made for exemption.

GENERAL BUSINESS. Cr. Best said that some months ago it was decided to build a bridge at [Appleby crossing, provided that the Richmond Borougl: Council contributed towards the cost, and he moved that the work be done forthwith, the Borough Council to pay half the cost. Seconded by the chairman -and carried. A number cf requests by councillor? in regard to their various ridings were referred to the Engineer for attention. The Council rose at 3 p.rn.~

Dr. £ «. d. County fund account 10,801 7 2 Cr. Moutere Inlet road loan account 31 8 9 Contractors' deposits 17 0 Ineresl accounts — No. 1. Rocks road 73 0 10 No. 2 Ngatimoti bridge 25 0 11 No. 3. Baton Bridge 4 6 3 No. 4. Skerry bridge 6 4 2 No. 5 Peninsula bridge 65 11 3 No. 6. Stoke waterworks reserve 59.10 10 Land fund thirds 1 account 96 7 7