WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3772, 3 November 1886, Page 3

WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Waimate County Council was held on the Ist inst. Present — Messrs Manchester (chairman), Hardie, Oliver, Hayes, McLaren, Elworthy, Murphy, and Douglas. ROUTINE. The minute 3of the last meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. From Waitaki County Council, advising of resolutions passed by that Council re Waitaki Upper Ferry, asking that a professional survey and estimate be mada for a bridge at Cain's punt, and stating that the Waitaki County Council declines assisting m the removal of tho shingle at present obstructing tho Ferry. From the Resident Magistrate, Timaru, stating that the amount to be contributed by tho Waimate County and Borough to the South Canterbury Charitable Aid Board for the current year has been fixed by the Arbitration Commissioners at £650, tho costs of Iho commission to be equally divided between the parties. From Mr Teschemaker, ono of the commissioners, giving tho same information. From the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, asking the Council to remit the amount of contribution as decided by the Arbitration Commissioners. From the Crown Lands office, enquiring as to the particulars of the damage caused to section 14, reservo 1!>1, by tho diversion of Elephant Hill Creek at the instance of the Council. From the Public Works office, stating that maintonancs wrrks cannot bo paid out of the sum voted for tho unemployed, and that tho vote must bo applied to construction works ; stating that tho Waimato County and Borough are between them entitled to two votes on the Hospital Board, and asking if the County clerk can preside at the election of officers of that Board m the County office on the 24th instant. From Mr R. R. Pitt, of Otaio, asking to have a part of Woolshed Gully rond shingled near front gate at Hafton, and near Tavistock : the creek crossing on this road also requires repairs. From Mr W. J. Williams and twentysix other ratapayers, affected by the proposed Waihao irrigation scheme, shewing that the proposed district for irrigating the Lower Waihao includes land which cannot be beneficially affected by the scheme ; that tho proposed scheme will bo very expensive, and the necessary expenditure largely m excess of the benefit to be obtained ; that a number of ratepayers who signed the petition m favour of the scherao did so under a misapprehension, viz., that no rate would be leviable m respect of the works, and also as to the boundaries of the proposed irrigation district ; that most of the land is already well supplied with water ; that the proposed water-race would be a source of danger, and expensive to keep m repair; and, that no proper opportunity haa been given to ratepayers to consider the echeme, and praying that no steps should be taken to carry out the proposed scheme ; if any scheme should be carried out the district should be confined to land m want of irrigation. From Mr S. A. Hoskin, of Otaio, offering rental for a closed road between Mr McLaren's and Mr Marshall's property, Otaio. From the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, asking to have the following names substituted for tho company's on the Pareora Riding rate roll : — Thomas Nelder, section 17041 ; Dougal Bell, section 7104 ; A. McClintock and A. Munro, parts of section 6228 ; J. Dow, J. Driman, Thomas Jefcoate, and J. Hopkins, parts of section 7104 ; William Tooley, 7103 ; A. Caldwell, 7105 ; John Russell and David Stowell, parts of 7102; Otaio riding, George Lawrie, section 24579. From the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand, calling attention to the bad state of the fords on White Rock and Pareora rivers, near Cannington, and asking repairs to same. From Mr A. Turnbull Muller, Blating the difficulty experienced at To Akatarawa station m consequence of the bad state of the roads and crossings. From Mr J. M. Ritchie, pointing out necessary repairs required on the roads and crossings m the Pareora riding. From Mr A. Caldwell, of Beaconsfield, requesting the council to close tho water channel through his farm on the Pareora estate, as much damage is caused by the same. From Mr G. Lawrie and thirty-five other residents of St. Andrews and Pareora riding, asking for the formation of a footpath at the north aide of Bluecliffs road from the corner to St. Andrews school ; formation of road and cutting at south end of Bruco and McLaren's grain shed, with object of gaining accsas to the beach. From Messrs Ford, J. Hnnly, and M. McDonough, asking for the formation of thirty chains of road from Section 113 to the railway station, North Waitaki. From Mr H. L. Meyer and four others, objecting to tho closing of the road between the Main South Road and the beach, as advertised. From Mrs Studholme, thnnking the Council for the expression of sympathy conveyed to her by tho Council's resolution of the Bth ult., 'on the occasion of the death of Mr Studholme. The committee appointed to report on the damage to the bridge on the Main South Road, over Waimate Gorge creek, reported " that the damage to this bridge is considerable, and threatens to become very serious indeed. It has been caused by our late engineer, Mr Hillary (acting for and on behalf of the Waimate Raco Club, without the consent or knowledge of this council) diverting tho Waimate river stream into the Gorge Creek, to prevent the former going through the racecourse. The Gorge creek thus having double — or more than double the quantity of water — began to overflow and scour, doing great damage to the Waimate Park reserve and other private property, and threatens to break out of its course into some low ground on its northern bank, and if so, it will cut through the main road between tho two bridgcß,

r. ii'U'ring it necessary to construct a thin i.-ridire within a distance of half a mile and at a great c ist. Your committee ari of the opinion that Mr Hillary should hi called U[!on to explain his action m tin matter. Your committee leave it to tin wisdom of the council to discuss wha notion shall bo taken to remedy tin damage now sustained, and prevent as fai as possible future damage. Mr Blacl informs us that a few hours' work woulc cause the Waimate river to flow down iti natural channel again." Resolved — " That the Government b< asked to send a professional Jinan to m spect the site of the proposed bridge a' Upper Waitaki, and make an estimate ol tho cost." Moved by MrDouglas — "That the Wai taki County Council bo written to point' ing out the urgent necessity for opening access to Gibson's Country, m view of the approaching wool season, and that Cait bo paid under protest tho £12 demanded by him upon the conditions sot forth bj this Council." On being put to the meeting, this motion was lost. Rosoived — "That this Council record or its minutes a hearty vote of thanks tc Mr Teschemaker, for acting so ably on the Commission, and on behalf of this Council, re the Hospital dispute." " That a letter be sent to Mr Baker, Crown Lands, viz., 'In reply to yours of 13th ult., I beg to inform that about ten years ago tho Council diverted Elephant Hill Creek, as Bhown on attached sketch. The reason for such diversion was the serious damage done to the road where tho creek crossed, as also to the adjoining property. I regret to inform you that the diversion had not the desired effect, and that at present the channel cut by the Council is blocked with drift at the month, and little, if any, of the water intended to be diverted runs m this channel." " That the Government be applied to for a contribution of half cost towards quarrying 500 yards of large stones m Waimate Gorge as work suitablo to tho unemployed, no other work being at present required except those refused as being maintenance work." "That the overseer report to this council at next meeting as to what is required to comply with'Mr R. R. Pitt's application of Bth ult." Moved by Mr Murphy, seconded by Mr Douglas — " That tenders be called for a preliminary survey for the Waihao irrigation scheme, and that an estimate of cost be sent to this council, cost of survey to be charged to scheme if carried out ; if not carried out to be charged to Waihao riding. Cost of such survey not to exceed £40 ; plan to be of such character as to meet Government approval." This motion, nf ter some discussion, was ruled by the chairman as out of order, not being m accordance with the act. Resolved—" That Mr S. A. Hoskinß' offer to rent for three years closed road line, Otaio Riding, be accepted, and that the clerk be instructed to draw up the necessary agreement between MrHoakin3 and the Council." " That the clerk be instructed to insert tho names mentioned m Mr McPherson's letter m roll of Pnreora Riding, instead of the name of tho N.Z. & A.L. Company." " That m reply to Mr Turnbull-Miller's letter, ho ba informed that the Council regrets tho position he and other settlors m the Gibson's country aro placed m, but as tho Waitaki County Council is tho contributing party with Cain (Waitaki Upper Ferry), this Council is prevented from taking immediate action ; but this Council will immediately confer with the Waitaki Council to havo the difficulty overcome." " That the overseer report report upon tho application of Mr G. Lawrie and others for works at St. Andrews by next meeting." The overseer was also directed to report on tho application of Ford and others ; to attend to the work applied for by Mr Stowell, Pareora ; to havo repairs effected on Meyer's Pass Road ; to ropair slip on road loading from Mount Harris Road to Waihao Forks railway Btntion ; and to call for tenders for a quantity of metal to be put on embankments Serpentino Valley road. Mr J. Manchester was elected as the county representative on tho Wairaate Hospital Board of Trustees m tho room of the late Mr Studholme. Resolved — "'That the immediate attention of the Waimate Raco Committteo be called to tho necessity of allowing the Waimate creek to return to its natural course whence it has been diverted at tho raco course, and thus prevent any further and serious damage being done to the main line of road and bridge on same." TENDERS. The following tenders for works were accepted : — Contract No. 28— Mr J. Frost, LSB Cs 8d ; No. 29— Mr J. Frost, LlO3 9s 8d ; No. 30— Mr F. Werge.x, Ll5O Cs Bd. Tenders for No. 27 not being con sidered satisfactory, fresh tenders will be invited by advertisement. FOUNDKEErER. The application of Mr George Kaye for the office of poundkeeper at St. Andrews, was accepted, subject to his compliance with the terms of the Impounding Act. Accoujrrs. Accounts amounting to L 073 Gs 2d were passed for payment, also return of contractors' deposits, amounting to Ll9 10s.