MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2646, 8 March 1898, Page 3

MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL

The monthly meeting of the Mackenzie Couuty Council was held yesterday. Present— Messrs F. R. Gillingham (chairman), Rutherford, Guthrie, McLean, McLeod and Wreford. Mr Charles waited on the Council to ask when the work on the road to his property— one of the new roads on Albury estate — would be undertaken, as it was dangerous m wet weather.— The engineer paid the preliminary work was well m hand and tenders could be called for before next meeting.—Tenders to be called as soon as possible. Mr O'Reilly, contractor for road work neat Albury, applied for an extension of time to complete the work, one reason being the hardness of the ground.— Six weeks granted. The clerk and engineer reported that the repairing of Braemar, Ben Ohau and Ohan bridge roads had been completed, and the Council's gangs were now engaged on expenditure of the Government grant for Fairlie-Pukaki road. Murray's contract for painting Tekapo and Forks bridges was m progress. Leeming's contract for cutting up pinus insignia m Ashwick Flat plantation had been satisfactorily completed, 53£ cords had been cut, and the whole of it was expected to be disposed of shortly. Work on Blainslie road had been done by contract by FJ. Struthere for £12 8s 9d. Tank and w.c. had been supplied to Teknpo Hotel ; repairs to spouting had not been done yet, no plumber being available. Estimates were given of ditch crossing applied for by Mr A. S. Smith, and of water-race asked for by Mr W. Davidson. With regard to foot plank across Opihi river, asked for by Mr Davidson and others, planks and trestles would meet the case for some time to come ; cost say £10. Supplies of horse feed would be required shortly. Sweetbriar on roads near Burkes Pass needed attention. Mrs Cotterell's appointment as ranger of Ashwick Flat races expires on 21st April. Rates amounting to £165 16s 3d were still outstanding, and a number of carriers had neglected to take out licenses for the current year". Mr Rutherford reported that a culvert on the Albury main road had a hole m it needing attention. Mr Smith to be asked to do the work at his crossing, pipes being supplied. Mr Davidson's race to be made if the Land Board approve of the expenditure of thirds thereon. The Land Board to be asked to approve of half cost -of planks asked for by Davidson. Re horse feed, it was decided to call for tenders for supply of a year's supply of 1000 bushels oats for immediate delivery. Sweet briar on Burkes Pass to be grubbed when men are there. Mrs Cotterell's reappointment deferred till next meeting The clerk stated that he had got m £550 of rates since last meeting, and the balance outstanding was m small amounts. Some of the Albury settlers had spoken of asking the Council for a concession on the rates as they had not been m occupation of the land for twelve months.— Members thought there was no legal ground for making a concession.—lt was agreed that legal process for recovery of unpaid rates must be resorted to. Tenders for a 6ft sheet iron fence along the frontage of the Council's yard at Fairlie were opened -J. L. Hamilton £25, H. Fraser £19 18s 6d, T. Foden £16 6s 6d (accepted).— Mr McLean would have preferred fencing a smaller yard all round with iron. One tender was received for Three Springs road formation, H. Struthers £55 13s 2d (accepted). Four tenders were received for ten years' lease of the Pukaki Hotel— H. P Manaton £52 a year, John Bain £45 11s lOd, James Young £45, John Richmond £40 a year. (The lessees will not m future collect bridge tolls, these being abolished.)— Messrs McLean and Rutherford moved that 11. P. Manaton's tender be accepted. Mr McLeod moved that fresh tenders be called by next meeting, and the chairman seconded this, but it was lost and the original carried by four to two. Mr Riddle, the present lessee, waited on the Council to ask them to purchase from him a lean-to he had added to the building, containing two rooms and a linen cupboard. He asked £40 for it, as an alternative to removing it. He was given verbal permission to make the addition with permission to remove it. He had added two rooms to the house besides this lean-to. There was nothing on record about it.-^-After discussion it was decided to offer £20 compensation for the lean-to, -and later on Mr Riddle came m and accepted this. Among the correspondence was the following : — From Mrs Cotterell, reporting a good supply of water m the Ashwick races. From the Christchurch Land Office respecting certain thirds, and asking for a return of the expenditure of all thirds and fourths last year. From the Treasury, advising having paid over £30 on account of £ for £ subsidy for forming Fraser's road, Albtfry. From the Surveyor-General, a circular re local valuation roll, to be taken from tKe general valuation roll. — The chairman Baidthe Act said nothing about the local bodies paying part of the cost of preparing the rolls, but by regulations made by Order-m-Council, the local bodies were required to pay a third of the total cost. It would mean about £50 for this county.— Mr McLeod said the valuation of freehoidUand m Tekapo riding was very 16W:~ It was decided to send a formal request for a local roll. Mr McLean considered that if the Council had to pay a third of the cost of preparing the roll; they ought to have a say m the appointment of the valuer. From the Surveyor-General, offering a second £100 for expenditure on the Fairlie-Pukaki road.— The offer was accepted, and it was agreed that it be expended between Burkes Pass and Tekapo. Mr H. Kidd recommended that some attention be given to the road to his place.— To be done when the men are m the locality. A petition from Mr Richards and others, asked for repairs to the Mount Nessing road. Engineer to inspect and report to next meeting. From the Superintendent of Electric Lines, offering to make a telephone connection from the railway station to Dr Hornibrook's house for £17.- Cost too high to be entertained. — Mr McLeod considered that the authorities did not understand the request. The telephone was placed at the stationmaster's house solely for the convenience of ringing up the doctor from Burkes Pass or Tekapo, and as the arrangement was not satisfactory, it was desired to have the instrument shifted to the doctor's house.— A further communication to be sent,

From the Bank of New Zealand, Timaru, that the Council's request for the opening of a branch of the bank at Fairlie had been sent to headquarters. From the Treasury, advising that the request for a loan of £850 for Fairlie water-race had been provisionally approved. From Mr R. Mackay, Trentham, offering £3 a year for a supply of water from the Ashwick races, provided he received enough to work a ram. — Supply to be sent down on receipt of cheque for £3. From Messrs Batteson and Gillingham. asking for some shingling on the school road.— Engineer to report. From the Audit Department, covering balance sheet of the fairlie domain. From the H. and C.A. Board, covering monthly return of local expenditure. From Dr Hornibrook, reporting on Feb. 25th a case of typhoid m Fairlie, and on March sth a few cases of ulcerative Btomatitis m the school, also one case of scarlet fever m the township. He had given the necessary instructions to the patients, and as a further precaution had recommended the closure of the school for a week. The water-races, especially those on school road and their off-shoots were m a very filthy state. Mr D. Harvey, Ashwick Flat, asked leave to make a loop race.— Agreed to. Messrs Hamilton and Binney waited on the Council to ask that a small piece of ground (one-twentieth df an acre) near the public hall, which now blocks up a road, would be very useful if opened through. — The Council agreed that the road ought to be opened, and to offer the owner £1 for the land. Messrs Corbett, Bray and Cook waited on the Council respecting the proposed stock bridge to be attached to the railway bridge, over the Tengawai.— The chairman said a request for particulars had been sent to the railway authorities, but no reply had yet been received. The deputation also asked the Council to allow the engineer to report on the feasibility and cost of making a waterrace from the Tengawai river, to supply the district between the Tengawai and Coal Greek. — Mr McLean asked who would pay the expense of the preliminary survey ; the applicants should undertake to pay if the scheme were not carried out. — Mr Corbett said they would do that, if it was the rule.— The engineer said there would only be two men to pay for two or three weeks, and Mr Coibett aaid they would find the men themselves whenever Mr Banks required them. Mr J. H. Doyle called to offer £20 for all the pinus insignia remaining to be thinned from Ashwick Flat plantation, he to clear them out m two years, paying the amount m three instalments.— A rough specification of what the Council desired was sketched, and Mr Doyle agreed to accept this. It gives him full control of the plantation after getting possession.. Mr Guthrie asked for a road to his new homestead site.— Engineer to report. Accounts were passed for paymentgeneral, £149 9a 7d ; cemetery account, £1 4s.