WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13683, 27 August 1908, Page 6

WAIMATE COUNTY COUNCIL.

The wontldy meeting of the Waimate County Council was held yesterday. Present:— Messrs It. 11. Rhodes (chairman,, Milne, Smillie, Studholme, Elv.orthy. Walker and LyaU. Apology way made for Mr Hart. A good deal of the lime of the sitting was taken up with the consideration of the threatened overflow of the Pareora at Holme Marion, as reported elsewhere, ENGINEERS REPORT. The engineer, Mr C. E. Bremner, submitted his report on the contracts in hand and the work done by the Council's men in the several ridings. Reports with estimates were given on applications lor work by Messrs Elisor and Brown on Cannington and Back line roads, Upper Pareota; time had not permitted of -Mr J. Patterson's application being looked into. 3lessrs Calder and Sfcudder'* application for protection of their land from encroacJim'nt by the Hook river had' been looked into. The

work required was wholly outside, the Council's re:-ponsibiliti._3, and an outline application and sketch bad been given to tie tettlers to be sent to the Land Board. Opiwtunity had been taken of the Minister for Lands passing through the county to wait on him in connection with circumstances of the Waihuna and Snatheon** toad* in the Waifcakahi and, Pareor*iettlem mltSr and ' particulars were placed in his possession. The special damages to the Wainono Drainage Board by lofts of its outlet were also brought to his attention and Government assistance solicited towards its reinstatement. The Minister promised consideration of theee matters, and to forward replks. Tlie engineer stated that he had seen Mx Gold Smith that day, and the commissioner promised his assistance in regard to Waihuna. and SmitlnsonV, road'. The cjomihtdoatr had that day been to look at the Hook overflow. It was resolved that the bridge over Dip Creek, Pleasant Valley, be made. of sufficient width for light vehicular traffic. CORRESPONDENCE. A budget of correspondence was dealt j The Land Board disapproved of pro- i poted expenditure: on track to Delargy'o ] as it was not a legalised road line. Sir W. J. Steward wroto that a Bill amending tJte impounding Act in thedirection deodred by the Council bad been y.kf.&A by the; Lower House and would probably be pasted by the Council; bat that tljcir request for an amendment of the Public Works Act in regard to the acquihiou of landrt for loads ha<l been opposed by the Government, and could not be got through. He prepared clau*e<s to meet the case.—A councillor said that the ground of the opposition was a fear that the //roposed law might be um:d lor oilier than bona, fide purposes. A committee reported on th': cui-n of a fcub-conttactor, bliuded while stonebrcaking, and recommended his case to the practical sympathy of the Council.—-The matter was held over for some further inijuity after some discussion and expreseions of regret. The i/cvels County Council wrole ex pr.f>>ing dissatisfaction with the olfer to contribute to the cost of maintaining the Bcacoiibfield-Pareora bridgo lower road after it has been put jn order, and it wjk agreed to make the olfer more explicit, a contribution of one-fourth from date. The Levels Council notified that they had let a tender for repairs to the Lower Pareora bridge protective works. One- of the Council's men applied for aud was given leave to go shearing for a few weckii, if he provides a suitable substitute.

An application froui a contractor for an allowance of £3 for extra work in a. big embankment caused by its subsidence during the big flood was not entertained. A report on ill* sanitary condition of a certain yard at Studholme Junction was read. A suggestion for its improvement biid been carried out. A certain pigi-.tye was in bad condition and would be better reu-ove-d.—Xo'.iec to be given vlcnua liog improvement. On intimation fiom those: bodies. Mr X. M. Orbell was nominated to iLe Timaru High School Board as successor to t'i'j late Mr Barclay, and Mr 2"C. Fran :is was appointed the Council's veprssen:* ive on tliy ».C. Hospital and Chair jjle .-'.ld Board in succession to Mr 'V. (_oiti:.-iii ic-igcei'. In reply to Mr 1!. Me.edith :m-J others, it was agreed to do volni- ful m <'. metalling on "Waihaorungu load as opportunity offered.

The Waikakahi Settlers" Assnui-) ! .ioii forwarded a reply from the ' linis'cr <.f Pailway, that another level ti-ssing would be madi at Morven if iln; I'oim'.y Cour.eil ivouli pay the ccct. ol" .'.. £iO.— Htceivcd, the Morven roads being a Coveiuuieiit bu.-iness. A further report on the improvcm.nt of tlie acoustics of the Council Chamber was 1 f...„. .. 1|„„„,);., :,r-»1.!...,.!.. A fi.imer one suggested certain surface additions in break up til-.- smoothness of the walls at a cost of £B6. This report offeied as a "better alternative of breaking up of the walls by the insertion of windows;

and elos-uig tbc present fkvliglit, cost £lsß.—lt was agreed to leave tbe matier to the next Council, -with a recommendation that the latter plan be adopted. FINANCLAL. The Council resolved that tbe general rate for th» year be 2d in the £ on tbe unimproved value and the harbour rale .■j-14d. the general rat* to hi sued for if not paid by'Noveniber Ist, without second notice. Accounts amounting 1 to £2187 9* 4d (including Harbour Board's levy of £931 17a 9d) vrerc passed for payment.