TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1109, 10 January 1885, Page 3

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

« The ordinary monthly meeting of the above-named body was held yesterday in the County buildings, Lawrence. There were" present— Jas. Bennet, Esq. (Chairman), - and Messrs Cameron, Clayton, Cotton, r Fraser,- Michael, M'Farlane, Oudaille and Smith. : The minutes r of the previous meeting wereread and confirmed. „ ' \' ' : -[' ' CORRESPONDENCE. The iijward correspondence included letters as. follow :—: —

1 From the Mines Department (Wellington), stating that the Government could not see its way to grant an additional Bubsidy towards the. completion of the roadfrom Beaumont to Remarkable Bush. — Received.

From Mr R. Ledlie, on behalf of four other ratepayers, referring to the necessity of erecting a small footbridge over the creek in Munros Gully for the convenience of children attending school.— Mr Michael said the work was a very necessary one, and the cost would be trifling. He rawed • " That a footbridge be erected, as requested by Mr Ledlie and others, at a cost not exceeding £3."— Carried.

Mr H. P. Thompson, by direction of tbe-Tuapeka Milling Co., asked the Council's permission to allow Mr Smaill to survey a race to procure a water supply for the Company's mill. —Mr Fraser reinarjted that it would only take about

half-a-day to do all that was required, and as the matter interested nearly all the settlers in the district, he moved : " That the request be granted."— Mr Michael seconded the motion, which was declared carried.

From Mr R. Bruce (Waitahuna road), asking that a culvert be erected across the creek below Mr Kerr's property on the road to his farm. — On the motion of Mr Fraser, the letter was referred to the Engineer for report at next meeting. From Mr Thos. M'Mullin, making application to have the road-line leading to sections 54, 55, and 56, block n., Tuapeka East, opened, so as to give him access to his property. —Mr Michael moved : " That the Council concede twothirds of the cost of opening the road, provided it does not exceed £15." — Carried.

From Mr R. Ridd and three others, drawing attention to the state of the Menzion Creek bridge near Millers Flat. The timber of the bridge was so rotten that an accident was likely to occur at any time. — Mr Smith mentioned that the girders of the bridge were rotten. He moved : " That the Engineer be instructed to report on the state of the Menzion Creek bridge." — Carried.

From Mr John M'Kellar (per Mr D. M'Kellar) as follows :—": — " I notice that at your last meeting permission was given to Messrs W. and N. M'Cormack (subject to the Engineer's approval) to enter upon and remove stone from Brooksdale estate for the Heriotburn bridge. I have to ask the Counzil, before entering upon the said property, for a guarantee that all loss and damage will be paid, otherwise I object to removal of material from the estate."- Mr M'Farlane moved : " That Mr M'Kellar be informed that the contractor is responsible for the cost of material required for the bridge and for any damage that may be done to the estate on procuring same." — Carried.

From the Surveyor-General as under : — " I have been directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 17th December, asking, on behalf of the Council, that the survey of all works be constructed by special or Government votes, and the completion of the road, Beaumont to Millers Flat, be undertaken by the Government. In reply, I have to inform you, in reference to the first inqviiry, that ihe Government cannot. make the surveys required, which must be undertaken by the local body. As regards your second inquiry, the Council has, subsequent to the date of your letter, undertaken an expenditure of £2000 on the Beaumont to Millers Flat road.".— Received.

From Mr John Crawford, stating that in his tender for contract 208, Heriofc, he had omitted two items — viz., 747 cubic yards of embankment at 10£ d (£32 133 7|d) and 10 chains of surface formation at 20a (£lo)— total, £42 13a 7_d. This, added to the amount of his tender (£405 13s 6d), brought it up to £448 7s lid. He asked the Council to allow him to' make the addition to his tender, as even with this amount added it would be some pounds lower than any of the others. — Mr Oudaille moved : " That the letter be received." The fact that there was an error in the tender was pointed out to Mr Crawford, but he (Mr Crawford) remarked that there was no mistake whatever. — Mr Cameron seconded the motion, which was carried.

From Messrs G. Bennet and Co. (of the Excelsior dredge), who requested the Council to send a surfaceman to clear some slips on the road on the east bank of the Molyneux, so as to enable them to remove their machinery for repair. — The Chairman moved : " That the Engineer instruct one of the surfacemen to remove the slips on the road referred to in Mr Bonnet's letter."— Carried, ' From Mr W. M'Kay (Secretary of the Heriot Progress Committee), requesting that the following necessary works be undertaken : — (1) Six chains (more or less) of road between sections 16 and 19, block viii., be gravelled. (2) Five chains (more or less) of road between sections 16 and 18, block viii., at the top of the hill, near the junction of Teviot to Lawrence road, be formed and gravelled. — Mr Cameron moved : " That the letter be allowed to lie on the table till next meeting, so that he could make himself acquainted with the works referred to therein. " — Carried.

From Mr P. G. Pryde (Secretary of the Education Board), intimating that at the last meeting of that body it was decided to ask the Council to remove the Millers Flat punt to a point continguoua to the Moa Flat school, so as to afford the children on the west side of the river a better means of access to the school. The Board was quite* willing to contribute the sum of £15 towards the outlay. — A petition, bearing twenty-five signatures, was received, praying the Council either to remove the present punt to a point nearer the Moa Flat School or to cause a new one to be erected and placed on the river opposite the school site. — Mr Shiels appeared as a deputation in support of the petition. — After discussion, the Engineer was requested to report upon the request contained in the petition by next meeting.

From MrE. Tohill (Waipori), calling attention to the urgent necessity that existed for improving the sleigh-track from Shepherd's Creek to Waipori bush. Since Cotton's bridge on the new road had been washed away, there was no other means of obtaining timber unless at great expense. — Mr Cotton mentioned that the sleigh-track referred to in Mr Tohill's letter had been made use of sinc9 the bridge over the creek had been washed away. He moved : " That the letter be handed to the Engineer for report." — Carried. — The Engineer reported that there was no necessity for improving the sleigh-track if the bridge were re-erected. — Mr Cotton remarked that the cost of re-erecting the bridge would not exceed £30. — After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Cotton, to request the Engineer to authorise the surfacemen to cut the timber necessary for the erection of the bridge. — Mr Cotton undertook to haul the timber, free of charge.

From Mr Daniel Ferguson (Secretary of the Crookston Progress Committee), calling attention to the following necessary works ;— (1) The opening up of the road from the schoolhouse to Swan's, on boun dary of sections 10 and 11, block vn., so as to give an outlet to railway at Swift Creek ; (2) repair of worst parts of road from Matheson's corner towards Swift Creek railway station, and deviation through Mr Herbert's property on the' same road; (3) the formation of road' from schoolhouse to M'Donald's pinch on Gorge road, also formation of main road from schoolhouse to Heriotburn. — It was decided (1) to allow the road from Crook-, ston schoolhouse to Swan's to stand over until the Council is in funds ; (2) to proi ceed immediately with the repair of jthe road from Matheson's corner to Swift

Creek ; and (3) to refer the last clause of the letter to the Engineer for report. From Messrs Mark and Nichols (3), drawing attention to the state of the road leading to their properties and asking that it be rendered available for traffic in the winter months ; they were quite willing to assist with their toatns for a week. — The Engineer estimated the cost of improving the road at £50. — Mr Fraser moved : " That the request be granted to the extent of a two-horse team for a week, conditionally that Messrs Mark and Nichols give the use of a two-horse team for a like period." — Carried.

From Mr H. F. Dent, who applied for the sum of £5 as compensation for loss sustained by him owing to hia headrace having been cut |away in forming the road along the east bank of the river to Millers Flat. — The Engineer reported that he had arranged to make good Mr Dent's headrace whenever he required to use il ; probable cost, £I.— lt was decided to hand that amount to Mr Dent instead of repairing the race. From Mr Farquhar Gunn and six other ratepayers residing at Millers Flat, requesting the Council to proceed with the erection of footbridges over the Tuna and Kerr's Creeks, on the east side of the Clutha River; and also to gravel about eight chains at Kerr's ford, which is almost impassable in winter time. The petitioners pointed out that the above creeks in times of flood were very dangerous for footpassengers and ohildren attending school, who were often detained at home on account of being unable to cross the above creeks. — Referred (on the motion of Mr Smith) to the Engineer for report at next meeting.

From the Public Works Office (Wellington), stating that £2550 had been allocated to the Council under sections 12 to 15 of the "Roads and Bridges Construction Act," of which £1500 was devoted to the construction of a bridge over the Taapeka River below Labes'.— Resolved, on the motion of Mr Clayton, seconded by Mr Cotton : "That the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and specifications for the erection of the bridge, and that a poll of the ratepayers be taken immediately."— With regard to the allocation of the balance of the money, it wa3 resolved, on the motion of Mr Cotton, seconded by Mr Oudaille : " That the money be apportioned pro rota as applied for. 1 ' It was further decided that a poll of the ratepayers be taken in each Riding wherein it is proposed to expend the money granted.

WAIPOEI BUSH ROAD.

The Engineer reported that, in nccordance with instructions, he examined the extra work done by Mr M'Ledowney on contract No 192 (Waipori bush road), and found that extra material, in the shape of slips, amounting to 763 cubic yards, had been removed by him, and an extra length of 3£ chains of bush cleared. If the Council agreed to pay for the removal of the slips, 8d per cubic yard would be a fair price, the schedule rate being Is 3d per cubic yard, and for bush clearing 15a per chain. The value of the work done was estimated at £28 Is 2d.— lt rras decided, on the motion of Mr Cotton, fco adopt the Engineer's report. ROAD THROUGH SECTION 3, BLOCK XII. .CROOKSTON Mr Cameron asked that a deputation —Messrs' Kerse and M'Carthy — from Crookston be heard re opening road through section 3, block Xti. He apologised for Mr W. Mackay, who was absent through indisposition. — Mr Kerse disclaimed that there" was any ill-feeling on the part of any of the settlera in moving in this matter. The settlers wanted the gates left open, so that they could make use of the road. — After a conference with the Engineer, Mr Cameron moved, and Mr Fraser seconded : " That the road be opened."— Carried. — The deputation thanked the Council and retired.

WAIPORI POUND.

Mr John Sparling, who stated that he had suitable yards and other necessary accommodation at disposal, made application for the position of poundkeeper at Waipori.

Mr Cotton remarked that a requisition was being got up to have the pound established nearer the township. He moved : " That the matter stand over till next meetiug." — Carried.

engineer's reports.

The Engineer reported on the road deviation through Mr Poynter's property, being sections 44, 63, and 64, block xi., Glenkenich, that the land taken amounted to 3a 3r 20p, and that Mr Poynter was willing to give. this in exchange for the closed road, amounting to an area of 6a 5r 36p. — The Engineer recommended the Council to make the exchange.— On the motion of Mr M'Farlane, it was decided' to take the necessary steps to have the land exchanged. The Engineer reported that it was absolutely necessary to construct groins in connection with the protective works at Kelso. The probable cost would be £60, and unless the groins were proceeded with the protective works already constructed would be destroyed by floods. — Mr M'Farlane moved : "That, in accordance with the Engineer's report, steps be taken to protect the township of Kelso from further damage by floods." — Carried.

FINANCE REPORT.

The Finance Committee reported that the overdraft, after paying the month's liabilities, would amount to £4,724 6s 9d. As the interest on the overdraft at present amounted to £8 or £9 per week, including interest on Government expenditure, the Committee strongly recommended the Council to. curtail the expenditure until the overdraft was reduced to the authorised limit— viz., £2,500.

Mr Oudaille, in moving the adoption of the 'report,; hoped that the Committee's suggestion would not be accepted merely as a "suggestion, but that it would be, acted upon. He noticed.) that there were twenty-two surfacemen now employed. When he was Chairman, he gave the Engineer instructions to reduce the number to twelve.

The Chairman remarked that within the last month or two several urgent works had been attended to : hence a full complement of surfacemen was employed. The motion for the adoption of the report was carried.

THE STATE OF THE COUNTY BRIDGES.

In accordance with instructions, the County Engineer submitted the following:—

I have to report for your information that a number of the bridges, as set forth in statement attached, ar«j in their present state, absolutely unsafe for heavy traffic:— No. 1. — New beams required for the bridges between Lawrence and Beaumont, to re-place the rotten ones. I propose to put in ironibark -timber. Probable cost, £90. ' • No 2.— Bridge over Flodden Creek: A. new bridge must be built, or the present one removed and a ford constructed . Probable cost, £200. ■■ ■ > No. 3.— Bridge lover Crookitoa Crtok;

A new bridge is required or the present one strengthened, at a probable cost of £60, to last, say, three year*. No. 4. — Menzion Creek bridge : The superstructure will require to be renewed and the abutments raised fully six feet above the present level, in order to place the deck of the bridge above flood-line. Probable cost, £175. No. 5. — A new bridge required over Shepherd's Creek, Waipori Bush, and the road also repaired. At present the road is entirely blocked with debris. Probable cosl, £200.

No. 6.— The bridge over the Waitahuna River at Havelock is unsafe for heavy traffiV. I would suggest that no load exceeding two tons be allowed on the bridge, and that the building of a new bridge be proceeded with as soon as possible.

MAINTENANCE OF ROADS AND WORKS.

The Engineer, in terms of instruction, submitted the following report : — In accoi dance with jour instructions, I herewith forward a statement showing the amount required for maintenance of the various roads and works within the County, from January Ist to September 30th, 1885, including labor and materia'. As you are aware, the efficient maintenance of the gravelled and metalled portions of the County roads has not been attended to in the past. The system of employing a few surfacemen, without granting supplies for materials is very unsatis Factory to a 1 concerned. It is a mistake to suppose thai, by employing a few surfacemen iv moving abmt worn-out material?, the roads can be kept in fair order. Supplies of gravel and metal are required for the repair of the worn-out portions of the roads ; and, until the Council see their way to grant supplies for materials, the present unsatisfactory skate of things will continue to exist. Portions of the main road between Lawrence and Vincent County boundary were impassable for heavy traffic during last winter; the portion near the boundary of the town of Lawrence being the worst.

The statement referred to in the above report, setting forth the cost of maintenance (including labor and material) from Ist January to 30th September, 1885, of the various roads and works within the several Ridings of the County, was as follows : —

Lawrence to Vincent County boundary (6 surfacemen and 1 puntman) —Labor, £650 j materials, £5,340— t0ta1, £5,990. [Afr Smaill considered that this road Bhould not be regarded as part of any particular Riding.] Waitahuna Riding (1 surfaceman) — Labor, £90; materials, £100— total, £190.

Claries fticling (1 surfaceman) — I/jbor, £90 ; materials, £50— total, £140.

Waipori Riding (2 surfacemen) — Labor, £180 ; materials, £20— total, £200. INote. — If the surfacemen are to be employed to advantage, drays will be required for gravelling portions of the roads.] Browns Riding (2 surfacemen) — Labor, £180; miterialp, £200 -total, £380.

Gabriels Riding (L surfaceman) — Labor, £90 ; materials, £100 -total, £190.

Beaumont Riding (1 suifaceman)— Labor, £90 ; materials, £50 -total, £J4O.

James Riding (2 surfacemen) — Labor, £180 ; materials, £120— total, £300.

Tupanui Riding (1 surfaceman) — Labor, £90 ; material?, £100— total, £190.

Teviot Riding (1 surfaceman and 2 puntmen)—Labor, £324; materials, £50— total, £374.

The total value of labor and material in the several Ridings was estimated at £8,094.

PUNT RETURNS.

The following are the punt returns for the month of December : ~

The fees received for the month of December were as follow : — Beaumont, £1 93 Id ; Roxburgh, 4s 4d— total, £1 13s sd. EXPENDITURE -UPPER AND LOWER RIDINGS.

The Engineer submitted a return,showing the expenditure on County works for the month of December to be as follows : —Lower Ridings, £175 6s 8d ; upper Ridings, £201 6s 8d ; Government votes, £426 17s— total, £803 10 4d.

ACCOUNTS.

Accounts, amounting to £922 3s lid, were passed for payment.

GENERAL BUSINESS.

Mr Cameron moved, and Mr M'Farlane seconded : " That a culvert be erected on swamp at Findlay's roadline between sections 12 and 13, block viii., Crookston, and that about twenty chains of the road be formed."— The Engineer was instructed to report at next meeting. Mr Cameron moved, and Mr M'FarJane seconded : " That the Engineer be instructed to employ one surfaceman continually for the maintenance of roads on the Dunrobin range, but without increasing the number of surfacemen already employed. " — Carried.

Mr Cameron moved, and Mr M'Farlane seconded: "That the Engineer be instructed to repair stone culvert on Switzer's road near the Pomahaka." — The Engineer was instructed to get one of the surfacemen to attend to the matter.

Mr M'Farlane moved, and Mr Smith seconded : " That this Council take steps to have a right-of-way opened from Howick-street, Kelso, to the ford of the Pomahaka River." — Carried.

Mr Bennet moved : " That application be made to Government under ' The Roads and Bridges Construction Act' for £250 for repairs to the main road between Raes Junction and Evans' pinch." — Carried.

Mr M'Farlane moved : " That the Collector be authorised to sue for all outstanding rates." — Carried.

Mr Michael moved, and Mr Fraser seconded ; " That the Council expend £200 ou the road up Gabriels Gully when in funds."— Referred to the Engineer to report at next meeting. Mr Oudaille moved, and Mr Cotton seconded : " That the sum of £8 be expended in gravelling the worst parts of main road to Waitahuna Gully." — Carried.

Mr M'Farlane moved : " That Donald Gunn be appointed a Dog-tax Collector for Tapanui Riding."— Carried.

The Clerk was instructed to write to the Lawrence Borough Council for a refund of the conditional license fee granted for the Waitahuna show.

It was decided that tenders be called as early as practicable for all works to be constructed of Government votes only. Mr Clayton referred to the necessity of putting the road leading to Fraser's farm, Tuapeka West, in repair as early as possible. The Council then adjourned.

Passengers Vehicles BCorses Jattle Sheep and p pigs Beaumont ' 5759 569 2726 232 945 Xr^urgh. 3921 4581 291 312 1473 1067 12 7 105