TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1180, 16 September 1885, Page 3

TUAPEKA COUNTY COUNCIL.

EVENING SITTING. All the members were in attendance at the evening sitting of the above-named body, when the following business was transacted : — EVANS FLIT BRIDGE. Mr M'Farlane stated that the Works Committee had looked over the vouchers in connection with the bridge, and the voucher passed at the present meeting of the Council was marked by the exEngineer as the " final payment " in connection therewith. The Committee had no further evidence before them, and considered the voucher certified to by the exEngineer as conclusive. He moved the adoption of the Works Committee's report. Mr Cameron seconded the motion. The contractors, who were present, asked that the matter be postponed, as they claimed £68 for extras exclusive of the voucher just passed. Mr M'Nab said that the contractors objected to sign the voucher as a final settlement. It would be far better, seeing that the contractors had a claim for extras, to compromise the matter, and if possible come to a settlement instead of allowing the claim to remain in abeyance for an indefinite' period. Mr Fraser remarked that the contractors were agreeable to make a concession rather than go to law. He suggested that the < contractors be asked to name a sum they would accept as a final settlement. Mr Cameron approved of adjourning the matter and obtaining Mr Smaill's evidence re the claim. Mr M'Farlane' was of opinion that if the Council acknowledged any sum other than that certified to by the Engineer it would be unauthorised expenditure. Mr Clayton moved as an amendment to Mr M'Nab's motion that the contractors be paid £40, this being the amount they agreed to take in full settlement of their claim. Mr Fraser seconded the amendment, which was lost. Mr Fraaer moved a further amendment to the effect that the contractors receive £25 in full satisfaction of their claim, which was carried. The contractors agreed to accept this amount. ROAD ON EAST BANK OF MOLYNEUX. The Engineer reported that to complete Smythe and Oo.'s contract it would cost £410 11s, and that to carry out the proposed deviation at Menzion Burn it would cost £447 Us, which, when completed, would make a better road, and a good foundation would be secured for a culvert. Mr Smith moved— "That the Engineer's recommendation be adopted, providing the contractors would accede to it." Mr Smythe, who was present, assented, and the motion was carried. BRIDGE IN" WAIPOJtf BUSH. Mr Oafcron moveA &oA Mr Clayton seconded : " That the bridge on the Waipori bush road be put in repair by the surfaceman under the supervision of the County Engineer." He (Mr Cotton) explained that one of the abutments had slipped away, and the bridge had to be decked. He would undertake to haul the timber free of charge. The work would cost about £30. The motion was carried. OtTtVEET .A.T \7EIHERSTONES. Mr M'Nab brought before the notice of the Council the state of the culvert on the Wetherstones road near Mr T. Pope's property. Part of the culvert had fallen in on several occasions. To avoid accidents it would be necessary for the Engineer to inspect the culvert and get it put in a passable state at once. He moved to that effect. — Motion agreed to. EXTRA SURFACEMAN FOR JAMES RIDING. Mr Cameron moved and Mr M'Farlane seconded : " That an extra surfaceman be employed on the roads in James Riding." The mover said it was utterly impossible for two men to keep the roads in anything like passable order.— Motion carried. RE M'MULLIN'S ROAD. The Engineer stated that he had seen Mr Arthur, who said that he would not allow M'Mullin to use the road through his property. He further stated that there was a verbal agreement with Mr Smaill, but that was of no avail now, as he had not received the money for the road. Mr M'Nab remarked that M'Mullin had paid £5 to the Council to have the road opened to his property, and the Council agreed to give him an outlet. He moved: "That, unless Mr Arthur agree to an arrangement within seven days, the road be taken under the provisions of the Public Works Act."—Carried. REGULATION OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. Mr Fraser moved : " That the Engineer report at neifc meeting as to the best means to be adopted by this Council to regulate the heavy traffic on the County roads." He stated that the main road swallowed up nearly the whole of the County revenue, and still it was in a most deplorable state. Information could be obtained by the Engineer from other Counties as to how their main roads over which heavy traffic passes are kept in repair. Mr Cameron seconded the motion. He said that it was impossible to see what good had been derived from the £1,200 expended on the main road last summer. The waggoners seemed to get the only benefit, and the road was now a veritable " Slough of Despond." The motion was put and carried. contractors' extras. Mr Fraser moved and Mr M'Farlane seconded : " That a clause be added to all specifications that no contractor execute any extra work in connection with any contract entered into with this Council without first getting the authority of the Chairman in writing, and whenever such authority is given the same be laid before the Council at the first meeting there- . after."— Carried. BEAUMONT RIDING. Mr Bennefc moved: "That an extra surfaceman be engaged for two months to assist in repairing the roads in Beaumont Riding." Mr Cameron seconded the motion, which was carried. BRIDGE AT TAILA BURN. Mr Smith moved, and Mr Oudaille seconded: "That the Engineer be instructed to prepare plans and estimates for a bridge over the Talla Burn."— Carried. ROAD TO REMARKABLE BUSH. Mr Bennet moved and Mr Cameron seconded : " That a portion of the deferred-payment money for the Beaumont Riding be expended in repairing the road to Remarkable Bush." — Carried. ROAD AT ISLAND BLOCK. Mr Smith moved and Mr Cameron seconded : " That the Engineer report at next meeting re the state of the road at Island Block,below Roxburgh."— Carried. The Council then adjourned.

The Darwin statue has been unveiled, and it is revealed that it has no tail.