Wallace County Council

Western Star, 23 January 1906, Page 3

Wallace County Council

The monthly meeting of the .Council, held on Friday, was attended by the chairman, (Jno. Newton, Esq.) and Crs Cupples, Forde, Affleck, Hirst, Fraser, King Dyer, and Clark. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington, wrote in reference to tbs expenditure of the vote for the Cblac-Round Hill road As the Council had entered into a contract under the authority for the expenditure of £2OO on the Estimates for 1904-5, has been decided to withdraw the authority conveyed to the Roads Department for the expenditure of the sum of ‘£3oo and to authorise the expenditure of the vote to the county on the specification which was approved by the Chief Surveyor at InvergSfc,cargill in March last.—Received. A Gazette notice was received to ' the effect that the second schedule of “ The Noxious Weeds Act, 1900” had been extended to include Foxglove (digitalis purpurea). Received.

A return was received containing an extract from declarations lodged with the Collector of Customs, Dunedin, for gold purchased in the County of Wallace during the month of November, 1905, was 990 Z 0 dwts ogrs.—Received. Thomas Howard, Waihoaka, asked the Council to instruct their engineer to go and inspect a road which the writer had previously written about, and which# work the Council had scantioned. As the present would be a most suitable * time to do the work, it should be gone on with at once. He hoped the matter would not be long in being attended to.—Received. Authorities were received for expenditure of a number of Government votes, which duly appeared in our issue of last week. The chair man said it was satisfactory to note that the votes had come to , hand in good time. Cr Cupples said the Council should acknowledge the same, and thank the Department for forwarding the votes in such good time.'He moved accordingly. Seconded by Cr Fraser, who endorsed these remarks made by the previous speaker, In past years the Government votes had not been forwarded until March or April. It was indeed satisfactory to get the authorities so soon, as it enabled the work to be laid off in reasonable time. Unfortunately, however, the season had not been of the ■ best for contract work. The motion was carried accordingly. G. F. Butler and W. Donnan, Otautau, wrote asking the Council if .it were possible to get a little more gravel on their road this season. If the two contracts already done could be connected it would be a great help to them. —Letter received. A letter was read from John Dickson, Scotts Gap, requesting the Council to put two chains of metal near his gate on the Upper Scotts Gap road. His stable being near the road, and traffic being heavy, the road-line was knee deep with mud in winter, and the metalling already done had been lost in mud. If the Council would agree to do the work, he would find metal and deliver it at 4s per yard. Cr Kiiig said that part of the road was in a bad state. He would place a vote of £6 on (he order paper forthe work, and moved that the engineer instruct Mr Dickson to proceed with the work at once. .Carried. 1 Michael Burke, Nightcaps, drew the Council’s attention to an outfall drain leading from his section, 131 Wairio district, through the land of an adjourning settler, Mr 3Vm. Hogan. The drain is, so much choked ilp with earth, weeds, and other obstructions that it did not ■'■permit the free passage of water from his land into the main outfall drain. The drain alluded to was maclc about ten years ago. Latterly,. however, it has been allowed to get choked up, and therefore dams back the water. The writer asked the Council to request Mr Hogan to remove all weeds and other growth from the said drain. On the motion of Cr Dyer, it was resolved that the members for riding visit the locality and report at next meeting. " J. R. Nuttall, contractor for the Golac-Round Hill road, wrote requesting a short extension of time to complete . the contract! On the motion of Cr Hirst, seconded by Cr Cupples, it was resolved to grant six weeks extension of time. ENGINEERS REPORT.

Contracts .—Since last meet ing 20 more contracts, including 11 Government grants, have been let at satisfactory prices, in nearly every case below my estimate. Quarries.— The construction of new road through Scotts Gap has revealed a lot of stone of fair quality, 1 which I think will open up into a fair quarry. This will be used to advantage 011 Hundreds Line W. of Railway and Lower Scotts Gap roads. Before it can be got |febu.t-however, it will be 'necessary grade about one mile of road leading to it, which is at present almost impassable. In this connection I have alSo inspected a face of stone on the property of Sir Ritchi ic, Nightcaps. The outcrop is of very good quality and have no doubt that a good quarry could be opened up there at very moderate cost. Morley Gorge Road,— The contract for construction of new road through Morley Gorge has been let This will necessitate an exchange of roads for a distance of about 15 | chains. The lessee, Mr Clark is , agreeable to the exchange and I ,1 have written to the owners, the High School Board of Governors, who will, I have no doubt, also agrcc to it, as the new road will considerably enhance the value of their ' ’ Stone Crusher.—The crusher lent to the Railway Department some time ago, has been sent to the workshops for repair, and I expect it back within a few days, K' .when the work of crushing on the • Main Waiau and Lower Scotts Gap roads will be immediately commenfc” bed.

.Fairfax Culvert.— This has been *T/ very satisfactorily completed, the cqst of bridge, cutting new Channel and constructing temporary 1 crossing has been about £65. Owss: jug to the extremely wet weather, thesides now and then gave way, entailing much additional time, and y labor. New Road to tVaieola. Govcrumelit grant of £ 2OO. The total length of this road will be about 2 > (miles.. At present it is surveyed for ' la distance of only 99 chains, my es far the construction of this

distance being Beyond this point there will be no difficulty in getting a good road. It will be nec

essary to acquire about six acres of ground through Messrs Duncan and Coster’s sections. Mr Duncan will sell his portion for ,£4 per acre provided that the Council fence

the new road on both sides. I understand that Mr Coster will place no difficulty in the way as far as his part is concerned. A bridge will have to be built over the Otautau stream, at a cost of about £l2O. My estimate for the construction of this road, right through, including everything, is £330. This road, if constructed, will shorten the dis-

tance from where it Wves the Wairio road to the railway by some 2 miles. on the motion of Cr King, seconded by Cr Cupples the engineer’s report was adopted. Cr Hirst reported that the purchase of u% acres of land for a quarry at Long wood, had been completed at a cost of £23.

A return was laid on the table showing the recipients of charitable aid.

Messrs Conley, Aetoun, Marshall and Macdonald, Dipton, wrote asking that a gate erected on the Dipton Holmsdale road be removed as it had been a nuisance. Cr Dyer said before the council could give effect to the petition it would require to be signed by five ratepayers. As the petition contained only four signatures the request could not be compiled with. It was decided to notify accordingly. . Accounts amounting to £1259 12s 4d were passed for payment. The chairman reported that tenders had been accepted for dog registration. The price however had not yet been fixed. On the motionof Cr Clark, seconded by Cr Fraser, it was resolved that the charge be 2s 6d for sheep and cattle dogs, and 5s for other dogs.

It was resolved on the motion of Cr Fraser, seconded by Cr King, that a county tenant in the Apariraa rding be notified to, pay, overdue rent forthwith, otherwise legal proceedings will he taken. In reference to a county tenant at Wreys Bush, the matter was left in the hands of the chairman to deal with

If. was resolved that Crs. Affleck, Clark, King, Dyer, Cupples and the Chairman be appointed a committee to take steps to have the district represented by products, etc., at the forthcoming exhibition to be held at Christchurch.

At last meeting of the Council a deputation was formed to approach the hardware firms with a view of obtaining cement at a cheaper cost. Quotations were received from three firms the cost being the same with a discount of 2% per cent, for cash. After a somewhat desultory discussion it was resolved that the matter be left as before with the Engineer.

Cr Hirst moved that the District Engineer for Railways be requested as some time ago, to place a crossing opposite Mr J. Hunt’s at Oraki. Seconded by Cr Clark and carried.

Cr Hirst moved that the Engineer visit and report on application to close a road at Wakapatu, made by J. Elliot. Seconded by Cr Affleck and carried.

Cr. Cupples said at present the County were paying 5% per cent, for their overdraft at the bank. He thought that the interest should be reduced to 5 per cent, as private individuals could get money at that price. He moved that the chairman and Crs. Dyer (chairman of Finance) and mover be appointed a Committee to wait on the bank officials to get. the amount of interest reduced. Seconded by Cr. King and carried. On the motion of Cr Hirst, seconded by Cr Dyer, it was resolved to call applications to appoint a ranger for one day per week in the upper part of the Orepuki riding.

Cr Hirst said that as the Birchwood estate had changed hands, it was only fair that steps 1 should be taken to have a road opened up through same, and something should be decided on. In reply to a question the Engineer stated that he had laid off a road which had been inspected and approved of by the Chief Commissioner. It would, however, take some months to com plete the work. He had no doubt that the Road Engineer would also approve of the road. If the property owner objects to the road, it would have to be taken under the Public Works Act. The discussion then ended.

Stone crushing.—Cr King said he had received a tender from Wm. Baird, offering to crush and cart metal for the Waiau road at 6s 9d per yard. As this was the cheapest tender he moved that same be accepted. Seconded by Cr Cupples and capped. A PERMANENT BANK.

The clerk, Otautau Town Board, wrote by direction of . the Board, conveying a resolution passed at the meeting on the 9th inst., as follows :—This Board considering it highly desirable in the interests of the district and for promoting the commercial and agricultural interests of Otautau and surrounding country, resolves that the clerk write to the Wallace County Council respectively soliciting the co-op-eration of that body in an endeavour to. get a bank established in Otautau for the daily transaction of business, and to request the council to favorgbly consider the desirability of extending its support towards such bank by making it the county bank, this Board undertakes to give its hearty support to such movement and also to place the Board's banking account with such bank."

Cr Affleck said a deputation of

members of the Town Board would wait on the Council in regard to this matter.

Cr Fraser asked the Clerk if the present banking arrangements were satisfactory to the Council,

The Clerk : Yes : it suits me. I only pay into the bank once a week Cr Fraser : The Wallace County Council is the biggest institution in Otautau.

Cr Cupples : I am astonished at

the. view Cr Fraser takes in regard to this matter. If erected, the bank would be a boon to the town and district. The matter was held over until 2 o’clock, when Mes srs Matheson (chairman), Kelly and Ollicer waited on the Council. The first-named gentleman in a few remarks that the present banking arrangements were unsatisfactory. The bankers arrived at 11.30 a.m., and departed at 3 0’ clock, and with one hour of! for luncheon this left little time to transact business. In conclusion, in j asking the cooperation of the

Council’ lie felt " confident that if either of the two banks opened permanently it would benefit the town and district. Mr Kelly said he would like very much to see a bank started, as it would be a great convenience to the townspeople. The present officers of the. banks doing business were very obliging in giving change and he would rather sec one of these banks start, and if they could not then he would like an Invercargill bank to start. Mr Officer, in endorsing these remarks, said at present it was an inconvenience only having a bank

for a few hours twice a week. If opened at Otautau permanently it would be a great boon to the district, and would do extra business.

Cr Hirst: Can you give a guarantee that more business will bp done at the bank if opened permanently.

Mr Officer : No. Cr Fraser: Has the Town Board yet approached the bank officials with the object of getting them to start permanently. Mr Matheson : No ; we desire the co-operation of the County, before doing so.

Cr Fraser : The Clerk has stated that the bank opened once a week would suit the Council.

Cr King said he strongly supported a bank being opened at Otautau permanently. He understood, that when the County changed their banking account that the bank would open permanently. It would be a good thing for the district, and the County represented the district. Cr Clark endorsed these remarks. Personally speaking the movement would have his support. Cr Dyer said it was his duty as a councillor to assist in having a bank established. The district was in a healthy state and it would be a benefit to such. Cr Affleck said the Town Board wanted the influence of the County in having a bank established permanently at Otautau. So 1 far as the County business was concerned once a week would suffice. Personally speaking, he had nothing against the local bank, although the bank as a rule gave nothing for nothing. He did not think it would be asking too much to say that if any bank started permanently the county would change their account to that bank. He would be in favor of the Town Board’s request. They should, however, endeavour to get farmers and business people to support the movement by giving their accounts to the institution that started.

The chairman said no doubt if a permanent bank were established it would be a great benefit, especially i,o contractors where they could get their .cheques cashed. It was, however, a question lor the bank to decide, whether it would secure enough business for the outlay.

Cr Hirst said that .was the keynote to the whole position. It was not for the County Council to dictate to a bank, but they could request the co-operation of business people and farmers to place their accounts with a bank starting there, and he asked : How many gentlemen at this table if asked to place their accounts with a hank established permanently would do so ? Fie ventured to predict that there would be very few, They were going out of the mark to ask any bank to start, and were trespassing beyond their prerogative to do so. No resolution of the Council or Town Board would induce any bank to start business unless the Board got people to sign their

names to start Same. In conclusion he stated that the shareholders of the banks knew whether the business of opening a branch bank would pay or not, Cr King moved that a committee of the Council be formed to see what’ steps can be taken on the matter. Seconded by Cir Clark who stated that as the County represented the ratepayers this should be done.

Cr Affleck, in speaking to the mo tion said he would like to have the councillors mentioned. In reply to Cr Hirst’s remarks, he said the Council are not dictating in the matter, but they simply the County may give their account to the bank starting there. Cr Hirst said that could be characterised as dictation, and the whole question was the same. After some further remarks levelled at Cr King, Cr Hirst said the whole question should have been thrashed out in private. The following gentlemen were appointed from the Council to meet the Town Board with a view of

having a, bank established permanently—Crs. Affleck, Clark, Cupples, Dyer and Chairman. The discussion then ended. 1

ORDER PAPER. ■Aparina Riding.

The following votes were passed Forming and gravelling Watson’s road, Wild Bush, 4*40 ; gravelling Black water road, £9O ; gravelling, Groper’s BushThornbury, £6O; gravelling, Ermedale road, £2O ; maintenance gravel, Trig E roid (half, to Otautau riding), £4O ; funning and gravelling, McNeill’s road, £6O ; trimming.and gravelling, Instone’s road, £SO ; grading, Waimatuku district, £SO ; ditching and forming, Templeton’s road, £lO ; gravelling, at secs. 2 and 3, block 10, Jacob’s River Hundred (Mclntyre’s) £4O ; total. L 460. Otautau Biding. Maintenance, GladOeld road, west of Drummond Heddon Bush road, £56 ; gravelling, Gladfield-Winton road, east of Drummond-Heddon Bush road, £SO; grading (additional), £BO ; gravelling, lower Opio-Line of Hundreds, £SO ; Cabbage Tree embankment, £25 ; formation, Taylor-Beck’s road, £lO ; total, £271. Orepuki Riding. Footpaths in Orepuki township, £2O ; extension of road (Half-caste res-Printz’s) £4O ; road line from main road through sections 10, 11, 1316, block 11, Longwood, £2O ; road leading to section 34 in block IV, £3O j Rurikoko road, L2O; boundary road, leading to Meagre’s section, LlO ; total, LI4O.

A remarkable fact in connection with the tragic death of Miss Janet Robertson, of Temuka,’ who fell oil the midnight train from Oamaru after giving birth to a child is that the deceased woman’s mother met her death in an equally tragic manner. Mrs Robertson walked out of her house one summer morning, and was never seen again. Foul play was suspected, an arm and a portion of the woman’s dress being discovered in the Waitaki River, but the mystery was never cleared up. An elderly woman, named Brown wife of Mr Brown, a Fencourt road settler,, Cambridge, had both legs and her right arm broken through ttfqtU from a waggon.