Vincent County Council.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 352, 5 February 1903, Page 5

Vincent County Council.

The above-named council held the usual bi-monthly sitting in the Council Chambers, Clyde, on Wednesday, 28th January, when there were present:—CrsHorn (chairman), Kane, Butler, Pitehes, Rutherford, Partridge, and Laidlaw. The minutes of the previous special and ordinaxy meetings were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. j —From the Lands' Department, re grouping of counties under the Small Birds Nuisance Act, the counties of Vincent, Maniototo, Tuapeka, Bruce, and Taieri forming one group. The Chairman thought the southern counties of Otago should be grouped as a matter of convenience, the northern counties could be similarly grouped. It would cost a good deal sending a delegate to any centre that might be chosen in the group including Vincent. Cr Butler thought the county could have its own poisoning eartJß out, without having other counties. It would be an* expensive method of administering the Act, if delegates were to be sent hither and thither to consult about ways, means, and methods of poisoning the birds. The chairman read the provisions of the Act.

Cr Butler said all past attempts to poison the birds were failures. Cr Partridge desired the adoption of some means of killing the pest. Or Laidlaw thought the grouping of the counties would be found unwieldy, as at present constituted. Resolved —That the council agree to the grouping of tbe counties as suggested by the Government. —From J Steele, Auckland, stating that he had patented a method of burning clay into the density of rock. When burnt with his method the material was admirably suited for road metal.—Received. —From the Life Insurance Department, re wage sheet.—Received. —From Mr Hazlett, Dunedin, acknowledging his appointment by the council as its representative on the Charitable Aid Board.—Received. —From Cr M'Whirter, with reference to expenditure on BendigoMatakanui road. He thought there was something in connection with the Government votes to this work which the council was not fully conversant with. The clerk read the Departmental communications with reference to the votes, all of which showed that monies were expended as they came to hand. Cr Laidlaw asked that the money now available be expended in' pushing on the formation of the road. Mr Herdman, M.H.R., wrote, enclosing statement of votes available for expenditure within the county.— Received.

With reference to tbe above, the chairman stated that the Department were asked to authorise the vote some time ago. He was pleased to see that Mr Herdman hurried the matter to a finality. —From the ffromwell Borough Council, complaining of the unjust tax on the borough with regard to cost of maintaining the Cromwell bridge. The clerk stated that the borough was owing this council £l5O.

Resolved—That the chairman take steps to communicate with Mr Bonnet, M.H.R., asking him to assist Mr Fraser, M.H.R., in connection with the Cromwell Borough loan. The chairman said that he sympathised with the borough council in the present state of its finance. This council should render what assistance it could to tbe borough council. General departmental communications were read and received. These consisted principally of notices of votes aa follows:—Bendigo-Matakanui road £IOOO, Hawea Lake tracks £IOO, Hawea-Lindis Pass £IOO, OphirManiototo County boundary £7OO, Clyde-Gentle Annie road £225, Nevis Vallev road £2OO, Ophir bridge £IOOO, Cromwell-Nevis £250. Resolved—That a subsidy of £ for £ be given settlers on Hawea Flat, to aidj in the erection of a pound and yards at Upper Clutha, the subsidy not to exceed £lO. Cr Pitches moved—That W Holloway be voted £3 Is as bonus for services as Dog Registrar.—Seconded by CrHorn and carried. Lindsay Davidson's letter asking to be granted to fence in a portion of the bridge reserve, was read.

Kesolved—That the inward correspondence as read be received, and the outward approved. A petition was received from the settlers at Lindis, calling attention to the need for a bridge over the lindis river, main road Cromwell to Hawea. The petitioners explained that at flood time the ford was impassable. Cr Kane took up the petition in Cr M'Whirter's absence, and went on to state that he was always against a traffic bridge over the Lindis. What the settlers required was a bridge some 4ft wide. Kesolved that the engineer visit the Lindis crossing, and report on the probable cost of a footbridge. The dinner adjournment was taken at 6 p.m. On resuming it was resolved—That the standing orders be suspended and that the motions on the order paper be taken. Cr Laidlaw moved—That JBIOO be expended in forming a road across the tailings at Matakanui. Cr Laidlaw explained the uses to which the road would be put. It was very necessary indeed, and would bejaauch used. Cr Pitches asked ifthe deposition of tailings would interfere with the traffic. Cr Laidlaw said the flow of tailings would be confined. Cr Kane seconded the motiuii.

Cr Kane suggested that the matter stand over until the district is visited by the councillors. He (Cr Kane) would not oppose the motion, however. The Chairman thought the road was necessary. He had a knowledge of the locality. , Cr Pitches said he knew the site of the proposed road. A good road was necessary in the place as there was considerable traffic there. Or Partridge would support the motion. If the work was necessary it should be gone on with. Cr Laidlaw in reply to a councillor said the grader would do the work readily. After some further discussion it was agreed to allow the question to stand in abeyance until the council visit the locality shortly. Cr Horn moved—That the engineer be authorised to report on a suitable site for a traffic bridge over the Nevis River.

In speaking to his motion Cr Horn said that there was .£250 available for expenditure on the roads at Nevis. The residents would be only too pleased to see it developed towards the cost of erecting a bridge. The crossing was in a bad state, and only lately several serious accidents were narrowly averted there. He would like if the engineer would be authorised to report upon a site and probable cost. Seconded by Cr Partridge and carried. Cr Pitches moved—That £75 be expended in widening that part of the Springvale-Alexandra road known as Bruce's Hill. Cr Pitches went on to state how necessary the work was. Cr Butler seconded the motion. In reply to a question the engineer stated that the work was entirely necessary. The Chairman said that a portion of the Government vote might be devoted to this work. Cr Laidlaw said that the road was really too narrow. It was very much in need of widening.

Cr Butler.—l think a sum of .£IOO should be devoted to this work. Cr Pitches altered his motion to read £IOO and this was carried. Cr Kane moved—That this council consider the question of replacing the punts upon the Clutha River by bridges. Cr Kane in speaking to his motion said "I put my motion on the order paper with the intention of introducing tbe question. This resolved itself into one of ways and means and it was now for the council to consider it." Cr Partridge seconded the motion. Cr Laidlaw speaking in support of the motion, referred to the good bridges would do, and the convenience they would be to those settlers in such out-of-the-way places. - Crs Butler, Pitches and Rutheford expressed opinions to the effect that the Government should be approached respecting a vote for the construction of bridges over the Clutha. The Chairman suggested a course to adopt in approaching the Government. Petitions from settlers contingent to the river might be sent the council, and upon such representation the council would be enabled to approach the Government.

Resolved—That the clerk prepare petitions and a copy of these be sent to the members of the ridings in the Clutha Valley, such forms to be signed by ratepayers desirous of having bridges erected over the Clutha River. Resolved—That the council go into committee to deal with tenders. On resuming in open council the report of committee was read as follows: —Contract 471—P Thomas, £72 accepted. No 472- H Vercoe, £1 10s per ton accepted. No 473a—Elliott Bros, accepted. No 473b—R M'lean, £295 accepted. No 474—N0 tender accepted. No 475—R Redhead, £4O accepted. No 476—Left with engineer to accept tender. No 477 Fresh tenders to be called for. The report was adopted. Resolved—That the council adjourn till 8.30 o'clock next morning. Thursday's Sitting The council resumed the adjourned sitting at 8.30 a.m. Resolved—That £4O be voted for repairs at Hawea jetty provided interested parties guarantee to have the work dene for this amount.

Engineers' Eepokt. contracts. Nos. 461 and 462 (R. Redhead)— Formation at Hawea flat. The contracts were finished satisfactorily and well up to time. Nos 464 and 465—These two contracts were also done in good time. The gravel has set well, and should greatly improve the road for winter traffic. No 467—This work has been finished satisfactorily. No 467—The road has been finished and a ford opened. The bridge will be gone on with when the river falls. No 468—This work has been completed, and should make the road right for the winter. No 469—With the exception of the culvert, most of this work has been done. There is still some time to run. No 470—The greater part of this work has been done, while the time expired on the 9th inst. GENERAL REPORT. Hawea jetty—l inspected this jetty and found it in a very bad state, nothing evidently having been done to it for years. The piles and a few of the beams are good, but all the rest of the wood work wants renewing. I consider it would take about £75 to put it in thorough repair. Proposed chair over the Hawea at the Pork—l inspected the proposed site of this, chair at Calßp Hilh , I

consider a light footbridge as out of the question, chiefly owing to the length of span and the exposed state of the country. In my opinion a chair is also a very dangerous method of crossing children over a river at such a place. The river at this place is about 200 ft wide, and the cost of erecting a chair and making the necessary tracks would be not less than £SO. Springvale-Alexandra road—l consider the hill known as Bruce's Hill to be too narrow for vehicles to pass with any degree of safety, especially on a coach road. The present width of the road is 18ft, and to add another 3ft would cost about £75. Bye-law No 6—l have had notices posted on all the bridges, but the practice of trotting over them is still pretty common, although so far no cases have come under my own personal notice.

Re-planking Cromwell Bridge—The timber for this work is all either on the ground or on its way up, so I have called for tenders for the work to be gone on with. Clyde Waterworks—The remainder of the pipes with the exception of three lots, which were broken and have to be replaced, have arrived at Port Chalmers. I have called for tenders for carting them up, and as soon as sufficient arrive the work of laying them and building the reservoir will be gone on with. BOAD INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Clyde to Cromwell—ln fair order, necessary gravelling has been done on the road. Cromwell to Hawea—Have regravelled parts of this road, and it is now in good order. Cromwell - Wanaka road—Most of this road is in good repair. \Tnless the council intends having the work done by the grader, I would recommend the forming and gravelling of 40 chains of the road near R. Olds' farm. The branch road to Mt. Pisa station requires to be formed. The cost would be about £3O. Oroniwell-Nevis-Nevis Valley roads —These roads are being put in a good state of repair. Complaints are made about the crossing on the Nevis River. I would suggest again that a hut be erected near the top of Nevis Hill for the use of roadmen.

Clyde-Ophir road—The surfaceman is doing good work on this road. Spring'vale-Alexandra road—l will put a man on for a fortnight to assist the surfaceman in putting a small side cutting in near Springvale. Clyde-Tuapeka boundary—With the exception of some of the Earnscleugh roads these are in good order. The Fraser River crossings have got washed out with the last rains. Spottis Hundred—The surfaceman is gravelling a few of the worst parts of these roads. Ida Valley—There has been a good deal of work done on the bye-roads in this riding. The main road seeds regravelling in places. I wouljtfsuggest that 40 chains be re-gravelled near Allan's corner, 20 chains at P. Flannery's, and 18 chains gravelling, and 12 chains forming be done near No 3. The Government vote will do this work and it should be taken in hand at once. * Makarora—There are two now doing the work on the half- chain road and the track to the neck.

Hawfia—Necessary work needs to be done to the tracks. A. Government vote is available for this work. Gorse—The ownerof section 5, block 5, Lower Hawea, should be notified to clear the gorse off the roads adjoining his land. , «. The several recommendations in the reports were agreed to, and the reports adopted. FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE. From A M Brodrick re putting race across the road at Burnt Cottage. On the motion of Or Partridge, seconded by Or Kane, the request of A M Brodrick, on behalf of the Cromwell Hospital con tributaries, was acceded to. Cr M'Whirter. wrote with reference to reducing the pinch on the road leading to Tarras woolshed.

Resolved—That £25 of Government vote be expended upon the road near Watkins, and the balance as may be arranged between Cr M'Whirter and the road inspector. Resolved that £5 subsidy be expended upon the road referred to in a communication from Cr M'Whirter.

John Lynn applied for permission to construct a culvprt under the road at Leaning Rock Creek. Resolved —That the road inspector examine the site of proposed culvert and report to next meeting of the council with reference to Lynn's application. John Robertson, Deadman's Flat, wrote asking that a chair be put over the river at Deadman's Flat for the convenience of the gold miners there. Cr Partridge thought that the request should be granted. Cr Horn gave some particulars respecting the necessity of the chair as a convenience to miners working on the Kawarau River. He suggested that material be given the miners provided they agree erecting the chair free of cost to the council.

A motion embodying the Chairman's suggestion was declared carried. Dugald Bell, Hawea Station, wrote with reference to a track over Tiinaru Spur, some £BO was available for expenditure on tracks in the district. The Chairman stated that a new vote of £IOO was available. Cr Kane referred to a track mentioned to him recently by D M'Lennan. He (Cr Kane) asked that this track be repaired. Resolved—That „£25 be spent as suggested by Cr Kane ; also that .£SO be ©spended on the main ii&vk.

On the motion of Or Pitches it was resolved to have the side cutting on Scrubby Gully Hill put in a fit state of repair Or Butler said he had received a letter from John Maslin asking that a road be surveyed to his residence site. Or Butler explained that S Spain had quite fenced off Maslin, Resolved that the Engineer speak to Spain, and inform him that Maslin had a right of way through his (Spain's) paddock, failing an amicable arrangement with Spain, the Land Board be written to informing that body that Maslin must be provided with a road way to his residence side. Moved by Or Horn—That a subsidy of £ for £ up to £3O be voted towards the road leading to Mr J. Kane's land, Mr Kane to pay the other half of the cost—and carried. Or Pitches said that the gutters in the back streets of Clyde required a cleaning out. The road inspector was instructed to have the gutters cleaned out. APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES, An application by S Spain was recommended. The Council went into committee to deal with accounts. On resuming in open board, the Chairman read the schedule of business transacted in committee. Resolved that accounts amounting to £2057 10s 8d be passed for payment. The report was adopted and the meeting then closed