Vincent County Council.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 361, 9 April 1903, Page 5

Vincent County Council.

I Following is the continuation of our report of the above Council's meeting : The Chairman's report went on to £ show that the several matters entrusted (to the chairman were attended to. The Department of Mines has written to the effect that votes were available for the entire year in which they were granted. No time was stated in which they might be expended, but it was desirable to have the votes devoted to the several works as early as possible. Several letters were written the Government authorities with reference to a proposed new site for a bridge at Ophir. The report was adopted. Ferry traffic returns for December and January were laid upon the table. The county-treasurer's statement of all transactions in the County Fund Account during the proceeding two months was read and adopted. Engineer's Report. Application has been made to the Mines Department for £996 14s on the Nevis, Kirtleburn,. Clyde, and Clyde-Lawrence roads. This represents the outstanding money now owing to the county, and spent on work already done. As the contracts have only lately been completed applications could not be made sooner as the Government will not pay the money till the work is certified to as finished. There is now a vote of £896 available for the Clyde-Lake County road, and I recommend that half this sum be spent between Clyde and Cromwell, the other half between Cromwell and Lake County boundary in gravelling the most necessary parts as may be agreed upon between the road inspector and myself. As it would be an advantage to have the work done in Kawarau Gorge before winter sets in. I would ask for authority to call tenders for the latter work before next meeting.

There is also a vote of £550 available between Clyde and the Tuapeka boundary, £l5O of this has also been allocated to the Dunstan riding and £35 is still unexpended in the Earnscleugh riding from the old vote. This leaves £4OO for distribution between the two ridings, I recommend that this be equally divided and spent in continuing the gravelling now being done beyond Alexandra and in forming and gravelling about 120 chains of the road on the south side of Muttontown gully, which, at present, is a series of water holes in wet weather.

Of the £2OO vote Ophir-Maniototo County boundary, £l4l 6s has been let in contracts as agreed at last meeting, leaving £SB 14s still available. Clyde Waterworks. Tenders for these works were called for 11th and dealt with by the chairman, Or Pitches and myself. As the total was well within the sum available, the works were let in three contracts, and good progress is being made with the work. By the annexed statement you will see that there is still a balance of £SOO available for expenditure after paying all expenses to date. As the fluming on the water race is badly in want of repairs, I would like authority to spent as much of this as is necessary to replace it with iron fluming, and generally put the race in a sound condition. Bendigo-Matakanui road Fresh tenders have been called for contractNo 474 (a mile of formation at Bendigo end) owing to 'advice from Minister of Lands with regard to this vote. Road grader.—The steamer with the grader on board left New York on the 18th December. lam daily expecting advice of her arrival in New Zealand.

Maslin's road, —I saw Spain about this road and he denies that he in any ; way interferes with Maslin. As instructed I sold the two girders lying at the Cromwell bridge to Messrs JD. A. Jolly and Co. Byelaw No. 13.—1 have caught two offenders unden this bye-law and have instructed the county solicitor to proceed in both cases. REPORT ON CONTRACTS. Contract No. 467. —Satisfactorily completed, making a good crossing oyer the Eraser River. Contract 469 (Collings). —This is a good bit of Work and will prove a vast improvement in winter. Contract No. 470 (Redhead)— This was finished within the extended time. Contract No 471 (Thomas).—Good progress is being made. Contract 472 (Vercoe) —This work is well forward. Contract 473b (M'Lean)—No start has yet been made. The contractor has been notified to start as soon as he finishes contract 476. Contract 475 (Redhead) —Completed up to time, but the contractor was sent back to effect some alterations. Contract 478 (Gye and M'Oonnochie) —Good progress is being made with this work. Contract 479 (Watkins)—Not yet started. Contract 480 (Wilkinson) —A good start has been made with the contract. Contract 481 (Pitches)— This work was let since last meeting out of Government vote. Contract 482 (Love)— This is a part of the Government vote expenditure authorised at last meeting. The reports were adopted. Inspector's Report. The Clyde - Cromwell road got damaged by rain, but this week should see repairs completed. Bannockburn-Nevis roads.—A good deal of work has been done upon these roads. The bridge at Thomas's hill needs gravelling. Clyde-Tuapeka boundary—This road is in fair order. The Alexandra-Earnscleugh iload requires gravelling near Dry Gully, and I would ask for a vote of £lO. i Clyde to Ophir.—ln good order. Ophir-Ida Valley road.—A short

distance of the hill road, on the Ophir side, requires gravelling, as it is dangerous in frosty weather. Part of the main road, near Allen's corner should be re-gravelled before winter sets in. Matakacui road.—The surfaceman has had assistance, to do some gravelling, and the main road is now in good order.

ORDERING ON THE REPORT. Resolved—That tenders be called for the work of gravelling in Kawarau Gorge. Resolved—That tenders be called for gravelling parts of Clyde-Cromwell road, tenders to be dealt with at the next council meeting. It was agreed that it was necessary to form and gravel some 100 chains of the road Clyde to Alexandra. Or Pitches asked that the work of cleaning and repairing the water race be gone on with immediately. —Resolution accordingly. Resolved—That a footbridge be erected over the Lindis River at a cost of ,£IOO.

Resolved—That £2 be epent in opening up Maslin's road, Earnscleugh Flat. Cr M'Whirter drew the attention of the engineer to the necessity of seeing that the foundations of the retaining walls on the Bendigo-Matakanui road were upon a foundation that would ensure their permanency,

The engineer stated that the plans set out conditions as to foundations.

Resolved—That the road inspector's suggestion to expend £lO in gravelling the road at Dry Gully. Earnscleugh, be agreed to. Or Pitches asked the inspector to attend to a small wash-out at the foot of Pound Hill, on the Clyde-Springvale road.

Resolved —That part of Blacks Hill road to Ida Valley, be gravelled at a cost of £lO.

Resolved. —That £5 be expended in opening up the road at Reilly's, at tjhe foot of Blacks' Hill, Ida Valley.

Resolved. —That 'He chairman and engineer deal whir renders for the work on the road Clyde and Tuapeka boundary. The question of how best to procure motive power for the road grader was discussed at some length, and it was finally decided that tenders should be called for the use of the eight-horse team to draw the grader. Resolved.—That the engineer and Or Laidlaw attend at the working of the grader on the roads at Matakanui, and report results to the next meeting of the council. Or Pitches drew attention to the state of a portion of the Clyde-Orom-well road, near Holden's. Resolved.—That the grade on this portion of the road be reduced, Or Pitches to visit that part of road in company with the engineer, and decide upon the extent of repairs The inspector of nuisances report was read and agreed to.

A memorandum from the Receiver of Gold Revenue was considered in committee. The report of the Receiver of Gold Revenue at Cromwell was approved. Moved by Or Rutherford.—That £SO be spent in gravelling at Ida Valley.—Seconded by Or Kane and carried. Moved by Or Laidlaw t --That the road grader perform the formation on the road at Matakanui.— Seconded by Or Butler and carried. Resolved—That when contracts are let between meetings, th a clerk iniorm the member for the riding in which contracts are let, of the names of-the successful tenderers. The council then rose.