Trip of the Vincent County Councillors

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 364, 30 April 1903, Page 5

Trip of the Vincent County Councillors

TO THE SOUTHERN RIDINGS.

(OWN REPORTER)

With a commendable desire to give the members of the Vincent County Council an opportunity of familiarising themselves with the topography of the County, and of acquainting themselves, by personal observation, with the requirements of the remote portions of the various ridings, the Chairman of th« Council (Mr James Horn) conc-te ___ the idea of arranging for the councillors to be driven throughout the county, on a visit of inspection. The trip through the northern ridings was undertaken some months ago, and this proved of much advantage to the members, especially to the representatives of the southern ridings, who were less familiar with the requirements of those portions of the district so far distant from their own homes—for Vincent County is. not by any means a compact one. The trip through the southern ridings (which had been postponed for some weeks owing to the death of Cr Partridge) eventuated last week, and as beautiful weather prevailed, the councillors were enabled to exercise their faculties of observation to the fullest extent. The rendezvous was the Commercial Hotel, Clyde, and here the southern members met their colleagues from the north at midday on Wednesday of last week. Cr Butler (who had been on a business trip to Arrowtown), at some inconvenience to himself, joined the northern members at Cromwell and accompanied them to the county town. After partaking of lunch at Clyde, the party—which comprised the Chairman (Cr Horn), Crs Laidlaw, Rutherford, Pitches, Butler, M'Whirter, Kane, and Heaney (Cr Partridge's successor) —left for Bald Hill Flat, via Earnscleugh, in a four-in-hand waggonette, Cr Pitches acting capably as whip. The roads on the Flat, and the bye-roads leading to the farms and orchards, were inspected, and a halt was called at Mr Dawson's orchard at Conroy's Gully, an inspection of which proved an eye-opener to some of the councillors from the north. The party were quite delighted with the exuberant crops of luscious fruits shown to them by Mrs Dawson, and when the trap left it was noticed that one or two small cases of fruit were safely ensconsed under the seats. Later on the journey "these cases were exp ored, and the delicious grapes and pears found therein were much enjoyed by the travellers. After a short stoppage at Butchers Gully, where a grievance between the hotel proprietor and the county valuator had to be discussed, the horses were again set in motion and in due course Cr Butler's homestead was reached, where the Misses Butler kindly provided afternoon tea. .Cr Butler had one or two important matters, further along in his riding, to bring under the notice of councillors, and a start was made for the county boundary, in the direction of Gorge Creek. After a thorough inspection of various objects of interest, the> order " right-about turn " was given, and the drag once more pulled up at Cr Butler's farm, where the Misses Butler's hospitality was again in evidence A royally-spread supper here awaited the councillors, and, whether due to the bracing effects of the air of Bald Hill j Flat or to the toothsome qualities of the viands, it is safe to say that full justice was done to the many good things provided. Supper over, a fresh start was made for Alexandra, which was safely reached about 9 p.m., albeit the night was an unusually dark one. Here the members of the party were put up at the Criterion Hotel, where they were hospitably received by Mr and MrsGeddes. AT ALEXANDRA. During the evening, the Councillors were waited on by a deputation of local residents,, when several matters affecting the district were discussed. Mr E. Appleton referred to the great convenience that would be afforded the residents if a chair were placed over the Manuherikia River at the lower crossing (known as Robertson's). This was urgently required, as a great many people—dredge hands and others—had occasion to cross the river daily,' There were at present two private chairs lower down the river, but these could only be used with the owners' consent, and in any case were inconveniently situated for many of those who had to cross the river, Mr Jas Rivers also spoke in similar terms. There was now a good deal of traffic across the river, and a chair was a necessity. The cost would not be large, and he thought it was not unreasonable to ask the Council to carry out the work.

Mr Spencer thought it might be sufficient if the Council provided a subsidy, as soma of the parties interested were prepared to assist. The Chairman said he would get reports from the engineer and road inspector, and that the matter would be considered at the next meeting of the Council. Mr .Rivers then directed attention to the state of the Manuherikia bridge. Some repairs were recently effected to this bridge, and as it would be required for taking coal across the river,, it was necessary that something should be done.

The Chairman said the bridge was never intended for a heavy traffic if heavy loads were to be taken over, it would be necessary to erect a new bridge altogether. Mr Rivers said what he asked was that the repairs should be completed. This had not been done. The Chairman said the erection of a new traffic bridge was beyond the power of the Council's finances, but, if such a bridge were required by the dredges, the Minister of Mines might

be induced to vote a sum sufficient to erect one. However, the Oouncil would inspect the bridge on the following morning, and see what could be done.

Mr L. Ryan referred to the difficulty and expense of coaling the dredges below Alexandra. A great deal of capital was involved, and if the Council would assist by giving a subsidy for the coal road via Butchers Hill, it would be of material assistance. Mr L. Anderson said the Manuherikia Company had made a road to their claim at their own expense, and a request for a subsidy from the Council had not met with a favorable reply. To continue this road as far as would be required by other dredges, would mean an expenditure of £SOO or £6OO.

Messrs Keen and Woodhouse also spoke regarding the necessity for a road.

The Chairman said the Council were anxious to assist dredging companies as much as possible, They had spent a good deal of money in subsidising dredging claims, and many of these had gone into liquidation. The Council had made an order limiting the subsidy payable to dredging companies to £2O per claim, and as this meant the Council's share of three or four years' rent, he thought they were fairly liberal. If a feasible scheme foi making a suitable road were brought down, the Mines Department would no doubt assist with a subsidy, and he was sure the Council would do what they could in the matter, He thought the Mines Department should provide for this work when allocating the vote for roads on gollfields. In reply to Mr Rivers, the Chairman said that when the road-line was definitely decided on, the Oouncil would no doubt favorably consider an application for a subsidy. Referring to the Alexandra-Spring-vale road, Mr Rivers said this was now a main coach road, and was altogether too narrow, and had bad grades. The Chairman said contracts were already in hand for widening portion of this road, and this should materially remedy the evils complained of. Cr Kane remarked that in view of the Minister of Public Works' statement, made some time ago, as to the time when the railway would be completed to Alexandra, he thought the Council had done fairly well by this road. When* the railway came the road would be very little used. Mr L. Ryan, on behalf of the deputationists thanked the chairman and councillors for the courteous reception given them, and the latter assured the deputation that the various matters brought forward would receive the Council's careful consideration. By 6.30

NEXT MORNING the councillors had vacated their respective couches, and proceeded to inspect the Alexandra bridge, one of the approaches of which is threatened owing to the current having been diverted to the east side by the tailings from the Alexandra Lead dredge higher up the river. The chairman explained to councillors the arrangement that had been entered into between the county engineer and the Clyde Dredging Company with regard to the bridge, and it was generally agreed that the matter was one that required immediate attention, and that the bridge should be at onoe safeguarded against possible damage. The party then returned to the hotel, where ham-and-eggs and other delicacies were discussed, prior to resuming the journey to Ida Valley. Before finally proceeding on their way the Council inspected the Manuherikia bridge, and a note was made of the requirements mentioned by the previous evening's deputation. Such a trip as this would hardly be complete without some unrehearsed incidents. The first ot any note occurred before the departure from Alexandra, when for a time it appeared as if the party would have to proceed without the company of Cr Butler, owing to the effects of an unpleasant cold contracted by the genial member for Bald Hill Flat during the previous day's journey from Arrowtown, The remainder of the party were not to be denied, however, and the hon. member for Hawea came to the rescue as medical adviser. A dose of " Tussicura " was prescribed, and a bottle of the remedy was promptly procured from the medicine chest. In response to a query as to what was the proper dose, the patient was advised " to take the whole lot," and with a sublime faith in the medical skill of the impromptu doctor, the advise was acted upon; but after about three parts of the contents of the bottle had been negotiated well, the effect was electrical and not quite that intended by the manufacturer. However (perhaps dreading lest the medicine chest still contained a further supply of cough remedies) the worthy councillor was finally persuaded to continue the journey, and the full Council proceeded on the road to Ida Valley at 8.30, a representative of the Alexandra Herald accompanying the party.

[Want of space compels us to hold over the remaining portion of our report till next issue.]