CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 44, 2 December 1913, Page 7

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting, which had been adjourned daily by the clerk from Wednesday, was held at noon in the county office on Friday, the clerk (Mr A. McDonald) occupying the chair. Councillor Clarke, the retiring chairman, moved that Councillor Mitchell be chairman for the ensuing term. The mover said he had known Councillor Mitchell for a good many years; in fact, he knew him "before tlie flood." He had filled the chair before in a most capable way, and the speaker was sure he would till it as well again. The duties of the chairman were a mere bagatelle, as all the councillors were intent on their work, and they had a clerk who was second to none in New Zealand. Paring his (Councillor Clarke's) term of oilice as chairman he had never once discovered him in error. —(Hear, hear). Councillor Ts'icol, in seconding the, motion, said he had experience in the council before with Councillor Mitchell as chairman, and he had found him then a very good chairman. He was sure he would give as much satisfaction again, and had much pleasure in secondiug the motion. The motion was then carried unanimously. Councillor Mitchell, in thanking hi* fcliow-councillors for electing him chairman, said that with the harmonious lot of councillors and the good officials they had the chairman's duties were light, but at the same time he had his duty to the council to perform, but with the support, of the council he hoped to be able to cany out his duties satisfactorily. The council then adjourned for lunch. MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting was held, in the afternoon. .Present: Councillors .1. R. Mitchell (chairman), -I. C. Begg. .1. Kdwanls, .1. Clarke. .1. dimming, "\V. 11. Smith, W. and \V. Nicol. KNGINPRR'S RKPORT. The engineer (Mr .1. Ramsay) reported as follows for the period ending November 2ti:— South Molyneux Hiding.—Repairs are being carried out on the main and side roads; the grading on Swamp road will be completed as soon as weather permits. The bridge on Randall's road crossing Kororo creek has been completed. Catlins Riding.—The grading and repairing of the various roads throughout the riding is being carried out as quickly a* possible. Plans have been completed for road deviation through Mr Berney's property, Catlins Lake. The washout on the foreshore at i'ounawea has been repaired. Clutlia Riding.—The surfaceman has been engaged grading -lack's road and repairing holes on main south road, Wilson's and Te Houka roads, tabling and letting off water and repairing holes on Webb's road. Stone is being quarried for McKav's road.

I'omahaka Riding. —A new culvert has been put in ami road widened on Miller's road, near J'omaliaka river, and seven new 6in culverts put in on .limes' road. The metalling contracts on I'oma- ' haka roads are almost completed. Richardson Riding. —Work has been ilono on the following roads: —Bush and school roads have been tallied and metal raked in; repairs to Clinton-I'uerua; iyfe's completed and a start made to [rat in new culverts on ("nnton-Puerua load. Repairs to Manning's bridge are almost completed, and teams have been engaged to grade White Flat road. I'lintou Riding.—The metalling contract on main Waipahi to Clinton road has been completed, and the repairs to Kuriwao bridge are being carried out. Waipahi Riding.—The grading and forming of the Conical Hills Settlement roaiis are being carried out as quickly ss possible, and the grading of other roai|< in the riding will be completed as won as tiie weather is favourable. L'lydevale Riding.—The surfaceman las been engaged in repairing a number of washouts and filling ruts, etc., throughout the riding. Grading on the various roads will be gone on with as soon as teams are available. Bahdutha Traffic Bridge.—About one Wired planks (20ft long x is x 4> will l)e reijuired to repair the Bahdutha traffic bridge. a number of the decking planks are-almost worn through. A motion was passed that the counin conjunction with Bruce County Council and Baklutha Borough Council, I l»vc the repairs on the Baklutha traffic bridge carried out, Tiie report was adopted. MOTIONS. Mou-d by Councillor N'icol and socil'ler by Councillor Quin: "That the travelling expenses (£::<} 25 8.11 for the year be paid."—Carried. ; (-'ouncillor Quiii moved: "That the "est meeting be held on Friday, De<emjf Hi, and that the officers get the usual wistmas ami New Year holidays, and we surfacemen four days at Christmas M New Year."—Seconded bv CounClll w Nicol and carried. Movr-d |, v Councillor Clark: "That lll e clerk after each meeting of council enter into a book, to be called a 'work:; "Wk,' aJ| works and all motions referH' to works authorised by the coun"Mile book to be for'the guidance of "e■ eiigin,.,.,- and also for reference, and 'He laid on the table at each meeting; a 'i that a works committee be set up insisting of the chairman, Councillors * le ol, f'umming and the, mover."— *eon,le.i by Councillor (juin and carjloved by Councillor Clarke: "That ■jr" yards of Logan's Point metal be ™'< l to metal the uninetalled part lforkr' IVVaO Si '''" g TOa ''' au ' l ttlat thc ent,, " ani, "l out as soon as conveni- '• Seconded by Councillor Cuniai »BH>.d carried. : by Councillor Clarke: "That ■ dw be ,alie ' l for ' l( > chains of • S'" S c 0U Hae and 'm\*„' 7 Secon 'l« f l by Councillor CumffiJ«aad c trried , i „ °ved by Councilor Cummiug: "That pngueer call for tenders for grave}-

ling on Gore-Waikoikoi "White's Hill. "—Seconded by Councillor, Quin and carried. ''

Moved by Councillor Gumming': '.' That the engineer be authorised to expend 1 the Government grant (£ for £) on Wai-pahi-Pukerau , road."—Seconded by Councillor Quin and carried. Moved by Councillor Begg: "That the common seal of the Clutha County Council be ailixed to the debenture numbered 1 (£500), issued in respect of the loan of £SOO from the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Offices for the Clinton Gorge special ratjng dising district, and that'the treasurer (Mr A. McDonald) be appointed to countersign the said debentures."—See'ondcd by Councillor Edwards and carried.

Moved by Councillor Begg: "That application be made to the Government for grant for £SO to complete metalling at Wairuna.dairy factory, and also £SOO for the Clinton-Wyndham road." —■ Seconded by Councillor Edwards and carried.

CORRESPONDENCE. Hon. \Y. Fraser (Minister of Public Works) wrote that the following applications would receive careful consideration in connection with the Supplementary Estimates: —Application that a grant of £2OO be provided towards metalling certain' portions of Long Point road, Woodland; application that a grant of £SO be provided towards the metalling'of a portion of the Clin-ton-Tapauui road, near the- Wairuna dairy factory. —Received. A. S. Malcolm, M.l\, wrote that he would be pleaseiT to make representations re the application for a grant'of £SO for Clintou-Tapauuh main road; also that lie had submitted the matter of a grant of £2OO for Long Point road to the Minister. —Received.

A. K. dull, president of New Zealand Counties' Association, wrote that the Railway Amendment Bill threw upon local authorities the cost of bells, gates and other appliances required by the Department for alt future level crossings; also cost of converting level crossings into sub-way or overhead bridges. In view of possible enormous liabilities being placed on local authorities, would the council immediately consider the matter and make representations through its Parliamentary representative.'—A. 8. Malcolm, M.P., in reply to letter from the clerk re the above, wrote that the clause had been struck out, and 'explained that it was the Minister's intention to undertake only such crossings or overhead works as are asked for in the future on conditions that those asking for the work to be done for their convenience should pay for it, and such work would only be done at the request or at the concurrence of I lie local body concerned. —Received. R. A. Johnston, secretary Land Board, wrote enclosing statement of "thirds" and "fourths" and royalty, totalling £!I7 ISs ;;d, for period Juiy 2.S to October '2'). —Received. \V. P. .Marsh, for Commissioner of Crown Lands, wrote thanking council for information re cost of roads in Conical Hills Settlement, and stating that when the subdivision of this settlement had been made it was estimated, without going into minute particulars, that between tll'ldl and £i:!UU would be suflicient to provide roading. By the conned I 's memo, the expended sum was £i:i,'iS, and estimate for completion £l'7!) 10s. being a total of £1617 Ills, or £\&2 Ids more than there was authority to certify for, and under the circumstances lie must ask the council to reduce the works apportionately to agree with the sum voted —viz., £145.5. Considering the liberal manner in which the Crown had proceeded with the roading on this settlement, and the benefits that must accrue to the district by the increase in the number of holdings, it surely was a fair thing for the council to assume some liability and undertake the completion of any works the cost of which were beyond the amount voted bv Parliament.—Councillor dimming: I move that the letter be received,"—Councillor Quia in seconding the motion asked the chairman to instruct the clerk to explain that, owing to the very wet weather experienced anil the consequent difficulty in making the roads extra expense was incurred.—Carried. District Engineer Public Works Department wrote asking that in future, when expending Government grants upon metalling of roads, would the council see that in no case was metal blinded until it. had been passed by an officer of the Public Works Department. Unless tbis instruction was complied with payment of claim may be disallowed,—Received. Dis.rkt Engineer Public Works ])e« pavtnieut wrote with reference to the council's claim for £95 15s Id for first and final payments for contract Table Hill railway station to Kahuika that he had disallowed two items—day's labour January 27, 11)11, Bs, and "unloading pipes, December 20, mi], lis fid—as the grant for this work had not been issued till September, DPS.—The clerk said that prior to the contractor getting the job a culvert was required, and the pipes were sent down.—Received. District Land Registrar wrote asking information re formation of streets in Quakcrfield (Owakaj.— Councillor .Smith said the council had not formally taken over any of the streets, ami the question was, Who had control? The council was getting the rates from the land. —The chairman said it would b e as well to leave matters as they are.—Councillor Clarke considered that the council should take over the streets. Thev had been there for the last 20 years.—Counicillor Smith said the question was who could compel the council to take over the streets. The question could only be settled by going to law.—The chairman asked if there would be a big expend), lure incurred on the council if it, took over the streets and formed thorn.— Councillor Smith said it would not cost much to form them.—Councillor Clarke moved that the matter of taking over streets iu Quakerfield township be held over for a month.—Carried. C. Capamagian applied for permission to erect three gates across the new road hading to Lochiadoiib.—Councillor Bogg j »oved that this m§ttw be Wet over for

another month, as the new settlers at Lochimlorb objected to the gates.— Agreed to. Morris Bros., Pukerau, wrote that since the Southland County Council refused to do anything regarding tho erection of a bridge at'Purves',they would suggest building a stock bridge, say 10ft wide and capable of. holding six tons, estimated to cost £l5O, of which they would pay £SO, as there was no, reasonable outlet, from their property. —Tn reply to Councillor Begg the engineer said the site where the bridge was wanted was an'awkward place to get into, and it would cost a good deal over £l5O to build it.—Councillor Begg said he would like to do something for the applicants, as they were making a good offer, and they had very bad access at present. —The Chairman said that as it was a bridge it would have to be paid out of the general account, and it was therefore necessary that Councillor Begg should be able to give more information as to the cost.—Councillor Begg said that if the council indicated that it would be willing to bear the cost on a basis of £2 to £1 he would be willing to get all necessary information, but it would be no use going to the trouble of ascertaining a probable cost if the council would not give anything. As there appeared to be an indication that the council-would bear a proportion of the cost, he moved that the engineer and himself inspect the site and obtain all necessary information; also that Southland County Council be again written to asking it to contribute one-third of the cost. —Carried.

W. Shoat, Willowburn, wrote complaining of no attention being givqn to tho road in front of V'illowbum now, iiml us a result the road was in a bad state.—Councillor Begg moved that the letter be received as the Willowburn road was in as good a state of repair as it had ever been, and no rates hail ever been paid from sections on the road lower down. —Carried. P. Clement and Son, I'oiiotunoa, wrote offering to metal 4A chains of road at Popotunoa at £4 Ids per chain.—Left with Councillor Clarke and engineer to deal with. Cockhuru Bros., Whiteloa, wrote asking when the council intended going on with the erection of a bridge over the Kaihiku stream, as.they could cart the material from the steamer lauding when the horses were not being otherwise used.—Councillor Pdwards moved that a light bridge be erected on the place suggested by Mr Coeklmrn. —The chairman opposed the motion. —The engineer said that a bridge to carry two tons would cost over £.">()() as the concrete banks would require to be L'Oft high.— Councillor Smith: How many ratepayers does it serve? —The chairman: One. — Councillor Nicol seconded the motion pro forma, and Councillor Kdwanls was the on!v one to vote for it. 1). Pinlayson's complaint (held over from last meeting) about the state of the road to Lochindorb up the l'uerua Valley was considered. —Councillor "Nicol (in the absence of Councillor Hay) moved that the road be attended to, cost not to exceed £:M. —Agreed to. If. Hurring, l'uerua. wrote drawing attention to the bad state of the road from Mr Goldsmith's to Mr Ilolden's. — Attended to.

Arthur T. Ward find niiip others, Otekura (Ahuriri Flat), wrote drawing attention to the fact that the uninetalled portion of the Ahuriri Flat road running through sections 0 and 7, block IV., Glonomaru, had been in a very bad state fill winter, and for mouths it was positively dangerous for light vehicles. As surfacing had failed to make a good road of it they asked that some work of a more permanent; character hr done during the incoming summer, and they hoped the council would be able to take advantage of the t for t grant of £.">(> put on the Kst mates last session towards metalling this road.—This letter was held over from the last meeting, and on being brought rip on Friday the council declined the application. .1. Lindsay, Otekura, wrote offering to metal about 4;, chains of the road to the post oflice for £5 a chain. —Declined as price considered too high. N. Kagen, Ratanui, wrote that he had completed the stumping and formation work on road leading to his property, it taking '.\~> weeks with team and himself to complete, and was prepared to accept half the engineer's estimate of the cost and sacrifice the balance. —Held over for another month. Wm. Kirkland, Chaslands, wrote that he expected to be paid for clearing the scrub off 56 chains of road frontage at his section.—Received, Arthur Onibler, Pukctiro, wrote that the Catlins Valley—Pukctiro road was in a deplorable state, and hoped that something would he done at once.—To be informed that, the engineer and councillor had inspected the road, and the council understands tiie Public, Works Department intends to spend £75 on it. Robert Falconer', Owaka, wrote asking that the road leading to section 44, block Vlf., Glonomaru, be made passable for sledging at least, by having two culverts put in on the small streams and the small bridge repaired.—Attended to by Councillor Hay. Alfred Harrison, Cavorsham, wrote again complaining of the state of the road leading to his property on section 28, block VII., Catlins, and described the road as a disgrace. There was plenty of rock nearby which would he quite good enough to (ill up the dangerous places.—Being attended to. Win. Gwyn, Honi papa, applied for permission to lay tramway along the roadline from section !l, block VIII., Tautuku, to the railway at, Stewarts corner. —Councilor Smith moved that when application is received in order, together with plan of proposed lino, permission be granted by chairman and engineer, subject to usual conditions. Sutherland and Dippie, Puerua, wrote that the site where they had been getting gravel for their contract on Swamp road had been scoured out by recent floods, and asked if the council would sanction the procuring of Logan's Point metal for the balance oi the contract, at ft piipft t» fa a#re»4 Tfitfe

chairman, member for riding and engineer to attend to. Leslie Gee, Glenomaru, wrote that part of MeKenzie's road, blocks 111 and X„ Glenomaru, wanted' maintaining and if the surfaceman was too busy to attend to th« road within a rsaaonable time the settlers would be willing to quarry and spread the metal themnalves and also clean-out the holes at a reasonable cost to the council.—The engineer said the settlers wero really responsible themselves for the state of the road, as they did heavy carting in wet weather. —Held over. G. Hoffman and A- H. Stowcll, ratepayers of Fineganil Township, wrote asking council to repair road facing the above township.—To be attended to. Robert Allan, Ratanui, wrote, drawing attention to the dangerous state of I the'."so-called" road leading to his place. He was prepared to give £ for £ on the amount of hip rates. —Held over. 1). Stewart, Balclutha, applied for permission to erect swing gates on roads leading through his propetry at Sweetwater (!rcek; these roads were seldom used.—Permission granted, subject to usual conditions. A. K. Campbell, Nugget Point, wrote asking that the laud fund; £4O odd, be spent on Campbell's Creek road, which was almost impassable.—Referred to engineer and member for riding. W. .1. Keys, Toiro, wrote applying on behalf of Messrs Sheddan, Clarke, Sarginson and himself for permission to erect a private telephone line from the Toiro Post Office to their respective homesteads wherever necessary on the county roads.-—Permission granted, subject to usual conditions. Messrs Inder ami Cochrane, solicitors. Gore, writing re Body's land, (Jlenkenicli, gave notice that after the expiry of one month they would institute proceedings on account of damage done to their client's laud from a drain on the road. —Councillor Quin said he had settled this matter.-—Received. FIXANCK. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the period ending November 25 showed:

TIOXDERS. Contract 511. —Carting about 12") cubic yards Logan's Point metal for 1 burning's Koail—.las Allison, i!s per yard; Maginness and Osborne Bros, 2s. per yard (accepted); .!, Ford, 2s 6d per yard. Contract 524.—Carting about 2000 yanls Logan's Point metal for Owaka Valley road—R. ,1, Allison, 2s 6d per yard (accepted); Maginnes, lis 9d per yard. Contract 32!).—Carting about 250 cubic yards Logan's Point metal for Shrni.) Hill road—Maginnes, 2s per yard (accepted); .1. Ford, 2s (id per yarj. There were no tenders for Contracts 5.'!.'!, o.'U, 5Mi) and 5.*50. Dog Collars, supply of .11500, more or Jess.—X. Z. Saddle Co., (51/- per 100; R. Davis, oideaeh (accepted);?. (1. lieid, ">/!) per dozen; Ritchie and Co., 58/- per J 00; J. Pod low, £2 12/6 and £2 9/1) per 100. GEXERAL. Councillor Begg gave notice of motion that in future the council' holds its meeting at l..'l() p.m. intsead of ii.lJO p.m. The chairman and engineer were empowered to make inquiries concerning the Ingot iron corrugated road culverts (for which Briscoe and Company had forwarded quotations) and if 'found suitable that a sample be tried. In committee the council considered matters in connection with the now road to Lochimlorb settlement. A committee was appointed to report on this at next meeting,

lull! Clpt s Rates £557 5 (i Routs .17 0 0 Motor registration 1 10 0 Flax on roads .. 5 0 0 Gravel, Clvdevale 74 Ifi :; Grant, Taumata to I'li intoii 74 1(5 Traction lie use.. 1 0 0 fealrlutlia "hriiiye 4 11 8 Refninl roatls and WO! :ks 1) 17 (3 £067 .19 5 Expei: uliti jre. Grants £105 9 (i Bridges and ferries 7:2 15 11 l'ort Moiyneux rose l'VC .">;") 0 0 1 jiimt linn! General 8:2 972 0 14 1 £i:w; - li! 8