WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 453, 11 October 1877, Page 2

WAITAKI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The regular fortnightly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held to-day at the County Council Chambers. There were present—Messrs. D. Sutherland (in the chair), Duncan, Craig, Todd, Murcott, Wheatley, Johnston, and W. Sutherland. MINUTES, ETC. The minutes of the last general meeting and a special meeting were read and confirmed, and the outward correspondence read and approved. POUND AT HAMPDEN. A letter was read from the Commissioner of Waste Lands, stating that the Waste Lands Board had declined to grant the application of the Council for a certain piece of land to be set aside for a public pound at Hampden, as there was a reserve for the purpose already. Mr. Mukcott said that the present pound reserve had been rendered unsuitable for the purpose by the construction of the railway, which ran alongside th'i pound site. He thought it would be well for the Board to be informed of the cir-

cumitan6e, and Ik oaight then brockta the present site a» Wiutis land, and grant the piece of land a»ked for, It was decided that the Clerk should make another application to the Board for the laud, and state the faoU M Stated by Mr. Murcott.

OTEPOPO ROAD BOftD. A letter was read from the Clerk of the Otepopo Road Board (Mr. A. Pirie) applying that a portion of the rates collected in tlio district be handed to thoj Board for expenditure. The writer almost intimated that the Sydney members hud been appointed a dcpUirtiiou to wait upon the Council in reference to l!io IsLnd Stream road. —lt was resolved to reply that the Council had already determined to keep tuo expenditure of its revenue in its own hands. FLOODING TUE WAIAKEKA ROAD.

A letter was received from Mr. J. Reid, Eldeislie, in reference to a portion of the Inspector's report with regard to the necessity for the road being raised, as there was no possibility of drainage, owing to the water being dammed on Mr. Reid's property. Mr. Reid denied the assertions made by the Inspector. On the motion of Mr. Craig, seconded by Mr. Johnston, it was resolved that the Inspector should proceed with tlio work of having the water lowered in accordance with the Public Works Act. CLOSING KOAD AT HAMPDEN. A letter having been road from the Clerk of the Hampden Road Board (Mr. A. Young), inclosing a resolution passed by that Board in reference to the closing of a road in the district, it was resolved that the Clerk should take the necessary steps. BRIDGE AND ROAD AT ISLAND STRKAM. Mr. Darroch waited upon the Council as a deputation from the Otepopo Road Board with reference to the proposed road and bridge at Island Stream, aa brought under the notice of the Council at its last meeting by a deputation from the Kakanui Road Board. Mr. Darroch said that the Otepop Board was not in a position to undertakeso large a work, and was not particularly .nterested in the work, which would benefit the district in a much smaller degree than it would the Kakanui Roiui District. At the same time the Otepopo Board would be willing to contribute L'itOO towards the cost of the work ; but would certainly not pay one-half of the total cost. After some discussion had taken place, Tlio Cuaiumas said that the only matter in which the Council could interfere would be with regard to the apportioning of the cost of the bridge between eaclt Board, and then only in ease of dis< pute. It would be better for the Boards to come to some amicable arrangement; but should the matter necessitate the interference of the Council, it would ended vour to act fairly to both Boards After some discussion, Mr. Darrocli then withdrew.

Mr. Dincan proposed that the Council should erect the bridge out, of its ovvi revenue, on tlie consideration that tin K.ikauni and Otepopo Road Boards agree to construct the road on their rcspectivi sides of the bridge. Mr. Whkatlky seconded the motion. Mr. Todd moved an amendment to the effect that the Council take no actioi in the matter at present. Mr. Johnston seconded the amend ment. The question was then put, when till amendment was negatived, and the roso lution carried. There voted for th( amendment—Messrs. Todd, Muroott, am Johnston ; and for the motion—Tli Chairman, Messrs. Craig, Duncan Wheatley, and W. Sutherland. CLAIM FOIt DAMAGES. A letter was read from Messrs. Juliu and Balmer, on behalf of Mr. Oharle Edwards, applying for compensation fo damages sustained by that gentloinui while" driving his express on the row between Eraser's Hotel and Gibson's between 7 and 8 p.m. on the 12th Sep tember, through a defect in the culvert. It was decided to refer the matter t( the Solicitor to the Council for his opinioi thereon. A HANGER WANTED. A letter was read from the Clerk of tin Waitaki Road Board (Mr. Garrow), askiri) the Council to join with the Board in tin appointment of a Banger for the Papa kaio Riding. After some discussion, it was agreed to comply with the request, the principle U be applicable to eacli riding. ROAD FROM NGAI'AHA TO DUNTHOON. Messrs. Borton and M'Master wrote, intimating that they were willing to grant the land necessary for the road from Ngapara to Duntroon free of cost. WATER-RACE AT TEANERAKJ. The following letter was read from Messrs. J. T. Evans and Co.:— Teuneraki Flour Mills, Oaniaru, October 10. Clerk Waitaki County Council. Bear Mr, —\'«ur favour of tho 17th ult., requesting us to cause handrails to be erected over our watur-racu < n road-line at Teanoraki Township, is received and considered, and in reply would state for the information of your Couucil that the race originully was entire y upon our own private property, that the road-Jiiio was subsequently iald oil and formed by tho Road Head; therefore tho cross,ng of thu race is the property of the Council. Under iliese circunifctaticcH, we think the met on of handrails resta with jour Council. —We are, &c, J. T. Evans and Co.

lt was decided that the matter should be referred to the Inspector for a report thereon at its next meeting. ?• inspector's kepokt.

A report from the Inspector wns read, giving details of the work perfoliate during the month, and recommending i number of new works.

Tlie Inspector having reported that the railway crossings on each side of Weston were Very much out of order and dangerous for traffic, it was resolved that the Clerk should write to the Government, calling attention to the matter. THE NEXT MEETING. On the motion of Mr. Duncan, it was agreed to p<stpone the next monthly meeting of the Council until the fourth ■Wtfltotjrfay in November, the day appointed fur the annual meeting.