COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1083, 9 October 1879, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Waitaki County Council was held to-day, v/hen there were present—Messrs. D. Sutherland (in the chair), Duncan, Falconer, Todd, Murcott. Johnston, and W. Sutherland. A letter was read from the Treasurer, announcing that L 4 had been paid into the Bank to the credit of the County, for goldfields revenue ; also, that L 6 for licensing fees have been place:! to the credit of the Qouuty, A slaughtering license was granted to Mr. Charles Jessop, Ngapara. Mr. J. Burnett, Assistant Engineer, wrote stating that although the Council had not received permission to go on with the road on the railway land at Maheno, the contractor was proceeding with the work, and had buried up the fence. He further gave notice that the Council would be held responsible to repair all damage, and that in case of any accident occurring through stock getting on the line the responsibility would rest with the Council. Mr. J. Henry Lowe, Resident Engineer, Christchurch, wrote stating that he had submitted the Council's letter re the road at Maheno Station to the Commissioner of Railways, who fully recognised :he advantage of a direct road being made from the district '.vest of the station totlio goods shed at- Maheno, so obviating the necessity for crossing the line. The Commissioner had therefore given his consent to the work. A gate would be placed across the road, and the station-master v.'o",id be instructed to keep the gate locked after the business at the goods shed was closed for the night. Wevo !*. fren crossing granted at the point, where the present station crossing stands, the public would espect it to be kept clear of railway stock, and the already limited length of standing room at the station would be considerably reduced. On the motion of Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr. Falconer, it was decided to go on with the work under the conditions named.

The following letter was read : Maheno. September 26, 1879. Gentlemen, —I beg to call your attention on the side of the road leading to the Ma-liL-no railway-station. When the embankment was made it closed up the natural outlet of a creek, and there was no provision made for the water to escape ; consequently it overflows a portion of my land, rendering it useless and sour. I would suggest that a drain be eut down the side of the street to the Island Stream, which would, I think, remedy it. I would also wish to point out that a portion of the fence has been buried up, about 2ft. Gin., so that cattle walk over it at present.—l am, &c., John: Newlands. It was decided to take no action in the matter. The following letter was read : Omarama, Ist October, 1579. Sir, —I wish to bring under the notice of the Waitaki County Council the fact that the Yincent County Council still have the main road in Lindis Gorge, leading to the Waitaki main road at Lindis Pass, unfit for traffic. The road has been in this state for over a year, and I would respectfully request that you write the Chairman of Vincent County to get this road made available for through traffic from this county to Cromwell. —I have, &c., I), Sutherland. The Chairman pointed out that the road in question was a main road, and the Cromwell members of the Yincent County Council had apparently purposely had this road neglected in order that the whole of the traffic might be compelled 1 > go by way of Cromwell, instead of a portion of it coming this way. It was decided, to write to the Chairman of the Vincent County Council directing attention to the necessity, as a matter of public convenience, for the road being put in a proper state of repair. The following letter was read, as were also copies of agreement with the confT.l fiVQ • Dunedin, ISth Sept., 1879. Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 12tli inst., enclosing copy of resolution passed at last meeting of Council, re. Upper Waitaki bridge. I was under the impression that the information referred to in your letter had been supplied to the Waitaki Council some time ago ; but in order to remove any such excuse for withholding payment of the Council's share of contribution, I have had a detailed estimate prepared of the cost of the bridge complete. The monthly certificates, copies of which have been regularly forwarded to the Council,. show the amounts paid on account of original contract, and on account of extra work to date. The Council has already been informed that after the great flood in September, IS7S, the Commissioners decided to - drive 40ft. piles instead of 35ft. in the_4o£t. spans, and two 35ft. piles in each pier of 20ft. spans, instead of 25ft. The channel on the Otago side of the river also required six extra 20ft. spans to cover the increased width of river scoured out by the flood. The Canterbury side of the river has been entirely changed by the action of the flood, so that instead of being a side stream as it ■was before, it is now carrying as much water as the channel on the Otago side, and requires a bridge quite as long. Over this channel there will be thirteen extra 40ft. spans, and two 20ft. spans to be deducted from the contract. The bridge on the Otago side of the river is very nearly completed, and the pile driving in 20ft. spans on the Canterbury side commenced, the contractors having laid a temporary tramway across the island for conveying materials to the northern side. The cost of the work in excess of the contributions of LSOOO each from the County Councils and Government will have to be

borne by the Railway Company. The Commissioners are determined to construct the bridge in such a manner that no future floods will injure the work and impede either road or railway traffic, as they consider the Upper Waitald Bridge to be a very important link of communication between the two counties, and a work that •will greatly assist in developing the country generally. The Commissioners therefore looked to the County Council for support, and trust the contributions will be promptly paid so as to enable them to meet their engagements with the contractor. I am, &c., Jons M'Ghegor. J. Martin. Esq., Waitaki County Clerk, Oamaru. From a statement also enclosed, it appeared that the total cost, exclusive of engineering charges, would be L 17,212 15s. The Chairman and Messrs. Todd and Murcott expressed their satisfaction with the information supplied. It was now apparent that the Council would only be liable for LSOOO, the amount of the contritmtion it agreed to pay, and ■.'.:t the additional coat would be borne by the Railway Company. Mr. Falconer thought that the Bail way Company should have borne a fair share of the cost. The greater portion of the traffic over it would be by the railway. As it was, the Company would, according to the estimate read, only have to contribute a little over L2OOO. Mr. Murcott pointed out that the estimate did not include engineering charges, and that, when these were added, the Company's share of the cost would be very greatly increased. It was then resolved to vote the sum of LSOO as another payment. Mr. A. C. Weir, the contractor for the re-instating of' the K.aljanui Bridge, wrote stating that it had been necessary to remove ono span, and that for the convenience and safety of tho school children he had been induced to put up two flights of stairs with hand-rail. He therefore requ63ted the Council to allow him LG IQs towards the cost. The Engineer stated that the matter was provided for in the specifications attached to the contract, and no action was taken. Tenders were then opened ft a- various works, and the following accepted Contract 70, for lengthening and improving the grades of road at Whare-Kuri Creek, Mr. J. M'Comb.c, L 175 9s. ; contract 77, erection of a footbridge over the Awamoko stream in the county road, Mr. ■T. Bovne, LS9 4s Id ; contract 78, for constructing a pitching at Trotter's Gorge, Mr. J. Slater, LIS 18s lid. As Hampden had been proclaimed a borough, it was decided not to accept any of the tenders sont in for erecting a culvert in Hampden. Tho County Clerk was appointed valuer for the outlying districts. [Left sitting.]