COUNTY COUNCIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1241, 9 April 1880, Page 2

COUNTY COUNCIL.

The following is the conclusion of our report of the meeting Of the County Council held yesterday The Secretary to the Hospital Committee wrote asking for suggestions upon the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill, and for information as to what course the council intended to take upon the matter. —The Chairman remarked that the Hospital was well conducted at present, and on the motion of Mr. Murcott it was decided that the Council should take no action in the matter, nor attempt to alter the present arrangements. Tenders for various works were then opened, and the following accepted Supplying 300 yards of gravel at Waiareka, Mr. J. Connachan atL26 ss; for gravelling 76-j chains on the main road to Waitaki Bridge, Mr. J. Connachan Ll4O 16s 6d ; maintenance of county roads from port Moeraki road to Waianakarua river, Mr. J. Slater, L 44 per annum; road to port port Moeraki jetty, Mr. J. Mortimer, L 39.

Inspector Thompson wrote saying that there was no objection to the police collecting the dog tax in certain parts of the county. Some discussion took place as to the best mode of collecting, aud it was eventually decided to accept one tender for the collection of the tax throughout the whole county, the tender of Mr. John Locke. The following report from the Engineers was read : Sir, —We have to report that the sheet piling authorised of the two piers of the Kakanui Bridge is nearly completed. On further inspection there is still another pier in a dangerous state. 1 About ten days ago there was a small flood in the river which washed out the shingle and brought to view the defects of the foundation, there is only about two feet of oonqrete below the stone work leaving about five feet of loose shingle between the reef and concrete, which is now undermined in several places to the extent of three and four feet.

We would now ask authority to have the foundation of said pier secured at once in the same way as the other two are being done.—Yours, etc., Barr & Oliver, C.E's.

The Engineers were authorised to adopt such a clause as they may deem necessary to render the bridge safe. Another report from the Engineers was read, in which they stated that the deviation of the road suggested by Mr. Baxter was one of a very inferior nature with steep' grades, and would be expensive. They therefore could not recommend the adoption of the deviation. The Engineers also forwarded specifications for the following works Blinding metal at Elderslie, gravelling portion of the North Road to Hilderthorpe Railway siding,-and surfacing of roads in the Moeraki Riding. The Inspector reported that the Kaka Bridge in the Hampden Riding required replanking; that the contraot on the Otepopo Railway Station had been satisfactorily completed ; that a complaint had been made regarding a portion of the road near the five roads at the upper end of the Kakanui Flat; that the embankment near the Cape Works required fencing ; that the formation of the foot-path at the North Town Boundary and the gravel contracts in the Waiareka and Papakaio Ridings were progressing ; and that most of the surface-men discharged during the harvest had been taken on again.

The Engineers were instructed to examine the works considered of importance to be executed at once and report at the next meetiug. Tenders for fencing the embankment near the Cape Meat Preserving Works on the Beach Road were ordered to be called. The Engineers were directed to report upon the probable cost of the alteration of the grade on the county road opposite Mr. Duncan Campbell's place and the steepness of the grade. . Accounts to the amount of L 1136 14s were passed for payment, and the Council rose.