BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19472, 6 May 1925, Page 12

BRUCE COUNTY COUNCIL.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Bruce County Council was held at Milton ou April 27 to consider the recently issued heavy traffic regulations, and the list of classified roads as submitted by the county inspector (Mr J. H. Bateman) was adopted, 'there were present: Crs Jasper Clark (chairman), W. Bell, 11. M. Driver, D. M‘Gregor, D. Gardyne, T Scott, W. J. Sheat, A. Renton, T. Johnson, A. King, and V. Wilson. Cr Renton moved, and Or Johnson seconded—“ That it be left to the riding members and the inspector to authorise temporarily the use bv traction engines or irontyred motor vehicles on any of the roads, sUch authority to be confirmed bv the clerk”. —The motion was carried. It was decided to refer the paragraph dealing with the issue of licenses to the county solicitor, as it appeared that the county would be in a- much worse position than at present if the construction placed on the clause by the council were correct. Cr Scott moved, and Cr M'Grogor seconded —‘‘That Messrs L. Potter (clerk), J. H. Bateman (inspector), H. Adams (ranger), and R, Whytock be appointed motor inspectors under section 15 of the regulations.” —The motion was carried. Cr Wilson moved, and Cr M'Gre.gor seconded—“ That this special meeting protests against the flat rate on cars and favours a petrol tax in its place.”—The motion was carried. A letter was received from the Highways Board regarding the maintenance of works, and it was decided to object to the clause regarding the average annual expenditure for the last five years, and also to the amount it was anticipated would be set aside annually, it being considered that this means so much extra clerical work that it would be almost useless to apply tor further road grants. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the council was held at Milton yesterday, and was attended by the chairman and all the councillors. "During the month the receipts amounted to £331 11s 4d and the expenditure to £1195 3s 2d. REPORTS. The Ranger reported that 29 cattle and U horses had been impounded during'the month. Two prosecutions for riding and driving without lights had taken place during that period.—The report was adopted. The Inspector (Mr J. H. Bateman) reported that during the month two culverts of 12in and one of 9in pipes had been put in on the road leading to Mr A. Gregory’s property. Lakeside, Lovells Flat. Maintenance metal had been put down oh the Main road at Clarendon and the Swamp road, Stirling; also gravel on the Main road, Milton, to Crichton Hill, Tuapeka Mouth road (Greenfield), Riverside road (Pukepito), Louden’s Gully road, and School road (Lovells Flat). The bed of the Gorge Creek had been scoured out under the bridge on North branch road. It required pitching with nibble and grouting with concrete to protect the foundations of the bridge. In connection with repairs to the decking of the Kaitangata Matau bridge, the inspector recommended that this bridge be treated in l the same manner as the Stirling bridge, which was double-decked with 2in miro about two years ago. A complaint had been received about household rubbish being dumped on a street line at Stirling township, and he had looked at two such places (one in View street, the other in Nelson street). In both places rubbish had been tipped over the embankment, and in each instance the outlet of a road culvert had been covered with rubbish and the culvert blocked. The following contracts under Government votes had been completed during the month Carting metal from Kaitangata to Summer Hill, also from Milton to Table Hill road. The grading contract on Cairn road, Greenfield, had also boon completed. The tender- of Mr G. Smaill had been accepted for gravelling the Cemetery road, North Balclutha, at 6s 9d per yard; also Mr A. Hyslop’s tender for metalling on Cairn road, Greenfield, at £6 17s per chain. The surfacemen had been employed during the month at general surface work and repairs.—The report was adopted. CORRESPONDENCE. The Acting Clerk, Clutha County Council, wrote acknowledging the council’s letter extending its sincere sympathy in the death of Mr A. M’Donaid, late county •Jerk. —Received. . The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. .7. Cl. Coates) wrote acknowledging receipt of the council's representations in rcgai d to the erection by the Taieri River Trust of a protective bank towards Berwick. Mr Coates stated in reply that he would have inquiries made into the matter.—Received. A letter was received from Mr E. P. Evans, the Government representative on ihe No. 17 District Highway Council, giving details of rondnmking plant of various types.-—Tlie chairman, clerk, and inspector were elected a committee to go into the question of roadniaking machinery, and report at the next meeting. In connection with the proposal of the Railway Department to romove the craut from Titri, the Hon. X 0. Coates (Minister of Railways) wrote stating that lie would have inquiries made into the matter. —Received. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) wrote stating that in connection with the Bruce to Wisley’s (Farqnharson’s) road no grant for that item was made in last year’s appropriations, as it was not considered as urgent, as other works in the Brut* County which had been provided for. In view of the fact that tiie toad got into a very bad state in winter, the Minister said he would give this matter further consideration when the forthcoming estimates were compiled. However, if the council considered that that work was au urgent one, fie was prepared to consider favourably (he transfer of £IOO from some other item which had been provided for on last year’s appropriations.— Received. The Highways Board wrote asking the council for the amount of its estimates for the current year.—The clerk was instructed to reply (lint £IOO (council £-00 and Government subsidy £200) would he spent ou the Lovell's Plat bridge, £100.) would be allocated for the Main South road throughout the county, and £2OO would be allocated for maintenance on the Lawrence road. Mr U. D. Atkinson, secretary of the New Zealand Countys’ Association, wroG enclosing a copy of the regulations showing the standard signs and mile post which had been adopted by the Main Highways Board. The board uesired that the standard forms should lie introduced as, au.l when, opportunities arose, with due regard to economy, but it did not wish any reasonable sign new existing to be pulled down. The idea was that all new signs should conform with the regulations, and that existing signs requiring renewal should also bo renewed in accordance with the new standard. It was hoped that all county councils would endeavour io comply with the regulations and establish a uniform system, (Ims making it universal and comprehensible to nil persons using the roads throughout New Zealand. —lt was decided to repiaee signs with the standard ones as required. Mr J. Pennell, Kaitangata, wrote applying for the transfer. of his slaughtering license to Messrs Pennell Bros.. Kaitangata.—lt was decided to comply with the request. Miss M. E. France, Milton, wrote asking the council to remove the fence from the road adjoining her property as soon as possible.—lt was decided to ask Mr Reid to remove the fence. Mr D. M. Mawson, Town Cleric, Milton, wrote acknowledging the council’s cheque for £l9 15s for the payment of motor driver license fees. In reference to the issue of licenses in the future the Milton Borough Council had decided to adhere to the verbal agreement made with the Bruce County Council to act us examiner at a charge of Is 6d a license, including the cost of stationery.—Received. Mr W. Roy, secretary of the South Otago Hospital Board, wrote stating that at a special meeting on April 14 the estimates for the current year had been dealt with, and it had been decided to make a levy for the same amount as last year —viz., £B3OO. This would mean that the Bruce County Council’s contribution would be substantially the some as that for the past year, but this could not be definitely notified until the Valuer-General had forwarded the rateable value of the various contributory authorities. As soon as the board was in the position to do so, definite notice of the amount duo by the Bruce Council would be given. The above, however, would enable the council to levy its rates, and to continue sending monthly payments.—Received. Mr C. E. Bennett, Assistant Under-Sec-retary of the Public Works Department, wrote forwarding a copy of a warrant vesting the control of portions of the Main South road, Johnson street, and Springfield road in the Milton Borough Council, and apportioning the cost of maintenance in terms of the Public Works Amendment Act of 1909, and 1910. —Received. Five ratepayers residing at Circle Hill wrote asking the council to metal (he road above Hagan’s house for a distance of seven chains. The cutting was badly in need of metal as it was very greasy after showery weather.—The matter was left to the inspector and Crs M'Gregor and Scott to attend to.