The Reporter

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 28, 14 October 1893, Page 9

The Reporter

SOUTHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. Fbidax, Oct. 13. The monthly meeting was held at 11 a.m. Present —Mr T. Green (Chairman), and Crs. Hast, Ward, Baldey, Raymond, McQueen, Gerrard, McCallum, and Fleming. Several residents of Makarewa called attention to the bad state of Pomona road.— Left in the hands of the member for Awarua riding. The Mataura Town Board complained that the Kailway Commissioners had placed an obstruction, in the shape of a crossing on Bridge street.—The Engineer reported that the crossing was not on a County road. He suggested that the crossing could be shifted without detriment. —lt was stated that the Railway Engineer was in favour of that course.—Copy of report to be sent to the Board. With reference to the damage alleged to have been done to the Myross road by Ferrier Bros.’ traction engine, the Engineer reported that there was no existing evidence of such damage, and that the ordinary dray traffic appeared to have been heavier on the road than the engine.—Received. Attention was drawn to the dangerous state of a culvert on Oteramika road.—Fngineer to arrange with the borough of South Invercargill to get the work done. D. Gorman asked that several culverts should be constructed to open the road between sections 280 and 296, Forest Hill Hundred. To be attended to. T. B. Taylor and others, Waikiwi, petitioned for the opening of a road in block 9, Invercargill Hundred.—To be dealt with at an early date. The occupiers of d.p. sections 254 and 255, Forest Hill Hundred, petitioned the council to improve existing road facilties, and offered to assist in the work.—The engineer reported that nothing could be done pending arrangements being made with the Land Department re the distribution of d.p. thirds. C. Barnett, Lumsden, asked the Conncil to remit the tax on six rabbit dogs which were his main source of support. His eye-sight was failing and he was 60 years of age.— Held over. T. G. Dodds, Otapiri Gorge, petitioned for road works.—No funds available. A number of the residents of Jacobstown (Gore) petitioned the Council to cause the removal as soon as possible of P. McKinna’s slaughterhouse, owing to the abominable stench arising therefrom. —A report on the subject having been read from Hergt. Fleming, the Chairman undertook to have the matter attended to. The Engineer reported favourably on the petition of T. O’Neill and others, Forest Hill, for road facilities, and suggested that steps should be taken to effect an exchange of roads with D. Eing.—Adopted. David Waters and other residents of Mataura Island called attention to the inconvenience caused through the N. M. and A. Co. having erected a fence across the road leading from the bridge to Seaward Downs. —The Chairman said it was reported that the gate placed at the spot referred to bad not been kept shu-, but Cr. McCallum said that to his knowledge this duty had not been neglected by people using the road.—Held over. J. Cowie and 30 other ratepayers petitioned the Council to widen the main North Boad between Winton and the cemetery.—No funds at present.

In answer to a petition from J. H. Wilson and others, it was decided to arrange with the K'. Z. Agricultural Co. for opening a road through section 332, Hokonui, in lieu of one to be closed on the southern boundary of sections 13 and 14, of 404 a. Dealing with a request .from the Gore A. and P. Society for assistance in the matter of the small birds nuisance, the Chairman moved that a sum of £5 be voted as a subsidy.—The Chairman explained that the Society intended to offer prizes for rhe largest collection of sparrows’ eggs, and asked for the heads of birds, and this experiment might teot the question of whether this plan were better than poisoning.—Cr. Hast said that the area should be .defined, as. the Selwyn County Conncil, when folio wing a similar course, had been overrun with sparrows’ eggs from boys in Christchurch. Here, they might get Gore, and not Count-, sparrows.— After some discussion,the motion, which was seconded by Cr. McQueen, was put and carried, M. Malone, Lowther, claimed £B6, owing to six acres of his land having been damaged by water crossing the road. —Deferred to the Railway Department. On the motion of Cr Balday tenders were ordered to be called for works on the Waima tuka bush road. A. Smith forwarded ‘his resignation as ranger and poundkeqper for Wintou riding.— Accepted. J. McLaughlin called attention lo the spread of gorse along the Oreti river between Dipton and Benmore.—Deferred to the inspector. A number of ratepayers petitioned for the erection of a new bridge over McKellar’s creek, near Balfour.—On the recommendation of the Engineer, it was decided to include the bridge in the schelude of the new works to be provided for. J. Henry and R. G. Hay petitioned the Conncil to put down a culvert in block 12, Mataura, as their property was subject to floods owing to the absence of a culvert and an outfall. —To be attended to by surfaceman. C. McDonald and several other settlers in Lora Gorge petitioned the council to spend any funds available on local roads instead of devoting them to the construction of a bridge over the Otapiri. Received, Cr. Gerrard saying he had agreed, after consideration, to the erection of the bridge, and did not see bow he could break faith. On the motion of Cr. Hast it was decided to apply to. the Otago School Commissioners for subsidies on a number of works in Waikaia Riding; and. at the instance of Cl 9 Ward, for subsidies for works in the Oreti Riding. The Wyndham Farmers’ Club applied for a subsidy towards the offering of prizes for collections of small birds eggs,—Held over till December. It was resolved on the recommendation of the Engineer to call the attention of the Lake Council to the necessity of certain works owing to a change in the course of the Mataura river above the bridge beyond Athol, and to take steps to cope with a dangerous deviation in the Oreti below Caroline A letter from a ratepayer in reference to the existence of gorse on one of the Winton footpaths was referred to the inspector. D. Davidson, Pyramids, advised the Council that the groins put in last year had diverted the course of the Mataura river, and that it was washing away his property. —Matter to be inquired into by the Engineer and the member for the riding—to report at next meeting. Walter Guthrie, in forwarding rates due, urged the necessity of the Park Road being made and of the ditch being cleared out. The stench from the latter was dangerous to health, and he had put men on at his own cost to abate the nuisance. Engineer to report as to which of the local bodies is responsible for the road and ditch. At the instance of Or. Raymond a committee was appointed to report re the application of the Wyndham Town Board, and the protest of certain property-holders, regarding a proposed drainage scheme. Accounts amounting to L 1034 lls 5d were passed for payment. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, an addition of LlO per annum was made to the salary of Mr Brown, inspector of slaughterhouses, owing to extra work. Specifications were ordered to be prepared for a number of works in various parts of the county. The Council then adjourned to Tuesday, 31st October.