Waimate County Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 50, 6 May 1899, Page 1

Waimate County Council.

The adjourned monthly meeting was held on Wednesday ; present — Messrs Douglas (chair), Lyall, Hardie, Walker, Elwoithy. Henderson. Rhodes, and Studliohne. After the minutes of the previous of pre-v ions meeting had been read, Mr Walker thanked the Council, on behalf of Mrs Walker, himself, and family for then- kind sympathy with them in their late bei'eavement. From Mr F. E. Asquith, secretary of touring of New Zealand Wheelman, asking that Council erect finger-posts at roads where cyclists would be likely to miss their way. It was pointed out that finger-posts had been sent by the Cyclist's Union, and had been erected by the Council, but that the posts and labour involved the expenditure of a considerable sum. After discussion, it was resolved that the clerk write and ask tor particulars as to the position and number of notices required. From the Timaru Harbour Board, stating that if the upper part of the Pareora riding had been included in error a new certificate would be required. From Timaru Harbour Board, stating amount of levy on Waimate County to be 15s sd, payable in two instalments on Ist June and Ist Sept. The total amount of the levy on the harbour district was £7500, about equal to a rate of 6-20 th of a penny in the £. From the Department of Agriculture, stating that the Department would have the inspection of stock carried out by qualified inspectors, instead of being in the hands of local bodies as at present. Eeceued. From the Department of Lands, forwaiding the voucher for .£250 for the making of Mr Clements' road. From Mr Hay, Timaru, stating that a dispute having arisen bet veen Mr Copeland and Mr J. L. Smith in regard to steps taken by the latter to prevent water coming down the channel of the Esk in flood time irom washing away his land and forming a new channel, the writer was informed that Mr Copland would call on the Council to order Mr Smith to undo what he had done for the protection of his land and the adjoining road. Mr Smith contended ho had not exceeded his rights and had not impeded the flow of water m the Esk, Mr Copland's contention. Mr Hay was instructed by Mr Smith to state that if the Council took action against that bod;v, Mr Smith would undertake the expense of defending such proceedings on behalf of the Council. From Mr W. M. Hamilton, stating that if in the case of a dispute between Messrs Smith and Copland the' Council is satisfied that Mr Smith is obstructing the channel he ought to be ordered to remove such such obstruction. If the Council thought there was any reasonable ground for dispute, as to the facts, the Council should decline to interfere and Mr Copland could take the matter before a magistrate, who might call evidence and decide whether the Council should comply with the notice that they should remove the obstruction. The overseer, as instructed by the Council, he inspected the place, and had found several bags of gravel placed in the creek. These would throw the water on Mr Copland's land, but did not affect the Council in any way. It would difficult to say what what damage would be done in flood time as the land was very sandy.

Mr Rhodes said that in any way cither Mr Smith or Mr Copland would sue the Council. If the> iemo\ed the bags Mr ftuiith would hue them, and if they did not and damage resulted Mr Copeland would come on them for damages. Council declined to take any action. From Rev. li. Mackie, complaining of the dangeious condition of Thackeray street, St. \ndrews. The street was not long, and shingle convenient. Ml Lyall said the woik was needed, and the overseer was instructed to call londcis for next meeting. Fioin Dr Baicku, foi warding names of live t\phoid fe\ci patients admitted to the liospit.il em ly last month. l<iom Mr A. Copeland, Eskbank. stating that there was a great deal ot water Iving on a portion of his land, and asking that a culvert be put through the load to take the w.itei aw a;,. Mr Rhodes thought the woik necessary, and it was decided to do it. From Levels Count} Council, informing Council that Mr la. ill had leportod that owing to the deck pl.uikb fekrmking on the Pareoia bridge, it \va<* dangeious to dme sheep over. They had had 1 ep.uis effected and toi warded statement of costs of which the "W aim ate Council would bear half. — ■ "Received. Fiona Valuation Department, asking the date when Council lev\, its lates. — Clerk had replied. Fiotn Mr E. H.un^, manager "New Zealand Trust and Land Co., Ivvuow, asking that the load fioin Stone" Cieek to Elephant Hill be made passable for dray tiaffic. The Overseer said the load had been little used for some fifteen yeais. It had been fenced olf at the ends. The chanman said Mr Harris merely wished two gulches acioss the load sloped, so as to be able to dine a diay through. — Overseer to repoit. Fiom Depaitment of Lands and Sowey asking if the Council would attend to several roads on the "Waikakaln Estate, the money to be piovided by Go\ eminent. It was decided that if the Government called for tenders, the Oveiscev would buppmse the woik. Fiom Mr II Dunn, asking poi mission to cleai the load line from section 19099 Makikihi to section 30016, he +o get the timber growing theieon m return. < Pei'inission gi anted to clear the track on terms stated. An anon\inous letter post-maiked Oamaru was received forwarding a small donation the w nter thought he owed to the Council. Three shillings' worth of stamps were enclosed, but so gummed together as to be almost useless. There was no heading to the letter. — Letter held ui?v for a month. From Mr C. O'Neill, Makikiln, asking that Martin's road bo repaired. A second letter was leceived from the «arne writer on the subject and pointing out that some seiious ncciclont would happen if nothing were done.— -Overseer to report, attending to anything which Avas urgently required. Fiom Mr I). Wilsou and others asking that 16 or 20 chains of the Sheiwood load be metalled at once. — Overseer to leport. From Commissioner of Crown Lands, re a complaint by Mr R. Cameron in regard to Ins road access. Depaitment to be infoi'med that the Overseer had seen Mr Cameion, but Mr. Cameion had not made up Ins mind as to what he wanted done. From Depaitment of Lands, re letter of Council asking for £200 for bridge at ISlukuroa. There were no funds available and the Depaitment thought it the duty of the local body to attend to these matters. — Received. From the Land Value Office, Dunedin, asking that the subdivision of propel ties in "Waihao water race district would be sent as soon as possible. From Mr B. Low, Willowbiidge, calling attention to the bad state of the road past his property. — Overseer to attend. Fiom Mr A. Shirley and 21 other ratepayers asking that the road fron Painstown through Norton settlement be shingled. — Held over in the meantime. Fiom Mr Jas. Inkster complaining of people taking shingle from the Waimate Ci3ek at his section. He had already lost one-eighth of an acre by this removal. • — Overseer to report. From Mr A. Garland, asking Council to lengthen foot-bridge over Waimate Cieek on Mill Road, also to take out protective works and allow water to spread. — Overseer to report cost at next meeting, From Mr Jas. Meehan and seven others, Malulahi, asking that something be done to prevent the" Makikihi river working south, as the crossing w as often impassable for days after rain. The overseer said that the amount ot gorse growing in the river higher up was the cause of diverting the river, other rivers were in the same predicament. — Overseer to report.

It was points! out that the applicant was out of the distnot. Mr Rhodes said he did not see why those outside should not be supplied, if they paitl for it and m ide the races themschos. From Lowsr Pareora Water-race Committee, stating th" t at a maetmg on the 19th April, it was decided to inform theCouncil that the water lodging near Ml* Oit'ri house was not ciused by tha witerrj,<*o. Overseer instructed to report. Fiom Mr Maddock, Bt. Andrew 's r complaining 1 of water lying on road near Mr Ott's. The overseer and Mr Lyall to report. From Mr E li. Gobb'tt, St. Andrew's, complaining of water from th? water vacw being allowed to co\er poitions- of his* farm. Letter to be sent to committee. A petition w^s read from 55 ratepayer? in Nukuro-i, Willowbndge, Waihao, and Waimite calling attention to the dangptous state of th' 3 roid at Nukuroa settlement. They asked that a bridge bo erected, if Council could see its way. Mr Walker said the crossing was th? most dangerous in tho county. T\v > men had almost baen drowned. A large sum of money had been expended on the fold, and he thought it would pay to build a bridge, nob only in the interests of the settlers, but in the interests of tin Council itself. There was a very Lugoquantity of grain caited in the district, and ths bridge gave access to about 7000 acres of property, besides that of tho settlement. Mr Studholme agreed with the previous, speaker. The matter was held over till next month. ' .V letter was- leccived from Mr John Mo iris, a member of the late Water-iace Committee, complaining that Mr Kennedy (chairman) had not sent any reply to a letter of which he now enclosed a copy. Replying to a question, the clerk said that the books and papers m connection with tlip water committee, which had boon 01 tiered to bo returned at last meeting, had not been received. Clerk to take legal steps, if necessary, to recover books and papers. The chairman said that the committee held a meeting, and started to pass resolutions .disregarding the instructions of the Council. The meeting was irregular, and the chairman kept the man woikmg as ho thought proper. He had not put in an appearance since. Mr J. Henderson, Glenavy, wrote stating that at a meeting of ratepayers in the water-race district, held on 10th April at Glenavy, a motion that every ratepayer clean his own races was lost, and by a majority of 3 it was decided that the races be cleared and maintained by con ti act as at present. Tt was also the wish of the meeting that the Council take steps to haAe another committee appointed to snper\ise the races. Mr Hentleison thought it would be a good plan to call alternative tenders for maintaining, and for a caretaker in the ovent of each latepayer cleaning his oun laces. There were only one or two at present who had not been supplied with water. Mr Rhodes thought the whole matter should be held O'^er till the Waikauahi was settled. It Vvas decided that Mr Henderson carry on the races for another month. Mr "Walker said Mr T. Smith, Hook, had complained of a number of horses wandering on the roads night and day, breaking down fences and stacks — Ranger to be infoimed. Messrs Rhodes and Lyall reported on the mam back lond towards Bluechff s. — Consideration held over. Oveiseer to have load past Campbells blinded. It was decided that a tenant in arrears should be sued, if necessary. Tenders were received as follows : — Contract No. 330, metalling one mile of Mollov's road— T. Crone, £162 3s 4d (accepted). Supply of iron bark beams and piles as specification — J. Jackson, Timaru (accepted), piles 2s lineal feet, hewn timber 19s and 20s 9d, sawn timber 25s 6d and 26s 6d. Buice Christie, Oamaiu, 3s, 255, and 275. The overseer's report showed that during the month the fouls thioughout the country were se\et-ely damaged by high floods ; most of them had been iimpaired. The Grampian Creek, Hakateramea, oveiflowed and washed away pait of the main road. This would take another week to lepnir. The main Kedcliff road required reforming and metalling in seAeral places, efeppcially oppo&ile Mr M'Naughton's, Glena-vy. Theiewas nov> a consideiable amount of giam carton q over this load. Had lowered the giad'into Waimate Creek below Junction, to make it passable, but a budge was needed. Had also had approaches erected "Waihao footbridge, so as to allow sheep to be £,o', over.

From Mr G. W. Henderson, Elephant Hill, asking permission to erect t^o gafes on his property foi about six months, one on the Bedchff road, near the rabbit gate, and the other across the Elephant Hill road. The chairman thought the Rodclitf settlers would object, and the Council decided that the lequest be declined. From Mr, White, on behalf of the Waihao settlers, stating that with a small expenditure the Waihao footbridge could be made available for sheep, by fencing the approaches. The overseer said the bridge was not made with a \iew to driving sheep across. The woik had been done as suggested, but sheep could not be made to cross. From Mr J. M. M'Neill, Kedcliff, asking that a biidge be elected over the water-race on his property, as he was not legally entitled to cross the water-iace with agricultural implements.— Applicant to be allowed to erect a bridge himself, the woik to be done to the satisfaction of the Council's appointee. Several applications were received for a supply of water from settlers on the Waikakahi. Mr Rhodes thought it best to hold o\ er these applications, and examine the district to see if some scheme could be thought out. All the settleis would be m need of water, and as \ery few of them were )et settled, it would only be a system of patcbwoik to do anything fit present. Mr Walker thought a comprehensive scheme should be devised, but still isolated cases should be attended to. The applications were held over. An account was reconedfioin the late chairman of water-race committee, for •two days' labour by a man on the laces. Mr Henderson said the man had a^ked him about the amount, and he aduscd that the late chanman eertijy to it. To be paid at next meeting. From Mr N. Menzies, Waihao, asking that the race passing near his piopeity be extended, so as to supply him.