County Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 107, 26 September 1901, Page 3

County Council.

Xhe monthly meeting of the' Wairaate County Council was held yesterday, . there being present, Messrs J. F. Douglas '(Chair), C. Xyall, A. Walker, A. S. El worthy, 1\ StudhOlmO, R. H. Rhodes, ■T. Milne and D. Ross. Before taking any business the 'chairman referred to the loss of the American people by the assassination oi President McKinley, and the council passed a resolution of Sympathy with Mrs McKinley and the American people. The Chairman said it bad been suggested that the report of the 'engineer bad not in the past received as lull Consideration as it might have done owing to its being taken last. He'suggested that it should be taken first. It was resolved te give the .plan % trial. - r BKGiNSBB’O BIPOHT. i- The Engineer reported on the various r erorke done in the county during t I | month alt loUowfc i- 1 - i ; ,: L ' ■ la«uri»U for tUt riding (wen given

airaefour weeks a?o, and though urged to fulfil it with despatch the merchant had not yet sent advice of its delivery. Lo ver Pareora—The surfacemen tiad 'been engage I throughout the month breaking stones and making general surface repairs on "Turnbull s and the Olam and Pareora Valley Pyads a length' of one and three quarter miles. Otaio—The contract for metal on the Main 6 juth Road had been completed except for the breaking. Work on the Eak Valley Road was proceeding,, the gravel’ b ing 6f good quality. The works applied for on the Dale.lew road would be mainly for the benefit 'of the settlers ontheKohika Estate, and the council should have a claim for substantial Government assistance; Before either th,t or Mr A. Martin’s roadworks could be undertaken it would be necessary to, undertake considerab e f »rmotion-surveys. Makikihi—bonsiderable'cause for complaint had b-en -given in the conduct of Contract No. 392 on the Main South Road, arising from inexperience of the contractor-and, a disposition to disregard, hit-uetions but the engineer hoped to; have the -wok completed suisfacto-ily. In estimate r.f work required on the Swamp Road was attached.' The private crossing ; at Merry’s was '-rectified at

once. Deep CrSek—Phbl’c police has been given of tae closing 6t the Waimate Bridge for a few days when it was hopedto restore traffic. Works on the following were nearing -conpletion: —Waimate) Gorge, Timaru Road, Main South Road and Hannaton Branch Hoad. Permission, had been obtained to prospect private lands ne r Studhohne ’Junction for grave ) reserves and the Engineer hoped to make a recommendation to tin next An estinute was given of the cost of metalling near Slu liiolms Junction bale-' yards. Tin formation of Hiwkin’s road* would be done when the grader returned from HakataraUiea. A quantity of broom was growing along the roa I near MrG. Sullivan’s propeity. The Engineer drew this Council’s attention to the of the road from the Gurg--to Waihau Forks. To wet weather it would become bad and the most urgent repairs 'should b« done without delay.

Waihao.— Che bridge repairs on Pike’s Point back line hid b- en successfully completed and the bridge was equal to the heaviest iraffi;. A contract hud been prepared for metalling mar Redcliff, and >he fomathm authorised in the same locality would be done by the county te&fft on its return from Haketaramra. Repairs f r the protection of, the Waihao water races consequent upon rha encroachment of the Elephant Hilh

"a o."in-water channel bad been ’per nancntly nude. The work on Pentland liillsroa 1 was being vigorously proceeded with. Th- want of pipes had prevented the completion of a small work at Takitu road. The county team would attend to Mr Wain’s r >ad. Hakatnramea. —The contract on Mid lie toad v.as completed, but maint nance requiremfnts had not been attended to. ’Roth the county teams were engaged in t hat ri dog forming fresh lengths towards Te Akat iaWa. The surfacemen had been engaged on the Middle, Cliff, and ilakataramea Valley roads. The Ooun oil’s ttam perf rmed some work for the borough C mneil with the ‘road grader during theihonth.J

The Engineer that supplies of hardwood litnber 'for ihe Olaio, Hook ai;d Wuihao'bridgea should be ordered, as several months would elapse Before th* materials carae'tQ hand. He advised the Chanel that all the ratepayers except one hail removed the gorse triitimings fr, m the roads. The attention of the Council was directed to the disfigurement and mutil tion of bridges, notice-boards, and oi’her painted surfaces of county ♦corks, and it was suggested, wi'h a view to check ; ng the practice, that a substantial reward should be offered by advei tisement for evidence that should lead to the’cortviction of the offenders.

Discussing the report, Mr Rhodes said the work.at Kohika settlement was absolutely necessary, and it was resolved to-apply to the Hon. W. J. Steward to get a grant for this purpose. 'On the question of the survey of Mr Martin’s road and the Kohiaa road, it was _ resolved that the Engineer should do these in preference to other work,. •

The matter of metalling the Swamp road was held over till Mr Hacdie was present. It was decided to metal the road near Studholme Junction saleyards. ■- As regards the broom- on Sullivan’s road, •Mr Studholme said there was no use keeping the-road line clear, as the adjoining, section's were full of broom, which went to seed every year. He urged that the Agricultural Department should be written to to have the broom removed under the provisions, of the Noxious Weeds Act. It was resolved to asCfc oh this suggestion. Mr Walker said that broom was one of the worst weeds in the colony, and it seemed to be very hard to get rid of. As regards the Gorge-Waihao Forks road, Mr Walker said the road was very had and should be attended to. Mr Studholma 'agreed that the work was necessary, hut the Deep Creek riding could not afford to do it. ■ ; . I The meeting decided td spend £3O on the road. - The Engineer stated ■ that Mr Murphy had declined to take the contract for cleaning out Whitney’s creek, and it was decided to read vertise the workv It was decided to cal| for tenders for the hardwood timber required •for the Hook, Otaio, and Waihao bridges,, the Engineer stating that it must be dtdered months befbre it was wanted. The Engineer was also instructed to : order New gea! and timber from Southland by the truck-load., It was decided to give notice to ft' ratepayer ta reniove Within a week gorse trijnmings. formerly ordered to 'be removed,- or else legal -proeeedlttgft Mid be takefai

The Coiiricil resolved to offer at reward of £5 for evidence leading,to tbe conviction of “any person deliberately mutilating or breaking : notice-boards, bridges, etc.

Mr Walker said tbat'theiquestion of inter-county traffic had been the subject of legislation arid’ the matter of traffic between one riding and another was just as important.

Tbe Chairman said that next year in their estimates, they could declare such reads brain roads.

Mr Rhodes sard this was a very important matter. ‘They 'had declared some roads main roads and be thought a committee should be set up to sdd more main roads to the list. It was decided to act on this if the proposed division of the county takes place* , CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: From the Hen. W. J. Steward re. the Separation Bill, that he thought! it his duty to support the Pareova' ridings in their endeavours to gatseparation. He had moved in the matter of the separate Hospital District, but he pid hint think u would pass this session..

Mr Sbudholme said Me Steward was ignoring the opinion of theoulk of the county, as represented by* the cbuncil, 'and he showed a lack of courtesy in not paying any, deference to the wishes of the council. i

Mr Walker agned with the remarks of Mr Btudholrae. Bethought they should pass a rescind tion disapproving df Me Steward’s: action ia this matter.

Mr Lyall said Mr Steward could do nothing less than be had. He had been petitioned for separation by a large majority of the ratepayers interested.

A motion by Messrs Rhodes and .Milne was carried “That this council strongly disapproves of Major steward's action in support-: ing the Levels Bill, a copy of th& resolution to be sent to the chairmah of committee and to M’ajor Steward.” Messrs Lyall and Eiworthy opposed the motion. From the Hedth : D pirtment asking for a definite expression of opinion as to whether or not they were satisfied that the slaughter bouses of this district were not

objectionable. A discussion followed, and in this connection Dr. Syines’s report on one slaughter house was read. This was close to the road, and had near it a pool of stagnant water. He urged the council to insist on all new slaughter Houses being built in brick.

General confusion seems to prevail about whose authority slaughter ’houses are under. The Council wme of opinion that they could not v object to the licenses this year in any fairness to the local butchers. Tt wan mentioned thafthe inspector ; from the Agricultural Department had inspected the ‘slaughter houses, already this year. The council had ; no inspector, and it was resolved to Hvrite this to the department stating at the same time that they had' advertised for objections, and had received none. They had no; objections to the licenses being issued this year. From Mr J. K. Warburton, covering the annual balanba sheet for the year. He objected to one, item, £l2 12s paid to the Waihao water race committee.

The balance sheet was adopted, the £l2 12s being frahsferred to another account.

The auditor expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the count}’ accounts were kept. From Mr T. Pringle applying for the road leading to his property to be made passable. He was willing that it should be done out of his thirds. . ~ .

From Mr A*. Williams with reference to a private road he was fencing oft -and asking that the public road should be made passable. The engineer tvas instructed to report oh both these roads. From Mr R. Waldie asking that the Pentland Hills road should be put in order. The Engineer said the surfacemen were on the road at the present time.

Several small ratepayers in poor circumstances were granted a remittance of rates. .

A complaint regarding a 'water race at Waitaki was referred to the supervisor. From Mr Harris asking that Table Top;.Road and Hip Creek Road should be attended to while ; the teams were id the district. , The matter ivas left in the hands of the engineer. From Mr R. White, stating that he had stripped a good deal to much land in the gravel pit usea for his recent cbntfaCt, and asking tp be paid £2 for the extra works. The Engineer recommended the payment which is to be hiade.. From Mr.E. Ps Chapman stating that cattle were allowed to wander bn the Tavistock road. Mr T. Tiscbemaker also wrote in the same strain., Mr Rhodes said , the bordplaint vvas well founded add he -saW cattle on this road nine times out bf every ten he was there. He moved that the ranget for th'e Otai'6 and Pareora tidings . should fce infbrrded that dnless he did his duty his contract would be.determined. . .. . r Mr Elworthy seconded this arid it was:carried. ~ / '■■■ r ■ From Mr?, Siding, stating that the Pareora race was Continually bdidg blocked. - rFrom Me J* H l . Preston, .asking ’that a bridle track should befoimed along theeagt bank of the-Waitaki river. /. •'/- - there was no- sign of a road there nowi

The" Ghait’mtfn ’ stated that the council could 'riot spend money, where a rdad,was not laid oft, and. it was resolved to write fo Mr'

Prestbn regretting that the council could nob spend mdridy.' where a'

road was riot laid off. From the Waimate ” Borough Council asking that the Coifrity Council should put the pound in order. v . From’ Mr T. Hamilton, Waikakabi, asking that, the council should ’’apply 'for a ' government grant to form a*road near hie*place. —Engineer to report. From the Borough Council thanking the County Council for the use of their grader, and asking on what terms the grader a!nd teams could I’e.hired t- ; It was decided not to hire the grader out jaa the council have use for it all the tifrie. ;

From Mr P. Foster, pointing out that gorse ordered to be grabbed by him on a certain siding was an advantage to the road rather tha i; otherwise, and grubbing would Jet tbe weather into tbe siding.

Mr Bremnsr agreed • with the contents of the tetter 'and “it was received.

From Mr J. B. Milsom, asking that a footpath should be made along Timaru Road, which was. very busy and dangjrous at night for pedestrians. Mr Walker s ipported this application, and the. engineer wa»instructed to report. !. The report of the committee appointed to eiq lire into the matter of lb© -pound repairs necessary, recommended tbe County Council to pay two-thirds of the cost, whioh was estimated at £ls. It was resolved to pay the county solicitor the sum of £25 pec year.

Mr Douglas valued the road at Stoney Creek about to bo closed at £3 10s per acre, and it was resolved to offer it to Mr Grant at that p-ke. An application was received from Mr C. H. Besley, St. Andrews, for a slaughter license. Tue whole question of slaughter houses was re opened. Mr Studholmo said they had : advertised for objections and had got none. All legal formalities tad been gone through, and they could only forward the licenses recommending the granfcingof them. Hj moved in this direction.

Mr Walker agreed with this. They could not in fairness, oppose any further expense on the butchers this year. He seconded the motion which was err ed.

A report'from the Health, Officer recommended the council to arrange for the proper san.tury inspection and the scavenging of ibe suburbs of Waimate. He had noticed during his visit that the people of Waimato were satisfied with their wells, however bad. The water supply he considered the worst in Ndw Zealand, and it was so. easily remedied, the Waihao river Similes away offering a splendid source of supply. Many of the ’ aimate wells are filled with nothing more or less than diluted sewerage. The County Council should give a good supply to its own ratepayers, at the same time o-operating with the Borough. He bad visited a riumber of houses -just, outside the borough, and found things in a very unsanitary siate. The records showed that typhoid fever was very prevalent, and this was largely attributable to the bad water. He reiterated his recommendation that the suburbs should be formed into separate rating districts. He urged a proper inspection of all premises in the county at least twice a -year.; About 800 people were living in the districts-just outside the tpyrn. Mr Walker said that during tha past year or two he knew that some at least of Dr Byrnes’ complaints welre well founded. He thought the Council's, duty was to take sorrie steps in the matter, and he moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Douglas, Studholme, Rhodes, and the mover should be appointed to discuss the matter. This was carried, Mr Douglas; to convene meetings of com-; mittee. ■

Mr. G. Sullivan asked to be allowed extra’cartage for his’&rtitract at HakatarameS.

The Engineer said that a pit had been inspected by the county surfaceman, but when the contrator opened it up there was \ Uo shingle there. This had. necessitated extra carting seventy chains. ; T.ie exliji .work wasworth lOd a yard,\tff*£3£ .. Mr Sullivan declared taken three week* longer owing to this, and it Was Worth Is 61 a yard extra. Mr Bremner said jiart of the extra time was owing td the weather, for which the Council; could not be held Mr Milne considered that £32; 10s Was a fair price to piy tor the extra work, and it was decided to pay this. , Accounts amounting to £797 2a Id were passed for payment. A; petition was received from R. 0. Pelvin and others, asking that the county road roller shouldbe put over the Glenavy-Redcliff; road. ,A. similar petition was received from 3. Humphries and others; . . , The Engineer he did not think it would have much eftect, but It would be worth trying, and the work was resolved td be done. . , ‘ ;1 Mr A. McLean wrote with reference tb ihe loss bf sotty fottr of his sheep ih the watb.-race coming down from the' intake into the Wafhad watbrird’c’e." ETe asked the Gouncil-to devise Bootfe r Tt sas resolved &dt the Isiaijrihan apd thb engineer report on cue natter wheat they. hold". a

meeting of ratepayers at Hedclifl for other matters. T}‘n »eSs. The: following tenders were received for contract No. 399 metalling main,road : A. Nicdl, £3B (accepted); Jas. Cochrane, £57; T. W. Crone, £6l m

The clerk reported that three, ratepayers had dec lifted to pay!their water maintenance rates;;! They had the Water, and should not be exempt. j It wag resolved to sue one of these for his rates as a test. : The Supervisor of the Waihao water-race's sent copies of letters; sent to Mrs Quigley and Mr McDonough with reference to an overflow of the faces, and his; action was approved. He said he had been over the faces several! times, and there Was a good supply. He asked for a conn mil tee to ‘ inspect McNaughton’S race to say whether'it Should be raised., i: Mr Ross Slid the race wa'S badly, constructed in tne first place. It was never properly graded. . The Council decided that McNaughton’s race should be regraded, the supervisor tp t ■ tho work. -

Whs authorised to arrange for race extension through VfcCalioch’s and Aiidrews’ land, cost not to exceed £lO. - :