County Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 171, 27 February 1902, Page 3

County Council.

ITho monthly meeting of the Waiiate County Council''was heldyoster,u- there being present Messrs J. F. »,,u'('liiß (chair), G. Lyall. G„ Studoluw, A. Walker, D. Ross, W. J. [ardie, and R. H, Rhodes. .. The Engineer's report wag conidered in detail. kxsineer's report. The Engineer reported on the 'o'rk done in the various ridings tiring the past month as follows : Deep Creek Riding.—lndifferent regress had been made on the [ort-h Bush' Road contract, which bould have been finished instead f half done.. A ford way had been aado on the Point Bush road and epairs made to the hilly portion of he road, the grader being nsed. Surveys and 'plans "'of the woik nquired on Simon Green's and Vainono Settlement roads had been aade and tenders called for the Pork. The council's team 'was nuking good progress with the road ,t Stu'uholuie applied for by Messrs jow, Lindsay and others, and the dance ' should be 'finished that reek. The committee appointed o view the proposed gravel reserves t iStudholme recommended that i acres should be acquired near he old pit on Mr Vucefcich's land tdjoining Mr P. Studholuie's wundary,. &3 this would be the nost central position for a pit. A isction'of McCulloch's road through Kapua Settlement required repairs. Waihao Hiding.—The contract in Smith's Eoad had been com)loi"d and substantial repairs made ifc the Waihao end of the line. Stone breaking on Brigg's Road contract was all that remained to .>e done. Whitney's Creek had been opened up for its whole length Mid this greatly improved the adjoining lands. The completion of the work would further contribute to reclaiming the lands along its banks. Particulars and estimates for .works asked for on Mount'Harris and Meyer's Pass roads were attached. The remodellin» and draining of Skevingtoh's stid Meyer's /Pass roads had been 2ohipleted*and'a length of 2.L miles including 'gravelling repairs had been completed''by the team during the month. Mr 'An'niog's gateway had not yet been erected 'and the :posta and fencing "had been entirely removed ' from the road., Before the council proceeded to do work on Dog Kennel Creek road, the Engineer suggested that ■ they .-houidget a written form of con-, bent from the Government tenants affected by the road, so 'as to prevent possible misunderstanding and' perhaps litigation. With regard to the road asked for by Mr .Wain,. giving new access to the reserve he had leased, the Engineer recommended that the sanction of the Crown Lands Department, the Education Board and Mr Girder should be obtained. Mups of tho old road and the proposed one were "attached. An accident occurred .on Tuesday morning in the Wai-. kikahi Valley by vrlizh mill was capsized and somewhat damaged. The crust of 'the road. over a dry water-course, collapsed, upsetting the mill. Precautions "v<re taken to prevent accident on Tuesday night, and yesterday the obstruction would likely be cleared. : 's,T/ay. The necessary road repairs "Would he made at once. Hakataramea.— The e'ouncil team had completed a number of works in this riding and had moved to Table Top road in Upper Waihab riding. The Engineer proposed to visit this work with reference to crrtain deviations asked., for by. 'Campbell and Sons. Preston'sBridle track had been completed to,"the Mackenzie County Boundary.

The Eugihee'r reminded the Council of orders to clear gorge, which were held over from lasfcinejfcing. upper Pareorai— \. gang of men were forming 80 chains of Pringle'e road to give access to a gracing run. : Provision would be made for light wheel traffic to adjoining bush lands. Metalling and othec works near the homestead would be done by the Council's team. The dam'"aged stone culvert was being repaired and would be finished in 'about three weeks. Old fords had bean opened out and new Ones opened to carry off the water da < f uamettalled surfaces... For want of this considerable damage had been, done in the past in wet weathee. Maxwell's and jThoreau's application would be attended to shortly. Lower Pare'ora.—Necessary re-' tairs to St Andrews pound would p Completed 'during the 'month,

time not being available in the past month to examine it. No reply re improving jefcoate'a crossing over the Pareora River had ye'-: been received, fram the Level Council and nothing had therefore been done in the matter.

Otaio.—Time had not permitted of.the necessary levels being takan on Alexander's ford, nor of the examination of Campbell's Otaio Cabbage Tree Point roads. These matters would be attended to during the month under directions of the councillor for the riding. Makikihi. The work on the Hunter-Makikihi road had been finished. Tenders for ,W. M. Smith's road would be before the council that day. An estimate .of work applied for on Brownlee's road was attached.. The Engineer furnished a suggestion for giving public access from the main south road to the Makikihi railway bridge. This suggestion could be submitted to Mr Harris, who was away fsom homo on the occasion of the Engineer'svisit. Thetelegraph post obstructing the junction of the South and Lake roads had been removed by the telegraph .Department as asked by the council.

The clerk stated that a reply had boon received from the Levels Council re'Jefcoate's crossing. They would do nothing until the Commission to settle the axcess of traffic from the Waimate County l>Rd sat.

It was resolved to do the work asked for by Mr Brownloa en the Upper Hook road. The Engineer was instructed to write to Mr Harris, suggesting that his fence should he moved to givo access to the Makikihi railway bridge. If Mr Harris agrees, the work is to be done.

The recommendation by ihe committee to acquire a gravel-pit on Vucetich's land was agreed 10, and the necesoary steps are to be taken. Tho sum of £3O is to be spent on the Kapun road, the Engineer to write ti the Roads Department asking that the cost be met out of the Government grant to Canterbury for undefined works. ,

The application of Mr Orb ell for cutting down banks on Mount Harris road was agreed t'o be done. Work on - Meyer's Pass road asked for by Mr Powell'is to be done. The suggestion of tho Engineer re the 'deviations on Dog kennel Creek road is to bd acted on.

Tho necessary steps to give effect to Mr Wain's application are to be taken.

It was decided to give notice to several ratepayers to clear gorso from tbeir'road frontages. TheN.M. and A. Company, Oavnaru, wrote oflaring to buy tho old wire ropes formerly used for tho punt over the Waitnki rivm- at Kurow. It was decided to write and find'out definitely, whether the ropes were the Council's''property wholly or in half. The Hon. W. J. Steward wrote ro the Councils application to charge work dohs on Black's road agaiust the Takitu road grant. Mr G-. Rissley 'wrote, asking the price wanted for ths portable engine and stone-crusher which the Council had for sale.

Mr Douglas brought up the question of the dangerous nature of the hill leading to tho Waihao bridge. People coming down could not see anyone on the bridge, and accidents were likely to occur. ,

The Engineer io to prepare an' est! mate of cost of alterations.

CORIiESPONDKNCE. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows :

From J. Werges and two others, asking the Council, to prevent the deposit of rubbish in the Waimate Creek near the Point Bush crossing. The Inspector of Nuisances is to inspect this and take action.

From C. H. Besloy, St. Andrews, aoking for a right of way over the footpath there, and that the Council should renew the boards on tho edge of the footpath burnt in Hie recent fire.

The permission was granted, and the boards are to bo replaced. From tho South Canterbury Ho's pital Board, covering the names of Waimate County residents who had left the Timaru hospital during tho month .without paying their accounts. The Clerk was instructed to advise the Board who wero able't'c pay and svho were not.

From the Risceiver of Land Rcivenua, enclosing "£167, accrued thirds and fourths. It was resolved to have the portable engine valued and offered at that price co an enquirer. Mr Bremner reported that he was out of grain for poisoned grain. In this connection a letter was read from thu Levels Council covering a resolution re urging the Government to take j steps to destroy small birds. It was resolved to get some phosphorised grain from the Government j farms to make oxperiments ffith small bird killing. The Engineer is to prepare half the usual quantity of poisonedgrain. ■*■ ! Mr Walker regretted that the Borough Council should do nothing in this matter. A large number of birds were bred in the borough, and crops round the borough Were not able to bo. grown. Mr Rhodes pointed out that it was not allowable to "lay poison close to tnuaes.. , , The Clerk said that this year about .£350 had been paid by the Council, j and much of this was paid to borough.j resideatß. , v , .. ~ I

It was resolved to "write to th>, Govornihent, asking that thekilling cf: small'bird9 should'be' made compulsory on all local bodies in the colony. From E. Kingsbury, asking that Park Bros' pigstye'e should be removed from near the Wajhao Downs Creek. . The matter had been attanded to. The Inspector of Nuisances reported' that to his knowledge, after an 'inspection, Mrs Phillips' well could not be; polluting the surrounding we'll,? The. well bad been filledup and half a ton; of lime f pnt in four "ago at the order of Mr, Black, ' ; Mr Walker said "the well should be; cleaned out if it were proved to dftleteriouß to health. The matter of, who would pay tho cost wouldueed to| : be decided. , .> -, Mr Studholmeaaid if it \ve,?e proved? that the well was harmf Si It should b&> cleared out at once. '. •',, It was decided to writeto the Health > Officer, asking him to analyse a sample of the -water complained of, and to take, action if Phillips' well were polluting: the water. , 4 , •" . • ' From the" Mackenzie Cpunty Council, agreeing to pay quarter cost up'to jS2S towards the cost of three Whife Kockme*;

The letter was held over till next meeting, the Clerk to ascertain what thirds were available for this work. Mr Khodea suggested that the v should report on the erection I f \ light traffic . bridge over the ! Pareora in connection with the Wh'te | itock footbridges, and this is to ba lonO. ,-r. 1 O 1 1 1 From the Waimate High. School Board,that the ftev. McKafizie Gibsnh, ' one of the Council's repreaentatives on that body, had now, by effluxion of time, retired from the Board. Mr Gibson wrote declining to ataud again, dwing to lack of time. . The matter was held over till next meeting. ■ ...... iT From F. B. Harris, asking the Council to attend to a dangerous corner near the Studholma 'Junction oreamery. This is to be attoaded to, and some metalling to be "done in front of the creamery as soon as the new gravel pit is opened. From J. S. Watson, drawing the Council's attention to the steepness of the cutting near his house. It was the steepest in the district. The Engineer is to report on this at next meeting, and on a similar cutting near tlia upper crossing at Peter's creek and Tescheuiakec's middle ford. From W. Ball, Hook, asking that the road at the back of his property should be put in order, as it was impassable for grain carting. Mr Hardie supported .this tion, asking that it should'to auieudeci to at once. 1 This was agreed to, also Mr Hardie s request for the Engineer to look into the question of getting a gravel pit in that district. The Engineer suggested that Mr W. H. Einmetv, the Council's roadman in the Hakataramea • district, should he allowed a sat of shoes par month for his horse, as he had a very large district to go over. ,_,_. The suggestion was not entertained. The recommendation of the Finance Committee that all large oiders of tools, horse feed, etc. should be tendered for when practicable was agreed to. Accounts amounting to £703 6s 9d were passed for payment. Mr Walker brought up the queetion of drainage from a road doing damage to Mr Bishop's property. Mr Breuiner said the water went new in the natural fall of the ground, arid it was a very trivial matter. Anything done should be done by MiBishop. Mr Bremner is to visit the ground with Mr Walker and report: Mr Hardie asked that the road near Mr Rattray's leading to the Hook rivor should be given a light coat of metal before whiter.

The Engineer is to report. .. ' Mr Rhodes a stud that the Engineer should report on the -question of metalling the road from Bassett's to his own property, which wanted attention. This was agreed to.

TENDERS. Tenders were received for the following works: — Contract 411, Daledew road, Otaio— C Sullivan, £SO 'loa ; tenderer had omitted the cost of pipes from his tender,, and with this added'his tender was £IS 17s (accepted). Contract.4l2, Simon Green's road— R. White, £Si 2s''lod' (accepted). Contract 413, Tainstown.road—R. White, JGI9O 3s Cd (accepted) : Manchester and McKee, £2'B9 18s'5d. Contract 414, Makikihi road—G. Sullivan, Ml 7s "3d (accepted); B. White, £55 3s 3d. The chairman stated thatjhe had heard that the mill capsized on the Waikakahi Valley road would not be removed by the owner, and it was resolved that if the owner does not remove it'at oboe the Enginoer Bhould remove it at the owner's expense, v.- <- Mr ILvrdy said that he had heard complaints of mill cooking huts being left on the road, and it was decided to advertise a penalty for thia. The Clerk reported that the County Council ware, according to the county solicitor, not able to ms-ke any grauts to fire brigades.

WATER RACK BUSINESS. An accouut from Mr McDonough for.' £2 2s for making a new race was not acknowledged, as the ueV race was not necessary. Mr J. Morris,, supervisor of the Waihao water races, reported a good flow except in Glenavy. race._ The water was short several times in themonth owing to slips. Mr A. McNaughton could have a regular.; supply if he cleah.id out the races.' The supervisor snggested that a more, saiisfaciory way of keeping the races' clean would be to call for teuders for', cleaning the whole races. Mr 'Morris tendered his resignation as supervisor.; he waiting on the Council to uxplaiiv the cause d this action. He declared, that he reported tKa, Mr McNaughton i had plenty of water, and yet a com-;] tnittoe of the Council had gone down.i to inspect and had exempted part of Mr MoNaugluon'a land. On the day they went down there was adeficioncy, but* he knew the race well, and they [ saw it on one day only. As they-;i evidently had jho in him, i he had sent in his resignation. Mr John McNaughton did not keep his races'in order. - ■■ t .\\ r . . The Clerk read -"a" petition from; thirt'y ratepayers, asking that the,: supervisor's.application for an increase,; of salary should not be receded to. ,-j Mr Boss said that the shortage at.; 1 Whitney's creek was such that he, thought they should bring in water from the Waitaki and put.in fluming* over Whitney's creek:. He did not think satisfaction would be given till the whole, races -were let to a con-: tractor. This 'could be done in October, when the present contract expired. . Mr Studholme said that the ratepayers same tioie ago asked that, eachshVdd clean but bis own races. They were not now asked by the ratepayers to change ih»t method. They wore satisfied with the way Mr Morns did bis work, but they must accept, this. ~ ,-. / ~. .. I't waa resolved, on the motion of Messrs Khodea and Studholme^ that tbe resignation should be accepted and tenders called for a new supervisor, to be in bynext meeting. . A circular waa received from the Sydenham Borough Cotracil,- asking that this Council should support a movement to have. valuation rolla prepared by the local bodies themselves, and not by Government valuers. - •* , • t The 'Clerk stated that the present system was cheaper to 'the Council than having their own valuers, and the circular was received. , , The Clerk Baid the method of charging 'rates on the valuations of land was 'objected to by many, who desired that the rating should be done ;oa the a*sii •'

It was resolved to hold a meeting at GJenavy to discuss this question, and also that of having u supervisor foir the races, or of having the races cleaned by a contractor, Mr Cochrane is to fix the date with Mr Boss.