County Council.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 221, 26 June 1902, Page 3

County Council.

The monthly meeting was held yesterday; present —Messrs <L F. Douglas (chair), and Lyall, Walker) Ross, and Rhodes, The minutes of last ordinary and special meetings were read and con* firmed.

enoinkkb's bkpobt. The Engineer’s report was as follows : Upper Pareora Riding— The March flood damages had been repaired, but two extra men had been put on to overtake arrears. Lower Pareora—There was too much water in the drain at St. Andrews tA allow of it being cleared, instructions far which work were given last evening. Otaio Riding—Unfavourable weather interfered with the satisfactory performance of the back line contract, but it was finished on the 16th inst. Repairs neat B'uechff were now in course of execution. Little headway had been made with the Daledew roftd. Had examined Bandy Ford, as directed, with the object of making some recommendation to improve the sectipn affected by the block plaobd in the Esk channel, by order of the Supreme Court, on Smith’s property. This obstruction forced the water through the branch channel—now the centre of the formed road—had greatly aggregated the damage to the latter. There was at present no course of sufficient capacity to carry off storm water and until the back scour of the Esk Creek worked up the road would be subject to heavy overflow and injury. Ho would not advise any considerable deviation from the present line as ho considered the trouble of a temporary (ShUtaotflp oply apd would soon work its own cure, the creek having enlarged its channel to within 9J chains of road crossing. He advised a slight deviation of the road on the south side to avoid the future course of the channel and the construction of a temporary bridge to accommodate the stream till the scour should have worked past the road crossing. When this had taken place there would he no further annoyance from tl»i» hitherto mooli vexed' question. The gamming up of the creek bed had served ho purpose other than wrecking the road mu but for this the line need not have been deviated at all, Improvements were being made to the approaches at the upper crossing of Xesohemaker’s Creek hy Iqwpring the apptcftolj. Ifakikipi—-The ford referred to by Messrs Belcher Bros, had been repaired 6nd the foot bridge would be extended. The solicitor advised that they bad power to compel adjacent landholders to remove willows from the creek.

Deep Creek—No satisfactory arrangements had been made re draining Bradshaw’s road, each attempt to deal with the land owners proving unsuoeessial. He advised notice being given to a mill owner at Haonaton not to camp on ihepublic read, Hidipg—Good progress was being tnadc vr’jjß tJja- ear JSUS • T7OTLS: J earns were employed repairing flood amages and other works. Hakataramea Biding—An inspection xpas made of the Downs-Dalgety Pass length ol road for improvements and repairs, bqt* tho present season was pnsnitable lor works. The threatened fpojeachment of the Haka river at the Clowns bridgd site would be dealt with at once. The trequenb attention required ffl the road to the Fish Hatchery aboard Kthe Council in applying to them istance towards the work. It was net much used by the general public. Estimates—Hu submitted the annual •stimates lor the year ending Slat March, 19Q3. Owing to increase in population and in cultivation both mileage and expenditure on roads must increase every year and it was impossible to do more than meet the urgent requirements of traffic. To meet ail demands would require morn than the Council could expand. However, Government grants bad enabled the Council to extend and

improve some f ihc b ck line , a id i-c promised assist mice toward, rpmviting the bridges on the main 8o r.'i iov l in I other large works should materially relieve the district of a heavy drain. The question of improving gradients and in some cases rectifying errors in loci icn of past years was on ■ that, should be kept steadily in view and d alt with over a period of years.

Wheel Tires A matter deserving attention was the desirability o£ introducing legislation to regulate the widths of tirek. This had been urged on previous occasions without results, but there was not a shadow of doubt that the introduction of broad tires would enormously reduce the costs of maintenance besides improving the roads’ A few heavy teams on narrow tires ruined a road in a very short time and kept labour constantly employed filling the ruts ploughed up by their traffic. Nearly every State in America had enacted laws regulating the width of tires, and most local bodies in the North Island and many in the South had been sufficiently progressive to do the same.

Re defining County and Main Roads. —When this question was under consideration it suggested itself to him that the Main South Road, in the matter of heavy traffic, had somewhat lost its importance by the construction of the railway, and that some of the roads rqnning at an angle with it, connecting it with the railway right and left, more especially those that cross at stations, should be selected and raised to the grade of county and main roads, This relation of the roads to the railway was, however, one upon which Councillors, from their long experience, were able to form a sound judgment. Last Year's Expenditure.—The expenditure on maintenance and construction of the public works of the COUqty amounted to £76,5.£j Ifje, distributed as follows:-Contract payments, £27U 15s materials, £IO7O 12s ; and upon special construction a sum of £358 6)3 0d by way of special grants nude by Government to improve access to Government tenants. Contracts.—The number of contracts during (he year was 38, of an aggregate value of £43083s 3d, 12,217 cub : c yards of metal being laid down, adding 6J miles of new me ailed road to the county ; 5$ miles of qeyy forced rqad, 123 miles at repairs to existing metalled lines, besides some draining and renovating bridges. At the close of the year eight contracts, aggregating £1506 7s 51, wsre in progress. Surface Patching.—63o3 cubic yards of gravel were laid down, at an average of 3s 8d Nsw lengths took §2s cubiq yards, at an average of 3,3 lOd, covering 6} miles. jfihe total distributed was |3,666, at an average of 3s 9d per cubi i yarch The Council’s teams had remodelled and drained miles of road during the year, at a coat of £6.07 10s 6d, being £7 5s lid per mile, and carted 11,34 ouhio yards of gravel for surface repairs at a cost o! 3s 6d per yard. The cost of feeding and upkeep of teams, including repairs to carts and harness, was £5 3s 8d per team per month. Ninety five applications for works of different descriptions were received and dealt wit i during the year. The total disbursements for the twelve months on public tabulated form’. From this ft would he seen that the appropriation made at the beginning of the year had not been adhered to as closely as could be wished, bat with the assistance of riding passbooks bettor results might be looked for in future. Generally the work of the labour staff had been satisfactory. With additional time the men’s woi k b,e better regulated arrtj de^tfe^.' The committee appointed to inspect the shingle pit near Mr Hertslett’s reported that they had been unable to meet. An application from Mr Meehan, Morven, for a few loads of gravel on the footpath jn frqnt of his s‘tqre was left fcq the Engineer. W. Gale, Eapua, wrote in reference to, the state of th® road P a3 t Eapuu school to Oharqherlqin's qorqer. ' Th» Engineer said it was impossible to carry out the work just now. Several matter? were further held over.

Tha application of the Waimata Technical Classes Association was dealt with, and £5 granted, Messrs Meehan, Cameron Bros., Meyers and iones, and D. A. Buckingham’s applications were received, with one " Informal one.—lt was decided that when the formalities were complied with the applications would be granted. Mr Thos. Nalder, Southern, wrote complaining of- the bad state of the road past his place. It was decided that Mr Lyall and the Engineer consider the matter on the ground. Mr W. Harris, Makikihi, wrote in regard to the right of way to be given by him to the railway footbridge so as to enable foot passengers to cross when the river was in flood. The agreement with the Council was that ho would provide the material for fencing if the Council did the work and paid the rent of land. It was a six.foot passage—Work to bo done, Messrs Vuoeticb, Waihao, wrote re

Council's determination to take the land for a gravel reserve under the ?uhlio Works Act if tha price was not

reduced. They considered the price (£4 )) a frr onp.—Origin! re olutiou lo b ) ada-.n'ed I.).

Mr Foster, Waihaorunga, point'd out the bad state of lb" road belo v the old Waihaornnga boundary.— Provision had been mido on tin estimates.

Mr Thos. Page, Painstown, asked (that the grade on the branch cutting leading to his property be lowered. Mrs Gorman asked for repairs to i the road leading to her property, Waikakahi.—The Clerk had replied, and his action was approved. The Chief Veterinarian wrote that he had not yet received a satisfactory report on Mr Meehan’s slaughtering premises, Morven. • A circular from the Secretary of Agriculture, giving regulations re slaughter licenses was “ received.” A memorial was received from Messrs G. Manchester and others re the appointment of valuers, etc., was ordered to be brought up at the next meeting. Mr Isaac Adams drew attention to a well adjoining him being used as a cesspit, as it fouled bis well. It was decided to send the letter to Dr. Syrae, who had been asked to report to the Council. Accounts amounting to £2269 Is 2d were passed, A formal resolution in regard to an overdraft was passed.

Tenders. Tenders were opened as follows : Contract No. 420, Pentland Hills Road.—R. White. £6l Is ;R. Campbell, £67 16s 8d; Manchester and McKee, £76 6s Id. Contract No. 421. Studholme Junction —R. White, £24 7s 6d; R. S. Bryson, £2B 15s ; Paul and Luck, £33 15s. Contract No. 422, South Road, Waimate. —R. White, £63 15s ; Manchester and McKee, £67 10s. Contract No. 423, Copeland’s Road. —J. O’Donoghue, £23 Is Bd. Mr White’s tender was accepted for the first two and second tender in the third. The other was too high and will be let privately. Mr J. A. Field, Hunter, drew attention to the state of the Hunter road, leading past his gate to Mr Ambrose Jaekson’s. —To be attended to. Mr Alex. Brown, Morven, drew attention to the brd state of the road near his place. He asked for three chains of formation and nine of shingling.—The Engineer to report. Mr John Russell, St. Andrews, complained of the statq of the water courses on the main road at St. Andrews pound, the water overflowing and damaging his land. The ditches past Mr Stowell’s also required looking to and he would hold it liable fur any damage.—'.The work is in hand, Mr Ahx. Copeland, St. Andrews, wrote in regard to the Esk Creek challenging the Engineer to show any other place than the creek from which the overflow came. On the 17th‘ he found the road in a bad state and obstructions above and below. He thought it the Council’s duty to see there were no obstructions. He would like the Councillors to, look a*, the place—lt had been resolved that the members visit the place, Messrs Foster and others, Waihao. runga, wrote asking for the formation qf the road running between blocks 6 and 16.

The Waimato A. and P. Association wrote thanking the Council for use of the Council Hall.

The Chief Engineer of flfrqte that no claims for works done before an agreement had been entered into would be entertained.

Mr H. Wallace, chairman of the Glenavy School Committee, made application for the £5 granted by the Council for Coronation celebrations. Mr Hector McLean and others applied for the shingling of Pikes Point road. —Provision has been made ip estimates.

The Efon. \y. J. Steward, M,H.R., Wxo.te that he had no knowledge of the grant of £2BO for Takitu Estate, but would make enquiries on going to Wellington on Friday next The clerk of the Licensing Committee wrote that bis salary hatf tjaen fixed by the Licensing at .£2O, —Appr^vecf. The South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board wrote asking for the half-year’s demand. The S,anita,ry Inspector reported that he had made several inspections and found everything satisfactory. The Waimate Celebrations Committee asked the Council to attend the functions on Coronation Day.—Mr Walker to represent the Council. Mr J. McGimpsey, Kapua, complained that the road from McCulloch’s bridge to Kapua school wqs nothing more nor less than qp em,-. bankment to stop, W.vter getting , away. A cree'k crossing the road was hlled ’np topr feet high, and a load of metal put on to make a crossing. This was the maddest piece of engineering he had seen. He wished the Council to open this watercourse. By a few hours rain he had lost all his potatoes and a few acres of Engineer to attend as snap cc possible, The Deputy Y-nluer-Generai stated there’’ were' only fo.nr objectors from Hakatararpea last sitting of the Assessment Court. No serious objection could have been occasioned by holding it at Waimate. It is to be pointed out that owing to the great distance those wbq cannot afford to lose three d a ya will not, object. A rate.of fths of a penny was struck in the Lower Waibao irrigation dis. trict and of sths of a penny in the £ on the Lower Waihao water supply district. The capital value of the Lower Waihan irrigation district was £154,789, less Crown lands, £1603; unimproved value, £121,550, less Crown lands, £1203. < A meeting was fixe A for July 9th m order to discuss the Wnoes and other matters.

It was decided to sue lor all outstanding rates. Owing to complaints, it was decided to cancel the agreement of the ranger in the Upper Fgreora riding and call fresh applications. A. copy of the Commissioner’s report in the dispute with the Levels re converging traffic was “ received." An offer of £6O was received for the Council’s portable engine. This was not considered high enough, and tha Engineer was instructed to deal with the matter of selling. The following resolution was passed: —“ That this Council learns with profound regret and anxiety the news of Hia Majesty’s condition as announced by cable, and trusts that the operation referred to may soon restore him to perfect health. That any contemplated celebrations by this Council be deferred till the date fixed for the Coronation.” It was decided to give the Council’s employee a holiday on Coronation Day.

Ridings. Accrued 3rds. Appropriations at beginning of year. County Fund Wages Expenditure. Contracts. Materials. Totals. Dr or Cr. £ s d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ a. d. C s. d. £ R d. Upper Pareora 78 17 0 843 6 0 178 3 6 178 3 6 |Cr. 665 2 6 Lower Pareora 446 16 0 287 4 0 182 9 0 469 13 0 Dr. 22 17 0 Otaio 32 7 6 548 6 0 212 0 8 2V6 17 3 448 17 11 Dr. 59 8 1 Makikihi.. . - 459 15 0 292 14 9 55 18 3 348 13 0 Cr. 111 2 0 Deep Creek 50 0 1 791 4 0 490 13 0 368 17 6 859 10 6 Dr* 68 6 6 WaUiao .. 22 15 0 2199 4 0 1335 10 4 1496 7 y 2881 18 1 Dr; 682 14 1 Hakataramea ... 869 6 0 420 9 0 90 0 0 510 9 0 Cr. 358 17 0 General .. •• 2919 8 0 453 6 7 199 12 0 1076 12 5 5134 11 0 (Jr. 985 4 0 6 41 14 1 185 19 7 8877 0 u 1076 12 5 7471 16 0 3367 7 4 15 10 183 19 7 7655 15 /