Councils and Boards.

Otago Witness, Issue 1456, 11 October 1879, Page 8

Councils and Boards.

TAIERI COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Taieri County Council was held in tho Council's offices, Mosgiel, on the 2nd. In the absence of Mr Roberts, Mr Jas. Allan was voted to the chair. There were also present— Messrs Charters, Shand, Snow, Andrew, and Findlay.

INSPECTOR OF ROADS REPORT, ETC.

The Inspector of Roads reported as follows : " Mosgiel, September 30th. "J. Roberts, Esq., Chairman Taieri County Coanc)l.

"Sir,— l beg to furnish my report for the month ending SOth September. "He Main South road from (Javersham to East Taieri Bridge. — The slip on the road line at Saddle Hill mentioned in my former repott has been repaired ; co3t, L 4. Since the above work waß executed the slip has again given way, and a portion of the r^ad, about two chains, has sunk 18 inches below the level. I beg to suggest that pome steps be taken by the Council to retain that portion permanently, as it is a source of constant attention. Three chains of the Taieri River bank at Henley require to be piled and scrubbed to protect the Main South road from further damage. Fonr surfacemen have been employed on this portion for the past month.

"Saddle Hill to West Taieri.— On this portion two surfacemen have been employed tor the past month. "Half-way Bush, via North Taieri.— On this line one surfaceman has been employed for the past month. ' " Groin at Silverstream. — The repairing of this work has commenced, and will be pushed forward as rapidly as possible. " West Taieri to Lee Stream.— On this line four surfacemen have been employed for the past month — two at Harvey's Mat and two at Whare Creek, chiefly on rock cuttings. "Rock and Pillar Road.— The culvert at Glen Sutton, which had fallen, has been opened and refitted, cost L 6. A portion of this road between Clark's and the Deep Stream is greatly in need of repair, and will have to bo attended to as soon as possible before the wool season commonces.

" Strath-Taieri Road from Clark's to the boundary. — A portion of this road is in very bad order. I would recommend that a few surfacemen be employed immediately on this line to fill ruts and let off the water, to comcence at the Deep Stream and work towards boundary- — I am, &c, " Jas. Davidson, Inspector."

Mr ANDKEWi thought that the work on roads done by the Council should be performed by contract, and that tenders should be called for same, the work to be in allotments of 10 miles each. The plan was much oheaper than that of employing daymen on the county roads, and metalling, was a oheaper method of repairing them. A motion was proposed by Mr Shand to the effect — "That tenders be called for from surfacemen to look after roads — viz., two men on the main road from Green Island toll-bar to Taieri bridge ; one man on the road from Mosgiel to West Taieri ; two men from Outram to Lee Stream ; and one man on Half-way Bush road."

After a little discussion, an addition to the motion was made, granting to one of the men on the section from Outram to Lee Stream the use of the old tollhouse at West Taieri.

Seconded by Mr Snow, and carried unanimously. Mr Snow moved that the Engineer be instructed to survey a road-line across the Lee Stream on the Hindon track from Outratn, and give an estimate of the cwt for forming a bridle or dray track up and down to the Lee Stream. — Carried.

INSPECTION OV SLAUGHTEEHOUSES.

The Inspector of Slaughterhouses made the following report : —

" October 3rd, 1879. " To the Chairman and Members of the Taieri

County Council. " Gentlemen, — I have the honour to reporh for the week endiog September 30th, being 25 weeks cince my appointment as Inspector of Slaughterhouses. I have received returns for 1503 head great cattle and 23,831 small cattle. I estimate their value as follows : — Great cattle, 6501ba each, at 253 per 1101b, L 12,211 17s 6d ; and small cattle, 23,831 at 10s each, Lll.9ls los— making a total of L 24.127 7a 6d, the fees accruing from the same being L6B 8s Bid— as near as possible 5s 8d in the LIOO. Taking into consideration that there are no tolls in the county, and that there must be a great amount of traffic on the roads in driving stock and carrying out the meat, the above tax of 5s 8d in the LIOO is very reasonable. I may also state that in three or four cases I have found out that the full number of cattle slaughtered was not returned, and cautioned the parties on the matter, and that it is my intention hereafter to enforce the strict carrying out of that part of the Act. I may also state that, through sickness in my family, I was unable to lake my usual rounds one week, and that the accumulation of offal in some places was something enormous; but as the warm weather is coming on 1 shall be particular that the bye-laws be strictly enforced. I might also state that it would be advisable to make a byelaw prohibiting slanghtermen keeping pigs within say five or 10 chains from the slaughterhouse, which would tend greatly to the purity of the atmosphere where meat hangs up to cool after slaughter. — I have, &c, "Amos M'Kkgg, " Inspector of Slaughterhouses." With reference to the last paragraph in the report, Mr Allan thought it would be officious on the part of Council to interfere in the matter, especially as aa inspector had been appointed.

THE OWHIBO GREYTOWN BRIDGE.

The following telegram was read from Mr J. Roberts : —

"■Wellington, September 30th. "John Douglas, Clerk County Council, Mos-

giel. " The Under Secretary informß me road from railway to Greytown not yet gazetted, bo road not a county raad. See Public Works Act, clause 88. Imagine, therefore, bridge cannot be constructed until matter in order.

"John Roberts."

Mr Shakd rose to move his resolution, which was to have been . brought up at last meeting—" That the lowest tender bo accepted." He thought' it was a very proper thing the Council should take up the matter. The lowest tender was under the estimate of the Engineer, and it was a matter of good faith between the Council and the contractors that it should be accepted. They should take advantage, especially during these dull times, cf being able to get the w»rk done cheaply, He had asked tie Olerk at a former meeting to prepare a Btitement showing the revenues of the various ridings in the County, which showed a total of 1/3531 9s 2*, made up as follows : — North Taieri, L 493 19s 7d ; Taieri, L 368 3s 9 ) ; Kaikorai, L 556 4a 2d ; Ofcakia, L 617 3s 2d ; Outram, L 930 12a; Maungatua, L 305 6s 6d; Deep Stream, L 255 Why, the revenue from his own jsding would defray the cost of the bridge,

Messrs Andrew and Charters both opposed the motion. Seeing it had been brought under the notice of the Council so many times before, it was not a matter of such moment that it should he definitely settled at this meetirg. A division was taken on the motion, for which there voted Messrs Shand, Snow, and Findlay, as against Messrs Charters and Andrew.

BEGULATION3.

Mr Andbbw moved — "That a committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs Findlay, Charters, and himself, be appointed to prepare regulations for the guidance of the Council at its meetings." Mr Shand moved as an amendment — "That the Chairman and Secretary be instructed to prepare regulations for the guidance of the Council, and that the same be considered before next meeting of the Council." Mr Andrew deferred to Mr Shand's amendment; which was seconded by Mr Snow, and carried.

USE OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS. The following letters were read :—: — " Taieri Road Board, " Mosgiel, 27th September, 1879. " The.Chairman Taieri County Council,

" Mosgiel. "Sir, — The Board desires to know if your Council would grant the use of your Hall for it to bold its meetings in, which take place on,the first Saturday of each month at 3 p.m. — I have, &c,

" A. Lees, Clerk."

"Mosgiel, sth September, 1879. " The Chairman Taieri County Council. "Sir, — I am respectfully requested by the North Taieri Road Board to write you to see if the Council would grant the Board the use of the Hall to hold their meetings in, and if granted, on what conditions. — I am, &c, ■ "W. M'Leod, " Clerk N. T. R. Board."

After a short discussion, the permission asked was granted, the Boards requesting the use of the Chambers to bear their quota of expenses.

APPOINTMENT OF POUNDKEEPEK.

A letter requesting an appointment as poundkeeper at Henley was read. It was as follows : —

" Henley, October 3rd. " To the Chairman Taieri County Council.

" Sir,— l hereby apply for the appointment of poundkeeper at Henley. The stray cattle nuisance is snowing 'itself again. The fact of a pound in the district keeps a great deal of it away. — I am, &c,

"W. OVEETON."

It was moved by Mr Shand, and seconded by Mr Snow, that the request be complied with, Mr Shand remarking that a poundkeeper waß urgeatly needed. — Carried! NOTICE OF MOTION.

Mr Snow gave notice that he would move at tho next meeting of the Council — " That the sum of LSO be granted to the Waipori Road Board to repair the damage caused by the last flood to the road-line leading to Waipori Bush."