SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4264, 29 March 1879, Page 5

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Fbiday, Mabch 20. i The usual monthly meeting of this Council , was held at half-past ten o'clock at the office, Manchester street. Present—The Hon. John Hall (chairman), and Meesra H. J. Mathia», Enys, J. L. Wilson, McMillan, Peryman, : and Dr Turnbull -- ;i THB OB—CB—AN'B BKMABKS. The Chairman said — Appropriation of funds —The committee appointed to recommend an allocation upon principles laid down ( by tbe Council, of the funds available for distribution, has sent in its report, which will be found to deal fully with this difficult ques- , tion. If the recommendation of the commit- , tee should meet with your approval our future proceedings in this matter will be greatly simplified. Grants for cemeteries and reorea- • tion grounds.—As the season at which these grants will be required is near at hand, I would suggest that they should be fixed as soon as practicable. Perhaps the best course will be to require either the committee which has just reported, or another committee, to report on the division of the £20C3 which it has been determined to appropriate to these purposes. Grants for Lincom Cemetery and recreation ground—As the Government has not yet appointed the trustees recommended for these grounds, the Road Board applies for the payment to the Board of the grants already promised. You have already agreed that in cases like this, where the local authorities are not to blame for the delay which has taken place in making the necessary appointments, and where it is desirable not to loss the season for the fencing and planting 1 , the grants may be paid over to the persons whose appointment you have recommended, if they will at once undertake the Trust. This seems a better arrangement than handing the money to the Road Board. Heathcote swing bridge —The Heathcote Road Board has, through a deputation of its members, represented that this bridge is in a dangerous condition, and that for several reasons it should be considered one of those special works upon whioh county funds allocated to the district may be expended. They urge that the bridge exists chiefly for the convenience of the traffic from Christchurch to Sumner, that it was transferred to the Board against their wish, and it is in a bad state of repair. Aa a general rule, I think that the grants for special works should be made only after notice at a previous sitting, but as the bridge is in such a condition aa to necessitate imrrediate repairs, I have agreed to bring the question before you at once. A letter from the Heathcote Road Board reached toe just before this meeting, applying for grants for other special works. I hare not been able to make inquiry respecting them, but the case does not appear to be pressing. Bluff and Lower Selwyn Bridges—l would suggest that the condition of these boundary bridges for which the Council is responsible, shall be reported on at an early date. Road Diversion, Ricearton District —The standing committee on road diversion recommends that the decision of the meeting of ratepayers to 6top a road on the Upper Avon, be confirmed. Advertising Appointments of Registrars of Dogs—Mr Joynt's opinion on this question baa been received. The following letters require your consideration.—From Baiaia Road Board, stating that they have acquired a public cemetery, at Hororata, and recommending trustees for this cemetery, and also for that at DunsandeL Also, requesting payment of the grants already made for these cemeteries. From Lino 3„ Road Board, requesting that the portion of the Halswell river which is in that district may, by the operation of section 170 of the Pubb'c Works Act, be placed uuder the control of the Road Board. From Lincoln Road Board, requesting that a yard recently erected by them may be proclaimed a pound under the authority of the Counties Act; that a poundkeeper may be appointed, and that the ieea may be payable to the ] Board. From Courtenay Road Board, requesting . permission to . take gravel from Reserve No. 1301. From Hororata and Lyttelton Domain Boards, for grants for thoso Boards. Frem Mr Gimlett, complaining of the flooding of his land by the -damming oL tbe: river Styx for the purposes of-« nuL >-From-the C—romandel County Council, respecting the m_ntenance of hos*

(fpitela. From the Springa^Jtoad Board, in i answer to Mr Miles' complaint as to the noni clearing of a drain.. From"the New Zealand 1 Provision and Produce Company, -respecting fees on slaughtering of cattle. | BXA VOBXB B-HOBSBS. The report of the slaoghter-house inspec- ) tor was read. It detailed the work done by him during the month. Several licenses were granted. The Council resolved, on the motion of Mr , Mathias, seconded by Mr Enys—" That the Council is not prepared to make any altera- ; tion in the slaughter-house fees already fixed until after twelve months' experience of the working of the same has been obtained." Mr Turnbull moved, and Mr Peryman seconded—"That the inspector of slaughterhouses be instructed to endeavor to recover as much as possible of the fees due from J. Graham from the trustees of his estate, and that in future the inspector will be held responsible for any losses accruing through his failure to collect such fees." KLSCTOBAB BOL— At this stage Mr Buck waited on the Council to report the progress he had made in the preparation of the electoral roll. KAIVHBN WATER KAOB. A letter was read from the secretary to the East Malvern Bond Board, informing the Council that the contractor for the Malvern water race waa encroaching on the roadway on the sonth side of the tramway works, with the earth takes out of the water race, and as the Board was given to understand that it wag done with the permission of the Council's engineer, the latter was notified that the Board would hold it responsible for such encroachment. With reference to this subject, the Council's engineer reported aa follows:— With reference to your memo, on a let'er from the East Malvern Road Board, herewith returned, I have to report that in carryin g_ out contract No. 3 the contractor has deposited, upon his own responsibility, earth and thisgle outride the limit of the 75 links of the reserve appropriated for the u«e of the Race. It would have been difficult to avoid doing so, unless the whole of the excavation had been made by hand, which would have been too costly. . 1 fad to see that any hardship has been inflicted upon tbe Board, supposing their claim to the reserve be substantiated, as the material would be useful in forming a road, and considerably reduce the cost. The accompanying .-.ketch will illustrate and show the position of affairs. The encroach--1 ment varies from 2 feet to 5 feet where it exists. The matter waa allowed to stand over. The following letter from the Council's engineer was read:— To the Chairman Selwyn County Council. Sir, —1. I have the honor to report, for the information of the Council, that the contractor for No. 3 contract is progressing fairly with the work, and I hope, with favorable weather, that he may complete in the time granted. 2. The plan and notices to landowners in connection with contract No. 4 are ready for issue, and will be served with as little delay as possible. The working drawings are nearly finished, and, together with specification and estimate, can be completed in about ten days. The work of repairing the tunnel is fairly commenced, but the amount of water to be disposed of is greater than was anticipated. I have secured the services of a good foreman, and have every confidence in the difficulties incident to such a work being overcome aa they arise. 4. The removal of the shingle from the vicinity of the sluice gates has allowed an inspection to be made, and I am of opinion that the difference in level between the tunnel and flushing slnicer is not sufficient to prevent a continual scour of shingle through the tunnel. I would recommend that a board be fixed to the grating in front of the gates and the level raised one foot. This, I think, will be so far effectual that the caretaker will be able to keep the shingle from entering. 5. During the inspection by the Council on the 26th instant, it waa noticed that the bank of shingle near the tunnel outlet had been cut into, and a considerable amount removed by Mr Benham, a contractor. The men were warned not to proceed any further with work, and that th»y would have to fill the holes made, and generally strengthen the bank. I would recommend that an official notioe be sent to Mr Benham, he being contractor for the railway extension, or there may be some difficulty in re* straining him from interfering with the bank running parallel with contract No. 3. "6. Tha surveyor to the East Mai Tern Road Board has informed the foreman of the works that two droinß near the Telegraph Office will be required to be carried over the race. I have prepared a drawing of what I propose, but it would appear questionable as to the necessity of two flumes. Tho cost of each I estimate at -318 5a lid. On the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by * Mr Peryman, it was resolved - That the Council approves of tbe suggestion of Mr Webster for obviating tbe entrance of shingle to the tunnel." On the motion of Mr Mathias, seconded by Mr Enys, it was resolved—"That the notices for the extension of the Malvern water-race, proposed by Mr Webster, be advertised, and that such notices and the plans be deposited at the officejof the East Malvern Road Board, as required by the Fublto Works Act." It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Mathias, seconded by Dr. Turnbull—" That the engineer be instructed to prevent any further removal of the material excavated for the Malvern water-race, and that Mr Benham be informed that he will be held responsible for any damage that may accrue to the race from the removal of material whioh has already taken place. APPBOPBIATION OF P UNDS. The Secretary read following repoit of the committee appointed to consider and report on the appropriation of the funds at the disposal of the Council: — 1. The funds upon the appropriation of which your committee are to report consist of —14,821 received on account of land fund for the halfyear ending 31st December, 1878, and of —7462, the subsidy in proportion to rates for the current financial year, half of which has already been received and the bal .nee of which may soon be expected. 2. Beforo thsse sums are available for distribution there has to be provided out of them about —1500 charged against the county for hospitals, Ac. The fairest mode of a'locating this charge appears to your committee to be to debit it to each road district in the county in proportion to the population of such district. 3. Further, your committee suggests that .£2OOO should be set apart for cemeteries and recreation grounds, to be voted by the Council from time to time as it may think proper; the amount of such votes should also be charged against the road districts in which they are expended. 4. The districts of Ellesmere, Springs, Rakaia, and South Malvern, should also be charged with such proportion of the cost of maintaining the Bluff and tho Lower Selwyn road bridges respectively, which are both, by the Public Works Act, in the charge of the County Council, as the Council may determine. 5. Subject to the above charges, your committee, in accordance with the general principle adopted by the Council, proposes:—A. That the —7462 received as subsidies should be allocated for special works in those districts where the rate» on account of which such subsidies have been received were raised, and in proportion to the amounts so raised. B. That ! the sum received on account of land fund be allocated for special works in those districts which have received less than 50 per cent, of the land fond raised therein, and in proportion to the amount in which in each district such receipts fall shprt of 50 per cant. 6. By special works, your committee mean those enumerated in the proposals of the chairmen, and of which the Council expressed its approval. ',-,,-. 7. The effect of the above proposals wool! be approximately as foil >W3 : — ,

8. The payment of the sum a above stated should be on the unds—tanding that the countywill not be called upon to undertake drainage works in districts in which these funds are ex? pended, and that such responsibility wiuY when necessary, be transferred to the Boad Beards under the power given in the Publio Works 9. four committee assnma thit the Council will from time to time determine for what special works grants should be made, and that,' as a general, although not a necessary,rule, the sxp_ditore of such grists will be eatr»stedto j tbe Road Boards.' In _c -oases, however,, of cemeteries and recrea M onrgroT_dis; it-wool_•- be; desirable that the grants should as soon as pos-

sible be placed at the disposal of the trustees by whom these grounds are managed. "John *___,--r Chairman of the Committee.

On the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Dr Turnbull, it was resolved—" That the report of the comrr-ittee on the distribution of funds be adopted." GBAST FOB CKMBTBBT AND BBC——TION SSOUNDB. It was resolved, on the motion of Dr Turnbull, teconded by Mr Peryman—" That the committee on the appropriation of f nnds be instructed to report on the distribution of the £2000 set apart for cemeteries and recreation grounds." LINCOLN ~C3_BTBBY AND BBOBBATION GROUND. Mr Wilson moved, and Mr McMillan seconded—-"That the Lincoln Road Board be informed that if the persons recommended as trustees for the cemetery and recreation ground at Lincoln, will undertake, pending their appointment by the Government, to act as a committee for the expenditure of the grants made for these grounds, the grants will be paidfover to them." The resolution was agreed to. HBATHCOTB SWINS BBIDGB. It. was resolved, on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Enys—" That out of the sum allocated for special works in the the Heathcote district, £900 ba granted for the repair of the awing bridge at the Heathcote, and that the Heathcote Road Board be informed accordingly, as well aa of the condition on which these grants are made. That with respect to the other works for which the Board applies for special grants, the Council will require further information as to their position and character before it can decide upon the application." BOTJNDABT BBIDOBS. It was moved by Mr McMillan, seconded by Dr. Turnbull"—" That Messrs E. Dobson and Son be requested to report oh the condition of the boundary bridges over the Selwyn, at the Bluff, and adjoining the South- ■ bridge railway, and upon any repairs of which they may stand in need." BA„IA DIBTBIOT. On the motion of Mr ' Enys, seconded by Mr Wilson, it was resolved —"That the Government be requested to appoint the persons recommended by the Rakaia Road Board as trustees for the cemeteries at Dunsandel and Hororata, and that the grants already voted for those cemeteries be paid to the persons so recommended, on their agreeing to act ai a committee for the expenditure of the grants, pending their formal appointment by the Goi eminent." BIVBB HAXSWBI—, Mr Peryman moved and Mr Wilson aeconded—" That this Council, under the authority given to it by section 170 of the Public Works Act, directs that the portion of the Biver Halswell situated in the Lincoln district be placed under the control of the Lincoln Road Board, ss requested by them." IJNOOLN POUND. It was resolved that, in compliance with the request of the Lincoln Road Board, the yards recently erected by that Board on reserve 202 be proclaimed a public pound, and that William Batter be appointed poundkeeper for the same. That the Board be informed the Council can only order the fees in this oase to he paid to the poundkeeper, and that it must therefore be for the Board to arrange with the poundkeeper as to the ultimate destination of those fees." COUBTBNAY. BBSBBVB. With reference to gravel being taken from the reserve specified by the Courtenay Road Board, the Council pa*sed the following resolution, which was moved by Mr Enys, and seconded by Mr Wilson:—"That the Courtenay Road Board be informed, in reply to its letter of 12th March, that the Reserve No. 1301, being a reserve for a tramway stated, is not under the control of the Council, which cannot therefore authorise gravel being taken from it." HOBO*—ITA. The Council resolved, on the motion of Mr MoMillan, aeconded by Mr Enys:—"That the application from the Hororata and Lyttelton Domain Boards ba referred to the committee on the distribution of grants for domains and cemeteries." Bxv- _r_Referring to the letter from Mr Gimlett, the Council resolved, on the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Peryman:—"That Mr Gimlett be informed that if the proprietor of the Styx mill dams that river without being authorised by law to do so, and thereby damages Mr Gimlett's property, he has hia remedy at law for the recovery of such damage." BPBINGS. Referring to the letter from the Springs Road Board bearing on the question of drainage re Miles, the Council decided to postpone the consideration of the matter until its next meeting. NOTICES OB—OTION. Mr Peryman made the following notices of motion :— "That the committee for thedutribution of funds in allocating the £2000, grant a sum of money to the Lincoln Road Board towarda the coat of clearing the river HalswelL" " That the Council bring before tbe Government the necessity for altering _l river boundaries between Counties from ths left bank to the centre of the stream."

ga • S2*2"g 03 F - O fi _2f e» OP. •fg-Sf o *§ - _;-2 JS •g &-;a 11*11 £ b. d. 1630 18 2 807 9 3 222 12 11 1429 17 11 741 17 2 108 6 5 338 10 11 336 0 17 620--U e 3148 13 6 194 9 7 39 2 1 33 9.11 Disxki cr. Avon Biccarton... Templeton Heathcote Spreydon H—swell Lincoln Springs Courtenay ■EUesmere Malvern ... „ East ... „ South... Lote Coleridge j Up. VVaimakariri £ b. A. 1934 8.11 919 8 6 253 15 10 1724 10 6 801 13 0 128 2 6 419 19 IS 413 14. 9 6304 10 7 3365 4 6 223 14 9 70 0 0 43 18 1 £ s. d. 313 10 y 111 19 3 41 2 11 291. 12 7 59 15 10 19 6 1 81 8 11 77 13 11 101 18 10 217 6 0 29 5 2 30 17 11 11 8 2 <Z6 17 4 t 8 7 11 7 18 51 5660 8 3! . : I U5—4 3 0 KiL'M ,| Total i 10 • ! 1444 0 '20847 8 5