SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XL, Issue 5860, 25 June 1884, Page 3

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Selwyn County Council was held yesterday, at half-past ten. Present—Messrs H. J. Mathias (Chairman), P. Jones, E. Westenra, H. W. Peryman, T. Bruce, D. McMillan, W. Dunlop, and G. Bennie.

The regular monthly statement of the Chairman was read. On the subject of the Styx bridge, Mr F. Jones said he had attended the conference of the Avon and Biccartcn Eoad Boards to consider the question of the bridge over tke Styx. They had concluded that it would be sufficient to strengthen the lower part of the bridge, and thig would be done by the Bead Boards without the assistance of the Council.

The Chairman stated that the Bakaia Eoad Board had refused to contribute towards the cost of a bridge over the Selwyn at WhiteclifEs, eaying that traffic was insufficient to warrant tke expenditure. The residents of the north bank of of the Selwyn had applied for some of the money voted for the conservation of the river, and the Ellesmere Boad Board had asked for the money to be used for general purposes, as it unlikely there would be a Board of Conservators formed in the district.

This question was deferred till next meeting. The Ellesmere ratepayers, at their annual meeting, had asked for a statement of the sum received from the Ellesmere riding since the existence of the Council, to be supplied to the Ellesmere Eoad Board.

After some debate, it was decided that any information asked for by the Eilesmere Eoad Board be furnished.

An application from the Lincoln Road Board for a grant of JBISO for drainage purposes was received, and JE7S granted. Eeports were received from the Board's overseers and inspectors, and the application of Thomas Scay to use the water of the Malvern water race for driving a small wheel was referred to the Water Bace Committee, the term not to exefced five years.

The Geraldine County Council had written, urging that the Boade and Bridges Construction Act should be so amended that money might fee advanced for .construction of inter races on conditions eimilar to those on which adraneee were made for district roads.

Decided to assist the Geraldine Council as far as poesiWe.

It was decided to offer for lease by tender one of the planting reserves in the Courtenay district? the trees on which had failed.

With reference to a letter which appeared in this morning's Psses oil the subject ef an application of the Council to the Government for .#4300 under the Beads and Bridges act, which had been refused.

The Skcketabt explained that such as application had indeed been made. It was wanted for repairs to the Kewai dam which was injured about eighteen months ago. The Government had replied that the petition could not be entertained, because it did not come under the provisions of the Beads and Bridges Construction Act.

A sum of JESOO was ordered to be deposited for six months in the National Bank.

Mr D. McMillan moved—" That this Council request the Minister of Lands to take the necessary steps to have the Gravel Reserve No. 1577 vested in the South Malvern Scad Board." Carried.

Accounts to the amount of J5425 123 3d were passed for payment. A petition that the Council would take such action aa it might think best to deal with the small birds nuisance was received fr#m Mr J. Donald, the Chairman ef the public meeting held last Saturday. Mr DtTNioy supported the petition. He w*uld suggest that the Council should offer a reward for heads, pending further consideration. He thought a great deal of money was being wasted in poisoned grain. The Council would not find itself involved in much expense did it take such a course. There was work for the unemployed all through the country in catching the birds by hedge-beating, and soon a reward of 6d a dozen would probably prove a sufficient inducement. This was a matter of general interest, for it was now almost impossible in many places to grow oats. He thought the expenses should be supplied from the general funds of the Council, and not in subtraction from the usual amounts voted to the Boad Boards. Every bird caught now was worth ten by harvest.

Mr F. Jones thought the birds should be named. Five he would mention at once—The blackbird, sparrow, green linnet, chaffinch and sky-lark, but he thought the Council would make a great mistake did it allow the soft-billed insectivorous birds to be included.

" Mr McMhaak thought it would be a mistake for the Council to undertake work which was already being well done by the local bodies—the Boad Boards and Sparrow Clubs.

Mr E. Wistbnba thought that action taken by the Council would have the effect of damping the ardour of those bodies.

Mr Duxlop thought this difficulty could be met by taking action for a limited time, say the next three months. By the general action of the Council the money spent would.be effective, instead, of being frittered away as at present. It was proposed by Mr Duraop, and seconded by Mr W. H. Piryjcan—"That this Council accede to the request contained in the petition, and will offer a premium of 4d per dozen for the destruction of sparrows, green {linnets, chaffinches, and skylarks, such premium to be paid through the Chairmen of all Boad Boards and Sparrow Clubs in the county, and to extend up to the end of September next,"

This was carried, and the Board then adjourned.

At a special meeting of the Council, held at noon, to make an order constituting the Greendale water race district, the order was duly made.