SELWYN COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8544, 26 July 1893, Page 6

SELWYN COUNCIL.

TheSelwyn County Council met at 10.30 a.m. yesterday. Present—Messrs D. McMillan (Chairman), J. G. Murray, W. Boag, W. Dunlop, J. Rennie, T. fi. Anson, EL W. Peryman. The Chairman's statement referred among other matters to correspondence from'the Agricultural Department, relative to Arbor Day; from Mr O'Malley, enclosing a return of the traffic at Ferry during the last quarter; from the Linwood Borough j Council, in reference to the registration of a dog by a resident of Linwood, whose place of business ia in Christchurch ; letter from the Railway Commissioners, fe^ tl J c to the planting of a reserve at Springfield ; the Inspector of Slaughterhouses' report, and reports on water races. On the motion of Mr Assos, seconded by Mr Dun-lop, it was resoived to have forwarded to the county members in Parliament copies of the resolution passed by the Council relating to noxious weeds. In the matter of Arbor Day the Secretary, in answer to the Chairman, said there had been no application for trees. Mr Dunlop said that Mr Murphy had made similar arrangements this year as last for doing some planting at New Brighton, and suggested that the Council should grant what trees may be necessary. I Messrs Dunlop, Peryman and York were, with Mr Jameson, instructed to act on behalf of the Council. The return of traffic over the Bealey ferry for the quarter ending June, showed that sixteen men had been ferried over, and the receipts had been Ba. In answer to the letter from the Linwood Council it was decided to write that legal opinion allowed a man to register his dog in the district he resided, or in that in which he carried on his business.

A letter from the Railway Commissioners stated that the request frora the Council j concerning a subsidy to complete the work ] at Lake EUeemere would be considered. The Chairman reported having also telegrapned that the lake should at once be let out, otherwise it would overflow lands recently dealt with by the Land Board. After some discussion of the matter it was decided on the motion of Messrs Rennie and Murray—" That as soon as a satisfactory answer is received from the Government the Council proceed with the work of opening the lake and clearing the canal as far aa the Ahuriri Lagoon, and that the urgency of the work be placed before the Government and the members for the county." The Slaughterhouse Inspector's report was read and approved. A deputation consisting of five members from the unemployed interviewed the Council, and asked that it might afford Borne relief to those who were in want of food and assistance. Messrs Powell and Fleming addressed the Council, and stated what had been done by the City Council and Linwood Council. The Chairman stated that the Council would consider the request. He, however, i wished to inform the deputation that the ' expenditure of the Council filtered through the Road Boards. The Council kept no workiug staff, but subsidised with what funds it could spare the smaller bodies. The plantation work' was under the Council, but a great deal had been left for the spring and was not of a class that would be suitable for the unemployed in and around Christchurch.

Mr Fleming suggested that the Chairman might try and induce the said Road Boards to give temporary work by making a special subsidy. The Chairman anewered that the Boards looked closely after the Council in this respect. Ihe question was discussed at some length, after which It was resolved that the Council offer to the various Road Boards a subsidy of £ for £ up to £20 to provide immediate employment for the unemployed in the city. After dealing with some minor matters and passing accounts amounting to £952 12s 4d the Council adjourned. A special meeting of the Council was held at noon, at which the audited statement of accounts for the past year was passed.