ISHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12849, 6 July 1907, Page 10

ISHBURTON COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Ashhiirton County Council was held yesterday. Prtwent:—Messrs C. J. Harper (chairman), J. Cairns, \V. J Dickie, E. Gates, J. Lambie, M. Stitt. ami S. Chapman. i ho Works Committee's report formed the subject ot' con>idnrable discussion, the chief point being tho sluntage of water in various parts of the county, and the value oi poisoned wheat as n means ot destroying small birds. To increase tho water supply the north and south branches oi tho Ashburton river had had to he connected for the Miond time for some years during the winter mouths. The opinion expressed with reference, to the poisoned wheat was that it was not nearly so effectual :•'■ •■■lμ 1 ' !io desired, and on the. motion of Mr Chapman, seconded by Mr Gates. it M.i.i icioi.vd to make enquiries from tli<> Government as to the most effectual means'of poisoning grain for distribution by Road Boards. Mr Dickie expressed the opinion that the monthly report should come direct from the county overseer instead of from a Works Committee. He thought this would be more satisfactory to the ratepayers, and he was prepared to move in this direction. The Chairman said the question was of much too great importance to be dealt with without notice of motion first being given. Mr Dickie complained that several of the Council's reserves appeared to have been let without any rent being charged, while other reserves appeared to be let privately instead of by public tender.

The Chairman said the custom had prevailed for years, and each reserve was let with certain conditions which wero to the advantage of the county. Mr Dickie replied that tho best way would be to let every reserve by public tender, and this would givo everyone a chance. He said he would give notice of motion for tho report to come direct from the county overseer, instead of from the Works Committee, nnd also that in future no reserve be let except by public tender. In accordance with notice previously given, the Chairman moved: —"That the resolution passed by the Council on September 4th, 1903, providing that half the cost of telephones be defrayed by subscribers, be rescinded, And that in future half the total amount required by the Government be pmd to the Council before the other half be rt>mitted by this Council to the Government." . This was seconded by Mr Dickie ana carried. The report of the committee set up to deal with the re-letting of the Mount Somers tramway, and also to draw up a schedule of duties for the inspector for traction engine, motor car, motor cycle, and other traffic, was road and adopted. It was decided to invite applications for tho position of inspector at a salary of £150 a year. Accounts amounting to £/88 11s 9U were paused for payment. A letter was read from Mr H. M. Jones enclosing a petition to the Minister for Lands asking him to acquire and reserve fnr all time the bush round Little Mount Peel for scenic and recreation purposes, and asking thn Council's support. It was decided 1 to approve and en. dorse tha petition. Tho matter of making a further grant to the Winslow Cemetery RonH was held in abeyance, por-ding a fuller report on the condition of tho reserve, and the cost of putting it in repair. An -application for a grant io the Hinds Domain Board was deferred, pending a report and! statement of accounts. A grant of £20 was voted to mc Methven Domuin lioard, provided a list of the improvements to be made be furnished to the Council.

Mr Cairns moved in the direction of the Council purchasing ten or twelve acies of land at the mouth of ..ne \Vakanui Creek, on tho sea beach, for recreation purposes. This was seconded by Mr Lambie and carried. A petition was handrd in. asking the Council to again approach Mr Leonard White with a view to getting him to allow a further water supply to oo carried through his property to foe<i the wnter-rao<v; nt the lower or beach end of tho Rnkaia district. The petition was received, and it was decided to forward a copy to Mr White. A deputation from tho Hampsfcad Town Hoard waited on the Council with reference to a reserve that had been vested in the Hoard, the petitioners contending that through a iv.isnndorst uiv'-ing a four acre section, instead oi' a twenty acre section, iian bern mad.' over to the Town Board. Tho contention of tho Council was that thf* Council would have had no power u> vest the twenty acre section in tho Town Hoard. A quantity of other business was also transacted. *