SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13232, 28 September 1908, Page 2

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL.

The meeting of the Selwyn County Council, held on Saturday, tra* attended by Messrs W. Dunlop (chairman), G. Scott, J. Storey, J. Wolfe, K. Wilson, D. McMillan, B. Bedford, and G. Witty, M.P. Mr R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P., sent an apology for absence. The chairman said that since the last meeting of the Council there had been three meetings in the Malyern district to consider tho Council's proposal to borrow £17,000. Hostile motions had been passed at two of the meetings anu at West Melton the proposal had been approved. A poll would be taken on the project. Mr Witty thought the employees of the Council sliouid not attempt to influence the poll, but should attend to tho Council's business. Mr Wolfe proposed that tho Council's employees in the county should be informed that they would bo dismissed if they endeavoured to influence the ratepayers one way or the other. Mr Witty seconded the proposal on the condition that the employees were cautioned only. Mr Scott thought the names of tho employees should bo nominated, as there wero some of the employees who had not been concerned in tho indiscretion. The chairman thought the proposed course would be rather drastic, as tho employees woro entitled to their own private opinions. They should certainly not be allowed to make any canvass, but the Council should be very cautious before casting a slur on the whole of the employees. Mr McMillan • was also opposed to existing a slur on the whole of tho Council's employees. Mr Witty said that no one 'wished to stop the staff from exercising their votes, but they should certainly not be allowed to act in a derogatory manner 'to tho Council's management. Mr Bedford said the caretakers had for a long time been doing their best to ridiculo tho Council. Three of the members of tho Council had been called "old women," and it was time this eort of thing was stopped. Mr Wilson , expressed similar views.

Mr Storey said there would be no great harm in forwarding the resolution to all tho employees of the Council.

The motion was carried. Mr Witty moved that tho resolution carried by the Council to increase .the membership by the addition of a member for the Ricoarton district bo rescfolded. In speaking to tho motion, Mr Witty said that the legislation under which the proposal could become effective had not yet been placed on the Statute Book. Under the motion, Eiccarton could elect two members, while Templeton oould only elect one member of tho Council. This was inequitable, ac Riccarton was not a water-race district, while Templeton was.

The chairmaji read a letter from the Templeton Road Board objecting to the motion previously carried by the Council.

Mx Bedford seconded the motion, which, after discussion, was carried. The County Solicitor wrote expressing the opinion that tho Council could not mako a grant to the Sproydon Road Board for the purpose of purchasing a recreation ground, but would be able to assist in the maintenance if the reserve were formed.

In regard to the. Council's request that the Chxistchurch Domain BoaTd should keep the river Styx clear, the Board wrote stating it could not comply with the application. A letter was received from the Otago Acclimetisation Society in regard to the acclimatisation of small owls. The Society stated it had imported 120 of tho birds, which had thrived , well in Otago. • Tho birds had cost about £1 each to land.

The Water Race Committee recommended that the' bridge over thf« Bealey's road toco be removed and 2ft pipes substituted';' that' Creyke's road bridge be removed and an. open crossing substituted; that tho culverts in. the Malrern districts referred to in a previous report be renewed; that the main race through the old creek bed at Springfield be cleaned; and Laureneon, and Le Cren's tender of £340 for constructing c steel flume over the gorge race washout be acoepted; tibat the tenders of R. Crocker and O. T. Brown for certain contracts be accepted And .that G. Addington's tender for lease 1752 at 2s per aero be accepted. Th& report was adopted.

The chairmen and eecretary wero appointed to enquire into tho question of arranging accident insurance for the Council's employees. Tho sum of £80 was apportioned for repairing the oollap6e4 bridge at Little River.

Accounts to the amount of £125 were passed for payment.