CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 162, 17 August 1877, Page 6

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The first meeting of the Clutha County Council since the adoption of the whole Act, was held in the Courthouse here on Tuesday at noon. There were present-; Messrs M'Noil (chairman), Jowitt, Henderson, Scott, Dallas, Ayson, Scobie, and Captain M'Kenzio. MINUTES. The minutes of the special meeting when the Act was adopted, were read and confirmed. INTRODUCTORY. The Chairman explained that as that was tlxe first meeting of the Council, there were no notices. The business, therefore, would simply be to arrange as to the place of meeting, offices, ofliee hours, appoint Committees, and any business members might bring forward. He had also to explain that on the day of last meeting he received a telegram from Mr Scobie, mentioning his inability to be present, and that he was in favour of the adoption of the Act. He (the Chairman) also remarked that from information he had received, he believed the Council had the power to levy a rate for the current year over portions of the County not included in any Road Board, and which portions therefore had not been taxed.

The Clerk said the Judge of the Assessment Court had stated he was of opinion that this could be done, but that he would examine into iha point. Captain M'Kbjtzir said some people seemed to associate the Counties Act with the Act abolishing Provincialism. He held the two were in no way connected the one with the other. He thoroughly approved of the Act abolishing the Provinces, but he disagreed with much that was in the Counties Act. He thought the Council should at once forward "to the Government such suggestions of amendments as they thought necessary. The Chairman said that lie would allow such matters to be brought up without notice. OFFICE AND OFFICE HOURS. It was resolved that the office of the Council bo that of Mr William Henderson, in Clyde-street, and that the office hours be Tuesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. ENGINEER. Mr Scott moved that Mr Paterson be appointed engineer to the .Council, and that ho be instructed to examine as to roads in the outlying districts, to consult with the members for these Ridings, and report at next meeting ; also, to examine and report upon the state of the main roads, and that in the meantime he be empowered to employ surface-men where absolutely required. In support of the motion, ho expressed the conviction that if properly surveyed, a good deal of the expenditure upon roads in outlying districts might be saved. It seemed to°have been the practice with engineers to follow the tracks upon the leading ridges, instead of to find out the most convenient and least expensive routes. He considered Mr Patorson would execute the work cheaper than any other engineer, as ho was at present engaged in the same kind of work in the same localities. He would leave it for the Chairman to arrange as to remuneration.

Captain Mackenzie, in seconding the motion, pointed out that all roads in outlying districts wore County roads, but it would be for the Council to select which of these it would be most advantageous for the public to have formed — which were most required by the parties paying the rates. As to the unmade roads, he said the Council conld no"t undertake them, and that it would not be advisablo to do anything to them until an outcry was raised, and then the Government Avould be obliged to form them.

Mr Henderson approved of the appointment of Mr Paterson as engineer, butthe latter part of the resolution— the unlimited power to employ men — he could not support. He considered all works above £10 should be tendered for, and there was nothing to prevent them calling for tenders for surface work. He would not approve of doing much on the roads in outlying districts till they knew whether they could levy a rate to meet the expense. Besides, it appeared that the greater part of the outlying districts of the County wished to establish a new County. The Chaikman mentioned that there was Ll2O to receive as license fees. Mr Hewdekbon said that of the £1600 they had to receive from the Government as subsidy LllOO was allocated to the Clinton Road Board, while the Richardson Hiding of the Olutha Road Board only got £50. If such allocation of funds were to be continued by the Council, many of the Hidings would follow the example of those in the Taieri County, and petition for Municipalities to get rid of the County system. He held that the money should as much as possible be expended where raised.

Mr Dallas explained that the latter part of the motion simply gave the engineer power to prevent the roads getting impassable. Some of these were newly metalled, and were going to waste for want of the ruts being filled up. If this wore attended to, it Avould be a great saving of money afterwards. He considered great credit was due to the Road Boards for the effort they had made to preserve the roads. As to tendering for surface work, the Council might do so for the future, but it was too late in the season to do so this year.

Mr Jowitt suggested that the motion 1 be divided into two. He approved of the engineer, but would not give him unlimited power .to employ men. All dangerous places should at once be attended to, but he thought nothing more should be clone till they had a report upon the roads at next meeting. Mr Ayson would support the motion. He had perfect confidence in Mr Patersoil that he would not employ men except where absolutely necessary. Mr Scobie supported the motion. It was absolutely necessary to have some parts of the roads repaired at once. .The Chairman had every confidence in Mr 3?a,terson, who, he was sure, would act with the utmost prudence and economy, and would only expend money where absolutely required. The motion was carried unanimously. COUNTY: ROADS. , Mr Scott sgggested that the Council y should then declare what were County roads.

The Chairman thought- they should defer action in the matter till" they had the engineer's report before them. . Mr. Hexddrson said that all the roads formerly maintained by the Provincial Government were County roads. Mr Dallas referred to the Act, and pointed out that there were no County roads until the Council declared them as sxich. The subject then dropped. RATING OUTLYING DISTRICTS. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Judge of the Assessment Court as to the power of the Council to levy a rate in the outlying districts. Mr Matthew Patorson was nominated valuator, in case it were found to be legal to make such a rate. TKEASURER. Mr W. Henderson was appointed Treasurer—he to find two bondsmen for L2OO. The Chairman, and Mr P. Ayson'to sign cheques. " . dog tax. The Clerk was instructed to call for applications for the appointment of Dog Tax Collector. SEAL. The Chairman was instructed to procure designs for a Seal, to be submitted at next meeting. PLACE OF MEETING. Mr Scott suggested that the meetings of the Council should be held at Clinton as the most central place, and the most convenient for the members. The Chairmain- reminded Mr Scott that ' they had just fixed their offices in P>alclutha, and therefore it would be inconvenient to hold the meetings elsewhere. The Council then adjourned till 3 o'clock.

Upon resuming, Mr Dallas moved—" That any money spent upon County roads by Road Boards, in excess of what they had received from the Council, be refunded. " Pie pointed out that the Road Boards, upon the understnding that they were to receive a certain sum, had kept up the main roads. They had not received the' money they were led to expect they would get, and therefore they ought to be paid the excess they had expended.

_ Mr Henderson, in seconding the motion, said that L 250 had been allocated to the South Molyneux Roadßoard, and upon the faith of this they had expended Ll4O, and had only got L7l. The expected they would at least have got L2OO, and never dreamt they would only get a fourth of the amount.

Mr Jowitt said he and Mr Henderson had been requested specially to bring this matter before the Council. The works upon which the money had been spent were very urgent, and the Board had no fund out of which to meet the deficiency. They had, therefore, only to look to the Council for the money. He read a letter from the Colonial Treasurer to the effect that the L7O was a full and final payment of what the Board had to receive from the Government of the sum allocated by the County Council.

Capt. Mackenzie said the Council had previously voted the L 250 to the South Molyneux Road Board, and would have to pay it. It was unnecessary to re-vote the money.

The Clerk pointed out that it was not a vote of a fixed amount, but a 2«'oportionate sum to the various Boards.

Capt. Mackenzie said that in that case he did not think the Council should refund the excess expended. Tho South Molyneux Board had expended it for their own benefit— for the improvement of their own properties, and should pay the money out of their own pockets. Mr Aysokt supported the motion, and said a considerable part of the money was expended in finishing a work left incomplete by the Provincial Government.

Mr Scott opposed the motion, and believed the Boards would get from the Government tho amount allocated by the Council.

The Oi-TAiRMAisr considered the claim an equitable one, but there was a good deal to be said upon both .sides. It was not a matter that should be hurriedly gone into, as they had to consider what position they would hold with reference to the other Boards, some of which have perhaps expended more than they gob, and others probably not so much. He suggested that tho motion should bo withdrawn, and notice given of it for next meeting. _ Mr Dallas refused to withdraw his motion. . Mr Scobie moved as an amendment— "That the several lload Boards be requested to furnish returns of the sums they had expended upon the County roads." Mr Scott seconded the amendment. The Chairman ruled that the amendment was no amendment. Mr Dallas withdrew his motion in its favour, and Mr Scobie's motion was carried. THE MAIN ROADS. Capt. Mackenzie moved — " That it is ■manifestly unjust that localities where no roads exist should be called upon to make mam through roads out of the subsidies which are allowed to districts which have all their roads made at the jmblic cost. Resolved — Tthat it is necessary that special appropriations be made by Parliament for the construction 01 main through roads in localities where such roads have not been made, or that special subsidies should be provided on amounts voted by County Councils for the construction of such main through roads. That copies of the foregoing resolution be forwarded to the members for the district — Messrs Thomson and Bastings, also to the Government." In support of the resolution, ho pointed out the necessity of having special' Votes for 1 roads such as those formerly constructed by j the Provincial Government. He referred to the large extent of country that was yet without roads. The settlers were not able to undertake such roads, and it was unreasonable they should be asked to make roads for the use of the general public. In the Riding he represented there was not an inch of road, and settlement was progressing veiy rapidly. '■- Mr Scobie seconded the motion. Mr Henderson- in supporting it, said it w.as the duty of tho Government to make all such roads before handing them over to the County Councils. ■- The motion 5 was carried. . I ' BKAKCH RAILWAYS; iMr .TowiTX moved— " That this Council

urge the Government to proceed with the formation of "the line from Balclutha to Oatlins River, and at once form the first six miles, as far as the Omaru bridge." He pointed out that the district was suffering very much for want of the railway. The port of Port Molyneux was now closed, and the Waitepeka deviation was now denied them. If the ordinary roads Avere relieved of the heavy traffic, it woiild be of very great advantage to the ratepayers. A flying survey of the line had previously been made, and it was estimated to cost not more than L2OOO per mile — the cheapest in the Colony. There were no engineering difficulties, and the line would be a thoroughly paying one. In the district he represented there had been 50,000 bushels of grain thrashed last year. It was also an extensive timber country, and where there was only one mill now there would be many if they had the railway.

Mr Henderson, in seconding the motion, said the line would do more than pay the Government by being a large feeder to the main trunk line. They had the finest bush in the Colony, and a large amount of land would be opened up for settlement.

Capt. Mackenzie moved an addition to the motion "so as to include a line of railway from the main south trunk to Tapanui. He pointed out that this line would also prove a- very large feeder, and that settlement was progressing very rapidly in the district.

The motion, as amended, was carried.

NOTICES OF MOTION,

The following notices of motion were given for next meeting :— By Mr Henderson— That in the opinion of this Council, Road Boards should be encouraged, and that County Councils should not have power to raise any rates within Road Board districts. That the Chairman be requested to send a copy of this resolution to the Colonial Secretary, and to our representative in tho Assembly. By Mr Hendeuson— That in the opinion of this Council there are too many counties, whose working expenses are too heavy a tax upon the ratepayers. That one or two counties would be sufficient for the Province of Otago, as they they are not required where Road Boards are established.

By Mr Henderson— That the Chairman be requested to write to the Minister of Railways, requesting him to extend the railway free passes given to the members of this Council to the southern trunk line between Balclutha and Dunedin, there being no railway within the Clutha County.

By Mr Jowitt— That the members of this Council be allowed a fit sum for travelling expenses v/hen attending Council meetings.

Tho meeting then adjourned.