Clutha County Council.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1028, 6 April 1894, Page 6

Clutha County Council.

,» The monthly meeting of the above council waa held in the county chambers, Balclutha, on Friday. There were present — Messrs W. Hay (chairman), W. Dallas, Thomas Knowles, D. Wallace, J. R. Mitchell, John Johnston, J. Cumming, W. Rhodes, and D. Robertson. CORRESPONDENCE. The Secretary to the Treasury, Wellington, wrote advising that the loan of Ll2O had been inscribed in the Treasury, bo that it would be unnecessary to issue debentures for the amount.— The clerk explained that this was the balance of the Richardson Riding loan. Mr C. Macandrew, secretary to the School Commissioners, wrote thanking the council for complying with the commissioners* request in regard to closing block road at south-east end of section 9, block XVII, Clutha district, and stating that Mr John Cnmine would prepare the necessary plans. — Clerk to write to Mr John Cumine asking him to prepare plans free of charge. The clerk of the Town Board, Clinton, wrote asking the assistance of the county council in asking the railway authorities to remove the railway fence back to its proper boundary. — Received. The Charitable Aid Board wrote asking to be supplied with particulars of the county's rateable value for the ensuing year, in order that the contributions by the various local bodies might be arrived at — The clerk had supplied the information. The secretary Balclutha Gas Company wrote stating that the company were laying the mains, and offering to light the county chambers. — It was resolved that the letter should lie on the table till the question of cost be ascertained, ifc being pointed out that the council would be small consumers. Mr James Lilly, Port Molyneux, wrote complaining of the damage done to his property through the overflow from road drain, and stating that unless the council took steps to remedy matters he would hold the council responsible for damage. — Letter received. The engineer had already been instructed to have these drains attended to. Mr W. Brown, Dunedin, wrote that considerable damage had been done to the Big Mill property at Catlins by the men working on the Lakeside road removing some of the planks. He asked the council to see that the damage was made good and steps taken to prevent this being done in the future. — Several councillors expressed the opinion that tbe council had no responsibility in the matter, and it was referred to the engineer. Mr F. G. Moore wrote soliciting an order for his express rate tables, prepared specially for the use of county councils and road boards reckoning the amount of their rates. — Received. The Surveyor-general forwarded agreement to be signed by council in re Draper's road, Woodland, the Government granting L3O towards the work. — Chairman to sign agreement ou behalf of council. The Surveyor-general also wrote wifch reference to the road through the late Mr Brown's property for settlers in block 11, Catlins, and block IX, Glenomaru. and evpressed the hope that the work would be now well under way, the chief surveyor having been authorised to arrange for tenders in January. — Mr Knowles said there was L 350 voted for this work some time ago and nothing had been done — Mr Dallas said the work had not been put in hand, as Mr Brown, being only a trustee, had no power to grant a transfer of the land. He would, however, place no objections in the way of the work being done. — Mr Knowles said that the land should be taken under tho Public Works Act, the same as was done with regard to the Cannibal Bay road. It was monstrous that the settlers in block IX should be positively deprived of an outlet to their properties. It was always hung up in some way from time to time and nothing done. — After some discussion (during which Mr Dallas pointed out that the Government had the matter in hand and not the county council), it was agreed, en the motion of Mr Knowles, seconded by Mr Hay — " That the Government be urged to get the land taken under the Public Works Act without delay." Alfred Lay, Kelso, wrote complaining of the works done by the council in connection with the Pomahaka River they having caused it to wash away his property, for which he would hold the council responsible. — Received. Mr Joseph Greenfield, Owaka, applied for a lease of section 31, block VII, Glenomaru, in order that he might make a temporary home of it so as to be near a school, before going on to his own section. — Mr Knowles said that the granting of the request would result in the land, of which there was 7-i acres, being considerably improved. It would not be damaged in any way. — Granted, subject to the approval of the Land Board. The secretary of the Charitable Aid Board forwarded a list of persons in receipt of aid within the county. Two were receiving 10s a week, one 7s 6d, one ss, one 4s 6d, and one 3s. — It was resolved to recommend that the 7s 6d be reduced to 53, the others to be continued. — In connection with this matter, Mr Wallace drew attention to the case of a former inmate of the Benevolent Institution who got leave of absence, but had exceeded his leave, and on going back the authorities declined to readmit him. The man, who was upwards of 80 years of age, was now residing in Clinton. He suggested that the council recommend his readmission to the institution. —Accordingly. Mr G. W. Draper, Woodland, again wrote applying for means of access to his property, and expressing regret that the money subscribed by the Government and himself had not been expended. — Mr Draper, who was present, personally addressed the council on the subject. He objected to contributing the Lls promised by him unless the council made the read to his satisfaction, and he wished the council to allow him to do the work. — The Engineer thought the,L6o— Lls to be given by the council— would make a very fair road, but Mr Draper demurred to this.— lt was pointed out that unless Mr Drape* gave the money promised by him lhe thing would simply drop.

THE LICENSING ELECTIONS. Mr R. Grigor, returning officer, forwarded full returns in connection with the licensing election, and stated that he had forwarded to Wellington all ballot papers, rolls, aud documents in connection with the election. He mentioned that he had ceceived notice from Mr Coghlan, Clinton, of hi 3 intention to demand a scrutiny, but this did not come within his province of action. The application had to be made i to the stipendiary magistrate. A number of vouchers for payment of accounts in connection with the election were presented for payment. Mr Dallas said as they were all aware a no license vote had been carried in the Clutha district, and consequently the council had no funds with which to pay these vouchers. He would move — " That as ' The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act 1993' provides that all costs and expenses incidental to the election of licensing committees or of taking a poll of electors under the said act shall be paid out of the license fees accruing in the district, and as a ' no license ' vote has been carried there will be no license fees from which the council can pay the vouchers sent in by the returning officer, that they be returned, as the council has no other funds from which it can legally pay the same, and that the returning officer be informed that it will be necessary for him to apply to the Government for payment." The Counties Act stated the objects on which the cou nail had power to spend money and under the present circumstances the council conoid not pay the licensing vouchers. The motion was seconded by Mr Wallace and carried. ROADS AND WORKS. The engineer's report was read and adopted as follows : — The Chairman, Clutlia County Council. Sir, — I have the honour to report that the contracts completed since last meeting of council are 552 on Ashley Downs new road, 554 on Young's road, and 551 on Dudley's road. Two small bridges, one on White Flat road and one on Clinton-Puerua road, have been rebuilt, and bridge on Waitepeka Creek, Otanomomo road, and also bridge over I Kakapuawaka Creek, Finegand road, have been planked longitudinally : these bridges are in Richardson Riding. The Land Board has agreed to the application of tho council to reserve sections 2 and 33, block XI, Kelso, in the meantime for a temporary road. In regard to Mr Thos. Telford's application to be allowed to raise the approach to thn bridge over Puerua Stream on Banks' road, in order +o enable him to heightert his protection hank, I have inspected the approach to the bridge and Dointed ont to Mr Telford that by simply widening the approach from his bank to the end of the bridge would meet the object he had iv view. Should Mr Telford carry oub his intentions the road formation at the bridge will be improved. I have inspected Shaw street, Catlias township, and find that Mr Cross's report thereon is substantially correct. To make a practicable grade on the Tjake road would require a very considerable sum of money. I would susrgest to the council to ask the Land Board (if section 12 is not sold) to reserve it for road purposes. By utilising the half of this section a passable grade can be obtained at a small cost. In regard to Mr Thos. Wilson's application for a passable road to his place — there are three steep pinches where the road passe* between Mr Robin's fences. To reduce these places to a fairly passable grade will require about L3O. Mr James Motion has completed the work authorised by the council on Merrie Creek road in a very satisfactory manner. The committee in charge of D.P. and P L. thirds, have agreed to expend money accrued to Long Point road in corduroying the moss portions of this road with fern trees. — To call for tenders for falling Vmsh on Co3grove and Lighthouse reserves road, Woodland Blocks, and also expend the money in hand in extending the falling of bush on Mr -Michael O'Connell's road. —I have, kc, M. Paterson Engineer. The following tenders were accepted : — Contract 557, J. Ottoway L 22 10s ; contract 558. J. Ottowav LlO 15s ; contract 559, J. A. Wylie L3l 16s lOd ; contract 560, P. Kean L 8 153 ; contract 561, John Taylor L 24 6s Bd. MISCELLANEOUS. The Finance Committee rscommendecl the payment of the monthly payshect, amounting to L 167 15s sd. The following motions were carried : — Proposed by Mr Knowles, and seconded by Mr Dallas — " That the engineer be instructed to spend the money accruing from ' thirds ' on section 22, block IV, Catlins." Proposed by Mr Gumming, seconded by Mr Robertson — " That a rate of hd in the £ be levied in the Waipahi riding, rate to be for the year ending March 31, 1894, and to be payable on the lst April 1894." Proposed by Mr Dallas, seconded by Mr Knowles -" That the collector take legal proceedings for the recovery of all outstanding rates." Moved by Mr Rhodes, seconded by Mr Wallace — "That tenders be called for Wilson and Tolmie's road as per engineer's report."