Clutha County Council.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXI, Issue 1041, 6 July 1894, Page 6

Clutha County Council.

♦- The monthly meeting of the above council was held at the County Chambers, Balclutha, on Friday. There were present — Messrs W. Hay (chairman), D. Wallace. W. Rhodes, D. Robertson, J. Cumming, W. Dallas, J. R. Mitchell, T. Knowles, and John Johnston. CORRESPONDENCE. The Charitable Aid Board forwarded quarterly return of persons in receipt of aid within the county. — List approved of. The Charitable Aid Board also forwarded memo. of. contribution payable by the council for the year 1894-95— viz., L 247 13s 3d.— United" district of Central Otago also forwarded memo, of amount payable— viz. , L 507 4s.— Both amounts were ordered to be paid in instalments as formerly. The Clinton Town Board wrote directing attention to certain repairs that were necessary h> th* county roads within the toWn district, several culverts being out of order, etc. —The council agreed to procure the necessary pipes, cost not to exceed L 5. Messrs Powell, M'Aidam, and the Ashburton Drug Oompany each wrote quoting prices for poisoned grain for small birds. — It was agreed to expend L3O on the purchase of poisoned grain to be distributed over the county pro rata according .to the rates, the chairman to ascertain which of the parties named would supply that quantity of grain, made up in 51b parcels, cheapest. Mr James Murray wrote complaining of certain horses that were allowed to wander at large on the public roads in the vicinity of his place at Clinton. — Letter inferred to ranger at Clinton. Mr J. A. Wylie wrote asking the council to clnsf road between sections 36 and 37, block VII, Pomahaka district.— Road to be closed. Mr W. ETeckler wrote directing attention to bad state of culvert near his place at Warepa, and offering t«; cart necessary stones to repair same. — On the motion of Mr Johnston, Mr Heckler's otTrr was accepted, and The repairs ordered to he done by the engineer. Mr John Stoddart, Owaka, wrote asking the council to close present road leading from his place, and in lieu thereof to open np half-chain road through Mr Bradiield's propertj\ Messrs F. Bradfield and G. Morris, the other parties interested, agreed to the course suggested. — On the motion of Mr Knowk-s, it was agreed to take the noefssary steps to have exchange of roads effected. Mr G. W. Draper, Ratanui, wrote asking for a rebate in the amount of costs incurred in the case recently decided against him for recovery of rates. — Received. The National Mortgage find Agency Company wrote asking to be informed whether the road grader recently imported by the company for the council was giving satisfaction. — Clerk to reply that the grader was giving every satisfaction. THE LICENSINO QUESTION. The Chairman said that the committee in whose hands the matter of the coats for the recent licensing election had be fi n left had conferred with th* Balclutha Borough Council, and it had been decided to state a case for the decision of the Supreme Court, each of the local bodies interested bearing the cost. Mr Roberston thought the matter should lie over for a month, in order that the present case with regard to wholesale licenses might be decided. Mr Dallas thought the matter might well be left in the hands of the committee so that the accounts, which had now been held ovf r for a considerable time, might btf paid as soon as possible. The Chairman and Mr Johnston endorsed Mr Dallas's remarks, and the matter dropped. Mr Dallas said he had prepared a resolution in connection with the licensing question which he would move, though he did not know how the council would take it. As they all knew, it was orobable that some amendment in the act would be make this session. He moved — * That in the event of any amending or consolidating measure being introduced into Parliament this session with uegard to Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control, this council strongly urge on the Government the advisablness of making each county a licensing district, together with any small borough which may be within or contiguous to the county boundaries." He had no strong feeling on the subject, but he was satisfied that things would work more satisfactorily were the counties, together with the other local bodies within their boundaries, make the licensing districts. Of course it was with a view of making the one roll suit that the electoral boundaries were made licensing districts, but as a matter of fact fresh rolls had to be prepared. Mr Wallace seconded the motion. Mr Mitchell thought that the whole matter might be greatly simplified by amending it in the direction indicated. Mr Robertson and Mr Cumming also supported the motion, contending that it was unfair that the Clutha county should pay for the costs of an election in the Tuapeka and other counties. Mr Rhodes was in favour of the licensing election being held on the same day as the general election, and thought the niotiVn should be amended accordingly. 'Johnston suggested that Mj Dallas should add what was suggested to his motion. Mr Dallas declined. His motion would not permit of such amendment. The motion was carried, and copies ordered to be sent to the Government, and members for Clutha, Bruce, Tuapeka, and Mataura, ROADS AND WOBKS. The engineer's report was read as folio ys : — The Chairman Clutha County Council. Sir, — I have the honour to report that since last meeting of council the following contracts have been completed— -viz., Nos. 541, bush falling on A. Farquhars road, Catlins Riding ; 548, metalling on Wairuna school road, Pomahaka Riding ;• 556*, hush falling on Catherwood's rond, Catlins, Riding; 559, formation on cemelery mid. Port JVlolyneux, South Molyneux Riding; 549, on Landslip Hill road and contract on Ratanui road are nearly completed. The culverts and stone crossings damaged by the floods have heen repaired. Cuivcts have been put in on Upper Owaka road, where it wns formed by the grader, and also on Mount Mistake road. The money available for Kathiku Gorge road has been expended.

J The committee .appointed to deal with DP, | and Perpetual Lease 'Ihirds have ajreed to expend the iti'mey accrued for section 10 block Ifl, and 27, 28, 29, block 11. Catlins. in oulvert- ! in? and formation on roa-l adjoining these sections, and also from section 33, block IX, | Glenomaru, or road adjoining that section. | The committee also agreed to complete the I falling of the bush on road line leading to Mi | Michael O'Connell's land. Laudreth and Lees' ! tenders to complete the fallins of the bush on [ Catherwood's road up to Tuck's creek has been accepted conditionally— viz., to fait the bush, and clear a track 14ft in width at 15s per chain, to wait for the money accruing from D.P. and P.L. Thirds are available.— l have, etc., M. Paterson. James Hiirring's tender for contract No. 569 at 4s per chain wus accepted. GENERAL. I Mr Wallace moved — " That the conni cil strike a general rate of |d in the £ and an hospital and charitable aid rate of 3-lGths of a penny in the £, such rates to be for the year 1894-95, and to become payable in one sum on the 25th August 1994." — Mr Rhodes seconded the motion, which was carried. On the motion of ATr Dallas the council asreed to adopt " The Rating Act 1882." | On the motion of Mr Robertson, seconded by Mr Rhodes-—" It was rosolved to call for tenders for each riding frcm persons willing to act as valuers." Mr Knowles said a fresh valuation was urgently necessary so far as his district was concerned, for many of the settlers there were not on the roll at all. This was all the business.