Clutha County Council.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1182, 5 March 1897, Page 6

Clutha County Council.

The monthly meeting of the above council was held at Clinton on Friday afternoon. There were present : — MessrsD. Robertson (chairman), J. Johnston, J. M'Neil, I). A, M'Lachlan, W. Hay, J. Gumming, D. "Wallace, and J. R. Mitchell. CORRESPONDENCE. The Surveyor-general, Wellington, wrote stating that the necessary authority for the expenditure of money in connection with the Kelso bridge had been issued. — Matter to stand over, the authority being for L 350 instead of LSOO, as voted by Parliament. The Chief Surveyor wrote asking for a report showing what roads the council would recommend to be formed to give access to unsold lands during year ending 31st March, 1898, and also to forward report showing what roads were constructed to give access to unsold lands for year ending 31st March 1897. — To be attended to. John Gow, Balclutha, wrote asking what terms the stable and yard at the back of the Council Chambers would be let on. — Referred to the committee appointed to deal with the matter. Patrick Glinnan, Tahatika, wrote claiming L4O damages caused through the council having ordered him to move from land on Glenomaru stream ; and, subsequently, issuing a summons against the council for that amount. — Proposed by Mr Hay, seconded by Mr Johnston, that the county solicitor be instructed to resist the claim. — Carried. J. P. Maitland,, commissioner for Crown lands, wrote asking for a return showing where certain thirds and fourths monies accrued shoald be allocated. The amount was about Lls and was credited to the council in 1888. —Referred to the clerk and engineer to attend to. The Paymaster-general, Wellington, ■wrote advising payment into the county fund 15s Gd, goldfields revenue for th« month of January. — Received. The Receiver of Land Revenue, Dunedin, wrote advising payment into the county fund account of L 229 14a 7d, being thirds and fourths accrued during the period between August 3 and October 31, 1896.— Received. John Goldsberry, Glenomaru, wrote asking that a roadline be opened through W. Forsyth's property, and that Foray th be compelled to keep his cattle off the road. — Letter received, and it was agreed to continue formation for 12 chains. George W. Draper, Ratanui, wrote asking for the removal of a gate erected by James Allan at the lower boundary of his section. — To stand over till next meeting. W. Nelson, Clinton, wrote declining to go on with his contract of metalling the Wairuna road, as he was misled by specifications. — The engineer said the whole road was specified.— Contract to be cancelled, and fresh tenders to be called. John Sangster, Wairuna, wrote asking that steps be taken to let water escape through the culvert between sections 57 and 58, Pomahaka. — Engineer to attend te nopt*er. J. Hosborough, Porb Molyneux, wrote withdrawing his previous objection to certain gates on street lines, as he wished to be at peace with his neighbours. — Received. James Steven, Samuel Taylor, and A. Melville, Port Molyneux, wrote jointly asking that a ditch leading from Pnerua Stream towards Clutha River be cleaned out. — Tenders to be called for the work. — Mr Hay remarked that next season he would propose that this ditch be deepened and the centre of the road, which was becoming very low, clayed with the material. RICHIE BSON SPECIAL WORKS DISTRICT. The Secretary to the Treasury Wellington, wrote stating that the council's le(ter covering a petition from the ratepayers of two portions of Richardson Riding, praying that the said portions may be made a " district " under Section 2of the Government Loans to Local Bodies' Act Amendment Act, 1396, stating that His Excellency the Governor could not be recommended te extend the definition of " district " in the said section to include the two areas mentioned in the petition as they are not local governing areas as is mentioned in section 2 of the said Act. Section 6 required the special rating districts to consist of a continuous area contained within continuous boundaries, so that the two areas mentioned in the petition would have to be made two separate and distinct special rating districts. Two <loans can- be made for metalling the roads in these areas provided said roads had never been metalled and that the Council took all the necessary steps (including a poll of ratepayers) to obtain such loans. In repiy to the Chairman, who said he had doubts as to the legality of the proposal from the start, Mr Johnston said he did not intend to take any further steps in the meantime. THE LICENSING ELECTION. The Tinder-secretary, Department of Justice, forwarded copy of warrant appointing the council the local authority for the purposes of the forthcoming election of licensing committee for the Clutha electorate. — Mr It. Grigor, the returning officer, also wrote in connection with the same matter, and asking for instructions as to how payment of expenses was to be made, whether by imprest or by voucher. He would also be glad to accept any suggestions from the council, provided of course they were within the statute law The Chairman said the County was not interested in the matter, and it simply meant that the council would be saddled with the expense and would derive no benefit. He was satisfied the Legislature never intended such to be the case. He did not see why this council should be elected to regulate the question of a license in the Southland County. For his part he would have nothing to do with it, and he did not think they could be compelled. Mr Gumming : —The point is, can we refuse ? Mr Mitchell : Perhaps the best thing we can do is to pass a motion to that effect and see what the result will be. Mr M'Neil: There must be some act that gives authority for the Council being, made the local authority, or was it merely optional.? . The Chairman did uot know.

Mr M'Neil thought, that the Oouncil would be the responsible party now in any case. - Mr M'Lachlan said he would move : That seeing that this was a prohibition district, this Council decline to act. Mr Mitchell said he would second the motion, Mr Johnston said it was not a prohibition district. The Chairman : The hotel is in the Southland County. A Councillor : There is bottle licenses. The Chairman : One bottle license, Mr M'Neil said he would move as an amendment that the Council acquiesce in the appointment. He did not think the Council could get rid of its liability in the matter. Mr Hay seconded the amendment. He thought they could not help themselves. After some conversational discussion, it was agreed to withdraw the amendment in order that the motion might pass unanimously, it being accepted as an expression that the Council objected to ♦being the local authority. A CEARITABLE AID QUESTION. Dr Anderson, Clinton, forwarded an account for medical attendance on a recipient of charitable aid at Clinton.— It was resolved to forward the account to the Benevolent Trustees with a recommendation that it be paid. Mr M'Lachlan drew attention to a matter in connection with this case. Relief was at one time given to the extent of 10s a j week, and on the Council's rbcomtnendation it was reduced to 9s. Subsegueutly the trustees' inspector came round, and if he (Mr M'Lachlan) was coi-rectly informed, the inspector was anything but civil, and as a result of the inspector's visit the relief granted was reduced to 6s a we«k. Mr M'Lachlan detailed the circumstances of the recipient in question, and urged that 93 a week was quite little enough. Moreover, what was the good of the Council interesting itself in cases in the district if the inspector came round and upset the whule thing 1 Mr M'Nftil considered the counci!,being on the spot, was in as good a position to judge of the necessities of a case as any' inspector the Trustees might send from Dunedin. It was understood that the Chairman was to recommend that|9a a week be again granted. COUNTY BUILDINGS. It was proposed by Mr Wallace and seconded by Mr M'Lachlau : "That future meetings ef council be held at 12.45 p.m., and that the Chairman be empowered to secure suitable county buildings and strong room, etc., either by way of lease, purchase, or building. " Mr Wallace in speaking to the motion, said he could not see why an hour should be wasted by not meeting till 1.15., when the train arrived at 12. 15. If they met at 12.45 it would give them ample time. It would aiso be a good thing to have suitable county buildings, and would enable them to get on with their business much better than at present. A strong room was also necessary for the safe custody of their documents. The rent they were paying at present would pay interest and cost. It was understood the present hall was to be closed so that they might not be able to get their present offices much longer. The Chairman remarked that the matter might stand over till next meeting, when all the councillors would probably be present, particularly as regtrded altering the t : me of meeting. Several councillors concurred , and after some discussion the mover accepted the suggestion and the motion was allowed to stand over accordingly. ROADS AND WORKS. The Engineer's monthly report was read and adopted. It enumerated the works in hand, and the progress made on them during the month. Mr W. T. Ashmore was to begin work on Thursday on his contrac"-, Catlins River Valley Road, and he said he wou'd do the claying of the moss formation on Table Hill Road after he has finished the metalling. The time specified for completion of contract on Table Hill Road had expired months ago, and the engineer suggested that Ashmore's contract be cancelled and the work done by day labor. Mr J. Ottoway had taken up the contract, Pomahaka to Clydovale upper landing, and was at work on the road with two teams and scoops, and there was every probability of the work being finished in contract time. It would be necessary to make some arrangement re fencing road, seeing the sum voted by the Government would barely meet, cost of works, fencing, etc. An application might be made to the Survpy Department to make the survey of the road. A survey of Meikle's Road had been ma r le and the necessary works would be overtaken in t» week. A survey of Moyes' Road was also being made. The Engineer of Working Railways had removed the fence complained of at Waiwera. It was resolved to cancel Ashmore'a contract, Table Hill Road ; engineer to have work done by day labour. Mr Johnston proposed and Mr Hay seconded — " That the engineer and Mr Mitchell arrange re fence on new road Pomahaka Downs" — Carried. Mr dimming proposed and Mr M'Lachlan seconded—" That the chairman sign the necessary agieemenh iv connection with the Waipahi bridge," also, " That the engineer prepare fresh plans for the Waipahi bridge, and call for tenders for next meeting." — Carried. Mr Wallace proposed and Mr M'Neil seconded — " That the engineer communicate with the railway authorities and request that the department make up the road on the north side of the railway at Waiwera township to the proper width, this portion of road being within the railway line." — Carried. Mr Johnston proposed and Mr M'Lachlan seconded — " That tenders be called for metalling 14 chains (more or less) on the Beach Road between ihe properties of Messrs Hudson and Wright ; also, for metalling six. chains on Otanomotno Swamp Road, engineer to point out parts to be 'metalled." — Carried. TENDERS. Tenders were opened and dealt with as follows : — Contract No. 722, rebuilding superstructure of bridge over Oamaru Stream. — R. Kerr, L 125 12s 9d ;J. L. Wylie (accepted). Lll7 19a. Contract; 723, formation V,S, Road,

Awakiko Bush. — A. Laggan (accepted), L 22 103. Contract 724, metalling seven chains, ClintonPuerua Road.— P. M'Rorie, L2B ; Alex. Smith, L24 10s ; E. Christie (accepted), L 23 93. Contract 726, formation Moffat'a Road, Waipahi South.— J. Taylor (accepted), L 26 13s 4d ; P. M'Rorie, L 49 10s ; F. Kean, L 32 ; A. Clark, L 45 15s lOd. Contract 727, metalling 12 chains, Owaka Road.— Todd and Bysrs, L3B 83 ; J. Brown, L36 ;J. Harris, L32s 83 : M'Coll and Falconer (accepted), L 26. Fresh tenders were ordered to be called for contract 725, maintenance metal, Port Molyneux Road. Tenders for collection of dog tax were accepted as follows : Mayaon and Bushel, Waipahi riding, 3|d per dog ; Glenkenich, 4d. Jos. Jones, Catlins, 3d ; South Molyneux, 4d. F. Olson, Clinton, and Pomahaka, 3d. A. Melroae, Richardson and Clutha, 3d. W. B. Beveridge, Clydevale, 3d. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Hay proposed and Mr Robertson seconded — " That tenders b 3 called for position of puotman for Port Molyneux punt. Successful applicant to havo use of house in connection therewith, also to receive all fees." — Carried. Mr Hay proposed that a transfer of slaughtering license be granted from James Shiel3 to William Boyd, Romahapa." — Carried. Mr M'Neil proposed and Mr Hay seconded—" That the clerk notify all persons slaughtering within the county that unless their fees are paid forthwith their licenses will be cancelled." —Carried. The monthly paysheet amounting to L 354 23 9d was passed for payment. This concluded the business.