CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVI, Issue 1379, 27 February 1900, Page 3

CLUTHA COUNTY COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Friday. Present— Messrs John Johnston (chairman), W. Hay, J. R. Mitchell, D. A. Al'Lachlan, J. Clarke, D. Robertson, J. dimming, and John M'Neil. — Mr Hay apologised for the absence of Mr Saunders.

COHRESrOHDEXCIi

The Department of Lands and Survey wrote that the authority for the expenditure cf LSOO voted for Catlins, Blocks 1, 2, and. 4,' was issued to the Chief Surveyor on IGth December last. A requisition for the approval of the .expenditure of LlO0 — Owaka-Clinton roiul — by the Council had now been sent to the Minisfcpr of Lauds for his consideration. — Received.

The Under- Secretary of the Department of Lands and Survey wrote stating that application had been received from the Tuapeka County Council that the Government vest the control of the ferry at Tuapeka Mouth in that council with power to collect from the Clutha County Council one half cf the cost of past and future maintenance. The Department wished to know whether the Council was agreeable to this, and if not to state its objections. — Mr Mitchell thought the clerk should write stating that this Council had always opposed the construction of this punt, being of opinion that it was unnecessary, there being a punt already in existence two miles further up, and another seven miles further down, and that the Council had all along declined to contribute towards either the construction or maintenance of the punt in question. When the matter first came up the Council declined to contribute, but said that if some wire rope which belonged to the Council was of any use the Tuapeka Council could have it, and also the services of the engineer. The wok had been clone very extravagantly. It would be a singular thing if this Council could be compelled to contribute toward?; a punt which was of no benefit to the county, and to which it had all along declined to give any support either for construction or maintenance. — Mr Robertson said the Council had always been too easy going with the Tuapeka Council. The Tua-p-ka Council ought at the first to have consul'ed the Council in regard to what they now asked, but apparently they now wanted the Grovernmentjj'O legalise their position. They were inclined to do a little pointing. — After some discussion it was decided to defer consideration of the matter till next meeting, oa the motion of Messrs M'Neil and Hay.

Walter A. Brown and 11 others wrote jointly desiring that the Council should take measures to hpve the steep grade on road Waipahi-to-Pornahaka Downs — known as M'Callum's Hill— reduced, and the culvert at the bottom widened, also that narrow portions of same road be graded. — The question arose as to whether the petition should be received, not being presented through a councillor, and, as a further objection, the petition bore the names of several who had never paid any rates.— Mr Gumming said so far as he was concerned he intended moving in the direction indicated, before he heard anything of the petition. — This being so, Mr Clarke said he would sign the petition, which, being done, it was received.

Robert Gray, Waiwera, wrote stating that on account of a flood on the Waiwera stream on December 4, while he was engaged at contract at Waiwera bridge, it washed away GO yards of earthwork at a loss to him of Ll6 to L2O. He made no allowance in his tender for such a contingency and he approached the Council to see whether it would bear half the loss.— Referred to the Engineer to report at next meeting.

E. Clements, Pomahaka Downs, wrote stating that he had removed the. slips from the Burning Road, and all he had to do now was to lower the pipes at Abernethy's which would be finished by Friday. He wanted the engineer to go out early next week to pass the work, before more slips came down.— Engineer to attend to matter.

John Russell, Gore, wrote acknowledging receipt of account for rates, but stated that he was not indebted, having sold the property to Mr W. H. Patarson on June 28, 1899, and advised the clerk at the time and remitted amount of rates then' due. — Mr Robertson said that the matter of alterations in, the roll was a matter for the Land Tax Department. The clerk had no right to alter the roll. — Mr dimming said if that were so the sooner the public knew it the better, for most people were under the impression that all they had to do was to advise the clerk. — The clerk said that in this case the rate was from March to March, and the property was sold in June. If they put Paterson's name on the roll wouldhe pay for the three months before be took possession ? — Mr Robertson suggested that the clerk write to Mr Bussell informing him that he must pay the rates for the year. He could collect nine months of the year from Faterson, whom the Couucil could not sue in the matter. — On the motion of Mr Hay the clerk was authorised to exercise his own discretion in the matter. James Falconer, East Chatton, wrote in a similar strain. — The motion on the last letter to apply. IIOADS AND WORKS. The Engineer in his monthly report stated that tenders had been called for contracts 873 and 874. Contracts 84G, 848, and 852 were completed. Contracts 843 and BG3 were nearly completed. The contractors were all busy at work and although the weather had not been very favorable considerable progress had been made. Along with Cr llobertson he had inspected road running Between sections 0 and 7, and intersecting section 42, block 0, Glenkennich. To make the road passable two if not three bridges will be required> and the road formed over two swamps. There would be sotue side cutting. The total

cost would be somewhere about L2OO. — The report was adopted. Tenders wexe opened and dealt with as follows :— Contract 873— John Heney, L52 10s ; W. Wilkinson, L 43 15s (Cross's quarry), L56 5s (Corporation Quarry) ; Jas. Towaley (accepted), L4B 15s (Corporation quarry). Mr Johnston proposed—" Tbat the engineer attend to the matter of laying off workon road near Purekireki (necf ssitated through Mr Mitchell fencing off his properly), and for which Clutha River Trust fourths were available."—Carried.

On the motion of the Chairman a very hearty vote of thanks was recoided to tbo?e settlers in the llichardson Hiding who had given their time and horses in grading the roads in the Riding, viz., Messrs Somerville, Aypon, Townley, Petrie, Lnmond, C^uston, and Miljigan. THE COUNTY FINANCES. Mr M'Neil proposed to move that tenders be called for 100 yds maintenance metal, part for Te Houka Main Road, and part for Renton's Road. Mr Robertson drew attention to the fact that some of the ridings were overdrawn to the extent of nearly a year and a half's rates. The council should make an effort to get something like square and not allow undue expenditure on the part of any councillor. He was sure Mr M'Neil's riding was fully 18 months overdrawn ; the act only allowed one year.

Mr M'Neil said he did not think his riding was in the position Mr Robertson made out.' Were this a new work he should set his face against it? but it was merely repairs, and it was false economy to allow the roads to fall into a state of disrepair. A stitch in time saved nine. No harm would ensue if the matter stood over for a month till the riding accounts were properly made up. .

Mr Robertson said Mr M'Neil should not be allowed to incur any further expenditure unless he was prepared to put on a special rate.

Mr dimming said when one riding got too much, the others had to go without.

Mr Robertson said that notwithstanding all their efforts, the overdraft was still over L3OOO, which at G per cent ran away with a lot of money.

The C'erk said that unless they were very careful their credit would be stopped.

The question arose as to the large amount of rates still outstanding, and Mr Hay moved — " That public notice be given that all rates unpaid after 31st March be sued for."

Sir Mitchell seconded the motion, which was carried.

The monthly pay sheet amounting t0.L380 6s 9d, was passed for payment.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The quarterly return of persons in receipt of Charitable Aid within the county, consideration of whioh was held over from last meeting, was dealt with. — It was decided to recommend that a case at Romahapa be reduced from Gs to 5s a week ; one atßatanui afc 12s Od to be discontinued, while in regard to a case at Waitapeka where 10s a week was allowed, it was decided to defer consideration for a month to enable Mr Johnston to make enquiries.

J. Murray was appointed to collect the dog tax in Waipahi Hiding, and John Andrews for Glenkenich.

At a special meeting he'd afterwards, the special order in connection with the Pomahaka Biding Loan special rate was confirmed.