VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 833, 31 March 1885, Page 3

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The ordinary meeting of the above Council was held at Clyde on Wednesday last, the 25th inst. Present —Crs Fraser (Chairman), Pitches, Anderson, and Sheppard. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Before proceeding with the business of the Council, the Chairman referred to the untimely and much to be regretted decease of their late colleague and treasurer. He said : —" lam certain that I shall only be expressing the sentiments of every member of this Council when I state that it was with feelings of the deepest regret and surprise that we heard of the sudden death of onr late colleague and treasurer, Mr M. J. M'Ginnis. His loss is one which will be felt not only in this Council, but throughout the County. Both as chairman and as a councillor he was earnest and indefatigable in his attention to his duties. He was a man of strong opinions, and had the courage to express himself freely in support of them. However much some of us at times might have differed with him, we one and all respected the conscientious earnestness which prompted his utterances. I need scarcely add that he will be long and kindly remembered by us all. When I state that he was essentially a good citizen, both in his private and public capacity, what higher meed of praise can I accord to bun . Surely it is needless to say that we sympathise with his widow and children in their bereavement." , „, , Crs Pitches, Anderson, and Sheppard concurred in, and fully endorsed, the remarks of the Chairman, each expressing their deep regret at the loss sustained. Resolved —That this Council desires to express its deep sense of the loss sustained by the Council and the County generally by the death of the late Mr M. J. M'Ginnis; also this Council sincerely sympathises with the widow and family in their bereavement, and desires the Chairman to write a letter of condolence to the widow. The schedules of inward correspondence was read, and the following considered : From the Chairman of the Bannockbum Licensing Committee censuring the Council for its action in reference to the Licensing Act.— The Chairman stated that whilst the Council could not prevent these persons from amusing themselves in that manner, he would recommend the Council not to receive the letter, but to treat such harmless eccentricities with silent contempt.—Other members of the Council considered the letter a piece of impertinence.—lt ■was ordered that the letter be not received. From Mr J. Holt, making demand for the payment of dues for conveying water into the town of Clyde.—The Chairman said the Council bad considered the matter before, but this time It had came in a different form. He had con suited the solicitor as to the Council's liability, and that gentleman said the whole question was so surrounded by legal questions that he would like the advice of another solicitor to be taken.—After discussion, the Chairman was authorised to obtain the best legal opinion on the subject. From Mr J. M'Cormick, offering to build an iron bridge across the Clutha at Cromwell for a sura specified.—Ordered to lay on the table. From Government saying that of the £SOO voted last session for roads Upper Clutha, a portion was intended for the road to Pembroke. The Chairman said that £4ll had been granted and received from the Government under the Crown and Native Land Rating Act, for the year 1883-84, and that a similar sum was expected for the current year. Correspondence from the Government relative to the Cromwell Bridge was read, in which it was stated that a sum for the re-erection of the bridge would be placed on the next Parliamentary Estimates. The question arose as to the control of the bridges in the CouDty. The Chairman said by the opinion of the County solicitor the County had no control over any of the bridges that abutted upon either a municipality or a neighboring county, and that before the County could make any bye-laws relating to same the Government would have to vest the control of the briges in the County. Cr Pitches said he saw no reason for the County taking any further responsibility than they already had as regards the bridge. After discussion it was decided that the Chairman apply to the Government to vest the control of all bridges abutting either on a Municipality or a neighboring County in the Council. »frThe engineer was authorised to have a dram made to conduct the water from the spring on the east side of the river off the Cromwell bridge. Statement of unpaid rates was laid on the table, showing that for the year 1883-84 £22 10s 4dremainedunpaid, and for 1884-85 £lO5 12s Id. Engineer's reports on roads, bridges, contracts, and ferries were read and received.

The engineer's recommendation to expend the following sums was agreed to : £7O, road Clyde to Parcells ; £76, Cromwell to Wanaka ; £lO, Cromwell to Nevis ; £2O, road east side of Hawea Lake ; £ls, Lindis Downs ; £2O, to Mr •Laidlaw's fence.

The treasurer's report, showing a credit balance of £1453, was read and received. Dog tax and ranger's reports were read. T. Sims, ranger for the lower part of the County, asked for an increase of percentage, pointing out that last year he had registered twice as many dogs as had previously been done in any one year. —Deferred till next meeting. The question of day labor versus contract was discussed ; the general feeling was in favor of contract, and the engineer was instructed to in all cases where practicable have work done by contract.

Engineer’s report on road to Marie’s and Holt’s coal leases was read, but was left over till next meeting. The engineer was instructed to make a crossing to the road from Dowling’s hotel, Hawea Flat, at a small cost. Cr Anderson said he did not know if it was within the range of the Council’s duties to comment to the Government on the very great annoyance and trouble all the traders are being put to by the Inspector of Weights and Measures, in seizing and carting away all the weights and scales toClyde that are either under or overweight, and moreover summoning the owners to Clyde to answer the charge. He said he understood there were over 70 people summoned to appear at Clyde, some being brought all the way from Hawea, some from Arrow, and some from St. Bathans. The Chairman said there was an apparent hardship somewhere, but he thought it would be better to -wait until the Council was bettor informed on the subject. The Council went into committee, and on resuming business reported that the following tenders had been accepted : —No. 130 and 131 — T. M‘Nulty and J. Bethune. No. 132 and 133—C. Webb and T. Barclay. No. 133 J. Pitchers. No. 136—D. Moran. No. 134 There being only one tender, and that in excess of the engineer’s estimate, was not accepted. Cr Sheppard was appointed County Treasurer for the year. Cr Pitches was pressed to take the appointment, he, however persistently declined on the ground that he would not be able to devote proper attention to the duties. Notices of motion on the Order Paper were dealt with as follows ■; e Cr Sheppard moved—That the road Tinkers to Bendigo be repaired at a cost not to exceed £2s.—Carried. Cr Pitches moved—That the present Ranger and Dog Registrar be appointed Collector of Hawkers’ Licenses, the remuneration to be 10 per cent, on all moneys received from the same. —Withdrawn by consent, it being pointed out that without an alteration of the bye-laws the appointments could not be made. Cr Anderson moved—That the sum of £lO be expended on road between Angel’s Hotel and Stewart Town, Bannockburn.—Carried. Cr Anderson moved—That the Engineer inspect and have repaired road from Clyde via Hawkesburn to Cromwell.—Withdrawn, the work being provided for in the engineer’s report on roads. Cr Anderson moved That the bridge at the schoolhouse, Bannockburn, be finished, and that a sum not exceeding £4O be voted for that purpose.—ln support, the mover said, to make a really good job the bridge wanted extending about another 100 ft, and moreover, the approaches required to be made easier. The engineer said that to do what was asked another two chains of bridge would have to be made, and other bridge reserves would have to be applied for. The extension was not required, but he might have some battens put on the floor of the approaches to give a better foothold,

The Council unanimously declined to make the extension, saving that the Bannockbum people evidently did not know when they were satisfied. Motion withdrawn. Cr Anderson moved —That the bridge on island in the Clutha River at Rocky Point be sold by tender.—Carried. The Chairman, was instructed to place himself in communication with the Government, also to interview the hon. Minister of Mines when in the district, relative to Warden's quarters. Thirteen applications for slaughtering licenses were received and granted. The meeting then closed;