Vincent County Council

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXII, Issue 3211, 9 May 1932, Page 5

Vincent County Council

The ordinary monthly meeting ot the aoove, held in the Council Chambers, Clyde, on Thursday last, was attended by Crs J. Ritchie (chair), b- Stevens, A. C. Secular, R. Butcher, J. F. Partridge, and D. Crquhart. Before proceeding with the business, the chairman conveyed the sympathy of the council to the Engineer-clerk on the loss of his father. The chairman also referred feelingly to the sad loss the county and district iiad sustained by the death of Mr T. W ilkinson, a contractor who had done splendid service, and one who had left behind many fine monuments to perpetuate his memory, lie moved a motion of sympathy with the relatives. —This was carried in the customary manner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was read and dealt with as follows: E. T. Kitto, Manuherikia Valley, wrote re drainage of road near his orchard, asking that a culvert be cleaned out and race made, to take the storm water away into Slaughteryard vGiilly. Damage was at present being done to his orchard.—The inspector was instructed to inspect and report. D. Sinnamon, Puolburn, wrote re building permit, regretting that he complied with the regulations ■ and stating that he was only altering his house and did not think a permit would be necessary.—The clerk intimated that the necessary forms had been sent. (The trustees of the Nevis hall wrote asking for a reduction in license! fee, as there were no funds and practically no revenue.—The clerk to reply that tho council had not the power to reduce the fee. F. R. Riley wrote thanking the council for its decision to get a report re the Dingle track. The secretary of the Return'd Soldiers Club wrote conveying thanks to the council for assistance given to unemployed soldiers, and regretting that the club could not ar.j way to assist the council. The writer asked if the council could suggest any way in which they could help as they would ■willingly do so.—Received. J. L. Stewart Wright, secretary of the Cromwell District Mining Association, wrote that council’s letter of Bth inst. returning his letter of ist inst., and \advising that strong exception had been taken by the council to a statement contained in his letter, was placed before a meeting of the Executive of tho Association on April 13th. The writer pointed out that no innuendo w’as made, implied or inferred in his letter, and that in his opinion not by the wildest flight of imagination could nis statement be interpreted to mean what thd council had fit to infer. Writer stated that he appreciated what the chairman had done in the Interests of mining, and had on more than one occasion mad© public eulogy' of his work. The matter under discussion in his letter was that of a grant to the Association, and the action *0 council had taken had confirmed to the very full the statement that it would not deem the question of validation as worthy of consideration. As one not altogether inexperienced in the matter of procedure the council’s method of deciding not to receive his letter and then giving the subject matter considerable publicity, and replying to the letter, struck him as being certainly somewhat unprecedented. If the letter was not received how on earth could it effect such strong exception and give such offence when nothing of that nature was intended. In justice to himself he asked that the council kindly be good enough to retain his letter which ho now returned so that it may be filed with tne copy of the council’s letter of the 6th inst. The clerk stated that the letter had not been received), but on his being notified of the fact, the letter had since come to hand. The chairman said that he had Been Mr Wright and told him that the council fook exception to the statement that they did not take sufficient inter, est to validate the payment of ,£75. The letter asking for this sum had never been before the council. What the council took exception to was anyone saying that the council took no interest in mining. With regard to the report, the chairman said that the word “insolent” was never mentioned, and if if got into a paper the council had ne responsibility. Regarding the local press report the chairman said that they had invariably been fair and comprehensive. Cr Scoular said, as proposer of the motion that the letter be not received, that he was still of the same opinion, that the letter should not be received; and be proposed that the council could see no reason to alter its decision. —Seconded by Cr Butcher ami carried unanimously. T. C. Donnelly and party wrote renewing application for use of water in the Undaunted Head Race from Thompsons Creek for gold mining purposes during tho months the farmers do not require the water.—The Irrigation Committee had granted use of water at a rental ofjt£ 1 per year. Jas.j Cairns, Matakanui, wrote applying for two heads of water for mining purposes from Thompsons Creek. In connection with these applications, Cr Scctmat said that under new conditions the applications would have to wait. They had done work in repairing the racj and were entitled to consideration and preference. The chairman thought that in view of the development of mining that no application could bo granted meantime.—Applicants to he so informed. The Town Clerk, Dunedin, wrote advising that a conference re heavy motor vehicle regulations would be held in Dunedin on June 2nd, and asking the council to send one or more representatives. —The chairman was appointed to represent the council. Mr \V. A. Bodkin, M.P., wrote in reply to a letter from the council stating that ho did not think it was the 'present intention to abolish the Main Highways Board, and stating that in such an event he imagined the petrol tax would be paid to the county direct He would he pleased to know whether that would meet with the approval of the council. Ho also mentioned that a number of M-P.s were advocating * a oliev of amalgamating a number of county councils', making larger local authorities and paying over to such lord bodies their proportion of the petrol tax. The chairman reported that the Executive had objected to the recommendation that tho money from the petrol tax should lie put into the Consolidated Fund, and voted by Timed had done excellent work, and had Parliament. Ho thought the Highways , nv av with the necessity of councils having to go to Wellington to ask fo» rants. He was pleased to see that Mr

Bodkin had signified his intention of supporting the motion that the council had passed. Letters were read from Mr Bodkin, M.P., enclosing letter from thd Post-master-General stating that he was looking into the matter of paying share of the cost of the Omakau Drainage Scheme. —Received. Mr Bodkin also wrote agreeing to ’ support the council’s objection to revaluations in Vincent County. The Minister of Public Works wrote re council’s decision protesting tigainst • taking over the Hawea-Makarora road, and in view of representations made would further consider the matter. The Public Works Department engineer wrote re water for mining, intimating that the charge would be 10 per cent of the gold won. The chairman pointed out that it seemed hardly fair that a miner who might only require a head of water one day a week, should pay as much as another using several heads every day. This was a matter that would require adjusting.—Clerk to communicate with the Public Works Department Engineei pointing this out. The inward correspondence as read was received and the outward approved. The returning officer reported that for the election for the Vincent Hospital Board, five nominations were received, and it would be necessary to recommend two more for appointment. Cr Stevens moved that the names ot Messrd G. T. Alexander, and D. S. ivliddlctoh be recommended to the Minister of Internal- Affairs. —Seconded by Cr Butcher and carried. Tho Returning Officer also reported that a similar condition applied in connection with tho Electric Power Board, the nominations in this case being one short. Cr Stevens moved that Mr G. T. Alexander be appointed to fill the vacancy.—Seconded by Cr Butcher and carried. The Road Inspector’s report was read and dealt with as follows; With regard to the Dingle track the inspector said it would cost In view of the economic position Dr Riley td be informed that the work could only be done if unemployed labor was available. Cr Partridge asked that some repairs be made to the roads from Cromwell up, and that a rope be secured for the Cromwell chair. Some repairs about Hindis to bo undertaken. The grader to be put on to repair Bannockburn Hill. The Cromwell-Clyde gorge to be graded immediately. Cr Butcher stressed the importance of doing the Poolburn bridge. The inspector said that he believed that he could get a good man to go out to do this work.—Authority given. The grader was on the main Lauder road, and some gravelling Was wanted to fill up pot holes. Cr Butcher asked that when the lorries were down that they should do some gravelling at Booth’s road.— Agreed to. The County Ranger reported having visited Hawea and Luggate districts and found no stock wandering on the roads. The Dog Registrar reported having to date registered 1034 dogs at 2s 6d. 128 at ss, and 14 at ios. A letter from the chairman to the Minister protesting against the charge j of £ 1 per k.w. for the water for the Roaring Meg scheme was approved. The chairman remarked that as this was the last meeting of the council he took the opportunity to thank the members for their hearty co-operation. The year had been a very difficult one, and in view of the serious economic ! condition that obtained throughout the year, Councillors could not get all Hie 1 money they wanted. He hoped that ratepayers appreciated this fact and h mentioned this because there was to ■“• a two elections, and he said that the two councillors interested had done their very best. and without laying himself open to be charged with eliec tioneering, it was his duty to say that they both were very excellent Conn- ] cillors. He paid a very graceful and | tlattering compliment to the county staff, and also paid a tribute to the Press lor what he was pleased to term “very fair and accurate reports.” Cr Butcher expressed his appreciation of tiie assistance he had received from fellow councillors and particularly from the chairman. Cr Stevens endorsed Cr Butcher’s remarks, and thanked the councillors and staff for consideration at all times shown him. Cr Urquhart said he was pleased to endorse the remarks made by the chairman regarding the staff. He also said j that they had all worked well together ' and they were in the happy position of having an excellent ciinirnian. Messrs George and Stevens replied on behalf of the staff and press, and the meeting closed.