VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 919, 28 November 1879, Page 2

VINCENT COUNTY COUNCIL.

The usual two-monthly meeting of the Cou icil was held on Wednesday the 2Gth inst., in the Council Chamber, Clyde. There were present—Messrs Jolly (Chairman), Naylor, Pitches, Colclough, Fraser, M ‘(Jinnia, and Masters.

The minutes of the previous ordinary meeting were read and continued. Schedules of inward and outward correspondence were read. The following correspondence was read and dealt with. The bondsmen for the contractor for the Clyde Bridge—Messrs W. Grant and Jno. Richards—were approved of. A letter from Mr Blood, on behalf of Mr Brummy, requesting immediate payment of money said to be duo on account of extras to Macamlrew Bridge, was ordered to be received. A letter from the Government, re the County being proclaimed a Rabbit District, was received.

A report showing the traffic on ferries and punts was laid on the table. A return of moneys paid during the two months, together with the names of persons certifying to same, was laid on the table.

The Engineer’s Report on Contracts was read, and, with a few alterations, adopted. The Engineer’s Report on Roads was adopted as amended. The Engineer s Report on Bridges was read and adopted. The Report on Ferries ami Punts was read, and ordered to be considered in Committee.

The Report of Rate Collector, Ranger, and Valuer, was read and adopted. The Council then adjourned till 7,30.

On resuming, A list of persons who have nut paid their rates was laid on the table. A statement of receipts and expenditure for the past two months was read.

The Chairman intimated that a copy of agreement between the Garrick Range Water Race Company and the Council had been received.

Resolved—That the Company he informed that the matter must stand over until the Government had transferred the title to the County. It was also resolved—That the Clerk be instructed to hand the agreement to the County Solicitor, for the purpose of ascer. tabling whether the same be a proper legal document, so that no delay take place on receipt of title from the Government. Resolved—That Standing Order s be suspended, in order that the items on the Order Paper be considered. The Chairman stated that the first business was the election of Chairman for tho ensuing year.

GV Pitches hail not the consent of the gentleman he was about to propose, but he had no doubt be would give his consent. They all knew to whom he referred, and he need not dilate on the ability displayed by that gentleman in carrying out the duties of the office. He moved the re-election of their late Chairman, Mr Vincent Pyke. Cr Masters seconded the motion, and spoke in high terms of the manner in which the business of the Council had hitherto been conducted. Cr Colclongh had no doubt as to Mr Pyke s efficiency as a chairman. He disagreed with Mr Pyke on many points, but he did not think they could elect a better man. He only hoped Mr Pyke, if elected, would follow the example of“ other County Chairmen, and do his best to curtail the expenses, and that he would commenco by voluntarily reducing his own salary, lie supported Mr Pyke’.s re-election. Cr Fraser also spoke in favour of the reelection of Mr Pyke, and endorsed the remarks of the former spe-kers. He urged that the Council had been most reckless in its expenditure during the past year. Carried.

Cr Colclough said the resolution of the last meeting re chairman’s salary was u'tra vires, and urged that the chairman’s salary for the ensuing year should now he considered

A very desultory discussion took place, and

The Chairman ruled that the question was out of order, the salary having been fixed at last meeting. The. subject then dropped. Cr Fraser moved—That the financial state of the County be considerel, as regards the revenue for the ensuing twelve months proving sufficient to meet the requirements of works in course of construction and already voted, also the maintenance of roads, bridges, ami ferries, without having recourse to borrowing. He made a few remarks in support of the motion. A long discussion ensued on this question, in which all the Councillors took part, and which took up the whole of the evening. No decision had been arrived at. when, at a late hour, they adjourned till 10 a m next day

Thursday, November 27tii. On resuming at 10 30 a.ra.. Consideration of Ci Fraser’s motion was continued. A brief discussion took place, after which Cr M ‘Ginnis moved—That a Committee consisting of Messrs Jolly, Colclough, Naylor, and M‘Ginnis be appointed to enquire into the finances of the County, and sec if some reductions can be made in salaries and expenditure, the Chairman to be convener of meeting, and report to next meet ing of Council. Cr Masters seconded. The amendment was carried. _ On the Council again resuming the motion was carried.

Cr M‘Ginnis moved—That the bridge over the Earnscleugh River on the main road, which was passed last year and ordered to stand over through the flood he proceeded with. lie would not have brought this motion forward only the work was one that must be none. It had been passed last year ; the r ad line was intercepted by a dam, and as sections would probably soon he taken up and fenced in, he would like an assurance that the work would be proceeded with in a reasonable time. It had already been sanctioned and would not cost above L2OO.

Cr Naylor seconded the motion, but thought the work would not be needed for the next twelve months.

Cr Pitches opposed it on the ground that the finances v ouhl not. admit of it.

Crs Colclough and Fraser also opposed it for the same reason

Cr MT.innis replied, and asked permission of the Council to withdraw the motion. With.lrawn accordingly. Cr M‘fiinnis, in view of the Committee appointed to consider the finances of the County, asked leave to withdraw the motion standing in his name. Agreed to. Cr Colclough took the chair, and Cr Jolly moved—That the road leadin'* to the settlers’ homesteads in the vicinity of the Lowburn, now rendered useless by reason of pirties fencing in their freehold property, he restored, at a cost not to exceed LSO sterling. He had hail a memorial presented to him on the subject, hut it had been accidentally left b hind. The work was urgently needed. The road had been entirely cut off by fencing right across the road, and unless a portion of the road was diverted and repaired the loss and income nience to the settlers would be very serious.

Cr Fraser seconded. He thought tno work should be gone on with as it was very much needed. Cr Colclough supported the motion. Cr M‘Ginnis opposed it, and moved as an amendment—That the matter he referred to the Engineer to report on, and that if the work be urgent the Engineer be instructed to proceed with same.

Crs Pitches and Fraser supported the amendment The amendment was carried. Cr Colclongh moved the suspension of Standing Orders, and The Council then went into Committee for the purpose of considering tenders. On resumin'.', The following report was read and adopted—That the tenders as follows be . accepted : -Contract 04, B. Coburn ; 05, ■ W. Davis ; 07. T. Hayes ; OS, ; 0!) T. M‘Nnlty ; 70, B. Bayne ; 71, J Glass ; 72, T. Jackson.

That contract 06 be divided into sections and that Crs. Jolly and Colclongh be authorised to call for and accept tenders for the same, ami that fresh tenders be called for contract No. 63

Cr. Colclongh said he desired to withdraw the strictures he had made at an earlier stage of the meeting on the Collector relative to the collection of rates, as he he had since ascertained that the Collector’s time had been so occupied to preclude his attention to this particular duty. Reave granted Cr Colclongh asked if the Engineer had reported as requested on the unauthorised expenditure.

The report was laid on table, read, and considered satisfactory. Cr M ‘Ginnis was astonished that Cr Colc’ongh should have referred to this matter, as one of the items was for keeping clean the Cromwell bridge, and considering that the County had taken the who e responsibility of the bridge off the Cromwell Muni-

duality's hands, the very least that body could do would be to keep the bridge clean and bus relieve the County of that expense In reply to a question by Cr Fraser, the Engineer stated that extra men had from tim ■ to time been put on the roads to do the necessary repairs that the maintenance men -ould not possibly attend to. ' somewhat desultory yet animated diacu -ion ensued on the question of keeping m dntenance men on the roads. Some councillors argued the” were not required, others again advocating in the spirit of retrenchment that though the men were required their wages should be cut down. It was however agreed upon that the system of maintenance men was good, and that to reduce their wages would be bad policy. Eventually it was decided that the present system of employing maintenance men on the roads Clyde to Cromwell, Cromwell to Kirtleburn, and Alexandra to the County boundary, subject to the approval of the Engineer, be continued to the end of the ♦ present financial year, 31st March, 1880. Accounts amounting to LG7 10s 10, tor printing, advertising, and incidentals were passed for payment,

Schedule of Votes required by the Enthe Engineer for the Months of December and January £ a. d. Tinkers and Drybread to Lauder Creek .. GO 0 0 Spring Vale to Bough Ridge 30 0 0 Road past Leask’s, Ophir 30 0 0 These items were passed for payment The Snbtreasurer’s report of petty cash was read and approved, and the sum of Lls Was voted for fnture expenditure. An amount for L2O by Mr J. Perriam for repairing road near his homestead was brought up for consideration. Cr Colclough opposed, and the matter dropped. Or Fraser asked for leave to propose, without notice of motion, that £lO be expended on road—Albert Town to Fork farm. Or Colclough objected, leave refused. On the motion of Cr Fraser—the Engineer was instructed to put a stern rope to the punt at Albert Town. Cr M'Ginnis said that as most of the men were knocked off work on the roads, and but few general works under weigh, the services of Inspectors were not further required, and proposed that the services ot Mr Harvey, as road inspector, be dispensed with—one month’s notice to be given. Mr Colclough seconded. Cr Fraser proposed, and Cr Naylor seconded as an amendment —Tlut the word 44 not ” be inserted

Cr Colclough contended that a negative was no amendment, and said it could not be put. A most unruly scene now resulted, during which the Chairman left the Chair, and the Chamber, Crs Colclough and Me Ginnis afterwards left their seats.

Cr Jolly again resumed the Chair, and the amendment being with irawu by consent, and the motion allowed to lapse, the meeting separated.