INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1911, Page 7

INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

A special meeting of the above Council was held yesterday at Reefton when there were present:—Messrs Irving (Chairman), Scantelebury, Betts, O’Regan, Mclnroe, and Dr Scott. The Chairman explained the object of. the meeting. SPECIAL ORDERS. Moved by the Chairman seconded by Mr Scantlebury and carried that a special order be made authorising the sale of Sections 448 and 450, town of Reefton, under the provisions of Section 150, Counties Act, 1908. The above sections not being now required by the Council also that this resolution will be confirmed as a special order of the Council at a meeting to be held on the 27th April, 1911 and shall take effect on and after that dyate. Moved by Mr Scantlebury, seconded by the Chairman, and carried, that public notice be given that it is the intention of the Council to raise a loan of £2,500 for a period of 36£ years at per cent per annum for the following purposes:

(a) For construction of a bridge over the Inangahua River at Reefton. (b) The sum proposed to be borrowed is £2,500 being one half of the estimated cost of the work. (c) As security for the said loan it is proposed to pledge a special rate of one tenth of a penny in the pound on the unimproved value of all the rateable property within the County of Inangahua. (d) It is proposed to pay out of the loan the cost of raising it and the interest for the first year. CORRESPONDENCE. The usual monthly meeting was then proceeded with. From T. Moore, requesting to have the water cut off as he did not now require it.—Granted. From H. Hogg asking for permission to lay water on to his premises in Munson Street.—Granted. From Mrs H. J. Dunn, complaining that the charge fixed for ■ supply of water to her shop is excessive.—No action taken. From W. Prentice and several others asking for a, light at Corner of Victory Street, and Crampton Road.—Granted. From the Secretary of the Fire Brigade, giving a list of material required by the Fire Brigade—Granted. From stationers of Reefton. —Petition requesting the Minister to Gazette certain specified hours for the closing of stationers’ shops in Reefton. Moved by Dr Scott, seconded by the Chairman and carried that the petition be forwarded on to the Minister with the usual certificate. - From Banham and party, application under Class I. of the regulations for aid to prospecting in the Merrijigs district. Forwarded to the Hon Minister for favorable consideration.

From James Jude, asking for repairs to suspension bridge, and removal of blackberry from the short road to Boatmans.—Moved by Mr Scantlebury seconded by the 'Chairman and carried* that the motion be referred to the engineer with power to act. From James Billett, asking the Council to erect a bridge or place a suitable boat at his disposal, to enable him to gain access to his land—known as Fletchers Farm—on the west bank of the Inangah.ua.—Moved by Dr Scott, seconded by Mr Scantlebury and carried, that a suitable boat be procured, and that an application be made to the Government for a sum of money to be placed on the estimates this next session for the erection of a bridge. From Manager Progress Mines, asking what was done in reference to his application for strengthening the bridge on Murray Creek Road, and improving approach to ford across the Inangaiiua river.—The engineer reported the work had been attended to. From R. L. Kearns complaining of the uad state of the road to Billett’s coal mine, and offering to corduroy it at i. Jb per chain.—Moved by Mr Betts, seconded by the Chairman and carried that the Engineer have the work done without any delay.

From the Commissioner of Crown Lands, stating that if he was furnished with a sketch plan of the proposed new Domain on Globe Hill, he would take steps to have it laid off. Moved by Mr Betts, seconded, by Mr Scantlebury and carried, that the progress Mines Comjjany be respectfully asked to surrender the small portion of their lease which would be in the proposed site of the new Domain on Globe Hill. From Hon D. Buddo, tendering thanks for kind reception on occasion of his recent visit to the district. From Under Secretary of. Mines, stating that reports were now lacing obtained in reference to Knight and party and the Victoria Range Syndicate applications for aid to ingFrom the District Health Officer, enclosing form to be signed by the Council transferring its responsibility under the Health Act to the Hospital Board. Moved by Mr Scantlebury seconded by Dr Scott and carried that this Council agrees to the transfer and that the agreement be signed by the Chairman, Dr Scott and the County Clerk. TENDERS. The following tenders for the construction of sixty chains of the Big River—St. George track were dealt with, viz : J. O’Shea and party (aept.) £259 15 6 T. C. Irving ... ••• 294 0 0 THE FINANCES. The following was the statement of accounts submitted to the Council: — Overdraft at Bank £5009 10s, unrepresented cheques £44 Is 3d ; total £5053 11s 3d. Accounts to be* presented : General £782 8s Bd, Grants £336 17s 7d —total £6172 18s 6d. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. Mclnroe then moved the notice of motion standing in his name, as follows :—“That the resolution passed at the meeting held on the 26th May, 1909, that the expenses now allowed to the Chairman for attending to the business of the Council be reduced onehalf, be rescinded.” (seconded by Mr. Betts pro forma.

A long discussion then took place, the Chairman stating that two or three other resolutions reducing the expenditure had been broken. A division was then called fox*, the voting being : —Ayes : Mclnroe, Betts and Irving. Noes: Scantlebury, O’Regan and Dr. Scott. The Chairman gave his casting vote and declared the resolution carried. Dr Scott then moved that the amountof travelling expenses allowed to the Chairman be £SO per annum. Mr. Scantlebury seconded the motion, and suggested that the amount remain until the new Council were elected in November next, when they could decide on the sum to be allowed. The voting was the same as the prevous one, the Chairman giving his casting vote against the resolution and declaring it lost. The sum of £l6 was then passed for payment, being four month’s allowance at the rate of £4 per month.