COUNTY COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 19 September 1918, Page 4

COUNTY COUNCIL

GREY COUNTY COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of the Grey County Council was held yesterday. Present: Messrs J. McCarthy (chair) Crs J. Greaney, A. Blair, M. Hannan J. Ryall, A Robinson, P. Donnellan, and D. Baybutt. The Chairman reported having interviewed the Hon Mr Russell during his visit here in regard to getting a revaluation of the County; also with regard to getting some assistance to maintain the main road. The Minister promised to bring the matter before the Government on his return to Wellington. Cr Baybutt moved and Cr Greaney seconded that the Council record their appreciation of the work done by the Chairman, Engineer and clerk in connection with the foregoing.— Carried. TENDERS. Cobden Fire Station. Two tenders were received, both beinc above the Engineer's estimate. Cr Ryall moved that no tender be accepted and that the Engineer be fnsSucted to carry out the work by day labour to the extent ot his esti- ! m Seconded by Cr Blair and carried. Kokiri Moana Road. Only one tender was received which was in excess of the Engineer's estimate. Cr Blair moved that the tend- ' er be not accepted and that fresh tenders be called. . , • Seconded by Cr Ryall and carried. Teremakau Settlement Road. i No tenders were received for tins In accordance with notice, Cr Donnellan moved the following motion;.— That tenders be called, for converting half a mile of Nelson Creek-Bell Hill track into a dray road, commencing an the end of the present dray road. The Chairman seconded the motion and gave it his general support.— Carried . CORRESPONDENCE. From Government advising payment to County Fund Account.— Received. •From Acting Under Secretary of Mines Department acknowedging receipt of application by Thos. A. Waugh for prospecting subsidy and stating that it would receive confederation, when estimates were being prepared . — Received . i'rom Acting Under Secretary of Mines Department, acknowledging receipt of Council's application for grant and stating that it would be duly considered when the estimates were being prepared. — Received. 'From Acting Under Secretary ot [Mines Department, acknowledging receipt of Council's application tor grant of £800 to secure continuance of traffic over Greenstone-Marsden-Kumara road and that matter would receive due consideration when estimates are being prepared.— Received. From Under Secretary Public Works Department, requesting payment ot £500 on account of reconstruction ot Cobden bridge. Cr. Ryall moved that the Clerk be instructed to pay the amount. Seconded by the Chairman and carried. From Minister of Public Works re manufacture and carriage, of cement and stating that Council's resolutom had been noted. — Received. From Public Works Department authorising expenditure of £100 for Seven Mile Creek bridge.— Received. ( 'From Minister of Public Works re contracts for works, subsidized by Grovernment (re rates to pay to workmen, etc.)— Noted. From Department of Internal Affairs re local takings at exhibition of war films, viz. £1 6s 6d. It was resolved that this amount be handed ''"ver to the Patriotic Society. From Department of Internal Affairs re persons authorised to collect for war funds, etc. — Received. From Chief Accountant New Zealand Railways re deduction of ammount for maintenance of combined road and railway bridges from rate subsidy, and stating that the arrangements were working satisfactorily and that they saw no reason to, alter the present existing arrangements with die Treasury.— Received. From Valuer General re deduction of amount for maintenance ot combined, road and railway bridges from rate subsidy.— Received. From Department of Agriculture forwarding slaughter house licenses.— iteceived. ' From Commissioner of Crown. Lands re selection of land fpr returned soldierh and stating that if the present returned soldiers were not nt to, undertake work on the land set aside ifor them, several fit men would be returning in the future and would be abte to do so. — Received. Frpm New Zealand Counties Association re conference and other matters . — Received . From J. J. Malone asking for refund of rates wrongly paid. It was resolved that the amount, 9s 4d be refunded. From E. G. Turner, Otawau, claiming fpr loss of cow, through, falling down shaft alongside road. Moved by the Chairman and seconded by Cr Ryall that letter be received and no action taken. — Carried. From George B. Mclnroe^ applying for compensation in respect to an accident sustained by him. Or Ryall moved that letter be received and held over for County Engineer's report. Seconded by Cr Blair and carried. From Greenhill and Trouland applying for extension of time for completion of contract Ten Mile Bluff. The Chairman moved and Cr Ryall seconded that the matter be referred to the Engineer. — Carried. From Secretary Church of England Committee, Cobden, thanking Council for erection of footbridge. — Received. From O McLean, Secretary, Business Peoples' Queen Committee asking for donation towards GreymputhHokitika Copper Trail. As a deputation, from the Copper Trail were to wait on the Council later, the matter was deferred pending result of deputation. From Organiser Canterbury-Otago Red Cross Copper Trail, appealing to Council to raise £536 in this County towards Red Cross Funds.— Received and no action taken. From President Navy League, Chnsccnurch, appealing tor funds to assist men of the JNavy.— Received ana no action taken. From F. C. Wade, re an offer made some time ago by the Council to a pa*:ty at Rotomanu in connection with cleaning out pf a road drain which had been filled by the overflowing or Slatey Creek. He had purchased the .property from the party referred to and asked the Council to renew, their offer to bear half cost of. cleaning out the drain, or. as an alternative that the Council undertake the work and charge him with half the cost. Ur Robinson moved that the original offer of the Council be .made to Mr Wade, i.e., that the Council bear half the cost. — Carried.. From New Zealand Farmers' Union advising that they had written to the various County Councils asking that finger posts be erected on the County

roads, land a^kingj i-his /Council to carry out these necessary works. The Chairman moved that the letter be received, and stated that the Council were already erecting finger posts. From Joint Secretaries, Grey Copper Trail, asking the Council to declare a holiday in the County on Dominion Day, Monday the 23rd inst. Moved by Cr Ryall that the request be acceded to. — Carried. From J. Shrives in reference to nn accident sustained by him through n horse he was driving going through a culvert on the Marsden road. The Council previously declined responsibility in this connection. Mr Shrives personally attended and explained the circumstances. It was ultimately decided that the Council adhere to its former decision, that no action be taken. A deputation consisting of Messrs W. H. Parfitt and T. E. Coates waited upon the Council in reference to a donation towards the funds pf the Copper Trail. Mr Parfitt stated that as donations had been voted by the Borough Council, Harbour Board and School Committee, he trusted that the County Council would fall into line. Mr Coates read a circular that had been circulated throughout the district JLno principle that they were going on was that as in all probability it would be at ieast two years before the last batch of returning men would be arriving, they wanted to ensure the principle that the last men would be treated similarly to the first. Cr Hanuan stated that as tiie Borough had given £25, and the Harbour Board £10 10s to the Shipping Candidate, and seeing that the most of their rates came from the Country he moved that £25 be donated to the Farmers' Queen and it would also be given as a compliment to their worthy treasurer. Cr Blair seconded the motion. Cr. Ryall opposed the motion. He would personally be prepared to donate £10 towards making up the amount rather than the ratepayers money be given away in this manner. Cr. Robinson supported the motion Cr Greaney was pf opinion that the amount should be reduced to £15. Cr Hannan stated that there were many ratepayers who would not contribute anything and this was the only way to get at them. Cr. Robinson thought that the amount might be reduced. Cr Han- | nan stated that he had no objection to the amount being reduced to £20 and altered his motion accordingly which was duly carried.