LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Lake County Press, Issue 2116, 3 May 1906, Page 4

LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL.

A Heavy Day's Work.

County Clerk Appointed.

A Six Farthings' Eate Arranged.

The above body had a heavy day's work (or at least two day's in one) attheir meeting on Tuesday last. All the Councillors were present with the exception of Cr Baird, who was unavoidably absent. The Council had a heavy day's work in front of them and sat from 10.80a.m. on Tuesday till 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Messrs Turton and Son waited on the Council, and read through the new County by-laws, and it was decided that the County by-laws 1 to 10 as drafted by the County solicitors Messrs Turton and Son, be approved and passed; that a speoial meeting be held on the 19th June to confirm resolutions passing the by-laws. A discussion took plaoa as to the license fee on traction engines, Cr M'Caughan objecting to a £lO fee, as it would be a means of stopping the use of traction engines being utilised, and this would be a draw-back to farmers in Kingston riding. Cr M'Kibbin agreed, and said that if a heavy fee were placed on traction engine owners, the farmers would have to pay for it. Ultimately Cr M'Caughan proposed, and Or M'Kibbin seconded—That the. license fee be £l.

Amendment by Crs Cockburn and M'Dougall—That the fee be £5 a year, or 25s a quarter. The amendment was carried, the movers of the motion expressing themselves as being satisfied with this.

The by-laws were then passed as a whole, Cr M' Bride dissenting. A deputation of Queenstown Borough Councillors waited on the Council relative to the Christchurch Exhibition, and Crs Cockburn, M'Bride, Birley and M'Kibbin, with other councillors if possible, were appointed a committee to act in conjunction with the Queens-, town Council in arranging details. The Mayor of Queenstown said that. Mr Evans had offered to act as general secretary. A long discussion (report of which will appear in our next issue) took place or;, the subject of a general rate for the ensuing year, and it was ultimately decided that it be a six-farthing.instead, of a five-farthing rate as previously.. The financial position of the Council occasioned this. Fifty-five applications were received, for the position of County clerk, and several hours were spent in going through the testimonials of each applicant. Ultimately Mr J. W. Fraser, of Dunedin, was appointed to the position. Tenders were dealt with as follows :. —Contract No 271 (Shotover Valley lload): Section 1, E. Sainsbury £65 ; section 1, J. Bordeau £43 lis 6d, section 2, £sl 8s 6d, or if tenderer was successful would do both sections for £B9 12s ; section 1, J. Henderson £4O 8s 9d, and for section 2 £66 9s 6d; section 1, J. Flynn £47 5s 9d, and for section 2 £59 10s. The tender of J. Henderson for section 1 was accepted, and for section 2 the tender of J. Flynn. Contract 272 (Bob's Cove): Section 1. A. Hood £179, section 2, same tenderer, £ll2 13s 4d; section 1, Hunter and Partridge £276 14s;, J.. E. Stephens, for two sections, £290 19s. The tenders of Alex Hood for both sections were accepted, the second section to bo reduced down to amount of vote available. Contract 273 (Ben Lomond road): Section 1.. J. M'Leely-

£275, section 2, £206 10a; J. Stephens section 1, £226 Gh, section «, £228 12s. The tender of J. M'Leely for No 2 was accepted, and J. Stephens for No 1.

Mr J. W. Fraser, who has been appointed County Clerk, is a Green Island native, and married. Mr Fraser had very high testimonials, and considerable experience as a clerk. Mr Fraser is also an expert shorthand writer. In considering the financial position of the Council, members said they had but to strike tho higher tatei .The Engineer was requested not to employ casual labor, but to do urgent work with groups of permanent workmen.

Mr W. Fraser, M H. 8., mot the councillors, and conversed with them on the financial position and made several suggestions regarding County matters generally.